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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1495536438 Message started by Oldfeller on 05/23/17 at 03:47:18 |
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Title: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 05/23/17 at 03:47:18 ROLL CALL .... post that you realize you are 3 weeks out from a trip and that you are paying attention. THESE EVENTS ARE IN PLANNING AND DISCUSSION RIGHT UP TO THE GO DAY -- THE CONCRETE HAS NOT SET COMPLETELY YET UNTIL IT IS OVER. I am still plugging in names as people show interest, this gives us a tool for seeing who is really going plus the folks who are going can start the refinement process on dates and activities. So far we got the following items left in the rough order of doing them. Adding something is easy, talk it up some, put a firm date to it and we will see if folks are interested by if they sign up for it. Kickstand Lodge July 20-23 Dave, Oldfeller, MM, Stewmills, RaleighGuy, Badwolf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZGNOB5m5Ro&t=166s http://kickstandlodge.com/rates.html From here it is a short hop up to the Dragon, and to all the really neat surrounding roads we love to ride. For East Coast beginners, this is one of the closest (and the BEST) Southeastern trip possible. Some have argued the area is the BEST BIKING IN AMERICA and I might have to agree with them. Indian Paintbrush Campground in Ty Denver Late July NEED FIRM DATES Verslagen, Springman, old.indian, Thumperclone MM's farm Sept 8, 9 & 10 MM, Oldfeller, Dave, Lancer, StewMills And here is a tool to use in locating some no cost camping when travelling to get to the rides: https://freecampsites.net =========================================== HERE IS YOUR LONG TERM WEATHER GUESSTIMATE FOR THE KICKSTAND AREA http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/stecoah-township-nc/28771/month/2095926?monyr=6/01/2017 |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 05/23/17 at 06:19:52 I'm still in. Most likely arrive close to midnight on Thursday 6/15 and may leave early Sunday morning to get back home for Father's day 6/18. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 05/24/17 at 02:19:12 OK, that confirms Oldfeller, Dave, MM, Badwolf and Stewmills. Missing in action, Raleighguy -- has he been posting any much of late? PM'd the boy, let's see if he has his ears on ..... |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/24/17 at 15:56:03 Kickstand lodge Old folks home for guys. Give 'em Viagra Put them to bed They don't fall out. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 05/29/17 at 07:36:07 ROLL CALL .... post that you realize you are 2 weeks out from a trip and that you are paying attention. THESE EVENTS ARE IN PLANNING AND DISCUSSION RIGHT UP TO THE GO DAY -- THE CONCRETE HAS NOT SET COMPLETELY YET UNTIL IT IS OVER. I am still plugging in names as people show interest, this gives us a tool for seeing who is really going plus the folks who are going can start the refinement process on dates and activities. So far we got the following items left in the rough order of doing them. Adding something is easy, talk it up some, put a firm date to it and we will see if folks are interested by if they sign up for it. Kickstand Lodge June 14-18 Dave, Oldfeller, MM, Stewmills, RaleighGuy, Badwolf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZGNOB5m5Ro&t=166s http://kickstandlodge.com/rates.html From here it is a short hop up to the Dragon, and to all the really neat surrounding roads we love to ride. For East Coast beginners, this is one of the closest (and the BEST) Southeastern trip possible. Some have argued the area is the BEST BIKING IN AMERICA and I might have to agree with them. We also have a 1 day (2 man) prequel of sorts planned on June 12th with Oldfeller and MM going and checking out the Santeetlah Lake free camping, since until you have actually done it you really can't speak to it pro or con. So, MMRanch and Oldfeller meeting at the "HUB" in Robbinsville on Monday June 12th. Dave is going to the KSL on Tuesday June 13th...... He might even be able to leave after work on Monday the 12th and get into the are before midnight and sleep in the Deals Gap parking lot. Badwolf and Stewmills are arriving late on Thursday, June 15th. Indian Paintbrush Campground in Ty Denver Late July NEED FIRM DATES Verslagen, Springman, old.indian, Thumperclone MM's farm Sept 8, 9 & 10 MM, Oldfeller, Dave, Lancer, StewMills And here is a tool to use in locating some no cost camping when travelling to get to the rides: https://freecampsites.net =========================================== HERE IS YOUR LONG TERM WEATHER GUESSTIMATE FOR THE KICKSTAND AREA http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/stecoah-township-nc/28771/month/2095926?monyr=6/01/2017 That is some great looking weather ..... |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 05/30/17 at 04:22:25 Man....it is just 2 weeks away! I have spent a lot of time at my day job, the weather has often been crappy on evening and weekends, when I am home and the weather is good I need to mow the yard, and when I can squeeze in a ride I have been taking the Ninja. I haven't ridden the Savage yet this year! I need to get it fired up and ready (or just bring the Ninja). The weather forecast looks to be the best we have ever had - somebody hit the "lock" button and stop the weather forecast from changing! |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 05/30/17 at 07:30:19 Dave, I got a novel way of keeping track of your lost Serenity and misplaced Mikes (all lost at one time or another and some even get gone inside the knife store no less). It is an app called Life360 https://www.life360.com/ the premise is that one person downloads it, cranks up a group and invites the other riders to join in the group. Once a group code is assigned, all the players download the app and plug in the code -- wammo, they all show up in the app map located spatially relative to each other. It can do group messaging and similar teenager techi stuff, but the fact is that it will always have a named dot for each of your ride participants and as ride leader you can herd your group of errant geese a lot easier by using it when you come up short a head. Then when the trip is done, you delete the app. Neat and clean, that. Yes, it was developed for a nervous Mother to track teenagers, but it is FREE and it works really well -- my wife loves it. She knows where I am at all times and it makes her all happy to see that the little Kelly dot is still moving at the same rate the motorcycle dot is moving. My dog loves it too, as it has a special tone that sounds that says that "Daddy is approaching the driveway". When he hears that tone he then goes absolutely nuts and he goes and gets my wife to let him out the door to come properly greet me as soon as the car door opens. (Have you ever heard an East Carolina Deer Beagle belling? We got him home on the very first day and then he saw a squirrel in the back yard and then he let loose with a clear belling tonal SOUND that was 10 times too large to possibly come from that little bitty puppy) Now he is a 55 pound long legged deer hunting monster beagle hound ..... and his belling has grown up to be "loud and clear" accordingly. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by RaleighGuy on 05/30/17 at 09:34:27 5C7F7775767F7F7661130 wrote:
I'm still here, but I'm not going to be able to make it to Kickstand. Got a lot of issues with my youngin's for the past couple of weeks so I'm helping by babysitting my two grandkids every weekend. Life sucks sometimes for 20-somethings who make poor choices but Dad is always there to bail 'em out, you know? ::) |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 05/30/17 at 11:08:15 OK, that confirms Oldfeller, Dave, MM, Badwolf and Stewmills. Badwolf wants the Bunkhouse, that leaves 4 for the tent on the most crowded night and 3 in the tent the rest of the time. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 05/30/17 at 12:16:51 4742434F5F424240482D0 wrote:
We'll miss you. However, the older I have gotten the more I realize that no matter what, FAMILY FIRST. Really sucks sometimes, but it is what we're here for. I'll be spending a number of hours tonight after work inspecting and hopefully fixing a pretty serious plumbing problem at my in-laws. Not what I wanted to do tonight (or any night for that matter...), but it's what you have to do when you are the only son-in-law in the family. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 05/31/17 at 04:09:20 Last night I got the Savage fired up for the first time this year. I pulled the plug and sprayed in some Sta-Bil fogging oil (spark plug had a nice tan color), then removed the float bowl bottom plug (Mikuni VM) and saw it was nice and clean....I opened up the petcock and let a bit of fuel flow out the hole to flush anything that might have been sitting in the bottom of the bowl....the fuel looked good. I put the bottom plug back on the carb, pulled in the compression release and let the engine spin over a few revs to get the engine oil flowing - then turned on the petcock, set the choke, turned on the key and hit the starter button - and BOOM.....it lives again! The dog had a very concerned look on her face - she had not heard the Thumper yet this year and she forgot that it makes a bit more noise than the other bikes. I went for a short ride as the weather was a bit "iffy" and there had been a couple small sprinkle events in the 30 minutes I spent on the bike, and it is ready to go! The Savage feels far more beefy than the little Ninja - it was good to be riding the Savage again. I will watch the weather and decide which Cafe' bike to bring - dry weather gets the Savage and wet weather gets the Ninja. So far the weather looks great! I have been coming in to work at 5 AM - so I can get a lot of work done before I take off to the KSL. I am really looking forward to some great riding! |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/01/17 at 11:00:45 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/stecoah-township-nc/28771/month/2095926?monyr=6/01/2017 The weather is beginning to cloud up a bit, no real rain predicted yet but we are close enough for them to refine the forecast and make it more real world accurate. Kickstand Lodge June 14-18 Dave, Oldfeller, MM, Stewmills, RaleighGuy, Badwolf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZGNOB5m5Ro&t=166s http://kickstandlodge.com/rates.html From here it is a short hop up to the Dragon, and to all the really neat surrounding roads we love to ride. For East Coast beginners, this is one of the closest (and the BEST) Southeastern trip possible. Some have argued the area is the BEST BIKING IN AMERICA and I might have to agree with them. We also have a 1 day (2 man) prequel of sorts planned on June 12th with Oldfeller and MM going and checking out the Santeetlah Lake free camping, since until you have actually done it you really can't speak to it pro or con. =========================================== HERE IS YOUR LONG TERM WEATHER GUESSTIMATE FOR THE KICKSTAND AREA http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/stecoah-township-nc/28771/month/2095926?monyr=6/01/2017 So far the only last minute tune jobs that have even been mentioned are mebbe rolling forward to AVOID MESSING UP FATHER'S DAY and mebbe a roll forward for a day or so to avoid any to be reported (but looks like it is building) bad weather. Dave's trip, Dave's call. The prequel guys will already be in the area a day or so early anyway so a roll forward a day to avoid any narsty weather falls in line with what they are going to be doing anyway. Tenting is the preferred method to these things any more as FLEXIBILITY has been found to be a desirable trait when you are having to deal with mountain weather shifts. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/01/17 at 11:39:48 I don't see any weather issues that are a problem yet.....clouds don't scare me. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 06/01/17 at 11:57:35 ...except when those clouds are 'peeing' on you and you pull over and me and MM don't see you and we ride off for another 3 miles...then I pull off when I realize you aren't there and MM doesn't see me and he rides off for another 3 miles with neither of us. We need a long bungee cord or walkie talkies ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/01/17 at 13:04:12 I forgot about our "Cherokee Shuffle" incident! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIWtv7zXt_g [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIWtv7zXt_g[/media] |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 06/01/17 at 13:24:22 We need to stop here for a burger if we go through Cherokee at lunch time: https://www.google.com/maps/@35.4881289,-83.3151463,3a,54.6y,37.68h,86.94t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sGynvc7057HjE3Lcj1oo-Pg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 It's abandoned in this pic, but it is now a little burger joint that we stopped at when I was there a few weeks ago. Good roadside burgers and a good place for a break and fuel stop. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/01/17 at 18:37:25 Losing our geese is always a bad thing, and it has happened on every trip to some degree. Here is a proposed geese herding aid that will allow you to know where your geese are (if you are inside tower service that is). It is a phone app called Life360 https://www.life360.com/ the premise is that one person downloads it, cranks up a group and invites the other riders to join in the group. Once a group code is assigned, all the players download the app and plug in the code to join -- wammo, they all show up in the app map located spatially relative to each other. Everybody gets the location display that includes the whole group. Everybody can see, including the lost goose. This would be the cat's meow if somebody had a breakdown or, heaven forbid, somebody actually went off into the bushes in a non-obvious fashion. Or parked on the wrong side of the knife store and got everything turned around accordingly. It can do group messaging and similar teenager techi stuff, but the fact is that it will always have a named dot for each of your ride participants and as ride leader you can herd your group of errant geese a lot easier by using it when you come up short a head -- you can see where they are easy peasy. Then when the trip is done, everybody deletes the app. Neat and clean, that. Funny thing, we lose more people at pit stops and in the towns than we do out in the boonies. More traffic lights and turns available, I guess. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 06/02/17 at 07:07:51 193A3230333A3A3324560 wrote:
Won't work for me. I'm using a Blackberry and this app, along with most others, isn't available. I have a separate app that lets anyone text me a secret 'code word' and it responds to them with my GPS location and a map of where I am. I got it so my wife can ping me when I am out riding locally so she knows where I am, or if I am alone and hurt she can at least tell someone where to try and find me. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 06/02/17 at 08:42:42 I just looked at my calendar . I've got to cut hay next week so I can go ridding the next week ! :o kind of snuck up on me ... :-[ Lancer , if your reading , I've got to cut hay Monday (if no rain) and maybe Tuesday (a little) |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by badwolf on 06/02/17 at 09:07:29 I will leave S.Fl Wed morning and ride to Greenville, S.C. Thurs I will go to Ceasers Head, and Mt. Mitchell and get to KSL late afternoon or early evening. See ya' all there! http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/caesarshead/introduction.aspx https://www.ncparks.gov/mount-mitchell-state-park |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 06/02/17 at 12:38:52 If its hot in the area , then a trip to Mitchell might feel GOOD ! ;) Long as the weather stays sunny from 5th to the 9th, I should be able to leave the 12th. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/02/17 at 17:24:29 OK MM, according to this last post we are both leaving on Monday the 12th in the morning for a ~ 6-7 ~ hour ride (with stops taken into account). You are going to lose an hour rolling out of Tennessee, but you got that all covered in your thinking as you like to get started early anyway. I propose meeting at Robbinsville, at the HUB for a late lunch. It is a concrete known meet up place that has cell phone coverage so we can call each other as needed. Now, if I am not getting this right, please do tell me. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/02/17 at 19:09:50 746674666B78777A71390 wrote:
:) http://https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.kqdYr_fo-5KfVsBCjnzC3gEnDd&w=78&h=78&c=7&pid=1.1 |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 06/02/17 at 22:28:27 The Plan Get everything done the week of the 5th - 10th so I can leave Monday the 12th. :) Yes . 8-) The weather forecast has less % for rain now so I might cut Saturday the 3rd and Monday the 5th , then tet , rake , bale all week ! |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/03/17 at 07:18:28 Or, you Could get a gallon o gas and a match,,,, and just Look at the work you could dodge... Hominy acres? You doing round bales? |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by verslagen1 on 06/03/17 at 09:38:40 7B646265787F4E7E4E76646823110 wrote:
The gas and match option will probably need a follow on barbecue option. I'll bring my knife and fork to assist. Hold the hominy. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/05/17 at 06:03:09 Well the weather forecast has added the words "Thunderstorm Possible" into the daily forecast - unfortunately that is always a possibility in the area just about every day in June. The heat and humidity always makes for the potential for afternoon rain events - so far the forecast is still as cheery as June can allow. http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/stecoah-township-nc/28771/month/2095926?monyr=6/01/2017 I went on a 100 mile ride yesterday to check out the Savage and make sure it is ready....and changed the oil when I got home. It seems up to the trip, and I plan on doing some riding over the next week so I can get my buns ready for all day rides! I also ordered a new front tire of the Ninja just in case the weather forecast turns bad and I bring it for wet weather riding. For some reason I wore the edges of the Bridgestone BT45 tire out on the little Ninja far faster than the back tire (weird).....I ordered a Pirelli Sport Demon and I will see how it wears (there aren't many tires tire choices for the small Ninja). |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/05/17 at 18:40:41 I can't bring the big tent - my wife has a broken wrist and she won't be able to help me set it up and get it dry and clean when I return home. (Our little puppy Lily is no longer little - and the 70 pound dog ran into Deb on the concrete porch and knocked her down - she broke her wrist when she landed). I will bring the smaller tent as I can set it up and tear it down alone, and it will sleep 2 comfortably. If MM brings his 2 man tent we got it covered.....and I can bring a backpack tent that sleeps 2 (if they snuggle) - but it is really only good for 1 and I can sleep in the trailer. For 2 tents and 4 people it is $50 a night, which is #12.50 each....the big tent would only be $35 a night or $8.50 a night - the difference is only $4 each. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/05/17 at 21:43:05 Sounds like a plan, Dave. I think we are swinging more and more towards flexibility as we get further along. I will pack my 2 man tent also, just in case of ...... http://https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.kqdYr_fo-5KfVsBCjnzC3gEnDd&w=78&h=78&c=7&pid=1.1 ....... any sweet little surprises that come popping up. Dave, I am sorry your Lilly puppy caused your wife to take a spill on the concrete. I can certainly sympathize as it was my 50+ pounder puppy jumping up on the bed and landing on my knee instead that got my right knee messed up as it is currently (it is healing slowly). They don't mean to do it, and as we get older having big pets might make for an issue for us occasionally. MM, how is that hay bailing going? Be careful my friend ..... |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 06/05/17 at 22:45:56 Thanks for the well wishes guys. yes Round Bales is the only way I can do it. Those little square bales days are long gone. So , I cut about 10 acres Saturday , so it would rain for the next two days ... ::) Will cut the other 30 acres tomorrow , Tet all of it Wednesday and roll it Friday , and should be headed east to NC Monday ! ;D YeeeHaa !!! :) |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/05/17 at 23:40:21 Our little puppy Lily is no longer little - and the 70 pound dog ran into Deb on the concrete porch and knocked her down - she broke her wrist when she landed). Ohhh, Man! That's not funny at all.. But it begs the question Who wound up in the doghouse over that? |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/08/17 at 06:19:47 I am not digging the change in the weather forecast.....they keep adding more and more thunderstorms! http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/stecoah-township-nc/28771/month/2095926?monyr=6/01/2017 |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 06/08/17 at 07:38:58 Since I am trucking it in, I will have an extra 4 man tent with me if needed, as well as a small pop-up canopy for a porch or bike garage. My current plan is to leave Thursday after work and roll in around 11pm-ish if there is good weather and I can make good time. If anyone needs anything in advance or last minute while I am en-route, PM me here and I'll get it on my phone promptly. Dave has my phone#, but if anyone else needs/wants it to have just-in-case, PM me. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 06/08/17 at 23:02:12 STEW ! I don't get to leave till Monday ---- Don't wear all them roads out before I get there . ;D |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/09/17 at 03:50:04 Guys, if you put dates along with those days of the week it would help cut down on the confusion you got going. MM is thinking Monday, June 12th. We got no idea which Thursday Stew is talking about, but I would guess the 15th if I was a guessing. But I ain't since it is all a Shaggy Mystery ..... |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 06/09/17 at 06:53:09 Ha....MM! I WISH I had that much time. I am arriving Thursday June 15. You leave ME some roads! ;) |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/09/17 at 13:05:40 The apparent schedule is: MMRanch and Oldfeller meeting at the "HUB" in Robbinsville on Monday June 12th. Dave is going to the KSL on Tuesday June 13th......I might even be able to leave after work on Monday the 12th and get into the are before midnight and sleep in the Deals Gap parking lot. Badwolf and Stewmills are arriving late on Thursday, June 15th. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/09/17 at 13:17:34 Scooby Dooby Dooooo ........ <rawlf rawlf> ROLL CALL .... post that you realize you are less than a week out from a trip and that you are paying attention. THESE EVENTS ARE IN PLANNING AND DISCUSSION RIGHT UP TO THE GO DAY -- THE CONCRETE HAS NOT SET COMPLETELY YET UNTIL IT IS OVER. I am still plugging in names as people show interest, this gives us a tool for seeing who is really going plus the folks who are going can start the refinement process on dates and activities. So far we got the following items left in the rough order of doing them. Adding something is easy, talk it up some, put a firm date to it and we will see if folks are interested by if they sign up for it. Kickstand Lodge June 14-18 Dave, Oldfeller, MM, Stewmills, RaleighGuy, Badwolf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZGNOB5m5Ro&t=166s http://kickstandlodge.com/rates.html From here it is a short hop up to the Dragon, and to all the really neat surrounding roads we love to ride. For East Coast beginners, this is one of the closest (and the BEST) Southeastern trip possible. Some have argued the area is the BEST BIKING IN AMERICA and I might have to agree with them. We also have a 1 day (2 man) prequel of sorts planned on June 12th with Oldfeller and MM going and checking out the Santeetlah Lake free camping, since until you have actually done it you really can't speak to it pro or con. So, MMRanch and Oldfeller meeting 12:00 - 1:00 at the "HUB" in Robbinsville on Monday June 12th. Dave is going to the KSL on Tuesday June 13th...... He might even be able to leave after work on Monday the 12th and get into the are before midnight and sleep in the Deals Gap parking lot. Badwolf and Stewmills are arriving late on Thursday, June 15th. Indian Paintbrush Campground in Ty Denver Late July NEED FIRM DATES Verslagen, Springman, old.indian, Thumperclone MM's farm Sept 8, 9 & 10 MM, Oldfeller, Dave, Lancer, StewMills And here is a tool to use in locating some no cost camping when travelling to get to the rides: https://freecampsites.net =========================================== HERE IS YOUR LONG TERM WEATHER GUESSTIMATE FOR THE KICKSTAND AREA http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/stecoah-township-nc/28771/month/2095926?monyr=6/01/2017 That is some great looking (mountain honest) weather ..... |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 06/09/17 at 20:38:38 :) |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Steve H on 06/10/17 at 08:22:56 Wish I could get away to at least come by and say hi to everyone but it doesn't look like it will be possible. It's just a little over 3 hours away from me. Hope you all have a great time and let's be careful out there. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/11/17 at 03:19:51 That forecast sure is using the word "Thunderstorm" a lot! I am getting all my stuff ready today - but I will wait until the last minute and check the forecast before I load up a bike. If the forecast stays wet I will likely bring the little Ninja, as I don't care if it gets dirty and wet. Hopefully the forecast will change for the better in the next 24-48 hours. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/11/17 at 07:37:54 It looks like this could be a rain- out in the making. The national weather map shows the entire east coast underwater all week. Anybody else feel like this may not be a good week to go? https://weather.com/maps/planner |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/11/17 at 09:06:47 My opinion? Monday would be good, Tuesday you'd be out dodging the thunderheads, Wednesday & Thursday & Friday & Saturday are fairly steady rain out days. The local weatherman in Robbinsville / Stecoah doesn't seem to catch the shifting big picture like the statewide weather guys do. The shift is TOWARDS more rain, not less -- that much is clear. :P Small communities don't have s weatherman watching the baby for very much, it looks like. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by engineer on 06/11/17 at 09:22:23 This is my favorite weather site. https://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:28733.4.99999 (Tapoco, NC) Scroll down to the 10 day forecast and as you move your pointer across, it gives you the percent probability of rain, hour by hour. It also lists total rain fall expected for any given day. It is useful for planning outdoor work because it gives you an idea of when and how much rain will be falling. I enjoy reading about your trip every year and hope you manage to work it out this year. Good luck! |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/11/17 at 09:28:59 I like the specific details offered by that last one, but it is still saying widespread thunderstorms with mild accumulations of rain, less than 1/2 inch on most days. Translate that into rolling thunderheads dumping "deluge" for a half hour or so and you got it. https://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:28733.4.99999 |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by pg on 06/11/17 at 13:53:43 I have used wunderground for years now and it is almost scary how accurate it is. What kind of technology do they have that the other forecasters don't? :o Best regards, |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/11/17 at 14:47:58 I called MM, he's out on his tractor bailing Hay. He'll ring in this evening. ======================================= It is 8:30 PM and I spoke with Mike, he should be saying something shortly. |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 06/11/17 at 15:30:59 Just catching up on things since Friday. If the weather is looking cruddy, I can come another long weekend EXCEPT the following weekend of June 23-25 as I have a family trip planned. Otherwise, let's hope the weather holds out! |
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Title: Re: ROLL CALL -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/11/17 at 16:50:29 Well, its getting worse, not better. https://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:28733.4.99999 I am officially saying "I'm out -- trip for me is called on account of rain" and I will be finding alternate things to do for Mon-Tuesday and planning on going back to work on Wednesday. Might I suggest we plan on trying again later on. The entire month of July is open, but historically July has its daily thunderstorms to deal with. These last past 2 weeks (first weeks in June) seems to come up good as the ongoing thunderstorms start about the week after that. It is funny, the weather gets "summertime warm" and the ongoing thunderstorms instantly crank up ..... |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/11/17 at 18:39:50 I won't be coming until the weather clears up....if the weather forecast changes for something better at the end of the week - I could be interested in a Thursday/Friday/Saturday go home on Sunday attendance. Stewmills and Badwolf weren't going to be arriving until then anyhow - however Badwolf had several days of riding to get to the area late Thursday. We will just have to wait and see if things dry up. I can do the next weekend as I already have our first overnight motorcycle trip with the wife....then the following weekend is the 4th of July weekend and that is probably not a good weekend to be riding on tourist infested roads. |
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Title: Re: Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 06/11/17 at 18:52:24 Perhaps we are planning too far out ? I need to be home for Fathers day so I have to ride home Saturday , no matter what may be . How about : The week of June 25 - 30 Or The week of June 18 - 23 The next week is July 4th. Anybody want to go to North Dakota the first week of August ? ::) If the weather changes to "GOOD" , how about a Thursday night (15 June) , Friday day ride , ride home Saturday . :-? |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/11/17 at 19:02:41 It's tough enough to meet family at the steak house. Getting a buncha guys together to ride bikes in fun places And get the weather to cooperate, wow. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by jcstokes on 06/11/17 at 19:53:14 What is Officially Deprecated? |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/11/17 at 19:57:24 I certainly was in school, and the Air Force, and, Ohhh well, you get the idea. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 06/11/17 at 20:01:50 I'm still available to make a last minute "go-no-go" decision as late as Wednesday night. I'd need to be loaded up Wednesday night so I can head out Thursday immediately after work. It is a 4 hour truck trip for me. Otherwise, I'm game for another weekend except NEXT weekend of June 23, and I didn't think about July 4 but I probably want to avoid that weekend as well as has been noted. |
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Title: Re: Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/12/17 at 03:10:05 607260727F6C636E652D0 wrote:
We attempt to plan ahead so that working folks can schedule their vacation time....and so family issues can be sorted out. If we only want 1 or 2 of us on the outings - then a last minute "Hey let's go ride this weekend" approach could work. The weather for this trip looked to be clear and sunny 2 weeks out - the forecast change occurred just 3 days before you and Oldfeller were scheduled to leave. Both Stewmills and I are available for the 15th - 18th if the weather clears up. Let's keep track of the weather and make a decision on Wednesday afternoon.....at the moment Thursday is forecast to be the wettest day, and Friday isn't much better. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/12/17 at 04:39:19 This year we have learned some stuff. Forget about cabins, the $$$ penalty for a weather based cancellation is severe when you are talking cabins. Weather in the mountains can change COMPLETELY inside a 24-48 hour time window. It has shown us this twice now. What do we do now? ::) Punt ..... I think for the farm based trips we intentionally bring some rainy day activities (shooting) and we just plan to be all flexible about it. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by badwolf on 06/12/17 at 09:51:19 I live in South Florida, if I did not ride whenever the weatherman predicted rain I would stay in the house 8 or 9 months a year! I will be at the KSL Thursday as stated. If the weather is rainy, I won't go up Mt Mitchell however, done that before on a bicycle and all you can see is the parking lot! I'll post updates on the weather after I get there. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 06/12/17 at 10:55:43 BadWolf , I like your attitude ! ;D The weather forecast I'm seeing on weather channel doesn't look encouraging . ...at the moment Thursday is forecast to be the wettest day, and Friday isn't much better. ::) |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by badwolf on 06/12/17 at 11:13:50 Think you're ''safer'' staying at home? A man in Rochester, New York, is "just happy to be alive," after he was struck by lightning while sitting in his office on Monday, the Associated Press reported. Nick Gemayel was sitting in his office at an auto repair shop when he saw a bright flash from the light switch, he told the AP. The power went out and after several minutes, he realized his hand was blistering. The bolt had surged through the light switch and hit his left hand. He was later treated at a local hospital and released. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/12/17 at 12:11:04 Well, ya just never KNOW, ya know? I mean, we don't know anything about that guy. For all I know he had just been talking smack about MooHammed hizself. He's just Dadgum Lucky it didn't straight up Blow his danged head Rightthehell Awff! |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/12/17 at 15:27:52 Woke up and had to go find out if the decision to abort was a good 'un or not. https://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=pws:KNCROBBI3 80% chance of rain later in the week, strong thunderstorms already showing over the area on the radar maps. I like that Wunderground stuff, the various radar views combined with the daily graphs make for a very good tool to use for bike trips. You can simply +- out on the radar maps to show a lot of extra state area to see what's coming, or - in and scroll to park right over the campground. 80% chances of rain overall for the next few days, with the decision to abort Santeetlah verified with a rainstorm sitting right on top of it when I first first looked ...... it has moved off within an hour though so it was just a simple thunderstorm. But another one is showing on the radar now following the same pathway down the valley. Good call, Dave. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/12/17 at 19:25:45 Even the end of the week looks bad....Thursday is strong thunderstorm and Friday is not much better. Even Saturday is forecasting thunderstorms. (The weatherunderground site just has too much data and it locks up my home computer). http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/stecoah-township-nc/28771/month/2095926?monyr=6/01/2017 This is not my year for good vacations. In February I was invited to go to Tahoe and go skiing for the first time in 11 years....and it rained for 5 days straight! The weather was great before we got there, and it cleared up after we left....all we could do was hide in the condo as the winds were 40 mph at the base and 150 at the summit! |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 06/12/17 at 20:16:21 That's OK , The Dragon area is only a half days ride anytime we want to go. Let me know when ya'll working folks , get an itch to go ride Ole-Scalley ! ;D |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/13/17 at 02:40:29 516A6770616D76706B636E71020 wrote:
Something's up with your Wintel kitchen laptop most likely, as I can run the Wunderground Android app on my cheapest old shoddy handlebar cell phone with only a seconds delay while the maps build themselves up. And that sad little cell phone defines the term "complete lack of resources", really. I have noticed when the slow down strikes my wife's Win10 machinery and believe it or not so has she -- her first step now is to walk three steps over and sit in my chair and light what she was doing in Linux just to see if it is a network or a Mickeysoft issue. For an amusement, I set up my Mint Mate 18 desktop to look exactly like hers so she can find her stuff in a familiar environment -- except for her proprietary school softwares everything runs off a Libre Office equivalent, not MS Office. She complains about my funny menus but she gets around in it just fine. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/14/17 at 18:44:35 The forecast for Thursday is the heaviest rain so far with strong thunderstorms, Friday morning is a heavy thunderstorm....and chance of them on Saturday. I am staying home.........saving my time off for a sunny weekend in the mountains. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/14/17 at 19:18:56 Trip called on account of pesky thunderstorms and steady rain on some days. We can't plan for mountain weather -- so we got to get all sorts of "more flexible" about our trip plans. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 06/14/17 at 20:45:35 The forecast for the 20th and beyond looks good for now ? (in my area) ... :-? I had next week planned for a W.V. ride but all the CMAUSA group can't go. so now its open ! :) I might just run-over the Dragon a few times if anybody else can go or not ... and try-out that 1/2 price campground --- just to "Try-out that 1/2 price campground" , ;D . I'm thinking Tuesday afternoon make camp (20-June) , and ride home Thursday or Friday ? ... ::) |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/14/17 at 23:58:13 https://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=pws:KNCROBBI3&MR=1 Mike, ya gotta look at the weather where you are going to, not where you live -- ya only got two (2) Robbinsville "good days" to work with next week. And those are cloudy and subject to change on you suddenly .... I am going to crank up a thread for the MM's Farm trip to see what we (all thinking together) can cook up for some ideas that might be relatively "weather proof". This fast changing rainy weather stuff is really giving me the pips ..... :P |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 06/15/17 at 07:23:09 How much of what the weather sooth-sayers said for this week came to pass as predicted ? I think they all LIE like dogs on a hot day ... ;) I did turn around instead of running into rain yesterday , but I'm going back to try the same route again today .... Its all fun ridding anyway .... ain't like I'm on the way to work and "HAVE-TO" go any particular way or die trying. ;D |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/15/17 at 07:23:47 Well this is a bit frustrating....I have looked at the weather and it just isn't a washout today or the next few days. The amount of rain accumulation they are currently predicting is pretty minimal at 0.12" today and 0.2" tomorrow. It did turn out for the better that I stayed in town and got a lot of work done - we have been having the kind of weather that storms hard for an hour or two - then the sun comes out and the weather is very pleasant. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/15/17 at 08:54:25 Looks dry at the moment! http://tailofthedragon.com/webcam/ |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/15/17 at 09:28:28 Nobody gets treated as well after being so wrong as the weather guessers. Can't get twenty minutes from now right, but Ohhh,Boy, twenty years from now,, look out buster! |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/15/17 at 09:39:53 I looked on the weather app on my cell phone, and it shows that a big batch of rain is headed to the area and will be there in a little bit. It appears the good weather will go away for a few hours this afternoon. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/15/17 at 10:02:45 A coupla weeks ago it stormed hard. The doctor and I were tugging on our ears because the barometric pressure swung so fast. The weather radar had me riding home in near monsoon weather, so we hunted a path around. I studied it, knew the roads, but decided to just go home. I never hit rain heavy enough to have needed wipers in the car. And that GAP I was hitting if I left Galveston to ride it home last year? Yeah, instead of hanging out in a clear spot I got blown into an intersection, and as I tried to turn around and head for cover, the wind stood me up. It's not funny to have your right foot down when you are turning left. Does that mean I won't look at the radar? Nope, but it's not perfect.. I was really hoping that trip was gonna go as planned.. So much planning and such anticipation, bummer.. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by badwolf on 06/15/17 at 17:46:44 OK, it's 8:30 pm and I am sitting in the common area with 15 new friends at the KSL! Got here about 3 this afternoon just before a small shower blew thru. About 8 or 9 other bikes here and the weather ain't really too bad. Went to Ceasers Head, and Mt Mitchell on the way here from Greenville and hit about 3 miles of light rain coming past Ashville, but my pantlegs were dry in 10 miles. Going to Wheels Thru Time tomorrow, and try the Mexican restaurant in Robbinsville. A week of clear weather in the mountains of NC in the summer is just too much to ask, best just to set a loose schedule and ride toward the blue skys. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/15/17 at 19:05:29 Badwolf: Glad you arrived and the weather is somewhat agreeable. I did see that the forecast last week showed widespread storms - but when I looked at the radar the storms were spread out and it was not raining everywhere. I guess in a forecast they have to show that the rain is likely to hit everywhere - even though it won't be raining on everything all the time. I kept watching the weather today and wondering if I could just go home and get a bike and come down to play.......but I just couldn't talk myself into it for a couple of potentially wet days. It turns out that it was best I stay home - work got really crazy this week and I did need to be here as it turns out. Next year I will be semi-retire and only working 20 hour weeks, and I will be able to play a lot more! |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 06/16/17 at 09:07:15 So...are we going to start another "Rescheduled KSL Trip" thread and try to set-up another tentative weekend for those of us that can sneak away with a couple of day's notice when it looks like we have a break in the weather? |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by badwolf on 06/16/17 at 14:37:36 Well,,,,, I don't want to rub it in,,,,,BUT, the sun has been out all day and I haven't seen a drop of rain anywhere today! A GREAT day to ride in the mountains! Went to the museum today till my feet got tired, too much cool stuff to see there. It's a great place to go if we get caught down here on a wet day. Mo is cooking tonight, those of you that were here last year know what that means! The bunkhouse is great, for $2 more than pitching a tent it is a great deal! You don't even need a sleeping bag, she supplys sheets, pillow and case, and a blanket!!! Even if it rains all day tomorrow I will consider the trip a success! Hey Stew, I took a picture of my bike in the parking lot from the observation deck on Mt Mitchell, about 600 feet above, would that count as 3 stories for the scavenger hunt? |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/17/17 at 03:14:20 Yep....the weather folks got this one wrong....and so did I. I kept looking at the weather radar the last few days and although I could see some rain here and there - most of the area down there was dry. I need to check a few things before I can recommend some potential dates for July - but I suggest the 4th of July weekend should not be an option. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by badwolf on 06/17/17 at 17:40:17 Well guys, another beautiful day in the mountains. Mo fried chicken tonight, was great! Then she broke out a squirt gun, that turned into a impromptu wet T-shirt contest/ice bucket challenge! If you have never been here before, you can guess this is NOT your normal stuck-up campground! |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/19/17 at 12:22:28 In an attempt to reschedule a KSL "group" ride for sometime in the near future: I can't go this weekend (June 22nd - 25th), and the following weekend is the beginning of the July 4th "megaweekend", and it is likely not a good weekend to be riding down there unless you like lots of traffic and slow moving motorhomes to negotiate. I could go the 6th - 9th, or the 20th - 23, or the 27th - 30th. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 06/19/17 at 12:54:54 Ditto. I am off at a family event this weekend and suggest avoiding July 4th weekend. Other than those two, I am flexible. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/19/17 at 18:22:51 The weekend of the 6th-9th could be filled with folks who took their vacation after the 4th. Let's make an attempt to go on the 20th-23rd, and if the weather forecast is bad try again the next weekend on the 27th - 30th. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 06/20/17 at 22:04:25 I'm with you fellers ! 8-) unless the wife says otherwise. She wants me to tile the front and side porch's this week or next ... ::) |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/22/17 at 18:40:45 Bump to the top again. Let's just say I am now thrice bitten and twice burned right now and I am fairly cautious now about "predicting" weather in that area. I am refining my risk level at 30-40% chance of occasional showers being my max risk level -- more than that (or perhaps a lot more hours duration at somewhat lower risk) shows that something system-wise is coming in or going out and the entire thing is then seen by me as "dubious". Weather forecasts more than 3 days out are a mere crapshoot, and the stuff 1-2 weeks out gets redone (and totally changes its tune) just about daily. Not really worth talking about. Key takeaway is we just used to EXPECT to get rained on at least 1-2 times. That was good enough for the pre-cell phone era, but our current attempts to cherry pick the weather have been LESS THAN SUCCESSFUL because what is currently available on the internet really isn't very accurate. I will put in vacation for the 19th-23nd and see what sort of response I get. ======================================= Badwolf isn't coming this time so we don't need the bunkhouse. Dave isn't bringing his big tent because his wife has a broken wrist. We are likely going to wind up paying for several little tents, so let's at least consider trying MM's Cheoah Point half price campground near Robbinsville. Kickstand wants $20 for the tent and $5 for each additional person in the tent so that is $30 per night per tent full. MM's magic card cuts that price in half (or less) at Cheoah Point Campground. It has showers and toilets and is only six miles away from Robbinsville for entertainment and eating. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/23/17 at 02:56:53 My wife's wrist may be OK by then and I may be able to bring the big tent. Even if it isn't we likely will only need 1 normal size tent for us until Stewmills arrives. Then it will be 2 tents...the cost difference just isn't worth worrying about to me......4 people in 1 tent is $35.....4 people in 2 tents is $50 - the difference is only $ 3.75 each per day. You and MM can go check out the alternate camping if you like - but I am going to the KSL and staying there the entire time....I like the place, free WIFI, free towels, nice clean bathrooms, covered bike parking, nice covered shelter with plenty of tables and chairs, etc. |
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Title: Re: Probably Rained Out -- Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/23/17 at 11:53:16 Kickstand is "moderately mid-price" sort of not very expensive place (but Dave feels the service given is well worth the price). Kickstand cost for 4 people in 1 tent is $35 a night .....4 people in 2 tents is $50 a night. Meatball that at roughly $10 a person per night plus meals and you got all your trip planning all done give or take a bit that is. $7.50 for a Cheoah night or $35 for a Kickstand night is four times more expensive (if the Cheoah numbers using MM's card are real, which still has to be seen to be believed). Power to your camp site can be had for an additional $5 at Cheoah Point which gets you up to only half as expensive compared to Kickstand. While I am working, these sorts of numbers are sorta meaningless to me too. When I am retired, the full penny pincher mode has to kick in, big time I am afraid. On the 19th I could go to Cheoah Point for a night and reality talk to the folks about the $7.50 to $10 campground powered, shower equipped spots using Mike's card. And I will also cruise the entire place looking at some of the larger FREE primitive spots for 60 foot RVs on the north shore of the lake (well away from roads and car noise). For example, could a multi-tent motorcycle group take up just one of these larger free RV spots ??? (the one right next to to the toilet facility for example). ;) You don't know until you ask. We would need the space as we haul bike trailers, etc. A small generator exists somewhere in our group, and running it for a few hours in the evening can get all those various devices charged back up for those who lack a 12 volt plug socket on their bike. We do need to verify we got Cell Tower support up at the lake ..... We don't necessarily need to do this on this particular trip as I can do it on a half way stop on the trip to MM's Farm in August. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/23/17 at 19:19:33 THESE EVENTS ARE IN PLANNING AND DISCUSSION RIGHT UP TO THE GO DAY -- THE CONCRETE HAS NOT SET COMPLETELY YET UNTIL IT IS OVER. I am still plugging in names as people show interest, this gives us a tool for seeing who is really going plus the folks who are going can start the refinement process on dates and activities. So far we got the following items left in the rough order of doing them. Kickstand Lodge July 20-23 Dave, Oldfeller, MM, Stewmills, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZGNOB5m5Ro&t=166s http://kickstandlodge.com/rates.html From here it is a short hop up to the Dragon, and to all the really neat surrounding roads we love to ride. For East Coast beginners, this is one of the closest (and the BEST) Southeastern trip possible. Some have argued the area is the BEST BIKING IN AMERICA and I might have to agree with them. Indian Paintbrush Campground in Ty Denver Late July NEED FIRM DATES Verslagen, Springman, old.indian, Thumperclone MM's farm Sept 8, 9 & 10 MM, Dave, Lancer, StewMills, Verslagen1, Hammer, Springman, Oldfeller, JOG And here is a tool to use in locating some no cost camping when travelling to get to the rides: https://freecampsites.net =========================================== HERE IS YOUR LONG TERM WEATHER GUESSTIMATE FOR THE KICKSTAND AREA http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/stecoah-township-nc/28771/month/2095926?monyr=6/01/2017 |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 06/23/17 at 21:14:20 Magic card is for: pass holder and occupants of a single,private non-commercial vehicle OR one motorcycle OR pass holder and three persons (16 and older) where per person fees are charged. strait off the back of the card ... The fine print ... :-[ ------------------------------------------------- I'm "Ok" with any place . I like the Dragon camp ground too. Its only for a few days anyway , so the cost is not enough to fret much about. ................................................ I feel safe leaving my camp around any bunch of Bikers ! :) the shanteea lake area is kind of isolated . Shanteea lake fees |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/24/17 at 03:11:38 The security issue is a good point MM. At the KSL folks leave their phones, Ipads, laptops and action cameras plugged into the sockets at the pavilion.....doesn't appear that anyone has problems trusting each other. I used a plug at the laundry area for my phone one night....it was still there in the morning when I got up. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/24/17 at 10:18:59 That's great, and when we camped out in Big Bend thirty years ago, we marveled at the unsecured possessions in campsites, just like ours. And apparently no thieves drove through and campers don't screw each other.. And where I fish I set my stuff down, walk away from a rod and reel, in its carrier, and the carrier I spent about thirty hours on, and never worried. The last time I went, someone stole the second rig, AND the EMPTY carrier.. It's all warm and fuzzy, until it isn't. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/24/17 at 16:00:07 You need to build into your bike the ability to charge your toys while you are out on a ride. Take your toys with you, and charge them at the same time. I don't think sleeping bags and clothes get stolen all that often, but I am also reminded there are a whole lot of crappy people out there in the world. General population campgrounds are especially bad because they have lots of groups of roaming kids ..... Here is a socket based dual USB model .... https://www.amazon.com/Powseed-Motorcycle-Cigarette-Handlebar-Waterproof/dp/B071XY63Y9/ref=pd_day0_469_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B071XY63Y9&pd_rd_r=25JTWP961V6BDMHSNM19&pd_rd_w=CZddC&pd_rd_wg=6uRLo&psc=1&refRID=25JTWP961V6BDMHSNM19 and here is a volt meter and dual USB model www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Charger-Voltmeter-Switch-JARDLI/dp/B01K9JI1CK/ref=pd_sbs_23_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01K9JI1CK&pd_rd_r=4G7M0EH1RAS4KY1YN8E8&pd_rd_w=Uydpb&pd_rd_wg=4mDzw&psc=1&refRID=4G7M0EH1RAS4KY1YN8E8 Both have an on-off switch to keep LEDs etc from draining your bike's battery. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 06/26/17 at 06:59:51 I have this one since all my stuff us USB. MM taught me how to direct wire it into the headlight feed that is only powered when the key is turned on so there is nothing to turn on and off. Used it to run my GPS on my last Dragon trip and it works great. I started to get one of those Oldfeller listed with the LED Voltmeter on it, but I have limited handlebar space and I needed to keep things as small as possible...plus I think the voltmeter (for me) would be something I would want to keep looking at and distract me. Plus, I don't have anything additional added to my bike in terms of power draw so I wasn't worried too much about needing to monitor the volts. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 06/28/17 at 07:43:27 Stew I like that ! Might want to put a pair of small zip ties on there for backup. [ch128512]. How do I get one of them ? Handlebar space being at a premium and all ! |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 06/28/17 at 09:38:18 MM, Mine is attached well with zip ties. I don't trust the little clip, and will never need to remove mine anyhow. Get them on fleabay for about $10. Just search ;motorcycle dual USB' and filter by North America (so you don't get one on the China slow boat) and you'll see them, it includes an inline fuse. Takes up very little room. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/29/17 at 03:57:19 The Kick Stand Lodge trip is tentatively rescheduled for July 20-23....if weather allows - and it will be moved to the following weekend if the event is a washout. At this point the 20-23 weekend looks wet - but that is still 3 weeks away so it is hard to tell what will happen. http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/stecoah-township-nc/28771/month/2095926?monyr=7/01/2017 |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/29/17 at 16:04:32 Yup, that weather doesn't look too good. Weather generally shifts forward a day a week, moving weather patterns in closer. This also does not predict good things for the original days as there are too many days of rain to shift clear of. The following week, July 27 - 30 does look better. We need to try to shift over to the better weather, if as a group we can do that. I am now attempting the vacation shift trick at work aiming at the better weather ..... |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 06/29/17 at 23:16:41 I'm helping with VBS the last week of July ... but might be able to get some one to fill in for me Friday night ... maybe even Thursday night ??? I'll do the best I can with what ever dat we use . Its time to take a Summer Mountain Ride ! :) |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 06/30/17 at 07:13:11 I am hoping that the 20-23 works a I have an appointment in ATL late Thursday and that's en route from my home to KSL. Didn't plan it that way, so if we need to shift to the following weekend I am still flexible in short notice and should be able to make either work. I would just be taking off work the respective Friday (leaving after work Thursday and arriving close to midnight Thursday). |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/30/17 at 12:03:49 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/stecoah-township-nc/28771/month/2095926?monyr=7/01/2017 Dave, you go pick you some dates and spit on them. I feel like I am cursed, if I pick some days it rains and if I change over to the new drier days they then become the wet days and the old wet days become the drier days ...... I literally cannot win fer losing ....... |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 06/30/17 at 12:19:54 OF.......I am still planning on July 20-23rd for the visit - with the bailout rain date being the next weekend on the 27-30th. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 06/30/17 at 13:12:36 OK, I have vacation spotted for both weeks. Obviously, I will only use one set. If both weeks screw up, I will see you at MM's as we sit under his car port shooting rifles and cooking dozens and dozens of chicken wings. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/03/17 at 05:57:46 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/stecoah-township-nc/28771/month/2095926?monyr=7/01/2017 :P The Curse is still working, the good weekend is this weekend and the next weekend now. Both of the scheduled trip and alternate weekends suck a little bit, but not too badly ..... ..... give it a day and it will change yet again ..... |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 07/05/17 at 21:35:29 I hope the 20-23 get the weather nod . The next week is doable but not as easy . ;) |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/06/17 at 03:33:17 That's a beautiful place.. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/06/17 at 11:14:07 http://suzukisavage.com/yabb2.2/Attachments/friday_debreefing.jpg We've had a number of very good gatherings at Blue Ridge Motorcycle campground, using Cabin #4 and an exception granted to our group that once we rented the cabin we could stack people inside it like cordwood if we wanted to -- ditto for the tents. This loop hole has ended now and you are now charged a per head charge now (a per head charge which in the last year has shown up all over the place fairly uniformly). The only place that is cheap any more is Santeetlah Lake but due to erratic weather over that lake area we are having a rough time scheduling anything (two major failures now due to weather). Kickstand is preferred over Santeetlah for having a bunkhouse (instant overflow) and a meal that is served at night. Blue Ridge is noted as more expensive than Kickstand as we have to pay full freight there now. Kickstand and Blue Ridge are sorta similar, with the luxury edge going to Blue Ridge for the always open lounge area and free coffee in the mornings. Dragon Lodge can go burn in Hell forever for twice having ripped off both Lancer and myself upon group exiting for $50-$60, using cute little "make a buck rules" that you "violated" when you were leaving. Dragon Lodge isn't any sort of preferred location now unless you are after the endless circus of Crotch Rocket noise and Hurley mess. We have rotated more towards the tent as our "easiest to plan for, cheapest to use" idea. We find our best trips in the last 5 years have been to somebody's farm, where we tent and chatter and do stuff. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/06/17 at 11:45:06 Example of "Cursed planning" or the weather flipping around somewhat drastically inside three weeks can be seen here. THE NEXT 2 WEEKENDS are near perfect, with the the 3rd (the trip weekend) picking up a little rain (nothing fatal yet, but it illustrates our point that increasing our flexibility is a good thing). What we are really having issues with is 3-4 week requirement to schedule VACATION DAYS vs "a growing need to be spontaneous". Next year Dave goes to semi-retired and I will be the only one stuck to a vacation schedule. Knowing this, I will strive to lay out multiple weekends to the "group plan" intentionally seeking to be as flexible as possible. ;) |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/06/17 at 16:55:14 Our weather changed after the little hurricane. It's dropping a few, no wipers needed, showers. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/09/17 at 11:04:03 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/stecoah-township-nc/28771/month/2095926?monyr=7/01/2017 One week out weather looks good (knock on wood). What time are we shooting at for group arrival on Thursday the 20th? |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/09/17 at 14:07:38 I have a City Council meeting on that Wednesday night - so as usual I will leave after the meeting, and likely arrive at Deals Gap around 2 AM Thursday morning. I will sleep in the trailer, and be ready to go riding around 8 AM on Thursday. I can ride out to meet MM at Tellico Plains if he is riding that way and leaving Thursday morning. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/09/17 at 21:16:50 Is anybody else coming? |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 07/09/17 at 21:17:52 I'll try to set things up to leave Thursday morning . Right now my brain don't have things planed that far out . So much depends on the weather during hay/bush-hogging season . |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/09/17 at 21:44:39 MM, did you guys buy a set of reloading dies for the 7.5x55 K31 Swiss ??? This is the cheapest I have seen in a long time for that particular gun --- ever since before the Obama gun madness started. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lee-Precision-Pacesetter-3-Die-Set-7-5mm-Schmidt-Rubin-7-5x55mm-Swiss-90767-/112473091951?hash=item1a2feb2f6f:g:G2UAAOSwqVBZX56S and here is another, a Better Set, even cheaper !!! http://www.ebay.ca/itm/lee-reloading-dies-7-5x55-3-die-set-/112468896938?hash=item1a2fab2caa:g:FCkAAOSwbtVZW6f1 Tentatively, I will meet Dave at the Dragon 8:00 AM Thursday morning, July 20 and we will swing out to meet you where-ever, when-ever according to the plan of the day. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/10/17 at 03:51:27 5370787A797070796E1C0 wrote:
The roll call as I know it is Dave, Oldfeller, MMRanch - and Stewmills is going to be arriving about midnight on Thursday. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/10/17 at 07:06:32 I'm still in for arriving late on Thursday the 20th. Dave, are you setting up your Taj-Ma-tent at KSL like last time? Not obligating you, but if you are and I just need to bring a cot that's excellent and will minimize what I need to pack (tent stuff). |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/10/17 at 07:14:13 I will plan on bringing the big tent........I believe my wife's wrist is healing well enough that she can help me set up the big tent again when I get home. (As nice as it is to have it and use it....it does requires an hour to two of work when I get home to set it up, clean it and dry it out). Although I will be arriving early on Thursday - I haven't yet figured out a way to set it up alone and I will have to wait for some help to arrive. Maybe I will put the ground cloth down to claim our space ......and see if there is anyone moving around at KSL that can help me for a few minutes. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/10/17 at 07:54:56 Dave, I hear ya. I have a large 4+ man tent that is doable for one person, but 2 makes a huge difference. If you have a smaller tent that is more convenient don't being the big tent just on my account, though I presume you are accommodating MM too? I'm just sayin' that I can bring a small 2-3 person tent that I can throw up real quick when I get there late Thursday. You know me by now...I'm content with anything. You do what is easiest for Dave and I will fit into the picture accordingly. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/10/17 at 08:04:44 There are just 4 of us coming that we know of. I have a smaller tent that works well for 2 people and gear (although on one group outing 3 guys jammed themselves into it), and it sets up really quickly. MM has a similar sized tent...if he is bringing his then we have everybody taken care of.....we will see what MM has to say once he gets done cutting hay! |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/10/17 at 09:16:54 10-4. Either way I will bring little my pop-up canopy that we can use for a "bike garage". |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/10/17 at 09:22:02 282F3E2C36323737285B0 wrote:
We do need to keep the "sun" off the bikes until were are ready to ride! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 07/10/17 at 19:40:31 Dave , I'm guessing your bring the trailer ? I understand OldFeller is bring the BIG BIKE ... maybe I should too ? If so ... all I need to bring is a cot/sleeping bag . :-? I can bring a choice of tents if needed , my favorite is a 8'x10'x72" w/two doors (packs up nice too). Don't they charge by the tent then add extra for over two people ? Got my hay cut today , hope to pick it up Thursday , then a week later leave for Tellico Plains . OldFeller you remember the Tellico Plains dinner we went to with ToyMaker (long time ago) ? I'm O-K with checking out any of those lunch places on the west end of the Skyway too. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/10/17 at 23:41:09 Toymaker quit riding with us about 10 years ago and my memory isn't that good, really. I will already be in the area as I am taking the whole week off to screw around a little bit while the weather is being so nice and pretty. I gots me this nice new bike you see, one that needs some learning, don't you know. Plus I need to learn how to ride the Barcalounger safely up there in the curvies and learn to mentally avoid all them narsty "Toymaker Temptation Traps" to which the bare flesh is prone. I already see that a 50+ hp bike is a lot different than a 30hp Savage ..... This means running dead last and showing up at the stop signs late, something I will have to study on and practice to get right. ::) I must learn how to become the grinning white haired old fart on the Barcalounger that everyone blows past .... |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 07/11/17 at 20:32:39 OldFeller , Tentatively, I will meet Dave at the Dragon 8:00 AM Thursday morning, July 20 and we will swing out to meet you where-ever, when-ever according to the plan of the day. So you'll get into the Dragon area Thursday morning ? If so ... and if ya'll ride west on the Skyway to Tellico Plains , how about seeing if any of those Late Lunch spots look like winners . :-? I should be into Tellico about 13:00 - 14:00 hrs. time zone . I'll check my phone messages at gas stops to see what ya found , if that's alright ... :) |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/12/17 at 03:36:49 No, I will be in the general area on Tuesday most of the day and all day Wednesday, checking out new campgrounds and just screwing around some. Got a me new freebie one just down the hill from the Dragon Lodge (same street as that ritzy restaurant we were talking about meeting at) and I also got both a freebie one and a $6.00 paid campground that are very near to Tellico Plains. That free campground site app is busy populating itself with more and more new places and I find that sort of stuff very good to check out when I am in the areas. ;) |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/12/17 at 03:50:48 MM: You have me a bit confused with your posted arrival times (are you leaving Lynchburg at 3 AM Thursday morning?). When I arrive at Deals Gap really early on Thursday morning, I will have my car/trailer and the bike will still be loaded. I will hopefully get out of the City Council meeting by 8PM, and arrive at Deals Gap parking lot by 1-2 AM on Thursday morning, and I will sleep in the trailer, and when I wake up I will drive drive down to the KSL. I should make it to the Kickstand Lodge around 8 AM. I will unload my bike there and get ready for the days ride......so the KSL would be the best place for us to meet on Thursday morning. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/12/17 at 10:47:01 So, I will meet Dave at the Kickstand Lodge at 8:00 am on Thursday, July 20th. Does Kickstand serve breakfast? |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/12/17 at 12:09:36 No "formal" breakfast at Kickstand....Robbinsville is not far away. The KSL does have a grill, fridge, etc. that does allow you to make food. I have heard that you can use them to make your own breakfast....we were new kids the last time we were there and didn't take advantage of that......I don't know if that service is only for the frequent fliers? The Stecoah Grill is right up the street on 28 - but they don't open until 11 AM. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/12/17 at 18:50:50 Thursday, 7/20/17 breakfast at Huddle House in Robbinsville at 8:30 AM? No crime being a tad late that way as the coffee tastes good and I am carrying a paperback in the saddle bags. If you wanted to dump the trailer and the car at KSL and ride the bike our we could do a light breakfast at 8:30-9:00, then boogie out the Cherohala to meet Mike for a late lunch. I trust you know this place Mike wants to meet us at ..... I don't. Plus, he isn't translating his times to NC local time, I betcha. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/12/17 at 19:16:38 I don't know about MM's fancy place....I met him and his brother at Katz Deli that is right at the bottom of the skyway just before you get to downtown Tellico. It is right on the river and it has a nice deck that is right above the river....it is a nice peaceful place to wait. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 07/12/17 at 20:01:42 O K ... I'm fine with what-ever plan . OldFeller is right about the time zone thing ::) . So , I believe its about 5 hours to the Dragon from home. If I leave by 08:30 hrs. then I should be in the Tellico Plains area about 4 hours later (12:30 hrs. / central). One week till departure date ... I still have a lot to do. :o |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/12/17 at 21:34:57 Which will then instantly be 1:30 pm local time when you actually get there. It is easy, just add an hour to whatever your watch says to get NC time ..... ..... or just start an hour earlier than you think you need to. http://mathfour.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/MathFourTimeZones.jpg |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/13/17 at 03:09:27 I don't remember El Paso being a different zone. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/13/17 at 07:35:27 This place........ http://tellicokats.com/ |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/13/17 at 08:26:11 I can't remember if we did Wayah road last time, but here is a neat little lunch or dinner place we stopped at last year with my other group ride: www.visitlakesend.com Location on map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lakes+End+Grill+and+Marina/@35.1959933,-83.6393648,187m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x3153f101ce4837f4!8m2!3d35.196096!4d-83.6390347 |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/13/17 at 09:14:29 I never get tired of Wayah Road, and I do remember passing that restaurant - but we have never stopped there. Wayah road is neat as the west end is along a creek in a mountain valley, then it climbs up the mountain to the peak, then down the other side to the lake area, then back up another peak....then the east end is a really cool twisty downhill with sharp curves just before you reach Franklin. We might be able to plan a route takes us from Wayah Road over to Cashiers and Lake Toxaway, where we could ride on 281 up to Tuckesegee. That was a great curvy road with good pavement and no traffic. It doesn't matter to me which direction we ride. If the weather is good.....I really hope we can do some "all day" loops on Friday and Saturday. I have been working long hours and doing very little riding this year, and I got some serious catching up to do! :) |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/14/17 at 06:55:58 407B7661707C67617A727F60130 wrote:
Ditto. I have ridden maybe once (to the auto parts store and back) in 3+ weeks. Either it has been the weather or me having to do side work at my rental house for which I needed my truck and tools. I definitely need some seat time this coming week to get prepared for some good long rides. I may have to put my motorcycle seat in my truck to help with the conditioning ;D |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/15/17 at 19:12:32 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/stecoah-township-nc/28771/month/2095926?monyr=7/01/2017 Are them little ightning symbols popping up now or what ???? 0.01 amount of rain means very low odds of happening and a quite short duration when it does happen. Standard mountain nice weather in other words. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 07/15/17 at 19:51:59 I think I'm beginning to like your Weatherman OldFeller ! :) With extra warm weather , we may want a ride up to the 5000/ft. level ? During the after-lunch time zone . |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/16/17 at 04:03:39 Never hurts to get a second opinion.. https://www.wunderground.com |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/16/17 at 17:29:57 OK, time for me to try to say what I think I understand is gonna happen. MEET UP SPOT Lunch on Thursday is here ..... http://tellicokats.com/ ..... this is where we all 3 finally get together. Dave is coming late Weds night, sleeping for as many winks as he can catch at the Dragon Parking lot whenever he gets there. There is no Dragon breakfast that early, so Dave will get up and go down the hill to Kickstand, where he will ditch the car and the trailer and proceed from there on bike. Being struck with some moderate heavy knee joint pain issues this week, I will be found blissfully pain medicated and stone asleep in the Kickstand Bunkhouse when Dave arrives. (Dave is too dignified and has too high of a self-image to be using any shaving cream tricks or bread crust tricks on a drugged and snoring invalid) Toss all my kit into Dave's trailer (no need to carry it on the bike all day) then we will proceed to take Dave's bike out and then go to Huddle House in Robinsville for breakfast and from there we go to ..... http://tellicokats.com/ ..... to meet up with MM for lunch. MM remembers to "add an hour to his phone and wrist watch" for the time difference and he remembers to leave home a hour earlier accordingly. We all get together for lunch then we proceed to go do it ..... |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/16/17 at 18:59:15 The Kats Deli meet is on Thursday..........not Tuesday! The weather is looking pretty darn good. Shame I can make it for the Wednesday "delightful" weather! |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 07/16/17 at 21:46:19 If I leave before Thursday Morning then It will cost me a disaportanatly large amount of Honey-Dew Chips that I don't have ... :-[ |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/16/17 at 22:08:54 Dave is too dignified and has too high of a self-image to be using any shaving cream tricks or bread crust tricks on a drugged and snoring invalid) Now would be a good time to be glad I'm not gonna make it... |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/16/17 at 22:19:26 Well, I done told you I was medicated and snoozing --- feel pretty good at the moment but it is now 1:02 AM (middle of my working day being all security time shifted and all). I am full awake, typing and dealing with 3 kitty cats all lined up to be rubbed. Cats are funny, I dosed them with flea stuff this afternoon and they are now all finished up mewling and crying and hiding and going rub crazy over the side effects (the flea stuff tears them up some it does) so now they are lined up at my keyboard to be rubbed and forgiven for whatever sins they did that caused me to dose them with the flea stuff (what they did had to been bad to have been disciplined so severely). My orange and my gray are spitting and fighting over ownership of me again - they still haven't gotten the main idea yet that I own them not vice versa. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/16/17 at 22:21:22 Justin, what have you ever done to deserve a foamy cap being put on your head? |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/17/17 at 06:24:49 Sorry for not chiming in...been out of town and finishing up rental house projects this weekend (leaking water main...had to tear out and replace part of the sidewalk). I'm still in for arrival late Thursday. Have an eye appointment at Emory in Atlanta at 4pm. If it goes like last time, I'll be there forever. If I pull out of there by 6pm or so I can expect to arrive at KSL around 10pm taking into account a fuel stop and/or potty break along the way. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/17/17 at 06:30:50 Oldfeller: Do you believe the knee pain is going to keep you in the Bunkhouse all weekend? If so....we can get by with one small tent....as I can sleep in my trailer while MM and Stew are in a tent. The bunkhouse is attached to the bathroom/shower building....so you will have the shortest walk - the tent area that is shady is pretty several hundred feet away from the toilets. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/17/17 at 06:33:30 6A757374696E5F6F5F67757932000 wrote:
No - my humor is more along the lines of putting rabbit road kill testicles in MM's saddlebag......or pouring a small puddle of used motor oil on the ground under his Harley. ::) |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/17/17 at 07:15:54 When I was with my Harley group last year (on my S40....I don't have Harley) I got training wheels and handlebar tassels and 'mounted' them on my buddy's bike. It was hilarious, and he rode with the tassels until they blew off downtby the Huddle House on the way to breakfast. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/17/17 at 09:34:41 No, I will be both ambulatory and mobile enough, but once I take my nite nite dose of meds you could do me up as Dolly Parton and I wouldn't wake up once.* Plan to bring the big tent, but you will know where to find me on Thursday morning. You can count on me being all mellow and agreeable in the evenings, since that too is a side effect of the painkillers. What will be dangerous is if I start to feeling normal or GOOD again -- I get frisky when I don't hurt all the time. *Just do remember about the axe/crutch, it is very very shaving class sharp ...... and I might jest dream I used it to discourage a ogre or a werewolf or something that was messing with me. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/17/17 at 09:44:01 I just found out that I have City Council meeting both Tuesday and Wednesday nights.....so tonight is when I will need to get most of my packing done, the trailer loaded up with the bike and other gear....and somehow get my grass cut! :o The current weather forecast couldn't be any better! I can live with 90 degrees as long as dry weather is included. (I consider 91 to be "hot" - but in the forecast they refer to that as "warm"). http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/stecoah-township-nc/28771/month/2095926?monyr=7/01/2017 |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/17/17 at 10:11:36 Found the perfect little portable Savage garage at my local Sam's club last night. On clearance for $20. Didn't really need it but couldn't pass it up. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/17/17 at 10:25:16 Uh-Oh.....now you are going to have to pay the "tent fee" for your bike! |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/17/17 at 11:15:02 Dave, did you forget? I Know Mo! |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/17/17 at 12:04:49 5A5D4C5E444045455A290 wrote:
Yea...I forgot. (Stew with no "wart")! |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/17/17 at 13:43:11 I should print up some stickers that say "I know Dave" "I know MM Ranch" "I know OldFeller" "I know Stew" ...and we give them all to Mo to stick up behind her bar. ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/17/17 at 14:20:05 I'm going to buy this T-Shirt for my sister in law.....it fits her personality. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 07/17/17 at 20:18:18 Mo is so easy to like ! :) She gave me a "I Know Mo " bumper sticker to put on my bike last time ... it stayed on for a couple months. Stew , you won't make me mad by giving Mo a sticker with me on it . 8-) |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 07/17/17 at 20:30:32 So Dave ... Do I need to bring a tent ? :-? |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/18/17 at 03:38:38 5B495B49445758555E160 wrote:
No you won't need to bring one. At a minimum I am bringing a tent that will hold 2 people, and we can get you and Oldfeller in it. Then when Stewmills arrives he will be bringing a 2 man tent, and I will either stay with him or sneak over to my trailer to sleep. I just can't convince myself to set up the big tent for a 3 night stay - my wife's physical therapist scolded her for doing too much with her healing broken wrist....so I don't believe she is yet ready to help me set up the big tent to clean and dry when I return home. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/18/17 at 06:57:34 I'll have my big tent. It's pretty easy to set up (4 poles) so even though I'll be arriving in the dark we should be able to get that and the pop-up canopy (a.k.a. bike garage) up pretty quickly and easily. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/18/17 at 08:08:27 The long term consequences of not being gentle with broken bones aren't fun. Let the bones knit together. You wouldn't want to wiggle the fender on your Revel Chevy every few minutes until the glue dried, woodja? |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/18/17 at 08:12:44 Well JOG, it is Rubber Cement isn't it? |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/18/17 at 11:54:52 ....Now...if my printer will hold out long enough to print these on some old leftover sticker paper I found at home ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/18/17 at 15:59:06 Mo knows Billy Idol |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/18/17 at 18:13:55 2F3036312C2B1A2A1A22303C77450 wrote:
In the midnight hour, he cried Mo, Mo, Mo! ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by ohiomoto on 07/18/17 at 20:08:11 Did Oldfeller say they could do him like Dolly Parton? :D |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/19/17 at 02:49:22 Yes, he said that when he was fully medicated it was possible, except for the reoccuring axe dreams he is prone to have when he is fully medicated. He fights large groups of ogres and werewolves a lot when he is doped up good. Really graphic and messy, those dreams. Odd thing, he seems to be wearing a wig while swinging the axe -- the Norse influence I guess. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/19/17 at 04:45:25 I am definitely sleeping in my trailer....and it "will" be locked from the inside! ;) Somehow I think I got everything packed up late last night/early this morning. I had a Council meeting last night that lasted until almost 9, and my meeting tonight starts at 6:30 PM. I have already let the Mayor know that as soon as my report is over.....I am jumping in the car and headed south. If I can get on the road by 7:30 I should be pulling into Deals Gap around 1 AM. The weather forecast is A#1, First Class, Love you long time Charlie OK! http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/stecoah-township-nc/28771/month/2095926?monyr=7/01/2017 |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 07/19/17 at 19:30:26 OK Dave , I'm leaving the tent at home ... But ... If GIMLI show up , I may need to sleep on top of your trailer ! ;D |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/20/17 at 06:41:08 That looks like me before I have my coffee! Don't get in my way in the mornings ;D I have my big tent all packed up so we have shelters on the way. I'll check in later this afternoon as I get on the road from Atlanta and have a reasonable ETA to KSL. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/20/17 at 09:46:14 I arrived at Deals Gap at 12:59 AM. Oldfeller and I had a festive non-stop nobody in front of us ride on the Cherohala - and we are at Katz waiting for MM. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/20/17 at 09:49:58 Good to hear! I'm headed out momentarily for Atlanta to the eye doctor. Ride safe and don't take up all of the good riding before I get there 8-) 8-) 8-) |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/20/17 at 14:47:07 Done in Atlanta. Headed out for NC. Getting there around 9:30pm-ish. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/22/17 at 19:22:43 Could we be the first ones up at the Dragon this morning? |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/22/17 at 19:24:42 ...and the last ones out tonight? |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/23/17 at 04:09:38 As Stew has shown........we have been putting in a lot of miles. Yesterday we did over 300 miles, and the afternoon was spend dodging rain. We never did get rained on - but the we did end up on 40 miles of wet roads in north GA as a very big storm had rolled through....there was no way to avoid it. We found great loop in GA near Suches that included road called Wolf Pen Gap that is similar to the Dragon - but with tighter curves spaced closer together. The road was wet so only rode up a mile to check it out, it was a bit scary in the wet as it was a steep road with very tight curves. We might need to schedule a weekend in the area yet this summer! |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/23/17 at 06:44:02 I arrived Weds, rode around some, slept the night in the Bunkhouse, met Dave on Thurs AM for breakfast, then we fast rode the Cherohala with ZERO traffic on it at all in the early weekday AM, met MM for lunch and rode back the other way fast on the Cherohala again for the flip side run. That was a good day's ride. MM and Dave then went on up to ride the Dragon up and down some x times and I went to check out Santeetlah lake area much more completely. Checked out Santeetlah lake area roads thoroughly, and I found one campground called Horse Cove on the far south side of the lake that is only $10 a night that DOES take the America the Beautiful discount card which makes it only $5 a night per site. Has bathrooms but no bath house (ride around to the other side to take your shower). Very tall pine tree forest, very neatly laid out campsites on nice flat terraces off of well graded and non-steep gravel roads that covers both sides of the creek. Because of the remote location, this campground is deserted when the other ones are full up. Camping, getting up from an air mattresses, setting up tents --- I realize my body isn't liking this idea so much any more. I give up on the idea, actually. Mo's bunkhouse is plenty good at $22 a night. NEW Bike report: Suzuki Intruder 800cc Barcalounger was a limited success, it did the interstate miles effortlessly without so much body damage inflicted on me as a Savage does, but my still my legs have deteriorated to the point it is painful getting on and off of it because it is a larger taller bike. It has a lot more power and it was a success at the Cherohala sweeper type and the less twisty country road types of riding. Dave didn't try the hundred mile an hour top end stuff on the straight aways for much and MM didn't have enough acceleration out of the turns with his Hurley to keep up so the big black Intruder Barcalounger was tough to beat on the Cherohala. Hey, I was a lot fresher at that point in time, too. Barcalounger was and is will always be a total flop on Dragon style tight twisty turns, it drags the heavy steel center cross member so badly it is in constant danger of low siding (pivoting the rear tire up into the air). This is not a bike to take on the Dragon. Body report: My progressive leg decline has gotten to the point I can't ride at the normal group pace for much more than a day on country roads before my leg and hip and back pain exceeds what the normal drugs can handle. Before I get to that point I think I tend to become somewhat poor company because of grumpiness due to the pain. I am reminding me more and more of Big Zuk ..... and I understand why he quit riding with us. In this case, midway through my 3rd day in the mountains I hit the wall and abandoned the group to ride back slowly to Kickstand by myself for some pain free time spent sleeping drugged out with major drugs in the Bunkhouse. I got up (relatively pain free) and showered and by then found that the guys had arrived back at the campsite, so I spent some time yakking with them at the eating area listening to them recount the good ride that they had after I abandoned them. I got up the next morning and left for home as the other 3 left to go galavanting all over the place again. It took me all day to get home with having to stop all the time to get off the bike and walk around some ..... and I was hurting pretty bad by the time I got there. Most of the folks who are regulars at Mo's Kickstand are way past riding fast and they count themselves lucky to be able to ride down there and back to where they live -- and this is with with them taking DAYS to make the trip one way, never riding more than about 5-6 hours per day. About half of the riders are on HUGE super stable bikes and trikes because they simply can't ride anything else. About half are married couples, so that was refreshing to see. So I saw my Kickstand Lodge predicted future, and it isn't very pretty. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 07/23/17 at 17:15:41 Got home about 5pm central by way of North Al. , tried to go around the rain but that might have been "Going from NC to TN by way of FL. ! ;D |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/23/17 at 17:59:54 Got home about 7:30pm Central. Hit a little rain (in the truck) heading out of Robbinsville but it cleared up as I moved South. Will post more later...got to get inside and see the wifey. Probably the best riding weekend I have had at the Dragon! Great riding with great friends! Dave should be getting home in an hour or two... |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 07/23/17 at 19:43:19 OldFeller wrote : and MM didn't have enough acceleration out of the turns with his Hurley Actually , MM won't accelerate past 70 mph on secondary roads because MM don't want to loose his Driver License over doing a "Super-Speeder" offence especially with no Zombies after me. Anybody can twist the throttle and show what the bike will do. That don't mean I won't do 64mph in a 55 zone on a 35mph curve , and like it ! ;D I have been know to run 85mph in a 70mph zone ... but not regularly . ::) O yea , The Harley will run up past 85mph in third gear , its just a matter of "want-to" on the drivers part. ;) |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by verslagen1 on 07/23/17 at 20:09:48 A man must know his limits. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/23/17 at 23:48:37 Let me rephrase that then. I took shameless advantage of good natured law abiding citizens on the Cherohala, by using top end speed levels and acceleration rates that they were precluded from utilizing by their sensible obedience to the superspeeding "total loss of license" laws. And I did this knowing full well that MM's nephew Jed (yep, GSXR 750 Jed) had just got canned last week for doing 150 in a 45 speed zone on a Federal Park property. Yes, I cheated some. And MM and Dave also complained a bit about my rich exhaust smell (old gasoline in the side tanks) and the tinny puny sound of my stock intruder mufflers as I pulled away from them. [smiley=evil.gif] ...... old men cheat ...... However, they got revenge on me the next day by beating me plumb senseless on them rolling country roads using a light agility neither me nor my bike could exhibit without banging the cross brace hard on the pavement. Turn about is fair play, I do believe. Mike did choose to bring his big bike, knowing that top end and such was going to be in play a bit -- he did try to pass me on the Cherohala but "relative acceleration" was against him on that one. And yes, I offered him the opportunity to try again several times with potentially the same results. I think his old 1200 would have eaten my butt up, but that one shelled out its primary crankshaft splines and went away years ago. http://www.motoguzzi.com/mediaObject/motoguzzi-restyling/models/v9/v9_roamer/v9_Roamer_Bianco_Classico/original/v9_Roamer_Bianco_Classico.jpgg MM now firmly intends to buy him a Moto Guzzi V9 which is lighter than a Savage, so as to be able to deal with stuff like them nasty Barcaloungers and sport bikes. I also was willing to ride my pretty new bike down the totally dark evil smelling Dragon shite infested Tunnel of No Return when two out of the 3 following just plain stopped cold and protested against getting "mud" on the bottoms of their tires. Or driving their scoot down a long dark scary hole in the ground ..... MM gave them the little bruk bruk bruk chicken wing dance for that one, about them not wanting to get the bottoms of their tires dirty. ::) |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/24/17 at 05:01:08 I got home about 9:30 last light. The drive home was pretty tough for the first few hours - I got stung by a wasp on my right hand early in the morning, and my hand was pretty swollen. As Stew and I were packing up one of the ladies as the Kickstand Lodge gave me some of her Walmart brand "Benadryl" to help with the swelling. As I was driving up the Dragon I started to get that "drugged up" sleepy feeling, and it lasted for about 3 hours....I was fighting to stay awake! Traffic was pretty good - just a few crazy folks on the highway to keep it interesting. I hit a big swarm of bugs in Lexington KY that had guts that left white splatters....with a clear goo that would continue to ooze and make long streaks on the window. You just had to peer around the bugs and I saw the big smeary mess that happens on other folks windows when they tried to use their wipers - so I just continued to peer around the bugs. I left the car outside last night and the dew on the windshield had softened the bug guts enough to allow the wipers to remove them. As Oldfeller reported - we found some really nice roads on this trip and went looking for the tight/twisty roads that favor turning ability over top speed. On Saturday I believe I never used more than 1/3rd throttle most of the day....and on 1 tank of fuel I got 62mpg (pure 93 octane gas bought at Deals Gap). It would have been handy to have a "curve counter" - I would imagine that we rounded several thousand curves on that day. I bought a GoPro a couple weeks ago and I recorded video - as soon as I figure out how to get it out of the camera I will post video of Stewmills and MM riding on the Dragon and on Moonshiner 28. The sound is a bit weird for some reason - when accelerating the engine sound is fine - but when decelerating or at steady speeds the sound is like somebody walking on dry leaves or is crunching their morning cereal. I turned 10,000 miles on my bike on this trip, and it did just fine on the trip - it gave me a bit of a scare as the headplug leaked badly from the campground to Huddle House on Thursday morning. It was leaking badly enough that I thought maybe I would have to bail out and take the bike home. When we rode out on the Cherohala to meet MM it didn't appear to leak anymore - and after washing the oil off that evening I didn't see any additional leaks all weekend. I put this engine together before Versy had his headplug available - so it has the stock headplug. On Saturday we rode up to Deals Gap and made a quick run up/down the Dragon before the crowds arrived, and then we met MM's brother Kent for breakfast at the Deals Gap restaurant. We rode south on 28 and we saw a whole bunch of new and vintage Chrysler products headed toward the Dragon - it was good that we got our "Dragon Fix" done early! We continued riding south on 28, then in GA we headed to ride west on Warwoman to Clayton. At that point Kent left us to go home, and we spent the rest of the afternoon dodging rain. We would ride to a clear spot in the sky - but by the time we got to the clear spot the dark clouds had moved in. We ended up riding west and went through Helen, GA, and found some great roads to ride on around the Two Wheels of Suches. We should go spend a day or two in that area exploring those roads - one road called Wolf Pen Gap is 11 miles of really tight/steep curves - the curves are much tighter than the ones on the Dragon! Unfortunately a big rain storm had rolled through the are just before we got there - and we had to ride for about 30 miles on very wet roads. It was an enjoyable trip for me - it was mostly dry and Oldfeller and MM only found a small amount of gravel roads to drag me on. Stewmills is a great "apprentice" and is quickly becoming a skilled rider and he has learned how to drag a peg now and then! ;D I only took one still photo on the trip......the 2 Harleys and 2 Suzukis that were tearing up the twisties on Saturday. http://i64.tinypic.com/erwrxc.jpg |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/24/17 at 07:18:57 Yeah, I told Dave yesterday after our 1st Dragon run that I scraped a peg, which was good because it meant I was pushing myself hard trying to keep up with he and MM. It amazes me how far over you can push these bikes and they still stick. I pretty much ran the Dragon all in 2nd gear (front KAW pulley) and tried to use engine braking approaching the corner and maintaining throttle into and through the turn. I learned that decreasing speed and/or braking into the turn results in you rolling out wide. Having equal or positive throttle in the turn helps maintain control and helps you roll out of the turns a lot faster and evenly. One day I'm gonna be like Dave and MM! One of the other few photos from this event is below. Don't ask...we have no idea either.... |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 07/25/17 at 19:09:37 Stew , OldFeller. My CMAUSA buddys won't keep up the way my Savage Friends will , they don't know how and I can't get them out enough to get em trained ! [ch128533] My home internet is out for two days and counting ! Thank goodness for Chickfila. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 07/26/17 at 12:05:24 Mike did choose to bring his big bike, knowing that top end and such was going to be in play a bit -- he did try to pass me on the Cherohala but "relative acceleration" was against him on that one. And yes, I offered him the opportunity to try again several times with potentially the same results. I think his old 1200 would have eaten my butt up, but that one shelled out its primary crankshaft splines and went away years ago. I remember bring the big bike so I'd be as handy-caped as you ... ::) ... Also : I remember this was to be a "LAIDED-BACK" ride I don't remember wanting to pass you but one time , and would have but we both would have been pushing 100 with a curve coming up ... and you'd be close enough that we would end up in a "mess-up and you DIE situation" . :'( Ok On curvy road you drag the bottom , On strait road I'm geared for 160+ top end with power to do 115 ish of it. I am thinking on selling the HD for something 150-200#'s lighter but the same power and seat room. :-/ either way I like my Savage the best ... :) |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Oldfeller on 07/26/17 at 17:14:45 I am not selling my Savage either -- I like it too much. But having looked into the Guzzi a bit it is intriguing to be that light, that it is understressed and that easy to live with and to still have the cornering clearance that it does. Expensive, though. 900cc is still plenty powerful enough too. And your Guzzi points about pushrods, zero valve clearance hydraulic no maintenance valves. and not having to haul around two gallons of radiator anti-freeze are all to the good. And no, I wasn't going to the places that would kill me on that frame dragging Barcalounger. Yep, Dragon bad, very bad. And also, on day two (day 3 for me) you could have whupped up on me with a wet noodle, much less using an 888 Sportster. I was hurting. Stewmills whupped up on me in the tight stuff, 'nuff said -- you'd have slayed me. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 07/26/17 at 18:25:57 We were just taking it easy this trip , and we still had more fun than most folks ![ch128513] I,m looking at the V9 which is only really 850cc. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/28/17 at 05:00:24 Maybe I have finally figured out how to post a YouTube video I still can't use the GoPro app, for some reason it won't send the video to YouTube the way it is supposed to. In desperation I just pulled the storage card out of the camera and copied the video on the computer. This is not the Dragon Video.....it is MMRanch on his 883 Sportster on the way up 28 to ride the Dragon - you can see the edge of my headlight in the bottom right corner of the video....I am riding my Savage Cafe' bike. This short little video took 25 minutes to download to YouTube! https://youtu.be/fMYfVnvh7XQ [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMYfVnvh7XQ&feature=youtu.be[/media] |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/28/17 at 06:42:23 BUSTED!!!! It is important to note that although this video makes it look like we are strolling through the hills whilst knitting a sweater, we are moving along at a pretty good click and pushing it, especially with MM in front. He's fast for a retiree ::) If you have never been to this area, the videos just don't do it justice and don't give you the full appreciation for the roads and great riding. One guy that was here from Scotland commented on how nice and reliable the roads are compared to back home, and where here we can ride hard and fast 99% of the time, they are dodging road faults and pot holes a large portion of their riding. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/28/17 at 06:56:35 The video does make it look slower than it feels - and you lose the 3 dimensional aspect, as hills that are really steep just don't show up and the roads all look flat. The video above is a pretty steep uphill section until just before the end where we crest the hill. We do scoot along at a pretty good clip and often catch up to slower riders - I can't remember a single motorcycle passing us all weekend on the 2 lane roads....I do remember one lone biker that passed us when we were on the 4 lane section of 28 as he was exceeding the posted speed limit. There are some sport bike and Supermoto riders that can easily outrun us and appear to ride twice our speed - we just didn't find any of them on this trip. I am loading an 8 minute video from the Tail of the Dragon - it appears it will take about 3.5 hours to load the video to YouTube! |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/28/17 at 07:42:16 Thanks for sharing the videos, Dave! I have no idea about loading videos but it sure seems like that is taking a super long time. Sure there isn't a 16 year old kid in your office that can tell you what the problem is. You know kids these days...no way they are that patient...there has to be a better way :-? |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/28/17 at 10:35:23 Stewmills and MMRanch on the Dragon. This was on a Saturday morning before things got too busy - there were a few rolling roadblocks that were nice enough to let us pass once they got to a place to pull over. https://youtu.be/Eu-2kNjUHsE [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu-2kNjUHsE&feature=youtu.be[/media] |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/28/17 at 14:04:03 Cool video. I didn't see my brake light flashing as much as I thought I would :) As you can see, MM was running away and Dave was steadily on my heels. Truth be told, both of them were probably eating a sandwich and drinking a cold cola the whole time while I was struggling to keep up and keep it between the lines :-? :-? :-? |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by springman on 07/28/17 at 15:01:45 I'm glad to see you all had a good time. Stew, I have to admit I am curious to see how the Dragon ride will feel with the front Kawi pulley. If I recall correctly without the front Kawi pulley I was shifting back and forth, 2nd to 3rd and back throughout all of the Dragon. I believe there are one or two curves that get really tight and I exited in 1st gear. Hopefully I can join you guys on a Dragon ride next year. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by springman on 07/28/17 at 15:03:46 Also Stew, you looked good on the Dragon. And you have to remember that MM and Dave started riding motor bikes while still in diapers. ;D |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/28/17 at 15:28:07 Springman, you are correct on the pulley. I rode it mostly in 2nd, which offers great engine braking and good pull out of the turns. I hit 3rd on a few stretches (to try and catch MM) and 1st on a few of the really hairpins. Otherwise you can have a really good run in 2nd. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by MMRanch on 07/29/17 at 16:39:29 Dave ! I noticed a couple things while watching those video s : 1st . Stew is Apexing the corners ;) 2nd. That road was trying to BUCK us off ! :o Yea , it kept tilting from one extreme to another ... sometimes what looked like 50 - 60 deg. Sometime your going to have to record us running through the RYTHEM SECTION ! :) |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/30/17 at 03:52:40 Yep, Stew is riding very well, and is very smooth in the corners. I need to work on the GoPro mount a bit, it shakes from the engine/road vibrations....the GoPro stabilization corrected most of it - but a better mount will help. I also need to put some fuzzy things on the microphone areas to help reduce the wind noise and allow for better engine sound. I will likely have a mount that tilts and stays level by the next time we go, it will allow the road to stay level and the bikes will lean.....like they are supposed to. (We likely still won't be riding at "Jared Barns" race bike speeds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuBxU7WnrL4 [mediahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuBxU7WnrL4][/media] |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by stewmills on 07/30/17 at 06:54:25 Thanks guys. I have some good teachers that have learned me well ;) The first time I did the Dragon I wanted to pee myself. Now I look forward to it with these progressive riders that push me. They're fast, but at the same time very safe and cognizant of everything that's going on. The kind of riders I trust to be riding 6" off my rear wheel. That Jared Barns video is sick. He is taking some of thos turns at ehat has to be at least a 60 degree lean. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/30/17 at 07:07:47 Ubuilditt.. http://www.instructables.com/id/Gyro-Camera-for-Motorcycle/ |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 07/30/17 at 11:40:33 No....I dunnawannabuildit! I don't want to spend a lot of time building electronic widgets. This one has good reports, and is affordable. http://www.ebay.com/itm/SOOCOO-PS2-1-Axis-Adjustable-Sports-Camer-Gyro-Stabilizer-Gimbal-GoPro-3-3-4-5/302187814706?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D41375%26meid%3D0a54deadfd4548aab847224e4eeb6856%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D322600397079 |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/30/17 at 17:20:51 THAT'S what I Thought,,, Can't load your video, probably can't build your own gyroscopically stabilized camera. I looked at the instructions. No way would I try a DIY on it. |
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Title: Re: Second Trip to Kickstand Lodge Post by Dave on 08/28/17 at 07:57:25 I just reviewed my credit card statement, and it included the gas I bought on the trip. When MMRanch, Stewmills and I were riding on Saturday and trying to dodge the rain - we stopped at "Booger Hollow, GA" and bought gas! :) |
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