2nd Saturday - March 2006

[MarkCarter]

here are my two bits!

After some confusion 5 of us met at F/A’s at 8:30 and planned to leave for Shady Valley around 9:30. I had new tires so I went down the parkway trying to warm them up a little. For some reason this really freaks out non-motorcycle people when they see you doing intense - ½ figure-8’s from white line to white line at 30mph.

Several others rolled in at 9:30 for the regular breakfast. Myself, PaulF, AustinB, SethP and DaveW left out pretty much on time. (Hey JimM, I spent $25 on gas today so you still should have a job). We took the long way around to Damascus via Ferum, Galax, and rode 58 into Damascus, and then turned south into the Valley. PaulF split off in Independence, VA. Hung around the store in Shady Valley, gassed up, and grabbed a Hot Dawg, and headed south / east on 421 to pick up TN-91 back to 58. Rode 58 back to Hillsville, VA then 221 back to Floyd. Some got gas in Floyd, then we pretty much went out separate ways. Seth and Dave lead out with the detector in full scan mode. That is the last I seen of them, but they should be in Bangor, Maine by midnight.

I jumped back on the parkway to head home so I could try out my new ultra-mega-giga-watt driving lights in the dark. They are waaaay cool! I think the humming sound actually scares the deer away, but sadly I did kill a Bat on the way home. Filled back up at the Citgo, arrived home around 7:15 pm, 412 miles for me today - 3 meals - my new tires are not new any more - I'm beat

Here are a few pictures if interested
http://mcarter676.smugmug.com/gallery/1267623
Click on any picture for the larger image

[spagani]

New rubber worked great.

[Dave Withers]

A few of us with more time on our hands then we knew what to do with, met at FAs for an earlier than official start time breakfast. Austin(I really should be out buying a refrigerator)B reserved a table for us as PaulF, MarkC and I pulled up. Austin had the riding plan for the day and as we got ready to take off Seth arrived and missed his dose of java. Our target destination was Shady Valley Country Store in Tennessee.



As other TVRers arrived for breakfast, we headed out up Mill Mountain to the BRP, jumped on rt220 south to Boones Mill and then scooted over to Ferrum Mt. Rd and rt40. Mark and Seth got to scrub in their new tires on the gravel sections now gracing Ferrum Mtn. Rd.

40 took us to rt8 south, then the rt640 shortcut jumped us over to rt58 just east of Lovers Leap. Unfortunately we got stuck behind some incredibly slow (re: bad) drivers. This was to be our luck for a part of the day's ride. The new 58 bypass is now open so we missed the ride past Willville's entrance.

We ran 58 all the way down to Damascus. At Independence, Paul headed back north on rt21 and from there we were pretty much traffic free except for an old Toyota that tried to play with us in the curves for a very short distance. The only other car that was problematic was a cell phone wielding girl heading east. A few miles west of the Grayson Park entrance Austin was almost taken out by said driver who came around a blind corner fully over the double yellows. Austin managed to dive inside and almost lost his left bark buster in the process while I gave the appropriate salute to the offending cager. Nice move Austin!

We stopped at the intersection of 16 and 58 to get some snacks and I had voice mail on the cell phone. My wife had called to tell me she had cancelled a planned dinner engagement so I could enjoy as much of the day as possible. What a girl!

The closer we got to Damascus the more gravel there was in the road. From Damascus a left onto rt133 took us into Tennessee and through Shady Valley. Nice road but the 40 and 45mph posted speed limits took all the fun out of it.



The store had a large cross section of the biking world in evidence from posers to full race gear riders. Food was cheap, OK and served up quickly. Temps were in the high 70's and there was quite a bit of entertainment to be had in the parking area. We headed back out around 2:30.

A rider ogling Mark's BMW:


Austin Posing:


Not wanting to suffer rt133's speed limitations a second time, we headed east on rt421 through Sandy Gap which cuts by the 4236' high Grindstone Knob. This road is great fun. No cross traffic, very predictable sweepers and tight turns, and good sight lines for passing in those double yellow motorcycle only lanes.



We stopped in Mountain City to gas up the Strom, since being the tight-wad that I am, I refused to pay $2.59 a gallon at Shady Valley. Then we headed up rt91 back to Damascus thoroughly enjoying the route back to rt58. The gravel on 58 wasn't as bad heading east and though we had a few more cars in the way they didn't impede progress too much.

Back in Independence, we took a dinner break at Aunt Bea's where the guys made the ugly bike park on the other side of the lot.



We had toyed with the idea of taking back roads home from here but time was catching up so we decided to hot foot it up 221 towards Floyd. Austin, who had chosen a brilliant route for the day's ride, relinquished the lead and driving by GPS indicated speed I kept us at a fairly steady 6-7mph over posted limits to the Exxon in Floyd. It was 6:10 when we left the station, Seth plugged in the radar detector with myself, Mark and Austin in order behind him.

It must have been Mark's new and incredibly bright lights because as daylight faded and Mark suddenly became the "Angel of Light", Seth and I approached warp speed up 221 propelled by the giga-watts of candle power shining behind us. Maybe Chrish can explain this phenomenon. I broke my previous record of 212mph passing a horse trailer as Seth towed me along. Sorry for leaving you behind us Mark and Austin.

It was a very good day for a ride. The weather was perfect for putting down some miles. I left home at 8:00 a.m. and got in at 7:15 p.m. after just about 400 miles.

[Chris Hall]

Thanks for the great ride reports! Sounds like a good time was had by (almost) all.

Seth and I approached warp speed up 221 propelled by the giga-watts of candle power shining behind us. Maybe Chrish can explain this phenomenon.

It's basically the same principle as laser-powered solar sails. Simple concept used all the time to propel spacecraft to other star systems and to other galaxies. Manufacturers suggest that care should be taken when used in terrestrial (or other planetary) applications, as the induced gravity waves could be incompatible with guard rails, gravel patches, and animules following perpendicular lines of travel.

YMMV,
Chrish

ps. I went out dual-sporting yesterday, in the opposite direction, so missed breakfast. Report later.

[Dave Withers]

I knew you could explain what happened Chris.

It makes sense since going from Floyd to Franklin counties is almost the same as going to "other star systems and to other galaxies".

Look forward to your report!

Dave

[MarkCarter]

what happened after breakfast? looked like attendence was building.
(Oh, my wife just ask "since you rode all day yesterday, would you wash my car?") ... yup - I get the hint

[spagani]

My appoligies for the speeds on 221, was dawning a very old, scratched clear shield and was attempting to make it home by dark
Will be ordering a new one, and some driving lights today.

Well that didn't happen. Hit 602 and 1,435,33445 bugs and shield was tost. Not wanting to stop to clean, I pressed on as fast as I could (not being able to see where the sand was) After two cars decedided I was doing the speed limit and pulled out in front of me, and a Deer that looked more like a moose I had had enough. Tried running with the shield up, but every time I hit triple didgets it would fall down again

A great day! Bike has been washed and ready for the next adventure.

[MarkCarter]

.....as the induced gravity waves could be .......
that is why I couldn't keep up

[paulfinney2]

Well, you guys had more fun than I did, but I had a nice ride none the less. I thought I did a decent job of holding that duputy at bay for the last several miles approaching Independence. What do you say, Dave, maybe they are attracted to me. 21 north out of Independence was new to me, clear of sand and traffic, and really nice rolly and twisty through steep hills. It cuts through Grayson-Highlands, so that explained the terrain. It was a great 30 mile ride, twisting and turning, rising and falling. Some very impressive rock formations bordering the road.
Then Wytheville and the slab. Efficient. Got me home just a few minutes before the contractor who was early for his appt. All worked out well.
225 mi. [not mph, couldn't beat Seth] 7 hrs.