Leaving the Snow Behind... Atlanta to Calgary, May 2012

It is May 5th and snowing in Calgary.  Again.

So far my bike has only been out once since November 11th, so I have done the only thing that makes sense.  Assembled the following:

• Plane ticket to Atlanta.
  
• Honda VFR.
  
• A week off of work.

Will be landing in Atlanta late on the 18th, spending a few days in the area with friends and checking out some of my favourite roads and then riding back to Calgary.  It is entirely possible that I might run into a few people on the ride back.

Really hoping that the weather warms up a bit by the time I get back.  This picture was taken on my driveway a few minutes ago.

[image: index.php?app=gallery&module=images&section=img_ctrl&img=591] 2012 05 05 11.15.46 1 Album: 2011 Uploaded 05 May 2012 - 12:48

Holy crap! Its been almost 90 here in ATL all week! There has only be a few days this winter it was probably too cold/nasty to ride.....completely the opposite of Calgary.  Post up again close to your trip as a reminder. Would love to ride with you and everyone. I have some great roads not far from me as I'm in the foothills of the mountains here.

Jeff

Hey Olive, are you planning on taking your bike as carry-on? ;-) I bet the airlines would slap quite a fee on that!

Wait....... You will be in Atl. With a bike on May 18th?  A few hours north of there will be this thing called "TexasMac".

Yes Timmy.... I have heard that rumour...  TMac is about four hours north... And the plane is actually landing about midnight on the 18th, so it's really the 19th... and I still have to pick up the bike... For some reason they won't let me take my own VFR as carry on luggage.

Could you give me the 411 on your bike getting to Georgia ?? I posted several weeks ago asking for any info on freight/transport for bikes ... got nada !! I am considering sending mine to Ontario in July for a xcountry xborder ride back to BC

Good luck on your trip. Sounds like fun. Are you shipping your bike down and riding it back up?
I hear you about riding. I have about 50 kilometres between both of my bikes. The 3-4 inches of snow today was an unwelcome surprise.

Suitcase,

I bought my current 2008 VFR in North Carolina October 2010, brand new out of the box. Rode it home. That bike is still worth more used today with 40,000 km on it than I paid for it brand new... at least up here it is.  

This time I am doing a variant of that trip... I am purchasing a used VFR from a friend.  Hate to think how much $$ it would be to try to ship a bike that distance.  Can't see the sense in shipping a bike when it can be ridden!

Superfunkomatic... I hear you on the snow.  Wasn't too impressed with it myself.  At least it is melting quickly.  Was hoping to at least burn through one tank of gas before the trip - hoping I still remember how to ride!

Lucky! Looking forward to see your awesome pics again!
C
PS so, what are you going to do with TWO VFRs???

[image: View Post]Olive, on 05 May 2012 - 06:36 PM, said:

I am purchasing a used VFR from a friend.  Hate to think how much $$ it would be to try to ship a bike that distance.  Can't see the sense in shipping a bike when it can be ridden!
It's always good to have a backup VFR in the garage. You are one Long Distance Rider. Do you belong to the IBA? Will you marry me?

We managed to avoid the snow here...  Olive, I will contact you when I get down to Calgary after the May long weekend and check out your new wheels !!!! Ride safe and go visit everyone at TEXASMAC and show off the new bike.

[image: View Post]Polarbear, on 05 May 2012 - 06:48 PM, said:

Lucky! Looking forward to see your awesome pics again!
C
PS so, what are you going to do with TWO VFRs???

You can never have too many VFR's . . . (or have too much money, too many friends, etc).   :biggrin:    Someone posted up last year with a picture of all his 4th gens lined up in a row - it was either 4 or 5.

Olive - any specifics on the addition?  Gear driven cams maybe??

Garage?  I *wish* I had a garage...

I have been known to go on one or two multi province/state trips.

No, I'm not a member of the IBA.  They haven't made me an honourary member yet.   :tongue:

Sounds good Gerry - look forward to seeing you!

Cogswell - you are right, you can never have too many 2008 Grey Honda VFRs.  This one has goodies like upgraded suspension and exhaust...

[image: View Post]Olive, on 05 May 2012 - 07:34 PM, said:

Garage?  I *wish* I had a garage...

I have been known to go on one or two multi province/state trips.

No, I'm not a member of the IBA.  They haven't made me an honourary member yet.   :tongue:

Sounds good Gerry - look forward to seeing you!

Cogswell - you are right, you can never have too many 2008 Grey Honda VFRs.  This one has goodies like upgraded suspension and exhaust...

The suspense is killing me . . . :ph34r:    Wait - is it another 2008?  Twins??   :smile:

Do they not sell those cheap carports in Canada, for  $650 or so. Hate to see VFR out in the weather.

Always welcome here, Olive, if your travels should bring you this direction again.

[image: View Post]MaxSwell, on 05 May 2012 - 01:32 PM, said:

Hey Olive, are you planning on taking your bike as carry-on? ;-) I bet the airlines would slap quite a fee on that!

A long, long time ago, Cycle Mag had a story about a fellow named John Boot who brought his TZ750 to Laguna as checked baggage.  It was a simpler time...

Glenn

google maps says: Atl to Franklin = 130 Miles, 2 hours 28 mins

OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE!
That was a chant to get you to Franklin.

What ever you do, ride safe Olive.

Timmy my Google agrees with your Google about Atlanta to Franklin as well... however a friend in Atlanta tells me that it's not a two and a half hour ride.  I have learned that people who live in the area usually have a better idea of the accuracy of technology.

Still figuring out what route I am going to take home, although like most of my rides there are no set plans and I will figure it out as I ride.  That is the best way I have found to tour!

[image: View Post]Olive, on 06 May 2012 - 12:50 AM, said:

Timmy my Google agrees with your Google about Atlanta to Franklin as well... however a friend in Atlanta tells me that it's not a two and a half hour ride.  I have learned that people who live in the area usually have a better idea of the accuracy of technology.

Still figuring out what route I am going to take home, although like most of my rides there are no set plans and I will figure it out as I ride.  That is the best way I have found to tour!

Yeah, Franklin is gonna be more than 2-1/2 from ATL, its more than that just from my house.  I can be in Tellico Plains (the base of the Cherohala Skyway) somewhere from 2-2.5 hours.

Just be sure you make it to the Microtel by 6pm to at least join us for our Dinner/Awards Banquet min!!!!


BR

[image: View Post]Sweeper, on 05 May 2012 - 10:49 PM, said:

OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE!
That was a chant to get you to Franklin.

What ever you do, ride safe Olive.


OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE!

OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE!

OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE!


OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE!

OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE!

OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE!

:tour:

[image: View Post]Dutchy, on 06 May 2012 - 10:07 AM, said:

OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE!

OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE!

OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE!


OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE!

OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE!

OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE! OLIVE!

:tour:

+1

Actually, +24   :tongue:

Glenn

Thanks for the encouragement. Have to admit that I am looking forward to getting out on two wheels in an area with some fantastic motorcycling roads. Seems a good way to kick of riding season.

You can easily slab it up to Franklin in about 2.5 hours from Atlanta.   The scenic twisty way up will take you 4 hours.

Rollin

Olive,

Does this mean another ride report?

Actually, I haven't finished reading last year's entire post...........





LH

Depends... do you really want me to foist another ride report on you?  Of course... this one might be a little shorter than last year's

"... do you really want me to foist another ride report on you?"
Yes, Absolutely.

And if you want to freshen up before dinner/awards banquet,

"mi cuarto de baño de su cuarto de baño"   :tongue:

RollinAgain, on 06 May 2012 - 07:01 PM, said:

You can easily slab it up to Franklin in about 2.5 hours from Atlanta.   The scenic twisty way up will take you 4 hours.

Rollin
:+1:

Slabbing it when there are good motorcycle roads seems such a waste.

Fine, don't come see us... :tongue:

Six more days until my trip... Given weather up here this year I hope I remember how to ride, still on my first tank of gas this riding season.

Weather sux in the coming days (if I have to believe the TV....)
But from wednessday onwards the sun will be out

Just as long as it doesn't snow...

No snow, Weather network is saying it's going to feel like 42c (107f) on Sunday Franklin :blink:

NorthernVFRDave, on 14 May 2012 - 08:25 AM, said:

No snow, Weather network is saying it's going to feel like 42c (107f) on Sunday Franklin :blink:

Ah... but you don't understand.  When I go places... the storms follow me.  

Go read some of my ride reports.  The weather is all part of the... adventure... (That's what they tell me).  

Really looking forward to warmer weather!