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so far with it 7 weeks out it is still on. stay safe and use plenty of sanitizer..

For me, it only depends on if the Blowing Rock Inn is open on May 15th- 17th.

If it is, Fay and I will be in room 222, and will ride a lovely 210 mile loop through 3 states on Saturday.

If it isn't, it might be just me at Switchback Creek campground, and riding a lovely 210 mile loop through 3 states on Saturday! Gonna take more than fear of some Asian germ to keep me away ...

Lannis

I hope to bring the rocket 3. Will camp if required.

I hope to make it this year on the K bike. I had this trip in mind when I bought that behemoth, but something always came up.
Not as much fun to ride in the mountains, but I'll be camping and it's the only pack mule I have.

still waiting th hear from the inn keeper on her situation. i know they have told all hikers to get off the AT and Damascus has canceled trail days. I am at a sit and watch but so far it is on. if things don't change it will have to be run a little different for starting point and lunch.

I had really hoped on coming up this year, and still may be able to. The ‘71 four speed T120 is STILL waiting on parts. Finally got everything back, and the new rings had a gap of .070+. Will need a new duplex primary too, but bike is ready other than that. I made a bad decision on my last motorcycle camping trip last June, The enemy had a giant influence on me just outside of Dawsonville and ended up “partaking the forbidden fruit”. Right now, we’re trying with all that we have to save the marriage that I decided to put in danger. Our prognosis is great today, but changes every couple days, so I don’t know. Could happen I suppose!

Hope you'll be able to make it. Anyone can screw up, but it takes a good man to say "I screwed up, and I'm going to do my best to make it right". Good luck and hope you get the T120 back on the road also ....

Lannis

I heard from Melissa yesterday. They plan on being open, so I made a reservation, subject to whatever happens between now and then.
I could camp, but a hot shower and a real bed is awfully hard to pass up.

i have two cabins with real beds and a shower house with unlimited hot water along with free wifi..

Dang! That's better than home. Feel like adopting me?

hugh I am not up to adopting anyone at this point LOL

talked to the inn keeper yesterday. the state of NC has a lockdown on most everything including motels at the moment.. we are still about 6 weeks out and i am holding out that it will still go on.

We're good on planning right up to the morning of. Circumstances will dictate camping, inn, or overlook ... !

Lannis

Would July be too hot?

July weather in the high country is beautiful. With the added benefit of better chance of dry skys.

IF this one goes off as planed I can always be conned into a second one later this year.I am still in the "this will go off as close to normal as possible thought" also with trail days canceled we can go back to the ride through backbone rock. IF it HAS to be canceled I am still game for a later date also.on another note i am here april 1 to october 31 so all are welcome to come any time for a ride.

Fingers crossed, keep us posted.
If all goes as planned I'll need one camping spot for three nights, one bike and a tiny tent.

I’m watching this thread carefully, keeping options open...

Steve

Well, if the Inn is closed, and if you're "allowed" to keep the campground "open" (whatever that means), I'm willing to run the gauntlet and come and camp that weekend for the ride. Probably won't be many of us in that case, but on the other hand there were only 6 or so of us for the very first one .... !

Lannis

so far Tn has not had a lock down so the campground is open and i will run it from here with a few changes. i hope that Nc will open things up so our inn keeper will let us stay there. we still have 3 1/2 weeks to go and things can and will change as we have seen. one way or another i still plan to do this..

I, for one, would still go to the campground and ride and camp and eat and drink and whatever

Sounds like it's ON!

Ton Up Nashville posted that riding is OK as long as no big groups. Lannis would know about Virginia.
We'll just have to build a bigger campfire to keep our distance from each other.

It's sort of whatever you can get by with, in this part of the country. I haven't seen a police cruiser on the road in a week.

Went to the produce stand/garden nursery today for some fresh vegetables and seedlings, and things looked perfectly normal. Went to the hardware store, not a facemask in sight, 20 people in the store, hanging around, smoking-and-joking. I think people have had about enough and are making decisions to take responsibility for their own actions, at least that what it looks like.

Bigger campfire works for me.

Lannis

Sorry gang, but on the advice of someone that knows more about this than any of us, I will have to postpone. I'll do my own little tsmr later when the numbers come down a bit.

Looks like I'll have to do the same Rich. Not so worried about getting sick, but my "employer" has cut us back to 32 hours a week and is not allowing anyone to use vacation or personal time. Too bad really, this company used to care as much about customers and employees as it did profit.

keep in touch Mike and maybe you me and the Maltese bobbsie twins can have a repeat of last year in the summer.

I just got off the phone with the inn keeper and the state of Nc. has them in lock down well after the ride date. she did say that she is going to put everybody on for next year that has a room this year.

so it is on to plane B. I will run it from the campground with a few changes to the route. with blowing rock shut down we will not be going there and I will more than likely have a shorter and different route but still cover 3 states. some will thank me as we will not have the parkway to drone back on. also i don't think we can have a lunch stop but i think we will have a gas stop. with us not in blowing rock there will also not be a catered B-BQ but i think we can come up with something.

I do need a head count and who will want a cabin and will you be OK with sharing it.

I'll have a cabin if you got one... Question won't be "will I be able to share with someone"; sure I will, but "will they want to share with me....."!

Lannis

Hope to see the New England crew there. I know Mike said vacation cancelled but...

In talks with bob it looks like he will be here alone. so it is looking like it will be a very light turn out. so far the count is.

lannis
no name
bob
tom sanders
up date
seper gumby
david duke

Much as I would like to be there, it's going to be mid summer before I can go. Been talking with my brother about getting his friends motorhome and trailering down to Shady Valley. Anyone that wants to join us I'll keep you posted.

better late than never LOL.

Yessir!

Steve

Watch this space for further notifications!

My supervisor has allowed me to come on up. I'll be bringing my new to me 73 Triumph Tiger.

Should be there Thursday mid morning.

Look forward to seeing everyone!

Also coming up. Don't know. I may actually trailer this time and bring two or three. Sleep on cot.

3 State at Windy's

I also plan to trailer, arriving Thursday. The Bonneville is much more pleasant to ride in the mountains and my van is much more pleasant to sleep in.

well i have us a route i hope you guys will like.there are several roads you have not been on. we do have to go through west jefferson but it is not bad.there will be 2 gas stops. the first is about 35 miles into the ride and the 2nd one another 85 miles farther and will also be the lunch stop. this one is our normal 1st gas stop. after that it is about 50 miles back to the campground.scouting this was how i spent today and most all the roads was in good shape. also NO PARKWAY.

Sounds like fun, Windy ... Thanks for prerunning that.

Gas stops? The Norton Interstate LAUGHS at gas stops!

Lannis

Probably gonna slab down on the Tigah, but may trailer....

No Tom and Kat this year? or Chris?

Wednesday morning

You guys will have been there long enough to be able to vote in Tennessee by the time I get there on Friday ..... Maybe I'll try for Thursday ....

Lannis

Tom is a definite maybe...
Kat is out, caring for the elderly...
Chris is IN, he’s mapped a route for us, (which will pass within 20 miles of MikeG’s house) and I’m ready to GO!

you need to reroute to go right by and make sure you honk the horn and wave, an maybe shoot up a flair LOL

Can't believe that they closed sections of the Parkway. What was the point of that? It's for DRIVING on, for heavens sake. I'll use part of it to get there this week....

Lannis

Hope you guys have a great event. I was planning to come this year after several absences for no particular reason. However with some health situations in my household, I have been rigorously practicing social distances and limiting exposure to people and any public places and doing only what is necessary. I know most others don't consider the virus to be a serious threat in our region of the country but I am not willing to take chances when the sacrifices I am making are relatively minor.

I have been out a few times on the B50 and sail out on the sound often so I am not going stir crazy. I am down to a single bike now, the B50. I am making an attempt at simplifying life and getting rid of some clutter. I hope you guys have a great ride and be safe and for you beer drinkers, lift one for me. I am gonna make an attempt at next year.

Mr Mike

Hy Mr Mike good to see you are still out and about. it has been a while but I can understand why you are not showing up this year. it will be a lot different ride this year with all that is going on but think all will still have a good time.

PS I will make sure at least 1 is hoisted for you

Thanks, Windy for making the effort to keep this ride going. I know those that are coming surely appreciate it. I will make a concerted effort next year.

Mr Mike

+1

Good to see those of you that can are carrying on the tradition. I consider myself a relative newcomer to this gathering, but it's become my favorite bike event of the year.

On the plus side, I can take my time on my swingarm rebuild (kit should be arriving today or tomorrow. I have a solo-type ride set up for myself in WV this weekend on the modern Tige-AH. Lots of gravel roads to get lost on....

Mike G - if you're serious about doing something around BR in July, keep me in the loop! Y'all have fun and be safe. Bill, I'll share a virtual cigar with you from WV this weekend.

Steve

Well I suppose those are better for you anyway

Will definitely do Steve...and have a cigar for me too!

Sounds like it's shaping up for a great weekend. I hope to roll in about supper time on Thursday.

Bill, Are you trailering?
If you are, can I put in a provisions request?
I PM’d my wireless contact to you.

35F this morning, going to be rather crisp riding for a few hours.

Anyone have a phone number for the campground?
Sure would be nice is there was a cabin available...

Address for putting together a quick travel plan?

Info snagged!
Reservation made!
Will be the Appliance Guy this year, 1979 GoldWing.

???????

TSMR jenga

only The Shadow knows

Not telling you have to be here if you want to know

So we were going about 50 mph when tom turkey ran across the road right to left in front of Tom's Norton. We were 4th and 5th I think. Tom and I both jumped on the binders but tom cleared the road, and Tom went by. When Tom went by, tom took to wing and went behind Tom. I still slowed until tom decided what to do. Tom made a 90 degree right turn and landed into the woods. That's when I decided tom was clear and I started to roll on the throttle. Suddenly Bambi appeared in front of me. I saw her a fraction of a second before I hit her. Down hard in the road, only remember pulling in arms and rolling a couple of times on the road before tumbling over the left bank. Never tried to break my fall. Thank all for the help, especially Tom for the gas station field dressing, and for those who made the Deerslayer roadable.

Glad you are ok Dick.

Great time seeing everyone.

Thank you Windy for a perfect long weekend!

Your encounters are not the sort of thing I like to hear about as we have had very near misses with both beast & bird during trips in your country.

Just glad Dick that you seem to be reasonably OK.

Great crowd!
Great chow!
Great fire!

Kudos Windy!

How far did we run Saturday? Maybe 190 miles?
Of twisties...

PS, Dick, glad you are safely home, heal up quick.

Departed Shady Valley 8:00AM, Just got home. 9:27 PM, stopped for breffist & lunch.
Chris & I had an EPIC trip, and we enjoyed the entire experience.
Thanks for everyone making the effort to come!
(Singing “Uneasy Rider” on &off all the way home)

That's mine. We'll swap when I get your parts back to you. PM sent ....

Lannis

My powerful Gestapo speedometer (see " 'Allo 'Allo" for humorous reference) read 191 miles for the day.

I thought the route compared VERY favorably with the traditional one, and if we're voting (and we're not) I'd vote to run it again as "the new normal" until it's time to run the old one again ....

Almost 1000 miles on the old Norton this weekend and it never missed a beat .... other than having my left boot anointed with the finest Bel-Ray fork oil, and the wandering idle, it's running like a champ.

Lannis

Dick, Glad you're no worse for the wear. The whole incident could have been a lot worse. I saw the turkey come up from the left but the collision with bambi and the skid was all behind me and I didn't see a thing. Also thankful someone took the initiative to ask the store owner for the medical supplies. Glad I could help with my old army medic and EMT training.

And another fine time I MISSED thanks to my employer. That old David Allen Coe song keeps getting louder and louder in my head.....

My first year for this ride. I bought the BMW three years ago with plans to ride to this event. Something always came up. This year, with petrol prices low, I decided to trailer the Bonneville behind the van.
I arrived on Thursday afternoon. It only threatened to rain, resulting in a double rainbow above the mountains.
I took a nice ride on Friday, following Gumby and Mike Baker. I feel like a valuable commodity these days, wiping up the rear on rides.
Windy said the ride started at 09:30 or 10:00 on Saturday. We had the pre-ride meeting at 09:20, but by the time I got my gear on and started the bike they had left. I took off, hoping to catch up, but I only partially understood the plan. I ended up riding 133 up to Damascus and turning South on highway 91 toward Mountain City. I figured I could ride down to Boone and circle back without getting lost.
Beautiful day, beautiful roads, happy day. Then BINK!, I heard a chirp from the back wheel and the bike started weaving. I thought maybe I had a flat tire. Got the bike safely off the road and found that the rear axle nut was missing, along with the chain adjuster. I walked back the way I had come, but the only part I found was the spacing washer, no sign of the other pieces. I texted the others and, learning of the deer incident, settled in for a long wait.
One of the locals saw me sitting in the shade and asked if I were just taking a break. He returned about 20 minutes later with a lunch which his wife had packed for me. He also tapped the axle back in place while I held the wheel in line. He even tried to find a nut for me. No luck, closest we got was a coarse thread.
After another hour I figured I'd take a chance and limped back to Damascus to wait at Cowboy's market. A whole lot more comfortable sitting in the shade at a picnic table guzzling cool water. Two hours later Bill and Mike came with a trailer to my rescue.
Even so, it was a most excellent weekend. I got to meet new people and new roads. Many thanks to Windy for Hosting this event.
Maybe next year I'll actually ride the snake. Gotta be a lot more fun with a bike under me instead of on the trailer behind the van.

well it looks like it was a success despite all the inconveniences that had to be overcome. the route was figured out a week and a half before the ride with a test run a few days later. the BBQ was a no brainier, after all the Q is also a tradition. some things that was missing was the picking, fog on the parkway, rain on the parkway during the LONG drone back. on a good note we had a campfire every night, great time with the story swapping and seeing some of the gang. I just want to thank everyone that took the time to come out during these times we are in.

PS it looks like all made back home safe and sound.