Britbike forum Forums Events - meetings / rallies / rides Three state mountain ride forum Ray and Melissa have left the building ...

Left the Blowing Rock Inn, that is ... and it's sort of being managed by a group now that isn't aware of our group showing up there each 3rd weekend in May for the last 20 years or so.

Lots of rooms available, but you'd need to call in to get them. We used to get a "group discount" for that weekend from R & M, and we might be able to do it again, but as it stands, a Queen room for 2 nights is $363 total, and a 'villa' (Spring, Fall, Summer Winter) suite in the back is $480 for two nights.

I dunno.

Lannis

Ugh. The end of an era? I dunno either.

Well that throws a wrench in the works. Might be time for a new venue? Sad to say, but attendance has been down the last few as it is. I hope this doesn't kill it.

The OSMR will happen again this year Gordon...I can take all the time I want now. Windys would be a good choice I think If you don't mind camping. Familiar territory to us all and an eats tent could be arranged much like you did for us in GA last August.

Mike, something like what we did at Windy's for the 10th. BIG GRILL and lots of canopy cover........depending on attendance. Yep, Windy's is a different experience than the Blowing Rock Inn..........but doable.....and Windy is one hell of a host.

Come hell or high water......I'll be at the OSMR.......could be a good year to have some new folks. Thanks to Mr Healy, Ed V and Don Roe.....I should be back on my sidecar rig, Closer to the event.......I'm going to challenge some of the "multi cylinder" folks to actually ride to the event......my record be damned. If a unit single can do the almost 1300 mile round trip (2 years in a row)......surly those big bikes can. There, gauntlet thrown.

I've said it over and over........it's my favorite motorcycle event.....hands down.

Gordon Gray in NC, USA

I would humbly suggest a move to Little Switzerland and use Big Lynns Lodge as a base of operations.
Dinner and breakfast are included with the cabin/room.
Wonderful view, excellent staff.

Oh, and I had a blast at Windy's last year! Glad I had a cabin!

Had close to 400 at our dual sport event in January! Been as high as 500. Been a AMA National Enduro twice.

I understand fully GG!

OK guys I will take a ride over to BRI and see what I an do about these ridicules rates. If you guys dont want to stay there we can do i like last year from my place. I do have a 3 bedroom mobile home that right now is unfurnished and it can also be put to use.also hugh and jubie have the cabins and hugh has offered to share and how about you jubi? it will still happen some how some way.

Lots of memories of bike repairs in the parking lot, music under the gazebo, visitors from across the pond......there were some fine times at the Blowing Rock Inn.

We picked the “early in the year” date to avoid conflict with other vintage events and be ahead of the “ tourist season” in Blowing Rock. There were times we completely filled the Inn. I don’t know if anyone noticed but NONE of the other motels in the area were full during that time of year.

I know R&M caught some grief from local government about us being there.......Blowing Rock isn’t a motorcycle Mecca. To be honest they didn’t want us there. Bless Melissa for sticking up for us.......but at the same time.....we helped them start the season off with a bang.

Sad that she ( she is a member here) didn’t come on here and let you guys/gals know they were leaving........after 20+ years.

Windy’s would work for those who don’t mind camping. There are motels in that area......not exactly in the valley but close. Keeping everyone in one place was a win win though..it’s all doable. Windy stepped up to keep it going when I left. Knowing him he’d probably love moving it out to his place and has probably thought it through many times.

Things change......lots of times for the best.

Peace, Gordon Gray in NC, USA

Gordon I always wanted to keep it in blowing rock as it is a better starting and ending point than my place. the early birds idea was to give them a look at other roads and things to see. as you say things and times change but I sill want to keep it going in what form it takes, just look at how last year changed due to things out of our control.

PS it was all alans fault those first few years, after all he threw down he gauntlet.LOL .

Re my suggestion of Big Lynn's in Little Switzerland.

Been there twice with some buddies who do a BRP/Cherohala tour every year. Missing it for reasons this year...

But, the place is very motorcycle friendly.
Dinner and breakfast are included, which makes their daily rate rather attractive.
Dinner is kind of a banquet affair, never had a complaint, but not high fallutin dining!
Breakfast is made to order! All you can eat, just be sure to eat all you order...
Wonderful view. First year I was there, it was a few days before Independance Day, and I caught a town's fireworks show probably 15 miles away!
Very nice to sit on the rocking chairs that every room has, and watch the sunset progress across the valley.

Clean and up to date, with an old school Adirondacks style resort feel.
Nice bedding! Staff and management are 1st rate!

Just a short jaunt down the BRP from Blowing Rock.

so I took a ride this morning and the first stop was the BIR. an that was a wast iof time and fuel. after shoving an 80% hike in rates I was most kindly offered a 20% discount.
, gosh that was mighty nice of them. so at this moment i am going to say the BIR is off the itinerary and it will run a lot like last year from my place. I am not happy with this as we will miss things like grandfather mountain, the viaduct and the goat path. .some of the early birds can at least see some of this and other roads.

I just got a text with the rates.
single queen room $161.46
villa $206.56

I dont think any of you guys are good with this.

well the ham shoppe is still open BUT it is now on 184 just before you get into banner elk. yep that corner is gone to make room for of all things a wider road

.

Ob, that place looks nice indeed. It’s just a few miles from my daughters house so I’ll get a chance to check it out next trip to visit the new grandchild.

IMO Windy is doing the right thing. The change of scenery will be refreshing for some. Folks that don’t like camping can maybe stay in Mountain City or Elizabethton????? Windy might help with that. Folks like Lannis have tents built for a king......just not sure how his queen feels about it. BUT........honestly there are some WONDERFUL little towns around the area, artsy type places with plenty of shopping choices for non riders

If you haven’t camped at Windy’s.....you’re in for a treat, heck he just might let you blow something up......or shoot a 50 cal tracer ( pretty cool after dark).

He’s been Hosting an “early bird” event for years. We had our 10 anniversary to do at his place and had a blast.

It’s all good.......... Gordon

Still think it’s a shame they didn’t tell someone in the group they were leaving.

A shame, for sure. Maybe there are extenuating circumstances...?

Love Windy's place!
Absolute honey hole of twisty lanes, and a fine place for a get-together.

New grandchild??? Congratulations!

Another nice thing about Big Lynn's, be sure to let the management know what rooms are part of the group. They will set up the dining room so that groups can be together! They set the dining room by room numbers. They can do it if you forget, on the fly, but better if they know in advance. Great people!

what is R & M's last name?

Is this some kind of test?

PICKETT

OB.........first and only grandchild......5 weeks old boy. William Allen Campbell


Gordon

A fine Scottish name! You will have to bring him here, to the museum, to get his first kilt.

Well damn........looks like Ray has political ambitions.

https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/H/772

Richrd found this.......GG

That's a really nice video. Absolutely a Dad to be proud of.

Now, I have to ask, what tartan do the Grays wear?

We're part of clan Stewart.......so we can wear any of those. Of those the Hunting Stewart is my favorite. BUT, we are Stewarts of Atholl and that's what my kilt is. Ancient, not the modern version.

GG


Note......I deleted the video Marlin was referring to. Just not the right place or time. Cold and rainy here in NC.....makes me melancholy.

Ray was always on the Blowing Rock town council or the planning commission ... looks like he's moved a bit wider afield now ...

Interesting that my mother's father was a Gray ... I have a picture of him up on my study wall.

Unfortunately, we have no idea who his grandfather was ... his grandmother was unwed and the branch of the family is untraceable past that.

On the other hand, my wife's 7th great-grandfather (and thus my sons' 8th great-grandfather) was the Reverend George Robertson of Struan, cousin of Alexander Robertson, who was the head of that clan in the 1670s, so they can wear the Robertson tartan.

Well, enough of that rabbit trail, back to Blowing Rock.

Lannis

Melissa was involved with Blowing Rock city government too. She's still on the Appearance Advisory Commission and her term expires in 2023. Best I can tell they still live in Blowing Rock......but I have no clue where.

Still kinda disappointing she didn't come on here to at least say thank you and goodbye.

Gordon

Lannis, I've been around Scots almost all my life........give them enough time and they'll find a Clan you belong to.......no matter what your name is.

Fay just emailed Ray congratulating him on his November win and immediately got a nice note back saying how much they enjoyed the TSMR all these years .... Onward and upward ....

It is with some sadness that we read that the TSMR as we knew it has come to such an abrupt end.
But hopefully like the phoenix it will rise from the ashes.

Memories of happy days in a fine part of the world, great riding roads (Goat Path etc) with some fine folks.

https://vimeo.com/35089513

Seems like yesterday, not 11 years ago. I was on the Firebird Scrambler that year, last bike in the video ....

Lannis

Why not go down the Goat path?
The route is the route.
Doesn’t matter where you start?
Thoughts...

Patterson is a sept of clan McClaren. Sadly that does not make me a racer.
I'm more partial to Porsche anyway.

Never been to Shady Valley, but I do remember Windy, his generosity and technical knowledge stand out. I will need some sort of address, and a short list of what to bring. I HAVE to have coffee in the morning, otherwise I can’t function. I will trailer up from Cleveland Georgia, and am looking very much forward to this event! If anyone needs me to bring anything, let me know, as I will be in my BIG (to me) F-150 King Cab.

DPO......I’m pretty sure you’ve been to Shady Valley just not to Windy’s maybe.

Campground with bath house.... you really need a list?? Surely it hasn’t been that long.

Coffee is always a challenge but some campers come prepared and are nice enough to share. You’re going to have to check in with your Georgia cohorts and work that out. Windy might have upgraded since the last time I camped there. But it was a BYOC back then.

Not sure if the restaurant is still open, things change there all the time. But you can bet your booties Windy knows where breakfast is served and it shouldn’t be to far away.

Take care, Gordon

There's a coffee pot in the men's room. We supply our grounds and filters. Windy supplies the water. I always have a french press with me but i'm not sure when I will make it this time as things are crazy here. Maybe not Wednesday morning

Gordon Gray in NC, USA[/quote]
Challenge accepted. I'll be at the OSMR.

I’m going to do my best to have my sidecar rig back on the road by then. If not, I’ll ride Richrd’s bike up. Unit Single....441cc either way. If I can do it ( it will be my third trip up there on a single) you guys with 650-850 twins/triples should be able to make the trip with one arm tied behind your back.

Now that I’ve “almost” gotten rid of everything in the shop that’s not British I’m going to break out my Cotton Pony awards again. ( and you thought you’d seen the last of them😂)

Gordon in NC

I’ll take that challenge too, unless it’s Columbus Day weekend. Already have plans there...

Steve

Anyone have personal contact info for R&M? Invite them to Shady Valley for cocktails Friday night?

I think we should camp out on their lawn for old times sake.