Britbike forum Forums Events - meetings / rallies / rides Three state mountain ride forum 2023 25th anniversary

I really think it was Martin... he was from floriduh.

No way to confuse him with bill may. bill rode a b44, I think green. I think his wife came with him one year.


back to Bruce, he had a few too many one year, Ron, mike Carter, Commando and I were in Mike's room watching nascar.
Bruce came wondering in trying to find his room, walked around then wandered back out.

I made the comment about him being a bit strange. Mike looked at me and said, "YOU'RE SITTING ON THE FLOOR PETTING A DEAD CAT AND YOU THINK HE'S STRANGE??!!?"

I remember that…….classic early TSMR.

One of my favorite memories was the “prank” someone pulled on Ron Thompson.

Rich pulled that stunt in our room at the Carolina ride wandering in and out of our room miniss the cat

2005 and 2006

Bill, (aka no name man) I have most of the sign in sheets and I'll bring them with me to this year’s event. I just looked in the early folder and didn't see another Bruce.......but there's other lists he might be on.

This Bruce was from Florida ( in the photos by richrd) and it was rumored he was a bit wild. He was a nice guy in my book and one of those folks I seemed to just bump into. I HOPE he's fine......he wasn't the last time I saw him.

richrd.......GREAT photos of Mike and I agree.....he still looks the same. He's one of the people I'm honored to consider a friend. He's also one of those folks that when he's around.......everything's going to be alright.

Maybe an alternate reality or possibly my memory is out of tune but "A" Bruce Martin shared a room with me one year at the BRI and he was from Trenton FL.
But I coulda swore his FB was the green version. He talked to me about his daughter but I don't think he ever mentioned a son to me. Pretty sure he sold both his Brit bikes. One of them to me. Heard from him once since, about two years ago. Not that he would have gone over his life history but back when I picked up the A10 he was planning to get on his BMW and ride to New Orleans and giving up bb.com. Maybe was 2013? never saw him again at the 3 state but he could have attended a year I missed.
I wasn't actually suggesting a different Bruce came to the 3 state but I think there might be one from Canada on this forum

Two years ago was around the time we ran into each other in Georgia. Not 100% sure about that boy being his son……but I’m pretty sure he was introduced to me as his son and his friend.

Lord there’s no telling. I have problems remembering what happened yesterday.

IF I get a chance, since I dug it out I’ll sit down and go through all the sign in sheets and see if I can solve that mystery.

I really need to purge all that old stuff before I’m gone. It’ll end up in the trash anyway. I told myself I’d throw away the Mid-Ohio sign in sheets after our reunion camp…..but I still have them. I think this years TSMR will be a perfect place to let that stuff go. The only “structure” type thing I still have is the rack I made for the banner. I told Windy I’d bring it and set it up one more time but if he doesn’t want to keep it….I’m trashing it too.

Grand Paul donated some of Bodgers stuff that I tried to give away at the reunion camp…..I’ll try one more time at this years TSMR and what nobody wants….I’ll let that stuff go too…..unless GP wants it back. I’ve kept the nave plate and have it hanging in the shop. I need to put a tag on it so when one of you is over there cleaning out my junk….you’ll know what that came off of.

I need to go back and check but I’m pretty sure those three (Bruce, son(?) and friend) are in a group photo and are standing together. I’ll check those too.

I think he looks younger every year..........wonder what his secret is??????

Photoshop, maybe? It'll be my secret someday ....

Lannis

My secret? Act childish (child like?) And ride a britbike! Your nieces.....wait.....WOMEN will flock to you. Notice my eyes are wide open and I have a big smile in this one?

that was what,,,,,,, 50 years ago?

I remember it like it was yesterday.

Hello all,
Tell me about this ride, I see where it is three state and I have looked at map where NC TENN and Virginia meet so what is the distance and I have read a lot of the post about where you will have some slo-pokes and some burners, what kind of speeds are you doing I know It varies but general. Is it all paved? Is this a general M/C ride or is it based around vintage? Starting and ending? Thanks

It about a 200 mile day, we do a short apprx. 35 miles than a gas stop in va. Next is another stop for lunch and more gas in Nc. From there a roundabout way back to Tn where we started for a BB Q dinner. It has been changed to 1 group at a relaxed pace. It is all paved roads and most all are in good condition. All bikes are welcome even though it is a brit bike ride.

Ride starts and ends at Windy’s ( aka bill50cal) campground in Shady Valley, TN. Ride usually starts around 10 (?) on Saturday and returns around 5 (?)

There are some motels in the area and air bnbs but you’d need to check with folks who have actually stayed at them for more info if you’re not into camping.

There’s a group of us that will be making a week out of it so there will be plenty of “other” riding going on during the week.

talking with rich it looks like every B&B is rented in shady so i guess it will have to be the america court in mountain city. I still need to post on who wants a cabin.

Just for the team's information - I've stayed at the Americourt in Mountain City a couple times. It's listed as a "2.5 Star" motel. Doesn't look like much, and needs refurbishing, but it was clean, cheap, and unthreatening, even though there are quite a few long-term residents there (mostly small families) who seemed very friendly and interested in my Norton.

I'd stay there again. Just don't expect your woman to be highly impressed ... !!

Upside - you get to ride "The Snake" twice a day going back and forth to the camp!

Lannis

Thanks guy's for the info gonna look into trying to make it. Still working on the bonnie just small stuff but haven't put it through it's paces since getting it back together after being apart since 1975. Recently sold the motor home so i will look at my options. Would love to do it just have to figure it out. Lannis The Snake sounds cool rode the Dragon multiple times Cherohalla and Blue ridge and am aware of The Snake just haven't gotten over to that area to ride.

I have a fairly large tent. Good for two people comfortably, three very friendlies. If anyone wants to use it, just let me know.

That’s just not true……plenty of rentals within 10 miles of Shady Valley. I just looked and gave up after I counted at least a dozen.

Bed and Breakfast maybe……but weekly rentals are plentiful.

I picked Damascus because “The Snake” is way to much work for me to go back and forth on.

Well we are talking rich here and he was having trouble with air B&B

It's a bit like this JJ

gordon, where are you looking? only thing I can find that is not booked is 250+ a nite.

just looked again, there are a few that did not show up when I was looking.

Vrbo…….they have 68 properties (in the area) available for that week. Starting at $53 per night.

BUT…….when I booked several months ago there were far less available.

If you find something you like and can come up with directions…..I can go check it out before you commit????

I’m in a Quad (upstairs) in downtown Damascus right on Main Street….. booked sight unseen but I’ve probably rode by that place dozens of times.

Not looking forward to the ride back and forth but I’ll have the option of sleeping at the campground if need be. Just not “feeling” sleeping on the ground this year…..getting up to pee in the middle of the night is getting more and more less fun every year.

Do you need Gordon.
For a few years I had that problem, whatever camp I always blamed it on the local beer. Got to swilling scotch to reduce the fluid intake before getting zipped into the sleeping bag.
It was not the beer. Radiotherapy, pills & injections in the butt & belly sorted it, took some time but at least I am now comfortable at night.