#1 Thread starter
This event really sounded like fun from the beginning. Little did I know that the routes would be well past my best expectations. Looking doubtful in the beginning because of some work issues on the dates set by billyjackjimbob (Kevin), my Wife (Ma-Hawk now for obvious reasons), smee42 (Randy), and I managed to get to Richmond on Friday. Events prior to this point will have to be added by other members, along with possible food shots (lots were taken... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ). So begins the saga......
To help with the time frame my band of 3 met at Quik Mart in Tullahoma on Thursday afternoon and went to the Comfort Inns and Suites in Cookville, Tn to trim some travel time off of Friday's ride to Richmond, Ky. After arriving, we parked the bikes and set out on foot to the Cracker Barrel for some supper (southern version of dinner)......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics003.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics002.jpg)
My travelin' partners awaiting their food......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics001.jpg)
Randy is a realy nice guy and friend from Hartselle, Al. We always enjoy riding with him, and he swept for me after Hobie1dog's bike decided to have a massive heart attack on the way to this year's T-Mac. Later this weekend he would be "drafted" into this same job with the same salary as last time ($000.00). We had the "freebie Breakfast" at the Hotel the next morning before leaving...this was part of mine......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics007.jpg)
We took a route that used Hwys 111, 127, 90, 27, 80, 461, and 25 to get us to the Hampton Inn in Richmond, Ky...the designated Host Hotel used by Kevin for the Ride. We went through several towns including Livingston, Byrdstown on the Tn side, then some really quaint, rustic, and beautiful towns on the Ky side. The Ky side included Static, Albany, Mill Springs, Bronston, Monticello, Renfro Valley, Conway, Boone, Berea (home of our host Kevin), Farristown, and finally Richmond. Bronston, Berea, and Renfro Valley are definetly on mine and Ma-Hawk's "re-visit list". We made one gas, pee, Pepsi, and water stop on the way......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics012.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics011.jpg)
Yeah, coincidentally it was a Shell....
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics013.jpg)
Well, we finally arrive at the Hampton Inn in Richmond and park the bikes....
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics014.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics015.jpg)
After getting checked in (they had my reservation screwed up, but straightened it out) we headed for Ryans to get some late lunch......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics016.jpg)
The rest of the members were out on Friday's Route enjoying some of Kentucky's finest riding, so we went to the neat little garden at the Hampton to enjoy the great weather and BS a little.....
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics017.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics018.jpg)
Upon leaving the garden area, we find we are not the only members at the Hotel. Hobie1Dog (Marty) and his son Nick are having issues with "The Project Bike" VFR. It will turn out to be Marty's "bad lawnmower gas". Some fresh "Mid-Eastern-Dependency-Finest" and it will be running fine.......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics022.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics025.jpg)
Finally, the other Revival Folks arrived making quite a display of VFRs and other fine 2-wheeled machines.....
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics027.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics026.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics028.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics029.jpg)
Ma-Hawk (Mitzie), smee42 (Randy), and Hobie1Dog (Marty) having a discussion.....
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics030.jpg)
This Beemer belonging to dbs05 (Brian) is always popular......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics034.jpg)
Well, tonight's designated area for the VFRD BS meal will be Hooters. Off everyone goes with "Yours Truely" making the left turn, missing the immediate right turn, and getting to take a grand tour of a neat little subdivision in behind Hooters. The "You can't get there from here" slogan was beginning to have new meaning. Well after the "Skuuterized-Navigational-Error" we arrive to the music, laughter, and food provided by Hooters (might be other entertainment also, but I'm careful what gets onto the skuutercamera, Ma-Hawk looks through it's contents also). A great turnout (and Brian)...(didn't get to rag you enough at the event Buddy... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) )........
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics035.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics037.jpg)
Why are Randy, Brian, and Bill laughing at me using the camera again......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics036.jpg)
My Hooters meal was highly photographed by others, but just in case they don't post their version, here's mine.....
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics038.jpg)
Well, back outside Hooters, the party continued.......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics039.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics040.jpg)
Next morning after another Hotel provided "Freebie Breakfast" (I'm gonna' spare you the food shots), everyone started getting their mounts ready for the day's ride. Like all events of this size (turned out to be, I think, about 25 or so bikes) there is a wide spread of rider abilities, experience, and preferences of speed ridden throughout the group. Kevin asked me to take the Lead of a SCENIC/RELAXED pace group. No problem, happy to help. Next Randy is drafted for the rear with Marty in front of him. Looks good...one little teensy-tiny little detail though.........when he pulls out onto the first road out of the parking lot, it will be the first time skuuter has ever seen any of these roads...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) Oh well, it will all work out OK..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)
A great bunch of bikes and owners in the Kentucky Sunshine. The weather couldn't have been nicer for this event....... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif) The Parking Lot........
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics044.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics043.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics042.jpg)
What a great looking pair (hmmm, I heard that line at Hooters too...coincidence I guess).......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics041.jpg)
We all rode formation out Hwys 52 and 89, with the groups dividing to meet again at the first gas stop. Hwy 89 became 421, then 587 on the chosen route. I really enjoyed 587, lotta' tight, twisty, technical stuff (my personal favorite), then Hwys 11, 28, 15, and 119. Our lunch stop was out on 119 at the Pine Mountain Grill. Really neat place with some really good food. A few indoor pics.......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics045.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics046.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics047.jpg)
Sparin' Ya' the food pic again, so outdoors for the line-up pics.......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics048.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics049.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics050.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics051.jpg)
Well, everyone heads out for Pine Mountain. This has to be about as fine as it gets for tight, sweeping corners with great asphalt, and plenty of run-off space in all of the many mountains I've ridden in my 39+ years of riding them. I had stayed fairly close to my group all day, but immediately upon starting up the mountain, I got a little brisker, requiring me to hand-wave down my group at a stop-over near the crest......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics052.jpg)
If you look through the great photos that Kenny took on the mountain, you can see the fun had by almost everyone. I took one extra pass up and backdown myself, with more coming sometime in the future. A little more familiarity with Pine Mountain and it will really be a lotta' fun......THANKS Kevin and Kenny........ (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)
Well, off my band of riders go, sandwiched between me and Randy. I had a really great group of folks that I would gladly ride with again anytime. REALLY ENJOYED IT GUYS AND GALS !!!!!!!
We went to Harlan, Ky, then onto Hwy US421N, making one little error that required about a mile of back-tracking (SORRY Folks). Once on this road we twisted and wound around a lot of the Kentucky Coal Country, winding through tiny little towns and communities. Really fun little road, but time was ticking away, especially at my group's comfy pace and 300+ miles of route to complete. Outside of a pretty little town by the name of Hyden, we held a Lead-Sweep-Commitee-Meeting. With the use of Ma-Hawk's map (she's always afraid to travel with me without one) we plotted an alternative course using 118, the Parkway through the Daniel Boone Forest, and I-75 to speed up the Richmond re-arrival. The Parkway was fairly scenic, but we ran it at a lot of 75 MPH in the 55 zone, so not a lot to report. We stopped for gas at Marty's request beside I-75 since his guage apparently was acting up. Down the ramp, and onto I-75 for the after nightfall 50+ mile ride back to Richmond.
After arriving back at the Hotel, Mitzie went to lay down. She had suffered all day with a very severe sinus headache. I decided to leave off Saturday nights activities to stay with her (Marriage requires reading the directions accurately... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ). SORRY Folks....next time....... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)
All went well. Only slight problem I had all day was on the first leg of the route we had ridden for a while in a really dusty area from trucks. I knew it was slick, and really slowed my group a lot there. After a few miles of riding on it, we were coming into a little town called (I think) Chevais. I just real easily at about 35 MPH making a left hand turn, step the rear out about a foot....rolled into the throttle while making plans to abort the imposing low-side that didn't happen. the throttle pulled it back out of it. An abrupt, chopped off throttle would have definetly low-sided the R-W-B VFR. Only goes to show, no matter how slow, careful, or experienced, stuff can happen when you least expect it. Our ride home was good, and un-eventful also, leaving off 111 for more 127 on the Tn side in place of it. I rode with Randy on down past Huntland to show him a simple way back, then turned around for home where Ma-Hawk was already at.
A Special THANKS to Kevin, Kenny, and everyone that made this a really great trip. We really enjoyed it, and will be back up as soon as it will fit the calendar. If you've never ridden this area, you've missed something special. THANKS GUYS.....See Ya', skuuter
OK Folks, start fillin' in the "Blanks".............
To help with the time frame my band of 3 met at Quik Mart in Tullahoma on Thursday afternoon and went to the Comfort Inns and Suites in Cookville, Tn to trim some travel time off of Friday's ride to Richmond, Ky. After arriving, we parked the bikes and set out on foot to the Cracker Barrel for some supper (southern version of dinner)......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics003.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics002.jpg)
My travelin' partners awaiting their food......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics001.jpg)
Randy is a realy nice guy and friend from Hartselle, Al. We always enjoy riding with him, and he swept for me after Hobie1dog's bike decided to have a massive heart attack on the way to this year's T-Mac. Later this weekend he would be "drafted" into this same job with the same salary as last time ($000.00). We had the "freebie Breakfast" at the Hotel the next morning before leaving...this was part of mine......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics007.jpg)
We took a route that used Hwys 111, 127, 90, 27, 80, 461, and 25 to get us to the Hampton Inn in Richmond, Ky...the designated Host Hotel used by Kevin for the Ride. We went through several towns including Livingston, Byrdstown on the Tn side, then some really quaint, rustic, and beautiful towns on the Ky side. The Ky side included Static, Albany, Mill Springs, Bronston, Monticello, Renfro Valley, Conway, Boone, Berea (home of our host Kevin), Farristown, and finally Richmond. Bronston, Berea, and Renfro Valley are definetly on mine and Ma-Hawk's "re-visit list". We made one gas, pee, Pepsi, and water stop on the way......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics012.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics011.jpg)
Yeah, coincidentally it was a Shell....
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics013.jpg)
Well, we finally arrive at the Hampton Inn in Richmond and park the bikes....
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics014.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics015.jpg)
After getting checked in (they had my reservation screwed up, but straightened it out) we headed for Ryans to get some late lunch......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics016.jpg)
The rest of the members were out on Friday's Route enjoying some of Kentucky's finest riding, so we went to the neat little garden at the Hampton to enjoy the great weather and BS a little.....
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics017.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics018.jpg)
Upon leaving the garden area, we find we are not the only members at the Hotel. Hobie1Dog (Marty) and his son Nick are having issues with "The Project Bike" VFR. It will turn out to be Marty's "bad lawnmower gas". Some fresh "Mid-Eastern-Dependency-Finest" and it will be running fine.......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics022.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics025.jpg)
Finally, the other Revival Folks arrived making quite a display of VFRs and other fine 2-wheeled machines.....
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics027.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics026.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics028.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics029.jpg)
Ma-Hawk (Mitzie), smee42 (Randy), and Hobie1Dog (Marty) having a discussion.....
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics030.jpg)
This Beemer belonging to dbs05 (Brian) is always popular......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics034.jpg)
Well, tonight's designated area for the VFRD BS meal will be Hooters. Off everyone goes with "Yours Truely" making the left turn, missing the immediate right turn, and getting to take a grand tour of a neat little subdivision in behind Hooters. The "You can't get there from here" slogan was beginning to have new meaning. Well after the "Skuuterized-Navigational-Error" we arrive to the music, laughter, and food provided by Hooters (might be other entertainment also, but I'm careful what gets onto the skuutercamera, Ma-Hawk looks through it's contents also). A great turnout (and Brian)...(didn't get to rag you enough at the event Buddy... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) )........
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics035.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics037.jpg)
Why are Randy, Brian, and Bill laughing at me using the camera again......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics036.jpg)
My Hooters meal was highly photographed by others, but just in case they don't post their version, here's mine.....
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics038.jpg)
Well, back outside Hooters, the party continued.......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics039.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics040.jpg)
Next morning after another Hotel provided "Freebie Breakfast" (I'm gonna' spare you the food shots), everyone started getting their mounts ready for the day's ride. Like all events of this size (turned out to be, I think, about 25 or so bikes) there is a wide spread of rider abilities, experience, and preferences of speed ridden throughout the group. Kevin asked me to take the Lead of a SCENIC/RELAXED pace group. No problem, happy to help. Next Randy is drafted for the rear with Marty in front of him. Looks good...one little teensy-tiny little detail though.........when he pulls out onto the first road out of the parking lot, it will be the first time skuuter has ever seen any of these roads...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) Oh well, it will all work out OK..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)
A great bunch of bikes and owners in the Kentucky Sunshine. The weather couldn't have been nicer for this event....... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif) The Parking Lot........
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics044.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics043.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics042.jpg)
What a great looking pair (hmmm, I heard that line at Hooters too...coincidence I guess).......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics041.jpg)
We all rode formation out Hwys 52 and 89, with the groups dividing to meet again at the first gas stop. Hwy 89 became 421, then 587 on the chosen route. I really enjoyed 587, lotta' tight, twisty, technical stuff (my personal favorite), then Hwys 11, 28, 15, and 119. Our lunch stop was out on 119 at the Pine Mountain Grill. Really neat place with some really good food. A few indoor pics.......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics045.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics046.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics047.jpg)
Sparin' Ya' the food pic again, so outdoors for the line-up pics.......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics048.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics049.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics050.jpg)
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics051.jpg)
Well, everyone heads out for Pine Mountain. This has to be about as fine as it gets for tight, sweeping corners with great asphalt, and plenty of run-off space in all of the many mountains I've ridden in my 39+ years of riding them. I had stayed fairly close to my group all day, but immediately upon starting up the mountain, I got a little brisker, requiring me to hand-wave down my group at a stop-over near the crest......
(IMG:http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh125/skuutertrash/kypics052.jpg)
If you look through the great photos that Kenny took on the mountain, you can see the fun had by almost everyone. I took one extra pass up and backdown myself, with more coming sometime in the future. A little more familiarity with Pine Mountain and it will really be a lotta' fun......THANKS Kevin and Kenny........ (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)
Well, off my band of riders go, sandwiched between me and Randy. I had a really great group of folks that I would gladly ride with again anytime. REALLY ENJOYED IT GUYS AND GALS !!!!!!!
We went to Harlan, Ky, then onto Hwy US421N, making one little error that required about a mile of back-tracking (SORRY Folks). Once on this road we twisted and wound around a lot of the Kentucky Coal Country, winding through tiny little towns and communities. Really fun little road, but time was ticking away, especially at my group's comfy pace and 300+ miles of route to complete. Outside of a pretty little town by the name of Hyden, we held a Lead-Sweep-Commitee-Meeting. With the use of Ma-Hawk's map (she's always afraid to travel with me without one) we plotted an alternative course using 118, the Parkway through the Daniel Boone Forest, and I-75 to speed up the Richmond re-arrival. The Parkway was fairly scenic, but we ran it at a lot of 75 MPH in the 55 zone, so not a lot to report. We stopped for gas at Marty's request beside I-75 since his guage apparently was acting up. Down the ramp, and onto I-75 for the after nightfall 50+ mile ride back to Richmond.
After arriving back at the Hotel, Mitzie went to lay down. She had suffered all day with a very severe sinus headache. I decided to leave off Saturday nights activities to stay with her (Marriage requires reading the directions accurately... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ). SORRY Folks....next time....... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)
All went well. Only slight problem I had all day was on the first leg of the route we had ridden for a while in a really dusty area from trucks. I knew it was slick, and really slowed my group a lot there. After a few miles of riding on it, we were coming into a little town called (I think) Chevais. I just real easily at about 35 MPH making a left hand turn, step the rear out about a foot....rolled into the throttle while making plans to abort the imposing low-side that didn't happen. the throttle pulled it back out of it. An abrupt, chopped off throttle would have definetly low-sided the R-W-B VFR. Only goes to show, no matter how slow, careful, or experienced, stuff can happen when you least expect it. Our ride home was good, and un-eventful also, leaving off 111 for more 127 on the Tn side in place of it. I rode with Randy on down past Huntland to show him a simple way back, then turned around for home where Ma-Hawk was already at.
A Special THANKS to Kevin, Kenny, and everyone that made this a really great trip. We really enjoyed it, and will be back up as soon as it will fit the calendar. If you've never ridden this area, you've missed something special. THANKS GUYS.....See Ya', skuuter
OK Folks, start fillin' in the "Blanks".............
