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/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1415103358 Message started by Dave on 11/04/14 at 04:15:58 |
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Title: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 11/04/14 at 04:15:58 Last year a few of us (OK....3) stayed at the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort located at the base of the Tail of the Dragon. There was a bike show that weekend, a Wounded Warrior Charity Group Ride, and some really nice riding. The roads were surprisingly not very busy on this Labor Day Holiday weekend. Labor Day is September 7th in 2015 - but the Deals Gap Resort has not yet listed this as the weekend for that event. I expect that event to be added to their website as the planning continues. Last year I showed up on Thursday and spent the day riding. On Friday I rode over to Tellico Plains and met MMRanch and his brother Kent, and we has a great ride on the Cherohola Skyway, and spent the day cruising around and got back around 9PM. The Wounded Warrior event was on Saturday and we did the group ride, then went on a ride through Happy Valley, and then went back for the end of the Bike Show. We then continued the ride on Wayah Road road and got back around 9 that evening as well. Sunday was break down the camp, and go home. I expect 2015 to be similar with folks arriving mid week, and leaving on Sunday or Monday. Mark your calendars tentatively for the September 2nd through Sept 8th for this weekend. More planning to continue as the date approaches. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 12/31/14 at 10:17:50 Happy New Year everyone! Stay Safe! Looking forward to some fun at the Dragon in the summer of 2015! http://i58.tinypic.com/2jd26uq.jpg |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 01/22/15 at 06:34:53 The Deals Gap resort does not yet have the Wounded Warrior event on their website - but they have indicated it is penciled in for August 30th. Unlike last year where it was on the Labor Day weekend.....this year it is a week earlier. Last year it was a Saturday event....this year it might be on Sunday if the 30th date they quoted is correct. So the tentative dates would most likely be: Wed August 26th - set up camp that night. Thu August 27th - Riding begins Fri August 28th - Riding continues Sat August 29th - More riding Sun August 30th - Wounded Warrior Show and Ride...Pack up & head home? As they lock in the Wounded Warrior details.....we can adjust the Saturday and Sunday rides. Still in the planning stages. Last year it was a camping event....a cabin or two could be arranged if folks are interested. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Sunnie on 01/23/15 at 07:10:59 I'll be in Kentucky by then. Hopefully I'll be settled enough to ride along with! Would love to go on that ride... So a tentative yes. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 03/19/15 at 11:19:18 Well I just got word the Wounded Warrior Ride will be held on September 5th in 2015. Deals Gap Resort does not have it on their website yet. So.....we will need to move the tentative dates a week to attend the group ride and other events. Wed Sept 2nd - set up camp that night. Thu Sept 3rd - Riding begins Fri Sept 4th - Riding continues Sat Sept 5th - More riding Sun Sept 6th - Pack up & head home? Last year this was a camping event....so that we could just all bail out at no expense if the weather was foul. Cabins require deposits at Deals Gap...and you don't get your money back if it rains. http://www.thedragonrun2015.blogspot.com/ |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Doody814 on 04/16/15 at 10:30:17 Sept. 12th is the Lynchburg bike show/rally, near MMRanch's house. Dave, I believe you have a title to defend...just sayin'. I'm going to try to make the trip down & hang out for the day...it'd be nice to see you guys again! |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 04/16/15 at 10:41:45 143F3F3429686164500 wrote:
Yep....that was a bit weird. :-? Since there was not any class for 'Cafe" bikes...I had to enter the "Cruiser" class (it started out as a Cruiser). You could have sold your bike 4 or 5 times that day....better take the title down with you this year just in case. ::) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Art Webb on 05/07/15 at 14:26:50 so now we have two events we'd like to hit, too far apart to actually be feasible :( |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 05/07/15 at 18:40:06 They are both about 5 hours from my house.....and 5 hours apart from each other as well. MMRanch lives right at Lynchburg....and the Tail of the Dragon is a 5 hour trip for him. In the other DR@1 thread you stated you may want to come to the DR@2, and this one is actually staged at the Deals Gap Resort...south end of the Dragon. There is plenty of good riding in this area....and the cool part is that most of the days you can begin the days ride with 11 miles of Dragon to get warmed up! |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 05/07/15 at 18:58:03 Doody wrote: Sept. 12th is the Lynchburg bike show/rally, near MMRanch's house. Dave, I believe you have a title to defend...just sayin'. Well its really Sept 11 th. this year , This year I'm an officer in the club that conducted the contest , so I don't think I can enter. :P But Ya'll can (I'll just excuse myself from the Judging ::)) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 06/16/15 at 09:33:57 There seems to be a change in the venue/event for this year at the Deals Gap resort.....Wounded Warrior event. The Deals Gap Resort doesn't list the event on their website: http://www.dealsgap.com/dgmr_events.htm The Blog page for "The Dragon Run 2015" doesn't show any affiliation with the 'Wounded Warrior" project - but instead claims the money goes to the "Military Veterans Foundation". They also claim that the ride is starting at the Deals Gap Resort and is a sponsor - but the Official Resort is listed to be the Fontana Village. At this point the schedule does not have a bike show like they did last year - they do have some vendors showing up and a band playing on Saturday night. http://www.thedragonrun2015.blogspot.com/ So.....we need to discuss if this is an event worth supporting, and if this is the weekend we should go. September 7th is Labor Day - so it may be a way to get an extra day off work to go riding....and/or it may make it a conflict with your family plans or make the trip more crowded. Last year I was surprised how little traffic there was in the area.....most tourists seemed to be somewhere else. So.....voice your thoughts so we can get the planning going! Ten weeks will pass by quickly (I hope)! ;) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 06/16/15 at 14:40:16 New learnings from the recent Mountain Run Federal Park Service is underfunded lately and is using tickets to increase revenue. Since they arbitrarily shift the roads speed limit up and down from 10 to 20 to 30 to 40 mph and they don't use standard signs it is easy to think you are dealing with a warning sign instead of a SPEED LIMIT sign. They also use a default speed limit in the parks of 45 mph instead of the North Carolina 55 mph default. The very slick internet based system they have to take your money after the fact seems to indicate their real intent -- raise some revenue. New Learning -- stay out of the park system properties on motorcycle runs. Literally all of us were candidates to get a ticket -- some just more so than others. So, Tennessee has a default 45 mph and likes to give tickets to raise revenue in the areas surrounding the Dragon. Park Rangers are rigged up now like Highway Patrol unmarked cars and are trolling to give tickets as well. Answer -- stay out of Tennessee and the Federal Park properties. Bummer is that this includes the various Blue Ridge Parkway runs as they too are considered Federal Park property. North Carolina rural roads have a 55 default speed limit and the curve signs are considered "advisory" instead of enforceable like they are in the Federal Park System. S0, stay on normal NC rural roads for your cutting up, in other words. :( |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 06/16/15 at 16:00:44 More than likely it was because there were lots of "tourists" and slow movers.... was a drag that we were driving 30 in a 50 most of our trip along the parkway. But all in all it was nice scenery, even though I would have liked to see them turns a bit faster and a blur of green out of my peripheral vision. :) In September i'm still thinking of bringing the ninja 300 and maybe push the limit and risk getting a ticket, or two... Plus, i'm planning a new paint scheme for it..... and um, you guys might not want to be seen with me... LOL ::) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 06/18/15 at 05:18:44 Well there certainly are good and bad points about passing through State or Federal Park areas. The scenery is good, the roads are generally pretty nice, and there are nice places to stop and rest when we need to - but on nice weather weekend the traffic can be pretty thick and folks aren't usually in much of a hurry. I understand the need for speed limits in the park areas.....the roads are set up for folks to enjoy the park.....not so traffic can hustle on through in a hurry. We did experience a few frustrating traffic conditions on the DR#1 this year....the ride through the Highlands got us behind a few really slow cars....including a white van that drove 20 mph under the speed limit for a long while before finally pulling over and letting a long line of cars go by. And the ride from Townsend back to the Blue Ridge Parkway did take us through the State Park and a lot of really slow traffic.....and when you got out in the open unfortunately the Park Rangers were there to witness it. We do run the risk of getting tickets whenever we choose to ride over the speed limits.....and when you are the fellow (Oldfeller) out in front you are likely to be the one that gets noticed and receive the enforcement attention. Hiding back in the middle of the pack does offer a bit more protection! |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 06/18/15 at 06:08:24 Tossing up new options, since the second trip is sorta up in the air right now ..... Robbinsville is very close by the Dragon and it has cabins and tenting. It is where we used to go to eat dinner when we got tired of Dragonburgers ..... http://thesimplelifecampground.com As you look at these things realize that Blue Ridge or the Dragon Lodge charges you $15 a night to tent, so these guys can get you a roof and a bed for a few bucks less a night if you split a "right sized" cabin. Right sized means you know how many are coming and pick the cabin accordingly. BIGDAWG https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx3SGDr0lQY That's $15 a night per person instead of $22 a night at Blue Ridge Campground FISHINGHOLE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hqkgpg4WNws That's $11 a night per person instead of $22 a night at Blue Ridge Campground ROOSTERPEN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TQmoZzIcPE I think the Fishing Hole holds 6 people at the best price, but it has no bathroom and no frills. Then there is the luxurious BigDawg holding 7 plus enough space on the deck for a pop up 2 man tent. Since we don't cook, we really don't need the kitchen, though the full bathroom and shower is neat and would be very appreciated. The private deck is nice too. What I find interesting is that the Bigdawg can be rented by four people and it will cost the same as a cabin split 2 ways at Blue Ridge campground. This means you can underfill the Bigdawg and still have the same price that you are used to paying. This gives you flexibility, lower cost and a shower and a bathroom. Next, tenting at Simplelife is $14 a night for TWO PEOPLE with additional people being only $7 each. You pay $22 for two at Blue Ridge. Lastly, you are staying in the heart of the NC mountain motorcycling world, where the cops aren't chasing you as you come and go all the time. Dragon Lodge is more expensive and somewhat more dangerous as them Tennessee troopers will flat spoil your week if you aren't careful. If you are going to Cherohala and the Dragon repeatedly, Blue Ridge is simply too far away. This place is worth checking out in any case for future trips at a lower cost, less distance basis. The campground is about 3 years old now and is still growing and developing. :D Trip Advisor likes it a lot .... http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g49483-d2708061-Reviews-Simple_Life_Campground_and_Cabins-Robbinsville_North_Carolina.html See what the real bikers had to say about the place just this current season. Or else maybe TripAdvisor just got gamed by a flood of "intentional staged" comments -- who knows? Until one of us goes by or stays there, no real knowledge will be had. This video was from a while ago, certainly before some of the cabins were put into place. I think the road may have been improved since then as well --- still, it gives you a perspective of The Vertical Campground Experience .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcMCxb8JrOw ..... it is a YouTube, click on it then turn your volume WAY up if you want to hear the comments. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 06/23/15 at 18:07:45 Dates count for me as I have to beg time off -- Friday September 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th are the Labor Day Triple play and I need to get my name into the hat soonest. And I know Dave, he will leave Friday afternoon early if he can. And if we could swing a cabin at SimpleLife, he'd just ride the bike (and he likely not bring his cafe since running over animals, hickory nuts and rain slick leaves are always in the fall mixture) If you are indeed planning to go, please say so as I can try for those days off. Our home football games start Sept 12 and Sept 17th, so I am shot if you go any deeper into the fall. SimpleLife is north of Robbinsville and is only 17 miles from Deal's Gap and is 3 miles from Robbinsville downtown. And I do believe we are only like 1 mile off the Cherohala Skyway .... So, who is coming? http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/2096614?monyr=9/05/2015 |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 06/24/15 at 04:13:15 The weather that time of year really isn't fall weather yet. It is still warm, it tends to be drier than in June, and the leaves are still on the trees. I arranged the trip last year to accomplish 3 things: 1) The early trip was soggy and I wanted a dry weekend. 2) The first Dragon trip of the year was at Waynesville, and I wanted to be "at" the Dragon Central and get to ride the Tail of the Dragon on the way to/from the other rides. 3) The Deals Gap resort had the Wounded Warrior event which added even more activity than normal at Deals Gap. This year the "official Wounded Warrior" group is not a participant in the weekend group ride....and so far the event seems to be less well organized as they really don't have much of a program for the weekend. So not being at "Dragon Central" may not be a big deal....however I still do enjoy staying there and the high level of activity. The bathroom and showers in the campground are kept very clean, and it does quiet down when evening comes and it is time to get some sleep. Breakfast is not available......and the store and restaurant closes early in the evening. If everyone wants to move the weekend away from the Deals Gap resort and to to the Simple Life.....I am not opposed to it. I do have a very flexible work schedule and I will still reserve the ability to cancel my appearance if the weekend is a washout.....and go a different weekend when the weather is more favorable. I would rather spend rainy days at work than riding around on a motorcycle! |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 06/24/15 at 05:50:47 Robbinsville is as close to the Dragon as Waynesville is to the Blue Ridge Campground. SimpleLife is on the Cherohala (give or take a mile or two). If we can get a consensus on dates and get an idea of who is coming on the trip Simple Life has different sizes of cabins that when split are about same cost as Dragon camping. Issue then becomes whether we are trying to hit an event of some sort, or just focusing on available weekends. Labor day weekend 4th - 7th is the longest available weekend and past that I get all tied down with home football games every 2nd or 3rd weekend. For example, the following 12th and 17th are home ball game dates. Labor day weekend gets all entangled with family events and the wife's plans for this and that -- I know this from hard experience. If we really are planning on going then we should all be asking our wives what is planned for that weekend. Graham County Events does not list a Wounded Warrior event this year, it does list a Fontana Lake-a-loosa event at Fontana and a Snowbird Lodge BBQ event at Robbinsville. Hwy 143/28 runs between the two towns and it looks like 30/40 miles of Cherohala like stuff. SimpleLife is new turf to us, but it shows some promise as being Dragon centralized and being near other good riding loops. Right now it is pretty new as a campground, but is reported as getting more and better facilities year on year on year. Compared to everywhere else, the cabins (when split at full capacity) are cheap as tenting elsewhere. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 06/24/15 at 06:36:17 http://thesimplelifecampground.com/ Simple life has put in more 3 and 4 man cabins that aren't on their web page yet (they have to occasionally pay a webmaster to re-do their page to show all the new cabins that are available). Big Dawg is available, but we would need 4 people to make it as cheap as a Blue Ridge cabin (but we would only need 3 to make it cheaper than a Dragon room). $20 a night will get you a smaller 3-4 man cabin with a bed, sheet and pillow/pillow case (you need to bring a blanket if you think you will need it). Right now nothing is booked up and all facilities are available -- but we need to MOVE on a reservation if we are going to sleep inside as they will all get scheduled as soon as folks look out past the 4th of July holiday. Who is going, and what do you want to sleep in? (if we go Big Dawg, we have built in extra capacity for late comers, plus our own bathroom and shower, kitchen and private deck -- but you need 4 people to make it work $$$ wise but that gets you those 3 extra spare beds for latecomers) Say something boys, we need to know you are going ...... |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 06/24/15 at 07:21:32 Sept. 2-5 (Wednesday-Saturday) Thanks OldFeller for hunting-this-place-up 8-) I'd like to ride this one. Any of the cabins is OK with me up to $20.oo night. The bathroom does have a vent or window ? If we have an overfill happen I'm good with a tent and cot. The only fly in the ointment is if my wife chooses the same date for her summer outing. I'll start scouting for an event she would like to attend some other week ! ;) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 06/24/15 at 07:30:35 MM, we are shooting for a weekend as Dave and I have to work during the week. Labor Day weekend is Friday the 4th through Monday the 7th. And yes, we all need to ask our wife what they have planned, since they do most of the family planning and we always forget what little bits and pieces we are told about in advance. ...... Needless to say, none of us are going to piss our wives off by making them feel like we are ignoring them. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 06/24/15 at 21:25:04 Alright I've got a family trip in the works ! That won't be in Sept. ::) So it looks like a go for me ! :) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 06/25/15 at 06:17:02 I count 5 people right now (with two staying separately) ..... the rest of you I wanna come folks need to say something and be counted. We need one more person to make a reservation for a small cabin. Rooster Pen or Fishing Hole looks likely as our low end bet for a 4 man cabin, but if we had a couple more we could go with the Big Dawg (and get a private shower and bath and full fridge and kitchen and private deck). http://thesimplelifecampground.com/wp-content/uploads/CampMap.jpg Friday September 4th is the potential early start date, 5th, 6th, and 7th as the main days. Dave Oldfeller MM Old_Rider and wife |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 06/25/15 at 07:20:32 Seeing as the wife and I had counted on coming, we would be in a different cabin or even a different camp/hotel site and meet up with ya'll in the mornings. I see they have small ones also, i'll have to go to their site again to make sure. But we do have a tent made for the back of our truck, so we might even do that. She liked the cheoah skyway area, and the other twisties we found out that way on our trip with the Harley roadglide. She can't wait to try her hand at a few twists and turns. (I on the other hand will be a nervous nilly) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 06/25/15 at 07:57:22 They have like 4 cabins with larger bottom beds which could fill your bill. Or, if you want to stay somewhere nicer, tell us where that is or where/when we will meet up for breakfast. ...... mmmmm I hear the word Microtel echoing back through the etheric waves ..... 1.4 miles between the two places (not bad for a breakfast meet up routine) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 06/27/15 at 20:06:32 Looking at the videos and the stuff that was posted by various people, the Big Dawg is the only thing SimpleLife has that is really nice but the cost of the Dawg requires 4-6 people to float it dollar-wise. We need some more folks to step up and say they are going pretty soon or else the Big Dawg will get booked by somebody else and we will be tenting again up at the Dragon or splitting a 4 man cabin at SimpleLife. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 06/30/15 at 15:13:57 Old_Rider has posted on another thread that he and the Missus will be up on Labor Day weekend and if they can find us they will go ride with us some. With the new job thing pending, he isn't able to say anything more than the Labor day weekend as details beyond that simply don't exist yet. Our choices right now are to take a 4 man cabin (@ $20 a night for the three of us) or tent it. My vacation time is verbally approved, so I am good to go for Friday. If Dave is taking off on Friday afternoon, I will take the cabin/tent for Friday night so he has a bed to arrive into. Choices left right now are Fishing Cabin (they only have 4 bunks in it now) and the Rooster Pen Cabin (4 bunks). Rooster Pen has a private driveway we could park cars & trailers on while Fishing Cabin does not really have any dedicated parking space for multiple car/trailer rigs. I am going to get a last confirmation from Dave on the day he is planning on arriving, then I will spit on the 3 day reservation. SimpleLife requires that you take the cabin for 3 days on a holiday weekend, so we would take Fri, Sat, Sun, packing up Monday before leaving around noon on Monday. Their cancellation policy sucks as it is copied from the Dragon Lodge -- they keep one day irregardless and you have to cancel 30 days out and then they charge you a 20% cancellation fee on the remainder beyond the one day they already took. We need to reserve a cabin before this upcoming weekend, or else we will be all booked up all over the place and we will be tenting by default. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 06/30/15 at 18:37:43 My arrival will definitely be Friday....or maybe even before. Most likely I would leave Wednesday night after work, or Thursday night at the latest and arrive so I can get a full days riding in on Thursday and Friday if possible. I can sleep just fine in my trailer - so I don't need a cabin or tent when I arrive earlier than everyone else. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 07/01/15 at 03:35:26 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/2096614?monyr=9/05/2015 Don't worry about what you see, as you cannot cancel your cabin in any meaningfully timely manner as they will fleece you just as bad as the Dragon Lodge used to do. I suspect these folks make as much money off inside the 30 days cancellations as they do actually renting, as they throw the cancelled room back out there to make more money off of yet more cancellations. And in the end if the weather is decent at all, they rent it anyway at the last minute. ;) "OK Google, call SimpleLife campground Robbinsville NC" Ring Ring Ring Hey, whatcha got available for Sept 4th-6th? Really, Big Dog is gone already? Somebody has already hooked the Fishing Hut? We are committed to the Rooster Pen for noon Friday Sept 4th through noon on Monday (Labor day) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by stewmills on 07/01/15 at 13:47:33 Hey gang. I am trying to make heads or tails of the schedule per previous posts but am not 100% clear. Is it confirmed that this trip will be the weekend of 9/5 - 9/7 ish (Labor Day weekend) or are you still tossing around ideas? I want to attend, but I'll get in trouble if I take our 3 day Labor Day weekend to run off and play with motorcycles. Don't change things on my account, just trying to see how things are panning out. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 07/01/15 at 14:47:36 Stew, We still have one bed free, but you have to commit to come to get that bed as we will pledge it to the first person who commits to showing up. ;D |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by stewmills on 07/01/15 at 14:55:23 Thanks for the confirmation. I can't commit and don't hold a bed for me, but if it seems that we end up not doing anything that weekend (I may not know until that Friday) I will see if I can do what I did this past trip and just come up for one night, ride the next day, and go home that night. It's a 4 hour drive one way, but it's worth it if I can do it and not get in trouble at home ;) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 07/01/15 at 15:35:24 Stew, you are welcome to sleep in that bed if its empty when you get here. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 07/01/15 at 16:35:11 And I can sleep in my trailer if a bed in the cabin needs to be used by someone else.....and I can always bring a cot that could be set up in the cabin if there is floor space. Dave |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by stewmills on 07/02/15 at 06:23:21 Thanks guys! No worry in making special arrangements to accommodate me. I'm pretty versatile and can sleep anywhere, even my truck. I am young (41 8-)) and don't have any bad ailments yet so comfort isn't an issue. In my family, we have a saying that we can 'sleep on a fence post' because my dad, brother and I can fall asleep pretty much anywhere when it's nap time, |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 07/03/15 at 09:43:36 Everyone have a happy 4th of July -- stay safe from all them on the road drinkers, cell phoner wavers, etc. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by verslagen1 on 07/03/15 at 10:14:40 7E5D5557545D5D5443310 wrote:
and you stay away from those radar waving type ok? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 07/03/15 at 13:30:20 Now now, that was my only real pay me ticket in over 30 years, so I am not doing all that badly in the "staying away from the police" department -- as a matter of fact it took two sets of PARK RANGERS to catch me this time. ..... equipped with multiple sets of stupid doesn't look like a speed limit signs and super low speed limits and lots of roving road blocks to distract me. I was speed trapped by Yogi Bear's nice Ranger Smith, and I wasn't looking for that. ::) BTW, someone should explain to the newbies why we don't collect evidence and then post it on YouTube for wives and such to find -- it causes trouble, it does. Wives get so durn upset when their co-workers show them "the neat new YouTube video of your husband's group acting out up on the Dragon". All Dragon newbies solemnly repeat the mountain mantra 3 times -- "What goes on in the mountains STAYS in the mountains". And its not like your wife isn't plenty smart enough to figure out where this forum is on the Internet and dial into it to see what we are doing all the time while we're out doing it. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 07/03/15 at 18:29:50 04272F2D2E27272E394B0 wrote:
Don't tell my wife I am on this forum again.....I have her convinced that I am just looking at porn! ;) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 07/18/15 at 17:44:12 Lookie what is showing up weather days in the month of September now ...... http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/2096614?monyr=9/05/2015 Still got one (1) free rack needs filling up ...... trip days are Friday the 4th through Monday the 7th Weather sure looks nice, doesn't it? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 07/20/15 at 17:59:21 Went for a CMA ride Saturday up and around Key-Springs Mountain . Rode up hill before the day warmed-up very much. In the middle of the afternoon we came down --- Reminded me how nice and COOL it feels up on the parkway in the late summer. ;) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 07/30/15 at 08:16:36 Well ! I took the Wife and Son to Grandfathers Mountain (NC.) for the "Highland Games" . Did the Tent/Cots/Shower house thing for the weekend. I may have opened a Pandora's Box of sorts . :-/ So we were sharing highlights of the weekend with some of our old friends that we did Scouts with. The Eagle scout from that family is going to the Marines this fall. His mom is wanting to "re-live" some of our "Scout-Car-Camping" days before he goes. Now I might have to participate in a similar adventure on the Natchez Trace Parkway during the Labor Day Weekend ? Don't know how this is going to turn out . I normally have the reins in my hands or even in my teeth when these events come up but this time the reins seem to be around my neck ! :P Life use-to-be so simple ... :-[ We are doing Vacation Bible School this week and are really busy , but I should know if its a go or no-go some time next week. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 07/30/15 at 08:35:32 0F1D0F1D10030C010A420 wrote:
Hey.....we could all ride over to visit and let you make us lunch! :) Is it close by? :-/ Riding makes me really hungry. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 07/30/15 at 09:29:51 The fall trips are notorious for getting somewhat fuzzy by the time they actually do arrive. Too much time elapses, things change. MM, do tell us when it becomes clear if your plans have indeed shifted as I will start advertising the empty bed(s) that week for those who had some vague tentative plans to come. I would like to do this before the 3rd of this upcoming month because if we need to downsize the room (or cancel the room) I have to do it 30 days out. Natchez Trace (and the park that surrounds it) is 444 miles long, so it is somewhere between MM's and Alabama the whole way. Weather still looks excellent. http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/12174_pc?monyr=9/01/2015 |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 07/30/15 at 21:22:36 The Natchez Trace is an old traders route running from Nashville Tn. to Natchez Ms. Its a lot more "Tame" than the Blue-Ridge . It does have three free campground (w/bath houses and all) , one at each end and one in the middle. Speed limit is 45mph and there are nature walks and historic things to see all along the way , (Indian mounds and such) . ::) Its a favorite ride for Bicyclist and there are 10 more campgrounds (Bicyclist only). We could use the three open campgrounds any time we like and they are on the way to Texas if ya'll want to go in the spring ! ;) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 07/31/15 at 11:43:02 Let's do a roll call and see how many folks we still have going. Oldfeller Weather still looks great. http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/12174_pc?monyr=9/01/2015 |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 07/31/15 at 20:00:38 I'm still in....in one form of bike or another. If I have a cabin bed I might just try riding the ST1100 down....it will be my first trip where I actually ride to the event. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/01/15 at 06:04:26 Dave, you have a bottom bunk sitting there waiting for you. Stuff a pillow and a blanket into the ST's bags and you are all set to go. Fall trips are nice for change up riding -- we experiment more and go do different things. I know you were talking about coming in early, do you still want to do that? We need to know if Old_Rider and wife are coming before we get too deep into "whatever" type planning. I think if we have a lady along her preferences get a big consideration. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/04/15 at 06:03:25 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/12174_pc?monyr=9/01/2015 Well, today was Rubicon Day, the cabin has locked in on my charge card now --- Dave and I are going to the mountains come Labor day pre-week sometimes or another, but certainly by Friday at noon, when our cabin becomes open. We got some "family complexity" going on with MM and Old_Rider and neither can speak up until it all settles out. But the good news is that we have a bed available for each of them should circumstances flow that way. It would be nice to know --- so when you can, guys, please tell us about what your plans are. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by don on 08/05/15 at 19:10:41 Hi guys my name is Don and I have been lurking on here for a long time I have learned a lot. Thank you. My brother and I have a room at Deals gap motorcycle resort the 5th and 6th of Sept. I would like to meet other savage owners. I have only met one other since I've had mine. So if you are around there look for two old guys. One on a yellow savage trike and one on a gray Bergman. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/05/15 at 19:26:25 Don, you have a PM headed your way so we can exchange phone numbers (not that they work while you are up in the mountains, mind you, but in the days leading in they do OK). Dave and I have a cabin about 15-20 miles down the mountain at Robbinsville, which is where Old_Rider and his wife are planning on staying. Keep talking on the thread and kicking in new ideas, as when MM finally gets his family stuff settled and Old-Rider chimes in his plans with his wife then we will know enough to plan something. ===================== We still have one (1) free unclaimed bed in the cabin, BTW --- and I think since I have already sunk and paid for the bill for the cabin that I am going to go ahead and declare it a FREE WEEKEND for room rent for all involved in the Pidegon's Roost cabin stay. We have one bed left so come and stay with us in the Pidegon's Roost for Friday, Sept 4 - Sunday Sept 6 for free. You'll need to bring enough money for gas and food and that's it. Speaky, Speaky, don't be squeaky :D And the weather just could not look any prettier ..... http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/12174_pc?monyr=9/01/2015 |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 08/05/15 at 23:49:24 Don't worry about the wife and me.... she wants to do other things also. As it sits now, i'm not sure we are coming... I have two interviews and put in for four different jobs.... in the next two weeks I "might" know. She has a doctors appointment to get her carpel tunnel(sp?) on her left hand taken care of.... its so bad now it wakes her at night. So, we might be doing two up on her savage. It is not looking good for us on this end.... but I always hold out for hope on these rides..... LOL, I DID manage to make it to two of them this year....so far... ;D I have some ramps and a bike mount in the back of the truck, and have a truck tent that fits over the bed, so i'm set, we can camp anywhere! (but will probably find a room close by.... pm the numbers.... for you or dave and i'll put'm in the phone. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/07/15 at 07:16:19 5052535658445952533D0 wrote:
Looking forward to meeting Don up at the Dragon -- he is a real poster boy for all you "I wanna go but never do" guys. Don rides a trike for a reason -- a real reason that makes all of your excuses pretty much inconsequential and ludicrous. Yep, I'm raggin' at you, buddy boys, for NOT going and doing what you want to go do ..... ;) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 08/07/15 at 08:07:38 Well...I am the poster boy for the "should not have given up riding". I had a 35 year gap in my life without a motorcycle, and I am now making up for lost time. In hindsight there were a few years where money was so tight I could not have afforded a motorcycle or the cost of ownership - and now I am getting as much riding in as I can while I am still young! :-? If you can get away from work and family for a few days.....you really should come and ride with us while you have a reliable bike and body! |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/10/15 at 06:10:33 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/12174_pc?monyr=9/01/2015 Well, we are 3 weeks out from trip week. Time to find out what MM is really going to do. Ring ring ring .... "This is Mike, my cell isn't picking up so call the phone at the house or else leave me a message." He's busy out cutting hay or something else, which is normal for Mike. We'll get a call back in a day or so, or else he'll be reminded to post something here on the thread. :) Mike is curious, and he likes his comfort mods so I think he wants to go see a Savage trike that has seat lift servo motors on it that actually moves the frame around for additional comfort, and a left set of floor boards that actually rocks up and down to do the foot shifting .... get him some ideas for this winter's crop of mods mebbe. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 08/10/15 at 16:33:46 Hi :) Things are looking good for me again ! 8-) so : What is our start date ? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/10/15 at 16:42:12 I count 7 people right now ..... the rest of you I wanna come folks need to say something and be counted. Rooster Pen is our home 4 man cabin, check him out on the map as being closest to the bathroom showers and having enough car/trailer parking as you go on the up road to it. http://thesimplelifecampground.com/wp-content/uploads/CampMap.jpg Friday September 4th is the start date, 5th, 6th, and 7th as the main days. If Dave uncorks Thursday as a riding day he'll have to let us know as soon as he decides, right now we got room coverage starting Friday at noon through Monday at noon. CAST OF CHARACTERS Dave Oldfeller MM up to four staying at thesimplelife in the Rooster Pen for FREE Old_Rider and wife staying at a Robbinsville hotel Don and his brother staying in a room at the Dragon Inn ===================== We still have one (1) free unclaimed upper bunk in the cabin, BTW --- and I think since I have already sunk and actually paid for the bill for the cabin that I am going to go ahead and declare it a FREE WEEKEND for room rent for all who are involved in the Pidegon's Roost cabin stay. We have one upper bunk left so come and stay with us in the Rooster Pen for Friday, Sept 4 - Sunday Sept 6 for free. You'll need to bring a blanket and a pillow and enough money for gas and food and that's it. Speaky, Speaky, don't be squeaky [smiley=dankk2.gif] And the weather just could not look any prettier for the actual days we'll be there ..... http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/12174_pc?monyr=9/01/2015 |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by don on 08/10/15 at 18:40:30 Hi guys. Well to kill the day my brother and I decided to go prerun the dragon. We took his pickup and it is not it is not nearly as much fun as on a bike. There was very little traffic and all the bikes at Deals Gap seemed to be from northeast states. We came back home on the Skyway. We were surprised we didn't have any police protection at all. My back feels like they may have added more curves. See you all laborday weekend |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 08/12/15 at 04:43:21 The Dragon can be almost deserted on Sunday afternoons when most folks are headed home, and in the first part of the week as well. Most folks make a long weekend by showing up at the end of the week....Fridays and Saturdays are the busy days at the Dragon. On Holiday weekends it can be choked with campers, motor homes and slow Tourists who refuse to use the pull-offs and let you pass. I am bringing the Honda ST, and will be making my first trip to the area by riding to/from it on a bike. The Honda has room for clothes and rain gear, and can go 300 miles on a tank of fuel.....and it is "rain resistant" with the windshield and fairing. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/12/15 at 09:32:35 Good pick, Dave, you'll be comfortable and more in line with what we will likely be doing mostly, which is cruising along. Old-Rider still has to read the winds and tell us if he is coming or not. I'm looking forward to seeing Dave's ST, and looking at the mechanics involved in Don's trike modifications and checking out the vertical campground at Simplelife. Plus all the good rides we will go on of course. We still have one free bed if someone wants to speak up for it. :) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 08/12/15 at 15:47:05 Her surgery is on the 31st, so she isn't riding by herself, she will be doubling up with me. She is taking two weeks off, so we are in.... As a matter of fact, I just got off the phone, for the campground, we have the bird house for Friday, saturday and sunday. We will be bringing her bike up in my pickup..... We are leaving Monday (7th) morning for Illinois to visit the son..... |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by KaleoAlakai on 08/12/15 at 16:08:30 Looks like a fun ride. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/12/15 at 18:14:09 KaleoAlakai You want to come? We still have a bunk free in the Rooster Pen. And when I say free I mean free like in Linux ..... free. You will need to bring a blanket and a pillow. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 08/13/15 at 07:02:39 2E0D0507040D0D0413610 wrote:
AND as in "bring a pair of ear plugs"... you know how us old guys are when we sleep.... sounds like a chainsaw competition. LOL :o ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 08/13/15 at 08:07:31 193A3230333A3A3324560 wrote:
When I read his post.....I got the impression he was coming. He has the Bird House for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 08/13/15 at 08:23:14 Looks like Dave and me will be ridding in from Lynchburg Friday afternoon. :) There are several ways to get there from here. Hwy 64 runs east and west just 14 mile south of home , it also connects to Hwy 129 in NC. , and its a "Scenic route" all the way --- "The Southern Route". Hwy 30 is a mountain pass that runs by "Fall Creek Falls State Park" and go to the west end of the Sky Way --- kinda "The Norther Route". Then there is always the Interstate , and a dozen combinations of others. The only way to get to the Dragon from here that I haven't found is the "No Fun Way" ;D I don't thing there is such a way anway ! |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/13/15 at 08:35:56 Which Dave? ;D That's almost as bad as asking which Mike ..... (bed count is in danger again, I think) Old_Rider, what are we supposed to call your wife again ??? (no woman is going to put up with being called Mrs. Old_anything, makes them peckish it does) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 08/13/15 at 09:12:40 Me Dave! I am going to leave work on Thursday afternoon and ride down to Mike's house, then ride with him over to the Dragon on Friday morning. I didn't want Mike riding all that way alone! |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/13/15 at 09:28:29 House to Campground service ..... nice !!! |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 08/13/15 at 12:02:50 His way of making sure I Show-up , :-/ Truth is , I'rather have a ride partner anytime ,especially one who can and will keep up :) This my first time using a tablet , just got it , so "let the learning process begin ! :D :-? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 08/13/15 at 13:51:26 754E4354454952544F474A55260 wrote:
When I read his post.....I got the impression he was coming. He has the Bird House for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.[/quote] I believe oldfeller was asking kaleoalakai..... The wife's name is Diana..... or Diane.... what ever you are comfortable with.... she will answer to "hey you" also, but I would wait after a day of knowing her to call her the last one ;D |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/14/15 at 21:48:18 WE STILL HAVE ONE FREE BED (and I mean do free as in Linux free) REMAINING IN THE ROOSTER PEN CABIN Rooster Pen is our home 4 man cabin, check him out on the map as being closest to the bathroom showers and having enough car/trailer parking as you go on the up road to it. http://thesimplelifecampground.com/wp-content/uploads/CampMap.jpg Friday September 4th is the start date, 5th, 6th, and 7th as the main days. CAST OF CHARACTERS Dave Oldfeller MM up to four staying at thesimplelife in the Rooster Pen for FREE Old_Rider and wife staying at the Bird House Dave and Eleavan staying in the area at a Robbinsville hotel Don and his brother staying in a room at the Dragon Inn ===================== We still have one (1) free unclaimed upper bunk in the cabin, BTW --- and I think since I have already sunk and actually paid for the bill for the cabin that I am going to go ahead and declare it a FREE WEEKEND for room rent for all who are involved in the Pidegon's Roost cabin stay. We have one upper bunk left so come and stay with us in the Rooster Pen for Friday, Sept 4 - Sunday Sept 6 for free. You'll need to bring a blanket and a pillow and enough money for gas and food and that's it. Speaky, Speaky, don't be squeaky [smiley=dankk2.gif] post here to claim free bed http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1415103358/68#68 And the weather just could not look any prettier for the actual days we'll be there ..... http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/12174_pc?monyr=9/01/2015 |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 08/15/15 at 10:36:26 I'm going to tie my tent (8x10-sleep 5 supposedly) on just in case we have more show up than planned. So if anybody wants to do a "Surprise" Drop-in --- its OK ! ;) One of my CMA buddies and his wife might get a room in Robinsville and hang with us too. He rides a Harley but at least he rides - :P - . I'll put him onto the campground but they might be full ? :) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/15/15 at 15:24:31 Sounds like this is going to be quite a trip. Give us their names and we will include them into the cast of characters. We still got a free bed for somebody in the Rooster Pen ...... |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/16/15 at 14:47:13 We are two weeks out -- time to start thinking about prepping your bike and packing for the trip. Things you need to bring: A North Carolina Roadmap (pick it up at the welcome center as you roll into the state) A pillow and a light blanket (beds are supplied with a fitted sheet and that is all) Money for gas and food. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 08/16/15 at 20:15:40 Dave and Eleavan is the CMA couple I revered to . I'm still waiting for him to call to see if they got a cabin or a room ? :-? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 08/16/15 at 20:44:04 Gimme till Tuesday MMR...... I got a call from an international aircraft company for an interview Tuesday, seems they are possibly in need of a mechanic. If all goes well and I head back to work.... my labor day weekend might possibly go away.... and the birds nest will become available. I will post Tuesday night as to my possible job offer. I have had one interview with them already.... I have been handed to the second manager, for further man-handling :) (Momma is not too happy, is ok with it) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 08/17/15 at 03:34:35 I would think that any new employer would be understanding about holiday weekend plans that were already made - but I suppose aircraft still need maintenance on holidays. Hope you and the Mrs. can make it. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/17/15 at 06:33:50 WE STILL HAVE ONE FREE BED (and I do mean free as in Linux is free) REMAINING IN THE ROOSTER PEN CABIN Rooster Pen is our home 4 man cabin, check him out on the map as being closest to the bathroom showers and having enough car/trailer parking as you go on the up road to it. http://thesimplelifecampground.com/wp-content/uploads/CampMap.jpg Friday September 4th is the start date, 5th, 6th, and 7th as the main days. CAST OF CHARACTERS Dave Oldfeller MM up to four staying at thesimplelife in the Rooster Pen for FREE Old_Rider and wife staying at the Bird House Dave and Eleavan staying in the area at a Robbinsville hotel Don and his brother staying in a room at the Dragon Inn ===================== We still have one (1) free unclaimed upper bunk in the cabin, BTW --- and I think since I have already sunk and actually paid for the bill for the cabin that I am going to go ahead and declare it a FREE WEEKEND for room rent for all who are involved in the Rooster Pen cabin stay. We have one upper bunk left so come and stay with us in the Rooster Pen for Friday, Sept 4 - Sunday Sept 6 for free. You'll need to bring a blanket and a pillow and enough money for gas and food and that's it. Speaky, Speaky, don't be squeaky [smiley=dankk2.gif] post here to claim free bed http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1415103358/68#68 And the weather just could not look any prettier for the actual days we'll be there ..... http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/12174_pc?monyr=9/01/2015 |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 08/17/15 at 06:40:14 Why does the cabin name "Rooster Pen"....make me a bit nervous? :-? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/17/15 at 11:19:17 [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif] Makes you wonder, huh ? [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif] Twangy sound of an ugly hillbilly's banjo playing Deliverance in the background ....... ...... yep, them are a shaggy looking pair of Dragon Mountain Blue Smurfs, notorious for bizarre sexual deviancy and great personal endurance. Ever since Smurfette got famous and moved to Hollywood they've been feelin' right lonely, they have. They have had to settle for chicken whenever they can gets it ...... or sheep ...... or horny toads ...... (they ain't particular, you know) Best bring your little pistol and tuck it up under your pillow, just to be on the safe side ..... |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 08/17/15 at 19:23:11 Thanks for the tip on the cabin OldRider but I hope you get to keep it and if you need the job they start ya after Labor Day. If Eleavan can't go is it OK to let Dave in the cabin with us ? That means we can't trash-mouth Harleys too much . But it did work out good with Springman's friend . 8-) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/18/15 at 01:27:32 The bed is sitting there waiting for the first person to claim it. Claiming requires a firm show up commitment though, which has been hard to come by on this trip from a lot of folks. But yeah, if he commits to show up the bed is his. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 08/18/15 at 20:06:53 Interview went ok, met the section managers this time, now they want me to come back and do a walk-through and let me tell them what I know about each item I see. 50 question time to test my knowledge and set a pay scale reference. Still up in the air, they are interviewing hopefuls next week also. ......sigh...... 2 weeks and I can't say one way or the other.... well, at least we have a cabin reserved. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 08/19/15 at 20:32:16 I'm going to see Dave at the CMA State Rally this weekend. So i’ll know more Monday :) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/19/15 at 20:51:25 0D0E06100B060710620 wrote:
Read the fine print, you are inside 30 days so the cabin is already charged to your card for one full day already and they most certainly will charge the rest of it to your card whether you show up or not. These folks have copied the Dragon Lodge "burn you to the ground system" reservation policies, including all the big cleaning penalties for leaving the place dirty. :P |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 08/20/15 at 23:04:27 He told me on the phone.... there was a $42 no return reservation fee.... I got that. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 08/21/15 at 04:19:51 I just looked at the weather forecast.......PERFECT. Go ahead Oldfeeler.....no changes needed......hit the button to lock it in! |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/21/15 at 09:10:50 Yes, it does look VERY good weather-wise. Remember to bring a pillow and a blanket (all we get is a fitted sheet). If you guys get there first, MM can present himself under his real name to pick up the keys. The guy who runs the place is Alan Wamsley ;) (alias Poppa Smurf). http://a.abcnews.com/images/Health/abc_blue_man_thg_130925_16x9_992.jpg |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 08/21/15 at 09:54:42 Seriously? He is one of the Blue Skin People? I have read about the family in KY that have this condition. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kyperry3/Blue_Fugates_Troublesome_Creek.html |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by don on 08/21/15 at 10:38:27 Hi guys. My brother and I are really looking forward to this getaway. My tricycle don't get the kind of miles per gallon that that your 2wheelers do. Can anyone tell me if they sell gas at Deals gap. Or should I bring a gas can. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 08/21/15 at 11:07:38 Deals Gap does sell gas, it is non-ethanol and isn't real cheap....but it is the "Good Stuff" and should be frash as they sell a lot of it. The store closes about 8 PM I believe. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/21/15 at 13:11:25 Don, We stop every ~ 80 miles thereabouts for bathroom and gas, plus I carry a gallon jug of gas in my saddle bag as occasionally somebody needs a sip. I think this trip I will pack a clear nylon siphon hose and a little funnel too, as one of the big tank guys could donate a bit in a pinch. Not to worry about gas too much. We got that covered I think. =========================== Dave, don't be shocked by the people, they are just people. http://https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/73/2f/74/732f74a7ab024e39b182aea26481fbe3.jpg http://www.documentingreality.com/forum/attachments/f149/293781d1312036096-effects-colloidal-silver-pre_dermabrasion_half.jpg http://https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/22/78/48/227848ce2f1b998c698b96f59f94e1c9.jpg http://https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR7uQ7ZFi8M_NBI7o6J5wcHrqDv6YOfJesiOi2xbIschXMEkEarqA However, I would keep an eye out for these two -- they are the lonely ones I mentioned earlier. http://https://kentuckybluepeople.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/inbred-brothers5.png |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 08/23/15 at 21:32:41 This is getting more interesting every day ! :) My other buddy Dave # 2. Still don't know about getting off work ? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/28/15 at 09:06:18 WE ARE ONE WEEK AWAY FROM TRIP DAY ..... Can we get a status/roll-call from those with all those "depends on circumstances" ?? I need to know how many blue smurf costumes and blue makeup to bring ...... |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by don on 08/29/15 at 08:14:45 Hi guys. Does anyone know if they have WI Fi at deals gap or the rooster pen. I would like someone to teach me how to post pictures on the forum. Computers are a Mystery to me. They are not of my generation. Thanks Don |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/29/15 at 10:26:22 Don, if they have wifi at the campground office, then the Rooster Pen is <25 feet away from the office and their office router might reach that far. Getting router access is an unknown at this time as all I have seen Alan use is his cell phone. There is no public wifi at the Dragon Lodge, and no cell phone service either. We have never understood why there was no wifi (possibly no cable service out there and phone was too slow to operate a fairly sizable public wifi zone) and that too might have changed since the last time I stayed there. Between Lancer and myself, we have been clipped for HUNDREDS of dollars in various BS late/early reservation related charges by the Dragon Lodge over the years and I won't stay there again for any reason because of how they are and how they have treated us. Sad thing is Simple Life seems to have copied Dragon Lodge's policies entirely, so I expect nothing except to pay the full amount for whatever you reserve at either of them. You are lucky if you don't get eat up with some big "cleaning charges" on top of that. There are eating places at Robbinsville (1.5 miles away from Simple Life Campground) that have free wifi. Since Simple Life has no food we will be eating breakfast at Robbinsville a lot. ;) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 08/29/15 at 12:42:29 I took a 300 mile warm-up ride today. I bought a GIVI trunk on eBay, and decided just to pick it up instead of having them mail it. It started out as a really nice cool morning ride....with the liner in place. I took the liner out on the way home, and by the time I got home it was just a bit too hot when you stopped at the lights. Bike is running fine.....just need to get it packed up. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/29/15 at 15:15:49 Trailer is out and I have it assembled and hitched to the car for bike loading tomorrow. Got a totally flat battery on the bike, and I don't know why. I suspect the new cell phone cradle puts a slight drain on the system (it has voltage reduction circuitry in it) so in the future if I'm not planning on using the cell phone cradle I'll pull the fuse out of the fuse holder just to be on the safe side. I might actually give the bike a bath -- Dave will be pleased at that since he doesn't like that old ragamuffin looking stuff. ====================================== Battery charged and holding, bike bathed (ugly oil leaks mollified temporarily) and bike has been loaded and strapped down on the trailer. Clothes picked out, pills packed -- hey, I'm about ready to go. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 08/30/15 at 17:54:49 Oldfeeler: Glad you are washing your bike.....maybe I can talk MMRanch into washing his before we leave! ;) If you need a battery...let me know as I have a brand new one coming in the mail tomorrow. I could pack it and let you use it for the weekend.....find out if the thing is any good before I put it in the fixer-upper bike. Weather looks promising - chance of a rain storm or two a few days.....but I am going to have saddlebags to store rain gear, and a windshield, and boots that are supposed to be waterproof. I can handle a shower or two if I have to! |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/30/15 at 20:22:19 Stick in in your saddle bags and bring it please. I think I am good but that thought was predicated on not being able to get one ordered in within the days left before leaving, and not wanting to shell out $100 to buy a wet cell locally at the bike dealership. I slow charged it back up to 13.5 volts which immediately dropped down to 12.5 volts and then to 12.1 volts after a quick trip to Lowes, so I think my new battery is either 1) has a defective cell or 2) pretty durn shelf aged, being a glass mat type that was built and stored wet. Dave, having watched you do yours, I think our definitions of "washed" are slightly different. I engine degreaser sprayed the oily spots and sprayed off the mud and dust from everywhere. If I did more, my poor bike would fall apart from the sheer shock of it all. As it was, I had to rewax the edges of my belt to stop the wet belt squealing, replace a cover screw that fell out in consternation due to the bath event, and my nearby riding lawnmower which witnessed the soapy bike attack immediately shed a seat bolt in sympathy. And now my rear brake is squealing like a nutted pig from water getting into the drum area ..... ;) washing old rat bikes isn't always the best idea, you know. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 08/30/15 at 20:25:47 My nephew wants to tag along. He has been hearing tales of Dragon Slaying for years and now he has a GS500. He is 21 years old and been riding his GS for about 4 months now. I sold him a 150cc dirt bike about 10 years back , him and his brother had split the cost of a 70cc honda a year earlier. Well the two of them made a dirt track going around their 120 acre farm and wore it out. So even though he's kinda new to the road riding , he's not new to sliding around curves and such. ! ::) The main thing with him will be getting him back home in one piece . .. :P I'll bring my tent just in case we end up with more than 4 showing-up. ;) I'll also touch base with Dave#2 ,to see if he got off work or not. :-? :-? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/30/15 at 20:36:30 Bring him. We got some floor space inside and the little porch out front even if everyone who ever "wishfully said" all do show up. Anybody heard from Old_Rider? http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/12174_pc?monyr=9/01/2015 |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 08/30/15 at 20:40:24 So far a go.... said I would let everyone know if I couldn't..... Wife and I have the bird cabin across the road from you guys. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 08/30/15 at 22:10:42 0A2921232029292037450 wrote:
Wonder if Alan has watched this video? http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/mysteries-at-the-museum/video/blue-people-roaming-the-hills |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 08/31/15 at 10:02:09 Now, most of the blue people take tablets of Phenophaline every day to mute their blue tone. which will explain some of the various pink with shades of blue you will see over time. Properly dosed, they are pink just like everybody else. But get them excited or really really MAD and the blue comes out, pills or no pills ...... They are NOT rednecks, they really are "blue under the collar" guys ..... http://https://kentuckybluepeople.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/inbred-brothers5.png .... you say you wanna see some blue, huh ??? Fix you to be a' squeelin' like a peeg ..... |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 08/31/15 at 13:11:30 Oldfellor: The battery arrived today......that thing is heavy! I suppose I better load it down on the bottom of the luggage! :o Dave |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 08/31/15 at 21:19:04 Best I can figure .... Dave , Jed , and me will be in Robinsville about 15-16:00 Hrs Friday. I'd like to go by way of the SkyWay about 14:00hrs (perfect time of day for Jeds first ride above the clouds ! ;) I think I'll put the regular pulley back on my bike for this trip. The larger tire has it at 8% overdrive even with the standard pulley :). about time to try the GPS address in the Garmin to make sure it will work. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 08/31/15 at 22:15:27 Wife and I plan to leave early Friday morning.... I hope to get her out of the house before 5am, so we can get there by 3pm (1500) we, plan to ride with ya'll sat and sun, then leave early Monday for Illinois... it will be a loonnngggg drive to quincy, Illinois, because we will be by-passing St.Louis..... |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 08/31/15 at 22:18:19 06252D2F2C25252C3B490 wrote:
So in that picture, was he mad? or just not taking his meds? :) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/01/15 at 03:07:38 696A62746F626374060 wrote:
I think he was MAD because he forgot to take his MEDS! |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/01/15 at 07:07:45 Dave, my battery is holding at 12.44 volts overnight, starts fine and it is charging properly off the bike's charging system -- I think you can forgo the battery hauling if you want to. We got that nice hill coming off the covered parking lot that we all will park on, so I will do me a bump start in 3rd gear if needed for the first crank up. Even if it acts weak over time, we will certainly ride enough to keep it well charged for subsequent cranks at pit stops, I am sure. ================ Remember, especially the females -- the Blue folk are sensitive about their condition. Some meds can make them more normal looking, but if they are on a prescription for anything containing any compound with silver anything in it it can make them go true blue all by itself. This is true even if the person is only part blood blue and tends to be pink most all of the time. In Europe, where this condition originated they were accused of being Fae and the girls had their dress tops yanked down all the time looking for their wings and such by crowds of boys, so you can see there is a large background for simmering anger involved in being blue. So, you folks be sensitive and discrete with Alan, OK? Please realize if your skin didn't transmit oxygen to your skin capillaries but a couple of percentage points less efficiently than it does that you would look blue too, as your blood is blue except when it contacts the oxygen in the air and all those color charts of the blood stream showing blue blood and red blood are simply the way it really really works all the time in you, too. By the way you too turn blue when it gets cold enough to slow the flow of blood in your capillaries. Notice the pics of the blue people show a slightly thicker, tougher skin tone, it is their skin capillary construction that makes them look blue toned instead of pink. Turn your arm over and look at your wrist veins -- blue, huh? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/01/15 at 07:12:38 Looks like we are shooting for a 3:00 pm come together time on Friday September 4th at Simple Life under the parking shed by the office. I will be there, have gotten the keys and hopefully be all unpacked and de-trailered by then. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/01/15 at 10:17:51 46544654594A4548430B0 wrote:
Lessee'. 15-16:00 Hrs. Divide by Pi, drop the decimal, multiply by 32.2, round off to the nearest minute. We will be there Friday sometime before dinner (unless we eat first). ;) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by don on 09/01/15 at 13:23:49 Hi guys. My brother Tom and I will be at deals gap about noon on sat. Has anyone ever heard of a group called the quad crammed bastards. They are booked there this weekend also. There logo is brass knuckles with q u a d in the finger holes. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/01/15 at 14:02:59 686A6B6E607C616A6B050 wrote:
Nope.....a search found the Quad Cam Bastards. Fellows who build Sportster powered bikes. http://forummembergallery.blogspot.com/ |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 09/01/15 at 20:42:19 Hmmm..... was checking the forecast via yahoo..... http://www.weather.com/weather/extended/l/USNC0577?site=www.yahoo.com&promo=extendedforecast&cm_ven=Yahoo&cm_cat=www.yahoo.com&cm_pla=forecastpage&cm_ite=CityPage 60% chance everyday for scattered thunderstorms.... We are bringing raingear The picture of the two big eared fella's..... there is a local bar owner (owns about 50% of all the bars) has that picture on his trucks..... with his and a brothers names below the pictures... |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/01/15 at 20:55:08 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/12174_pc?monyr=9/01/2015 This is the gold standard of BS weather prediction that we have ignored for years unless the predicted amounts go up & over a quarter inch of precipitation when you check the individual days out for amount and duration. It says all the days are fine except for a 0.1" accumulation of precipitation spread over 1.5 hours on Friday afternoon. This is an acceptable risk, and yeah, if you believe in rain gear bring some. Here is another view of the same days that gives a layman's read on the day. http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/outdoor-entertaining-daily-forecast/12174_pc?day=3 |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 09/01/15 at 20:59:59 55767E7C7F76767F681A0 wrote:
Well if you click on each day of that site..... you will find 55%, 58%, and 30%.... so yahoo is not far off.... hope we are in the 45%, 42% and 70% of non- rain areas! :) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/01/15 at 21:05:11 Besides, Dave will only show us just how fast his Honda can really go only if it rains on him good. ;) sshhzzzzzzzzzzzzooom ......... What wuz that ??? A low flying plane or what ??? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/02/15 at 04:57:54 795A5250535A5A5344360 wrote:
That "speedy in the rain thingy" only applies to the Cafe' bike when I am cold and completely soaked........I just wanted that ride to be over! >:( |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/02/15 at 05:13:09 :D Aw, gee ...... it wuz fun catching up to you. The pounding rain made it more of a challenge. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 09/02/15 at 15:42:05 Momma wants to leave at about 2am Friday morning, its an 8 hour drive for me.... but with her in the truck it will be about a 10-11 hour ride, so the 3pm time might be about right. All the clothes are packed up in suitcases.... I de-grimed her bike, tomorrow I will fill it up and then load it up, then load up the truck. Looking forward to seeing ya'll again. Are we just gonna wing it this time? or spend a half day watching dave zoom back and forth on the dragon? When we leave Monday morning (about 2am again), i'll be doing the dragon in my truck with the bike in the back!.... at least that's what my map plan says..... P.S. Has anyone started a phone list? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/02/15 at 18:45:25 I got the bike packed up......it was a bit of an adjustment for me as this is the first time I have not taken a car and an enclosed trailer! I have my top trunk, 2 side bags and a backpack abut 80% full each....nothing really jammed.....and the tank bag just has a few maps, camera and a cell phone charger. I will learn how to pack lighter as I do this more....I probably have twice as many jeans as I need - but since I have the room I just packed them. Not to worry old-rider....I most likely won't be zooming around on the Dragon quite as much on this trip. I am guessing it won't be quite as much fun on an 800 pound sport touring motorcycle.....although the Honda does feel like it handles pretty well in spite of that weight. And I can't wear the bike out on the Dragon.....as I have to be able to ride it home! I will PM you a few numbers that I have. Dave |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 09/02/15 at 19:41:30 You will probably surprised at how well it will perform, that old harley road glide was cruising like a heavy sports bike when i got comfortable with it. The wife was loving it! well, except on the really sharp cut-backs when i was dragging the foot boards. LOL..... |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/02/15 at 20:15:38 Plans, huh? Ya wanna hear plans ..... Don & Bro isn't going to be at the Dragon until noon on Saturday. Friday is play time and so is Saturday morning with us winding up at the Dragon for lunch Saturday. Sunday is play time as is a possible short ride Monday morning early. With Don going with us, well, he can't travel at warp speed on his trike and Dave is in danger of BIG bike syndrome so he will be being sorta careful as well. I don't want to be using up medical supplies this trip like last one ..... (nor getting another pesky ticket either) We will shake out on Friday and re-shake on Saturday again as the group changes. Plans are over-rated anyway, you can never seem to execute them when good old reality comes a knocking. The plan is to HAVE A GOOD TIME !!!! |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 09/02/15 at 22:05:24 It sound like I might not be getting in truble with brother for leading his #1 Son on a wild ride ! ;D Dave how early you leaving in the morning ? I'm trying to get all my loose ends tied off before Friday morning. Got to get my baler back together and off the tractor, Got to get some hay out of the field and in the barn Get a big "Sweet-Lick tub" so the cows will be good while I'm gone. And if time permits maybe put a new AC unit in the Radio repeater station. Then pack the bike ! :) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/03/15 at 03:37:37 MM....I am at work, and I had planned on working until noon. If I drive straight through I will arrive about 5:30. (Uhhhhhm...about 18-1/2 on your military time!). If I can get away a little sooner and take a leg stretch or two I most likely will also arrive nearly the same time. I expect that I won't be there before 18 or after 20? If you have work left to do when I get there.....just point me to what needs done. http://i62.tinypic.com/n63vgj.jpg |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 09/03/15 at 06:03:56 If you have work left to do when I get there.....just point me to what needs done. :D I'll save the hard parts till ya get here ;D |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by stewmills on 09/03/15 at 20:35:10 hey savages, what is your riding plan for this weekend including monday? new job is going good and i have monday off so i am trying to see if i can sneak up there at the last minute for a day or so if the weather holds out and the wifey is ok with it. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/03/15 at 21:16:11 Stew, can you make it to Simple Life in time for a late breakfast in Robbinsville? We will likely do a little something in the morning, but I for one need to be packed up and on the road by 12:00 to 1:00 PM so I can get home and get the trailer stuck in the garage, etc. upon arriving home. Some of the guys are staying later, so perhaps they should answer your question instead of me. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by stewmills on 09/04/15 at 04:47:15 thanks. if i came, it wouldnt be until sunday, so thats kinda what i was gauging. its only a 4 hr drive so i could get there late sunday for an all day monday ride, or maybe real early sunday...just trying to maximize on my time and not sneak off from the wifey too early if there isnt activity underway when i would be there. I'll see what the rest of the gang has to say and see what may be sensible. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by don on 09/04/15 at 13:07:58 Tricycle and power chair loaded. Both pair of underwear and all 3 socks packed. I BE READY. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by verslagen1 on 09/04/15 at 14:10:27 wonder what the 3rd sock is for... no! don't tell me, don't want to know. :o |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/04/15 at 15:01:15 Was it a right-handed sock or a left handed sock? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 09/04/15 at 17:54:42 We all made it and after supper here we are just a sittin' and bullin'.... great weather, lets hope it stays that way tomorrow. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/07/15 at 14:34:29 I made it home safe and sound. I left the campground area this morning where I had the last breakfast with Oldfeller and MMRanch about 10:00 I believe, and I made it the 330 miles to home just before 5:00....my fanny is tired! We had great weather, got slightly wet a time or two but nothing serious, and we had some really fun rides. The Cherohola Skyway was a blast, the Dragon is always a good time, and the Hub in Robinsville has some incredible BBQ (too bad we found out about that on the last night in town). As usual....it was a good time. Next year we might want to move the date a week or two earlier to avoid the holiday crowds and conflicts with family events (discussion about when can follow or be placed in the 2016 thread when it is started up). At the moment I believe the spring event will be in the Waynesville area so we can explore the east side of the mountain, and the last summer event will be in the Dragon area so we can explore the west side of the mountain. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/07/15 at 14:56:28 I am in and I am unpacking the bags -- bike and trailer are all put away now. I got pictures of Don's trike to put up as soon as I get a round tuit instead of all these square ones that I have to deal with right now. I think we have discovered a gold nugget in the Dog House at Simple Life as when fully occupied it can cost less than $20 per person. It really does have 6 FULL SIZED BEDS, an additional futon couch bed, a kitchen, a full fridge and a full bathroom and private shower. It also has a full deck (complete with fire pit and pig cooker smoker BBQ) and its own sheltered parking lot. We could easily stick 10 people into it and have enough room to walk around at night. Or we could low ball it with only 4 people and it would cost as much per head as Cabin #4 at Blue Ridge. It gets down to which side of the world you are going to -- if you are going Dragon side (west side) go to the Big Dog. If you are going Waynesville side (east side) go to the Blue Ridge. I also agree with Dave we need to move the early summer Dragon trip to some other section of weeks -- we have had too much rain on the spring trips of late ..... ======================== Dave brought his V4 sports touring bike this time and to us it wasn't a big thing as it is a 795 pound bike that handles slowly in the curvy stuff. HOWEVER, on the Cherohala Skyway Dave was the demon terror of the crotch rocket guys as they simply could not shake him as he had similar acceleration and similar sweeper handling --- they got distressed and stopped, so Dave just stopped with them until we Savagers caught up. As always, Hogs were never an issue, nor were the occasional BMW or Honda Flat six. I finally found my throttle stop and simply didn't have enough go juice to go play at all on several uphill runs what with Dave having power everywhere and Jeb having power on the top end. :D ========================= I have also begun cogitation on a Kawasaki Vulcan S, a 650cc vertical twin that is low enough even for me and weights about what a stock Savage weighs. Will begin looking for a crashed unit or a bank loan take back. Or a wifey bike that isn't liked as much in the winter as it was in the spring. http://www.cycleworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2015_Kawasaki_Vulcan-S-ABS_9-590x393.jpg |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/07/15 at 16:50:10 OK Don, I got a round tuit tonight and here are your photographs. To use them, type some comments in the post box and immediately underneath it you will find a place to reference a picture. Think of it this way, you write the comment you want to write about the picture in the post text box, then you click inside the picture box right below the text box it tells you to go find the picture .... then go to the picture you want to use and click on that pic and the URL will appear in your picture box. Clear as mud, huh? One of you guys explain it to him, his pics are hosted and he can pick whatever he wants to use. ;) http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/DSCF000125.JPG http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/DSCF001013.JPG http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/thumbs/DSCF00058.JPG http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/thumbs/DSCF00257.JPG http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/thumbs/DSCF00226.JPG http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/thumbs/DSCF00139.JPG http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/thumbs/DSCF000910.JPG http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/thumbs/DSCF00058.JPG |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by don on 09/07/15 at 18:43:07 Hi guys, Well I got home and took nap, now I feel a lot better and ready to eat. I sure enjoyed meeting all of you all. Deals gap is a great place to visit but if you want any peace and quiet you should you find someplace nearby. All the staff was very nice to us. I am sorry to report that about halfway down the dragon coming home we came upon a bad wreck. It was a large dresser with two people on it. One was sitting up the other laying in the ditch not moving. It looked like a woman. I asked a guy if they would be alright he said he didn't know and they had already called 911. Oldfeller I am going to try and follow your instructions, but I am dumber than a day old river rock when it comes to a computer. Thank you. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by springman on 09/07/15 at 20:33:02 Glad to see you all had a good time. Happy labor day. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by verslagen1 on 09/07/15 at 22:36:37 67444C4E4D44444D5A280 wrote:
boy that's pretty. 8-) http://www.cycleworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2015_Kawasaki_Vulcan-S-ABS_9-590x393.jpg |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/08/15 at 04:14:06 I only took a couple of pictures this trip....having too much fun riding to worry about photos! Here is MMRanch with his riding casualties. He wore out a pair of front brake pads (I never thought he used his brakes)? He also wore out his fancy blue bulb. Both replacement parts were bought from local bike repair shops along the highway near Robinsville. http://i60.tinypic.com/jazzn5.jpg On Friday night MMRanch and I, and a fellow named Adam we met at the campground rode to Wayah Road and stopped at the falls. There must have been a hard rain earlier that day as the normally peaceful stream was almost overflowing the banks with brownish black water. I have been on this road several times before - but I have never seen the stream like this: http://i61.tinypic.com/2jba352.jpg The Honda ST1100 turned out to be a great pack mule and traveling bike. It was just a bit too long and heavy to be quick on the Dragon, and when pushed in the tight turns it was really chewing the rubber off the tires. The bike is really smooth and comfortable on the highway, and is much better suited to the the long sweeping turns on the Skyway! I just looked it up and the bike weighs a bit less than I had thought.....it is a bit more than 700 pounds ready to ride, has around 100 HP, and holds 7.4 gallons of gas! I usually go 300 miles before I start thinking I need to fuel up....it can go about 370 miles before you start walking. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/08/15 at 05:25:48 Speaking of wrecks, we were sitting at the Dragon Lodge and a pair of girls left the lodge on Harleys and one was struggling to get the bike going on that steep little hill and wound up on her side in the ditch opposite the Lodge. Her friend could not figure out how to turn her bike around to come back and she dropped it over at the first curve "get off point" that they put in there for the wheelie guys to crash on. And then we saw girl #1 later on sideways down an embankment where she undershot a curve. We got to wait while the wrecker fished the bike out and up on the flatbed. This was symptomatic of a brand new thing at Robbinsville which you see at the Hub and at the bike places all over Robbinsville --- RENT A BIKE --- for a couple of hundred dollars (and required special insurance on you and the bike) you too can go ride the Dragon. Right now no less. This is a bad idea in my eyes, as nobody rides somebody elses bike well enough to go on the Dragon. Plus, there is apparently no skills test before renting the bike. However, I did check out the mass of rentabikes out for a Vulcan S ...... |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/08/15 at 05:38:19 3D2E3938272A2C2E257A4B0 wrote:
boy that's pretty. 8-) [/quote] A scrubbed up crash bike gives you license to take all the plastic crap off of the sides of it. I would like to see the engine more and although I know the reason for the radiator placement (avoid rocks from the front wheel) I think I like an SV650 style thin vertical radiator better. Mebbe Suzuki will get the bug from the large Vulcan S sales and do something similar with their SV650 --- having owned one of those that is a very nice 74 hp engine !!!! This one isn't the one I am afraid, has been underpowered by Kawasaki intentionally for the cruiser crowd (and European graduated licensing) and it has no hop up parts available for it (and not all that many for the Ninja 650 either). Shame, I had my hopes up for a bit. http://www.cycleworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2015_Kawasaki_Vulcan-S-ABS_9-590x393.jpg |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/08/15 at 06:14:41 I saw one V-Twin (not Harley) on the Dragon on Friday that had drifted over the centerline and hit the fender of a trailer behind a truck. It looked like the truck tried to get over and give the rider some extra room - it looked like the impact occurred when the rider was about 5 feet on the wrong side of the yellow line. I believe I saw that crash Don was talking about when I left yesterday morning. A large V-Twin (not Harley) was laying on the left side in the ditch, with one rider partially trapped underneath it and laying against the bank. There were a number of folks attending to them - the ambulance and Sheriff came past me about 5 minutes later when I was down on the flat spot by the lake. Then when I stopped for gas around Jellico, TN a Harley with Michigan plates pulled out of the gas station and attempted to cross the 2 driving lanes to get to the left turn lane....and a car hit his left saddlebag and crash bar - but did not hit him. He seemed to be a decent rider......he just didn't look far enough up the road before pulling out into traffic. The crash bar was pushed forward about 5 inches and most likely saved the fellow from getting a broken leg. The Dragon can be ridden safely if you are a competent rider, show it respect, and don't attempt to go too fast your first few times through. The sharp curves can be deceptive as they aren't always the same all the way through - some can start out gentle and get really tight (and sometimes that is hidden by the hills and trees). I believe you should ride it just quick enough to be fun - but slower than your maximum ability....as you might need to avoid the SUV or bike that may be drifting over into your lane! |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/08/15 at 07:13:04 As Dave knows, I prefer the east side of the Forest for basing and riding, mainly because the Dragon Circus has gotten sooooo severe it gives me a literal headache. Having Hurleys cross over the line into your lane is so common now I don't even comment on it, it is all part of the package. Having them litter the roadsides IS NOT NORMAL, you do realize between the two of us we just recounted 5 Hurley wrecks and that was just what WE saw. MM's nephew was conversing with an off duty EMS driver and they say they pull hundreds of people off the NC side each fall season -- and that is only 1/4 of the length of the Dragon as most of it is in Tennessee. Most are "leaf people" (the least skilled of the rider population). Something else struck me sitting there sipping my endless Mountain Dew -- bikers "as a group" are all speckled to full grey headed now. I had remarked that at Blue Ridge, but had factored it by the "calm environment" effect vs the Dragon Circus effect. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by don on 09/08/15 at 07:22:27 Dave we saw the same wreck. I forgot to mention pinned under bike. We must have came through before you because we didn't see any emergency vehicles before we turned off on the foothills parkway. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/08/15 at 07:24:41 I did notice on this trip - the absence of really fast Sport Bike riders. Perhaps they know better than to come to the Dragon on a busy holiday weekend. I did see several sport bike groups passing by when we were out traveling around......but they didn't seem to be gathering at the Dragon to make repetitive runs. I saw a lot of young riders over the weekend, and quite surprisingly a number of female riders. The funny thing is that when you are on the Dragon and come up to a female rider - they won't willingly pull over and let you pass........while their male partners pull right over and wave you around! Oldfeller - You might watch this website. They get a lot of insurance bikes. Sometimes the bikes run and drive fine - but have some damage that caused the insurance company to write them off.....or sometimes they are theft recoveries that the insurance company already settled with the original owners. http://www.racersedge411.com/ |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/08/15 at 07:28:40 Yeah, another bad case of hopeful bike lust strikes again ...... http://images.motorcycle-usa.com/PhotoGallerys/2014-AIMExpo-Kawasaki-Reveal-031.jpg =================================== That brings up a point we discussed at Monday breakfast -- we need to MOVE this late summer trip a bit earlier to avoid Labor Day Weekend. Everything was packed tight, including all the bathrooms everywhere. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/08/15 at 07:37:26 Wooden treehouse deck overlook -- this is why we come (apart from the great roads). http://https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0tddKxyzfdQ0TQCE3XAk-jpgGSFHfaevd7vDjgqJIkVTDDPx9d85GTmotDezwvEb6rj4I_p8UW_9SCSvet6Vqp2b6ubeMGAEOqmPN_rPghsgrfFpUwGL-CUXBrLpkFUSlRkWPJB722ywVFBB-wB8KBIAD0eGokyHokvni8csIi98R5-smL95BCHkceQMuVGeWtWzsizmyYmDjsDNNkBDGvCZSVgumgUv597itDVpfuSvSnru1pt4sFG6qQi5beHD_YjtgcJy_Tm1OEdsnYBbHY9AXMXwVLyfIy1G4VZXF8zPlAcanZ_A6tVlyKXBVBfyWQ5jAnV6do1QkuC_ZGdF1yKxZL9U6bxBwU320UTxCnLY6ub8EB5KAqFwZI20EUfSMBjvYdSBN94pxElPJWwydnHfMvmHqdkL0n5AcSPqUcrlzXQjXGKdmlzrXPM4oOXRYuIZ8NTcZWXqchOrJZfZ0nC59TA-0N8VXrhoBmKvD7zvhr-C9_3LQEhyZU8b277BphUIAa4ESV0dVtsd4-ac-6E=w1102-h619-no http://https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KiRIu6IX6F7nesy_VAaA1xWj_PXEfD0oD20WFUoItRZPJt_1oJgx63JT9AdsC-z85yh6HGrQTarLJgYBhFNM2yg_WlmaF5pP2rXwAT71ALc4TpmzKBpLJhmRTYF8RboaXBaZZCSSga00E-Ybd6LQj8iNgav2llcMvb6T6hVOuQKAGVkxc66d428KiaSwvqkAfreE_KFocct9dEpum5N_CnmwCcJcOKTmAMgo4BCVeopdfHzyGBZlyXnazMKzjcT6O_s0_298seuo2_JGvUOogKPumpd0OKWaO0W9148D3FxirOT7raeMLy_MmiXo3Fq2ch4KDYOVKvw_0Ccomkgklgm0_4FUVGSf637Y_l4ohSQJ6If5E23Vhg6B78iyqlOThYXegjcUO5u7zHO1E29bW-nnKbgSHzeXZUjRSFUlfnYELAqiafN7U7Vxvwi90v8x8YtuNaXSPZdComxY_7UX3cfRKYTtIqBdLwlYIDWzR9qIXJ3BvN4k6McNR8JM0sVUN4g5KLeB7g4OLu7fjVhgCAA=w1102-h619-no Dave, being all quiet and contemplative before cracking a killer joke ..... http://https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yTwx9kOY_gpVzN2m5vxKJPnEku428bTGdMVFH7d1uDGGDvF-sBl82occVgPqyazdk7ZNnZGtaOt2Lt5kWIJNPNWfyMUErcLZRCO-CZ-dIdwlAfO4qfB3zZFca77F-edkEQ2mDENZ8QeFZZo-zoouk2TidZ6xzU0oB-V7FkIzJkU9NjKakRNb6h9t5zLfewcLSuACYDU2jWiYaN-PisBNOANrrrix_KoQBzochrOIxRXHcaNjh0qhVhlPCgS9UyNHYhym6908EORR5FnNtkQCch1_eAw5bXo6-AMqahlEJLoAl3UtpQ_MsD041qLgS_f0wZ1KG0AMYMnQ9BUhdU4v8VCsr5tLjg9GZUIJpZnHAdOg8sBSiHfWakitL3D-10_UW1k3G30G_vxcl4teVde5l_zjHpvmppzAwEDs_LdafR7T3bYPFNX58QRz5YQ86UMS1i41LyClXlSTZEEE_lbvo-RJRZLnT_0QnUnEhehb7JzDW2Ys5wruH6BqUhIephqy373gGfsyanm5Q8Vf_i8wqts=w1102-h619-no http://https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nlDxMZHlTcN_AZX_bKDodoF-2KC4fCdeCPcy-zamKQwa6nht9fNEqNLBAFN9yiqH9zcpGEplbiMuyV8OXwmQQj3IhQ9yOhr6bBNntwh-7V0na1RpwTvTYqyKd6nxiG5SOSs7l880TMI8l0kJQdulxKlUhf6PrWXyrSJh4cn9T5qnLLZYgGy7eQLZPeW0jKPFqAs84ZXfjFxLjGb56qwee8kmdwQDZzIGg3gTNi7W5hqujyW9G28COZ6r7bteUQ3rYaEh3F7TR1VSgjYqLt5b7PzNophJpjTikZyDLSE7CrJtk14BEyl4KzSQK8eWbwkcBtK0ITWTKH4ADNF9fIB_xve2_xqPV6FFnvhBnjQQpRkMEGPU6dGtOv_cexUpPgLslIz1ZBdV1-D4IFEeQ5foit0oERp1gsblDsCrLkXpNG--fJfBXmhF7GRL9qvjMC8qpqp-7ityRMvMh0oZEYiVms1AFEYhDep_1IWEp6ad26kAJnk5gdfa-GhoFm0GK7S--8D7ioeW-JN4L4zZ8drYFWc=w1102-h619-no This is MM and Jeb talking to each other in fluent Vanattia, which is a Lynchburg local dialect that involves much repetition, finger pointing and some hand gesturing. :). ...... Hey, you listen up good now and don't you be go doing anything that old fool wid the camera tells you to go do ..... he'll getcha kilt and he'll think it's funny. And I'll be the one stuck trying to explain it to your mother. ................... and this last one tells why both MM and Jeb had to go buy new brake pads, we DO tend to over-use our front brakes on these mountain trips. Hint .... when your front rotor is a deep purple (full draw temperature) do NOT touch your finger to it to see if it is hot. Second degree to third degree burns will result instantly ..... and you will leave your fingerprint actually stuck to the rotor (really, it's gone now). http://https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0ly_q42_ghoVYI7ssEFQ0iFWOwb-VvFxX8KjR_rFgXcGhJue48uLgDPszRWOqbEUps3_3R3rUZGbCRSyUxG0zcMdRFiSIKfvtEvnJIpKTGuwU8ILqsjDGb1T8HNNNg4wSKO0OLgIwK0GcbuOPD-dokCbAV8SrnY66yWlabnvAuCaqS2ou91mILVhRUCMBIJRmRVVnBNQ7A4RArkbGfev6tqMUyfa3bnCy46j6hDXBe7lNzaewuiTofxyTabJ7L-sZzrxxwY1NwqT1Pu9VDJIftwHgO-7Zq-WasgddfCGS7i26TlXKpQaBedohg5mAkgDprvslnzZIrMP2Ov9uWsTTZvmW065groizzUE2Vyjf4ZJyoyzj-NnapJR93IiTKCGYgZzhYpNbmrLNR9xv_4ZYF917Xf3F8Gmz2E5ezIZjz9b4Q3vTF5LVx0KqxKC4OaIlN6p1Q-P0Vtpev9YU4aYyOvR99Qx9O0ESwF5BmmsWImkCO7dEiPc2gqcYMemD06EcHtgx5Zt5gWHWfDQxdDrCEw=w1102-h619-no http://https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nagSrW2nNdoEjiMedB-ZyLzgyCc-fHy3Z04FvHCOrQoJ-pbf2Ic5YGBjKvIuRC6X69ovhGh3vwOGBPR-V6b8deI27_TFlcs5_abDqzDj1SnJRbsL1vhldRJ0YDcYxfxbOcibW3SWX9GUGFHgoscWMooUVsPSJG3C7-pAueMz22vpS2a5we88uXrNeo6sRLQ2bhEDmtgiqBtjaxJR8nqQHM-XAkcWsGV53VTkr8swfrMaGwiS3oR3yNoXMWk2ypgYaPCM8ejDALJ7QxvdrcNW93WqinIWmjuRC8tD9MvDYID1Hy2awqAnF6GcwiVxaKci2jW8kFQOCCrz9JBLTZEAZ-Acj6dtI5TeyK9cszP5Z86JWvMjqAjC9EwifDbPEt1Npx6vj3MlfeOEzmQdl-qRjULL7YIUXXb1JaFJHcw3GfQfBa61ZUFCVdZpFoSLFSmNl65jApRe6nziMM0jPiqhEHwUESG2xhZkYEHNskTTJVcHyPUIEDhDS1b430yMFMlFnTRmRebWUjefgGSyXui0kMY=w1102-h619-no |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 09/08/15 at 09:15:27 Home again ! :) Great ride , 8-) , Jed drove all the way home and didn't start getting Dangerous with his driving habits again till we were in his home town . We needed to stop for fuel as we came up on his town so I motioned for him to pass knowing he would take me to his favorite gas station. Well he not only passed me . but the car in front of me (exit ramp 1/4 mile ahead) ?? :-/?? , so I passed the car also . So --- I almost couldn't hardly believe what he did next --- He passed another car with just enough time to cut into the right lane (I-24) and the exit ramp all in one motion ... :-X ... I tore his ears off for it when I caught him , but I wonder if he heard a word I said ? :-[ Watching that last act of stupid I couldn't help but wonder if he will live long enough to take another trip with us , when I suggested he drive his bike more like he drives his car he said "That is how I drive my car" , his younger brother later confirmed , "That is how he drives his car" --- maybe he won't have his driving license very long. :P might save his life if he was walking for a while. ::) Thinking of "Wrecks" , that guy from the Louisiana/NY (Adam) was following Dave on the Dragon with me behind him and was doing OK kinda so Dave went on with his normal pace and disappeared around the next corner. I watched him for a couple more turns and though he was doing just fine , so I went on around him and was keeping him in my mirror hopping he would would pick up on my lines . It was frustrating to hold-back that much but things were going along just fine till I need to pay attention and set up the next "inside-the-cove-horseshoe-left-hand bend 160deg curve with a right-hand 120deg right behind it. For the folks with a map it was ("SHAW GRAVE GAP AND MUD CORNER) mile 6.4 and 6.5 . I got up to GUARD RAIL CLIFF (Mile 7) the road quit twisting so much and I noticed Adam wasn't in the mirror no more :-? . So , ---- , I went back to see . Sure enough a couple of sport-bike guys were helping him up out of the ditch at SHAW GRAVES GAP. I stopped too and he had one little red spot on his left knee. It took him a long time to get the 1.5 miles up to the overlook after that , and his bike was fine. Only the footrest gouge in the dirt and the red spot on the knee remained . That SV650 he was ridding was almost to tall to be an effect cornering tool the was I see it, but I couldn't help but wonder "what if it was lowered just a little ??" :-? In my own defense : My 05 S-40 had 22,600+- miles on it when I replaced the front pads and I use the front brake for 99% of my stopping needs (with the idea that the front tire will dry-rot instead of wear out if the rear tire does the pushing and the stopping) ;). But I should have checked it be for I left the house for a fun ride. :P I got the chance to ride Dave's ST1100 on a gravel-dirt-washboard-hill climb type road going up the back-side of the Indian Boundary area on top of the SkyWay this pass weekend. It was interesting to say the least --- [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] , it was also a better behaved bike than the physics of it would lead one to believe. The shocks kept the tires on the ground most of the time and the motor has such smooth low end pull that I could leave the clutch alone when not shifting and the low gear is low enough to do a slow walk with no problem. These adventure rides are so much fun sometimes I wonder if I should be on a adventure bike --- wait I got one even better I got A SAVAGE ! :) I think I will put the original front pully back on it, cruising at 75mph is fast enough. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/08/15 at 09:22:23 I guess Jeb found his keys, huh? That's the most you have ever posted at one time, ever --- you know that, don't you? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/08/15 at 09:27:12 Yeah, the "just us old chickens" rides are the best ones. We all know what the other guy is going to do before he does it. Jeb was an exception to that rule --- nobody (including Jeb) knew what he was going to do next. He kept me amused and belly laughing a LOT though ..... it was good for my soul to see a youngster enjoy himself so. Adam was a classic case of the timid new guy on a new to him bike goes to the Dragon and scares himself some. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 09/08/15 at 10:10:59 Jed , called one of his buddies while we were having lunch. He wants to take them all on a ride to repeat the ride we took him on . ;) There is a "next generation " out there ! 8-) I wish they didn't have to do "DUMB" stuff see who survives . But , He got home all in one piece and his bike still runs .. so ? My nephew Jed is on the left. The fellow on the right is Adam who was staying at our campground and went on an evening ride with us. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/08/15 at 10:58:27 1E0C1E0C01121D101B530 wrote:
Be sure to let us know when they are headed that direction.......so that we can all go somewhere else! :o |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/08/15 at 11:17:21 Hee hee .... ..... They are probably saying the same thing about us. ;) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/08/15 at 11:58:36 6C7E6C7E73606F6269210 wrote:
Or.......maybe we should head that way with our lawn chairs and a cooler, and just set around and watch the show! :-? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/08/15 at 13:03:51 Don't laugh, Dave is actually telling you about something we saw people doing on the nasty tight turns .... just sitting there in lawn chairs with a cooler, drinking beer and watching people crash. Nobody even mentioned the woman riding a Harley that hit a guardrail and went over the edge and down to a creek bed and broke both of her legs on big rocks that were down there. This was right at the turn off to go to SimpleLife campground. I am at work, sitting in a hot car wishing so much that I was still up in the mountains. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/08/15 at 13:32:04 Hey Oldfeller...in your post #150 none of the photographs open for me. Am I the only one that can't view them? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by verslagen1 on 09/08/15 at 14:30:51 I see'm and I behind a funky firewall and industrial antivirus. 310A0710010D16100B030E11620 wrote:
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/08/15 at 14:35:31 Must be something here at work. I just tried looking on my phone and it showed the same thing.....but it uses the office server for internet connection when I am sitting in the office. I will look again when I get home. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/08/15 at 14:49:33 Might be something to do with your browser. If your browser's buffer has the old picture locations in it they won't show the new pictures if the pictures have been updated and I did update those to shrink them some. You might try clearing your browser buffer. Actually, you might try using Chrome browser. Older versions of Firefox need not apply either -- they give a big minus sign. Ditto for Microsoft Explorer, it will no longer display pictures for me willingly because I am on a special "Microsoft hater" list and all my pictures are intercepted by Microsoft Explorer which then substitutes some X's and other less friendly symbols for my pictures. [smiley=engel017.gif] ...... or you may be using older Apple products. Old Apple devices can't recognize the picture format at all. Maybe next year's models will be able to do it. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/09/15 at 03:37:57 I tried my home computer using Chrome and could not open them, so I then switched over to the old Outlook we still have on the computer....still nothing. I will run by the library and see if the photos will open. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/09/15 at 05:59:17 If Dave is suffering from Modern-ality then many on the list will be suffering from old stuff syndrome too. I will forgo using the automatic Googlishiousness that is built right into my phone's camera system (that only works with other modern stuff, apparently) and do it the old fashioned way from now on. ======================================== Wooden treehouse deck overlook -- this is why we come (apart from the great roads). http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_20150905_100547654_HDR.jpg http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_20150905_100552247_HDR.jpg Dave, being all quiet and contemplative before cracking a killer joke ..... http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_20150905_100556290_HDR.jpg http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_20150905_100602771_HDR.jpg This is MM and Jeb talking to each other in fluent Vanattia, which is a Lynchburg local dialect that involves much repetition, finger pointing and some hand gesturing. :). ...... Hey, you listen up real good now and don't you be go doing anything that old fool wid the camera tells you to go do ..... he'll getcha kilt and he'll laugh and think it's funny. And I'll be the one that gets stuck trying to explain it to your momma how you got dead doing something really really stupid. ................... and this last one tells why both MM and Jeb had to go buy new brake pads while we were out on the trip as we DO tend to over-use our front brakes on these steep downhill mountain roads. Hint .... when your front rotor is a deep purple (full draw temperature) do NOT touch your finger to it to see if it is hot. Second degree to third degree burns will result instantly ..... and you will leave your fingerprint actually stuck to the rotor (really, tssst -- it's gone now). http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_20150906_115449904.jpg http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_20150906_105408339_HDR.jpg |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/10/15 at 08:54:37 Have you guys checked your air filters after that red nasty dusty dirt road ride? http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_20150910_092047970.jpg I updated the air filter mod thread in the Tech Section -- you can bounce to it to see what I had to say about Dave's pavement kissing antics ..... http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1183640744/9#9 |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/10/15 at 09:59:27 Nope...haven't checked a thing. I unpacked the bags with the clothes in them when I got home, and then parked the bike in the garage. I then had to go and mow the yard as soon as I got home on Monday. Tuesday was a Planning and Zoning Meeting.....last night I spent emptying the firewood out of my open trailer and stacking it in the woodshed. The top box on the bike has not been unpacked and still has my blanket, towel and other miscellaneous stuff inside - and the air cleaner still has whatever dust it sucked up. Tonight I have to get the enclosed trailer out of the garage and get it ready to go camping with the wife Fri/Sat night. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 09/12/15 at 22:45:15 Sorry.... just got back from Illinois on Friday... after a 14 hour drive! Spent all day today just layin' around recoupin', I might get to downloading a couple pictures tomorrow and the bike is still in the back of the truck. It got rained on for three days straight.... at least it was level in the truck, but i'll talk the wife into helping clean it, after all... it is HER bike! :) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 09/12/15 at 23:18:15 Tried a slideshow of some photo's I took... did not write anything on the pictures yet.... http://s1047.photobucket.com/user/Orphistle/slideshow/2015%20Dragon%20Ride Adding a couple of videos [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWWPmfx4tBY [/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL-LEiW016M [/media] |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by youzguyz on 09/13/15 at 02:21:02 very nice pics and such!!! I really should try to make it out there sometime and do this.. If life allows :-/ |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 09/14/15 at 06:46:33 Enjoyed your pictures Bill ! I just love the lines of that old Yahama Enduro [ch128512]. But I'd want a new one for the "trouble free". factor [ch128521] I'd like thank everyone for putting up with trouble I brought with me [ch128533] , I had no idea he would such a pain to baby sit [ch128560] I hope his ambulance ride bill will bring him some reflection time. [ch128521] His momma still don't know 1\2 of his antics and "Whatever happens in the Mountains ..... " [ch128513]. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/14/15 at 07:17:33 Well....I suppose we need a bit of explaining. MMRanch's nephew Jed was like a "Kid in a Candy Store" on these curvy roads....and he continued to test the traction limits of his tires in the corners. There were no "chicken strips" on the edges of his tires.....he was continuously testing the traction limits. He was not always content to stay with the herd....and often would shoot ahead of us to see what was around the next corner. On our ride to the Cherohala on Sunday, Jed shot ahead of us abut a mile before we had to make a turn, and he missed it the turn. We waited for him at the intersection, and then rode to try and find him - without success. Later we found out he returned to the campground, and old-rider put a set of rear brake pads on for Jed. Jed then headed to the Dragon alone.....and proceeded to enter a turn faster than his tires could handle, and he slid off the road and dislocated his shoulder. He got a ride to the hospital in an ambulance, and someone rode his bike back to Deals Gap Resort and parked it there. When we got back to the campground and found out what had happened, Oldfeller attached his trailer and we went to pick up his bike at the Dragon and Jed from the hospital. Jed is a very nice kid......but I am worried about his adventurous ways. He has been riding with his young sport biker buddies - and it appears he has no idea that public streets and public parking lots are not his personal playground, and that there are traffic laws and etiquette matters to be considered.....as well as the unknown and unexpected surprise waiting around the next corner. If Jed doesn't settle down a bit....he will have a very short riding career. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/14/15 at 11:17:52 And......I found the lady (girl) that was playing at the restaurant that we went to on Saturday night at the Nantahala. The surprising part is that she was only 13 years old last year....and was 14 this year? I think the dates must be screwed up a bit on the video....she sure looked far more mature than 14 when we saw her last week. Her name is Shannon Wurst. She was 13 when this was recorded: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN-ge3tcW2o [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN-ge3tcW2o[/media] She is now grown up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMlMnX2aXWc [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMlMnX2aXWc[/media] |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 09/14/15 at 21:37:43 Got them both cleaned and all shiney again... wife actually helped this time!! http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/Orphistle/2015%20Dragon%20Ride/IMG_20150914_122334402.jpg |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/15/15 at 05:47:00 Is Diana up for coming back when her wrist heals up good? Riding her own bike that is? We can promise her no Jeds for that trip, seriously. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/15/15 at 05:56:45 Speaking of the next trip, if Diana comes next time on her own bike I propose we stay at Blue Ridge as the accommodations are nicer and the roads are not so treacherous as the ones on the Dragon side of things. If she isn't coming and folks who are coming want Dragon side, then lets get at least 4 to commit early on and take the BIG DOG at SimpleLife. Price for 4 would be same as cabins at Blue Ridge and we could absorb up to 4 additional people with no sweat. I want to cook some meat on that BIG DOG grill out on the BIG DOG deck and make that little holler fill on up with the savory smoke. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/15/15 at 06:46:48 If there is any pattern to what we are doing...the spring ride is in the eastern side and is based at the BlueRidge Campground, and the fall ride is based around Dragon Central. This fall trips has come about when I realized I just wasn't getting enough of a "Dragon Fix" when we stayed in the Waynesville area in the spring. And the ride from the Blue Ridge Campground over the the Dragon is just a bit long an tedious. I suppose with the Dragon only being a 5 hour drive for me I could do it on my own a few more times a year - but I do enjoy the company. I get really busy at work in the warm summer months - so for me the trips have basically been long weekend where I leave on Wednesday night after work and get to ride on Thursday through Saturday, and then pack up and leave on Sunday morning. Sometimes I unload the bike and take a couple of rides on the Dragon on my way home. The 3 days of riding seems to be really short, and I sure would like to stay longer someday. It could be a traveling event where we stay at the Blue Ridge campground for a few days....then pack up and wander over to the Simple Life for a few more days. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by squiggy on 09/15/15 at 07:06:53 Off to The Dragon tomorrow for the weekend...in my car. Maybe one of these years I will be able to take one of the bikes. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/15/15 at 07:50:26 7B404D5A4B475C5A4149445B280 wrote:
Dave has just had him an idea -- a good one. What makes it possible is that Blue Ridge will allow you to park a car and trailer at their place just so you spend part of your vacation there. We could plan a spring trip that had arrival day and one more day at Blue Ridge then moved over to BIG DOG at Simple Life for a couple of days. We'd just ride the bikes over. We need 4 people to commit to the trip, though. I too am wanting a little more time in the mountains each year .... perhaps a "moving location" can help us get additional people to commit as they can go for the area that they like the best. Somebody with a Farmers Almanac propose us a late spring time period with little to no rain (we tried the scientific approach with the National Weather Bureau data sheets for Waynesville and Cruso but we got rained on two years in a row) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by verslagen1 on 09/15/15 at 08:38:06 You can come to Texas with us in April. Although I don't know whats going to happen this year with the El Niño brewing. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/15/15 at 10:12:16 647760617E7375777C23120 wrote:
I really did feel a strong pull toward Texas.....unfortunately that is just too far away for me to get away that long. I will turn 60 just before Christmas, and I suppose retirement is 4-6 years away for me.....so someday in the foreseeable future I will be able to have fun in the summers! |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/15/15 at 11:57:25 I suspect when Dave and I are full retired MM will be trying to talk us into all sorts of long distance trips (carefully plotted from one interesting spot to another great road). The issue with Texas for me is that the roads and scenery might be nice, but better can be had much closer by. As a working stiff, I tend to get partial week holidays for these bike excursions as the bulk of my vacation must still be spend on extended family related items. Once I am retired, I will have more time to burn. Nice things about these bike trips is the low cost compared to other forms of vacation. Seriously, we are hard pressed to spend over $200 on a 3 day trip if we plan them well. The enjoyment value for the dollar spent is simply incredible -- best trips I have ever done. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by springman on 09/15/15 at 15:46:35 Hey Dave and Oldfeller. I understand your issues with the Texas ride. It is too bad though because I have to admit that Texas ride overall was more fun to me than the Dragon ride. Please do not get me wrong, the Dragon ride was amazing and the scenery all over was very nice. I think the reason I liked the Texas ride better is that we had a different ride every day, ate at different places all the time (well I think we hit Whataburger twice) and I think overall did more riding. The Texas riding is a bit more relaxed, it does not require as high a skill level as the Dragon. And if you look at it this way, those that want to practice before taking on the Dragon should come and ride the 3 Twisted Sisters first. Guys, I really enjoyed riding the Dragon with you and if we have to wait 6 years for you to join us at the Sisters, then so be it. I look forward to the pleasure of you company then. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 09/15/15 at 16:24:05 2F0C0406050C0C0512600 wrote:
She is planning to come on "one of those rides", and we are not sure if she will be able to do the spring one as she isn't allowed only so many days away from work at a time. She lucked out this time because they were training a new manager so the work load was eased a bit. Her skills are very limited, novice even. If we come up, she will only ride slow curvy roads and maybe a few medium cutbacks. If we were to come to the dragon, it would have to be in the middle of a week, when riders are few and far between, as she would be going about 15-20 miles top speed and 2-5mph in the corners. In her words " I won't be doing the dragon on purpose, or any road like it, but if we have to go on a curvy one, I will ride at MY speed, ya'll will just have to wait". LOL :) The other thing.... she cannot plan too far ahead, so... she actually might have to let me driver her if the group plans on curvy stuff, leaving my bike at the camp, and as you all seen, I did not drive normally this last time. When it gets closer to date, we will plan a little more in detail. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 09/15/15 at 21:29:35 ::) Somebody with a Farmers Almanac propose us a late spring time period with little to no rain (we tried the scientific approach with the National Weather Bureau data sheets for Waynesville and Cruso but we got rained on two years in a row) I'll be in line for the almanac soon as they are available ;). might help us in April too ! :) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/22/15 at 08:48:07 While we are still just popping off, let's consider size of group vs location. Plus we need to consider the Twisted Sister run as well, since it and the early summer Dragon run get awful close together. We can count on 3 showing up for the early Dragon Run, more than that is always a last minute sort of thing. Next, trailer and truck hauling. A full size truck can hold 3 adults in the front seat and it can hold two bikes and pull a trailer with up to two bikes on the trailer. It is not like Mike and I don't own trailers ..... Mike owns a lot of vehicles (yep, a lot of them) and we could propose a method to go to Twisted Sister and just drop the early Dragon Run completely this year. What thoughts ya got on this idea? Except for the 25 hours both ways crammed on a truck seat, it sounds fairly good to me. How many days is Twisted Sister? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by verslagen1 on 09/22/15 at 09:04:26 1D3E3634373E3E3720520 wrote:
arrived on Friday, left on Tuesday. I wouldn't have any problem staying longer. Timing was good, I didn't have to go thru any city during rush hour. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by youzguyz on 09/22/15 at 11:11:21 7A697E7F606D6B69623D0C0 wrote:
arrived on Friday, left on Tuesday. I wouldn't have any problem staying longer. Timing was good, I didn't have to go thru any city during rush hour.[/quote] It's like asking how many days is the Tail of the Dragon. If all you go an do is the "feature" ride, it's nothing but a few hours. I drug those guys around for 3 days.. and had to modify my routes as we ran out of time for one reason or another on a given day. I can give 'em at least another couple days and never touch a road they have seen already.. and stay on pavement. From looking at terrain maps, you can ride a lot more fun roads a lot more closer together up in the NC/TN Smokey Mountain area. So.. don't be expecting what ain't here. Ya'll that have done both can speak better to what makes coming to my stomping grounds worth the trip. Springman has made a few observations on the differences.. maybe someone else can add a few more. Not saying I don't want ya to come here and ride with me. I would like it .. a LOT!! :D Had a blast last time, and sure to have one again! Just don't like people being disappointed... |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 09/22/15 at 19:09:14 I am never disappointed.... as long as we ride! LOL :) I don't think we have ever had a "bad" ride.. some of break off now and again to see different things, or to get "lost", but never a bad time. I enjoy just riding with folks and watching the scenery, Texas was a great ride. New folks, new roads, new scenery... and new places to visit. Same with the dragon runs/ blue ridge, you might see some same things, but we plan on just trying different roads... or someone will mention something they seen on the way up to he site, or some restaurant (most likely) and off we go! :) Like texas, there are a few places i will not mind seeing again (breakfast burritos and hamburgers a mile high), and hopefully next year i'll be back to see some new roads, and hopefully a couple of new folks. My wife really wants to try to ride a few twisties in NC or TN, so blueridge or simple life will be fine. Seein' as she hasn't seen blueridge, i will try to talk her into at least a four day from work. I know for sure she ain't gonna be able to do the bunny run in texas... as she don't do "long hauls". |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by springman on 09/22/15 at 19:44:27 And someday maybe we can do the Arkansas Pig Trail or the San Juan Mountain Skyway in Colorado. Heck, I hear there is some pretty nice riding in California also. Guys, I will be 58 before the end of this year and if God gives me years and good health I hope to do all of the above and them some while still able. What the heck, food for thought. ;) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/23/15 at 03:59:58 Old-Rider and Wife are pointing towards Blue Ridge for an early summer ride. Everyone else seems flexible at this point. No nibbles so far on a foray to the Twisted Sister ride. No Farmers Almanac yet for a dry ride week. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 09/23/15 at 21:50:44 Hay Springman , I never heard of these ; (Arkansas Pig Trail or the San Juan Mountain Skyway in Colorado) :-? But like you said " we won't stay young and able for ever " ... ::) So while I' able , I say let's do all we can . I'm retired now so plan one of them around your time off and fill me in on when ! ;) I hope to do the spring ride to Texas and The Dragon , I'd like to ride the Blue Ridge North till it ends but would feel a lot better about camping in a group , for Fun and security . ;) I've got a Ford Ranger that has the little rear seats , and a 6.5' bed (plus tail gate). One time in a pinch we had 3 adults and two 12 year old's in it for a 200 mile ride (it was kinda tight !) ;D That said : I have a very comfortable bike that is good for 500 miles a day (10 hour day) -- would be EASY with 400 mile days. 8-) I'll be looking for an Almanac to check for "DRY SPELLS" soon as they pop-up at the check-out counters ! ;) I need to measure my Astro Van to see if a couple bikes would fit inside it . there are three rolls of seats and it gets 20 plus MPG if treated right. It also has a receiver hitch and Chevy's 4.3 L engine. I'm sure windshields and mirrors would have to come off. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/24/15 at 06:37:15 MM has bitten on the Twisted Sister ride and proposed his Ford Ranger or his Astro Van as the carry vehicle. Three adults in the front seat, two bikes on a trailer and one in the bed (or vice versa). I'm in, propose a set of dates for the trip and we'll start discussing details. Splitting the gas cost 3 ways and the driving makes the 20 hour ride each way more doable. We still need a third to fill out the company though. Would Dave's Savage go inside the Astro van? Short clip on bars, no windshield, no bulk to it really. MM's and mine could fit on the trailer easily "as is". Mike mentions his Astro Van, which is a cushy enough ride (I've been in it). I could modify my trailer with a second bike rail and it could easily haul two bikes if one was loaded offset or backwards so as the handle bars didn't hit each other. I may do this anyway for two bikes as once I have built it that means at least 2 bikes can now be hauled by my Cube, which gets good enough gas mileage and that opens up a lot of potential longer distance retirement trips. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by springman on 09/24/15 at 08:32:22 MM and Oldfeller. That all sounds real good. I am looking forward to getting together with as many as possible at the Sisters. I think youzguyz likes the idea also. As regards all the rides you and I mention MM you can count on me for at least one and possibly 2 per year if finances allow. If I get a chance to retire any time before hitting 70 and we are both still in good health then I'll probably be able to do even more rides. MM when you say you can easily do 400 miles per day are you talking about the Savage or another bike? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/24/15 at 09:06:24 When we are in the mountains we ride all day long. Distances are funny as many of the roads have many many many < 25mph corners and turns in them, so we don't reel off a whole lot of linear miles (if it was planned well, that is). Same riding hours would go 400 miles if the roads were "normal'. I can remember rides with MM, Lancer and I that we just flat beat the snot out ourselves (and several of them little cute forest critters, too). We may have done 400 miles on those days. Heck, Hwy 32 can beat the snot out of you, all by itself -- and that isn't 40 miles long. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/24/15 at 09:20:07 I am sure that MM can ride 400 miles on either of his bikes on roads that allow 60-70 mph speeds. I have ridden both bikes and he has windshields, cushy seats, and the bikes have no problem going 100 miles between fuel stops. Once at the ride area....the 400 mile days are few and far between. I have ridden some long days with MM and Oldfeller, and we only get 250 miles on the bikes in a day. Occasionally we may get on a 4 lane road on the way to something - but most of the riding is on the 1.5 or 2 lane backroads and speeds are generally moderate. As the group gets bigger, it becomes harder to stay together and the pace slows down a bit. And.....if we don't know where the heck we are going and how to get there......the stops to look at the map and program the GPS can cut down a bit on the riding progress as well! (I just bought a used Garmin Nuvi 500......maybe that will help!). |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/24/15 at 09:38:53 Dave is still cogitating on the idea, he hates them long long drives just to get to the riding part ..... And now he has quantified why we get such concentrated enjoyment out of the NC mountain runs --- more FUN per mile than anywhere else in the world. ........... ??? And he bought his Garmin so he won't have to gratefully kiss the pavement, ever again. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/24/15 at 10:03:36 66454D4F4C45454C5B290 wrote:
While I would not be opposed to long rides on the 4 lane between different ride areas.....I am not a fan of riding on the interstate once we reach the camp area. Riding a long way out means a long ride back! When we are at the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground....the rides on roads like 215 from the campground over to Brevard are what I really enjoy. Not much traffic, lots of curves and hills, good scenery. The Blue Ridge Parkway in that area is also very nice and not too crowded, and even going over to Route 28 to ride up to the Dragon is cool. Once we get to that area......riding on Interstate 40 just doesn't appeal to me much - too darn many semi's and campers going waaay too fast and concrete barriers walls keeping you really close together! When were are in the Deals Gap area - The Tail of the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway are great.....and when we can eventually find Wayah Road that is also fun. Happy Valley is a nice road - but it dumps us out in a town full of cars and traffic lights....and the route home is full of slow moving campers! It is good to be able to go to those two different areas...they both have their merits. And now we know the best BBQ places in Waynesville and Robbinsville! |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by youzguyz on 09/24/15 at 12:09:24 1112100B0C050F030C620 wrote:
I've been following the discussion about the Twisted Sisters run on this thread. Yes.. I like the idea of having as many as wants to come to actually make the trip. I'll do all I can to make it as much fun for everyone.. without getting in any-body's way of doing what they want. I can do recon before the trip if you want camping areas looked at. You want a ride leader? I can do that. And I don't need any maps or GPS. I know this area.. very well. If you have places/roads you would like to see? Let me know, and I'll get it on the route I'm taking. Otherwise, I just go where I want and you follow. You want to go faster than I am? Not a problem.. I know I am not the most skilled rider around. Go on ahead and stop if you come to a corner and wait for me.. and I'll point which way to go next. You just want a route that you can follow on a map or your GPS? I can do that, and point out places you may want to stop or eat. Or put together a route of your own, and I can look it over if you want.. make suggestions which you are welcome to use, or not. I do suggest you get a Hill Country Butler Map or GPS, especially if you want to explore on your own. Texas is... big.. and not as many roads per square mile as NC/TN. Take a look at two separate windows of Google maps at the same scale of the two areas. Very different. So.. come on down ya'll!! You will be welcome! 8-) http://https://www.bikepics.com/pics/2015/09/24/bikepics-2758518-full.jpg |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/24/15 at 13:27:11 Dave, how many times have you ever been threatened by dumping your bike into a bunch of cacti on a bad sweeper corner before? Where sand in the turns is expected not exceptional? Where you run over armadillo, scorpions and rattlesnakes rather than bunny rabbits, chipmonks and squirrels? When you wake up you check your shoes, not for moisture but for residents? ........ and if you don't feel like you're alone in your sleeping bag, then you be VERY sure to move very very very slowly when you getting out of it. ;) ....... maybe we are getting soft and lazy...... |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by verslagen1 on 09/24/15 at 13:45:29 The roads that the bearded one took us on were clean even though it rained the day before. Some roads were so clean they still had a few inches of water across them. :o All the critters were behind fences. 8-) And only the log sawing competition got outta hand. :-? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/24/15 at 15:30:38 It is obvious that you Westerners need some education on how to tell a proper mountain tale. Was the water deep enough to float a rowboat? if yes, then include. You did see a boat at some point in time, right? Was the water deep enough that you got splashed up to your knees? Did it discommode the local rattlesnakes and the scorpions? Details are important to a good yarn, ya know. So, you had a flooded section of road that got you wet up to the knees, and the scorpions were catching rides on the discommoded rattlesnakes that were swimming by you and one jumped off on Dave, but MM caught it and dressed it for supper. The rattlesnake, of course, not the scorpions. There isn't enough meat on a scorpion to mess with. Besides, Dave, --- he lost track of all them scorpions until he went in later on to take a shower. ::) ..... now everybody will want to go on the trip just to see how the story ends ..... |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by springman on 09/24/15 at 15:47:34 Well Oldfeller. We did have to ford a stream on our hill country ride. I think MM has some pictures of it. And if you saw the video of the guy riding his dirt bike in the ocean, well, not to make the guy feel bad, but our water ride was much more exciting. Heck, we had alligators to the left, cotton mouths on the right, couple of mountain lions behind us and a herd of buffalo in front of us. But heck, this is Texas, that's just an everyday ride in the hill country. Come on down, we'll get you some stories fro you grand children. ;D |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by springman on 09/24/15 at 15:49:44 So how did we make it across safely you ask. Well let me tell ya .... Dang it's late I gotta go. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 09/24/15 at 16:30:07 You mean this video? [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3Lcg0Ypops[/media] |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/24/15 at 19:31:18 Gosh, I've seem MM do much much worse than that just crossing the Bridge to No-Where ..... Legs flying up in the air, chaps flying up in the air, MM flying WAY up in the air, Dew Bombs flying WAY WAY up in the air ..... then exploding and spinning, spewing Dew everywhere when they landed on the pavement. That stream crossing was positively tame for MM. Got any flying stuff from when he went over the cattle grate and busted his shock? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/24/15 at 19:35:37 http://https://www.bikepics.com/pics/2015/09/24/bikepics-2758518-full.jpg Now listen up, you ignorant Easterner fellers, if you are going too fast and you have to ditch it, try to hit these fat chubby cacti rather than these long needle pointy cacti --- these long stiff pointy suckers will poke slam through your leg if you hit them at any speed at all --- plus their juice is slightly poisonous if it gets into your blood stream. People can die from this long pointy kind as you are easy a hundred miles from the nearest hospital where we are right now. Puncture a major artery or vein and you won't get there in time. Now the soft chubby kind just leave a bunch of painful needles stuck in you that a doctor has to remove pretty quick like before they get all infected. It'll hurt, but it won't kill you. It's good on road rash friction burns though, if you have some of those -- aloe you know. :) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 09/24/15 at 19:39:46 Well, the bottom of the stream was coated with slime.... but we did it anyway. I like all the rides we have done..... Now perhaps we could do some northern ones, or maybe someone is located down in key west! yeah! Beach cruisin' and watchin' bikini clad college girls playing volleyball.... Sorry... dozed off there a bit..... LOL :) I did however ride up in Colorado when I was stationed there oh so many years ago... was a great riding adventure. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/24/15 at 19:45:04 Well, did you know that the gulf coast is on the way to Texas if you go by the south route? We could come down and see you, then continue onwards on the great trek. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 09/24/15 at 20:06:31 I'm not adverse to that... I have a back yard for tents... and two side yards...not very big, but fenced in with a 6' privacy fence. :) I have a fold out couch in the living room and one spare bedroom at the moment (son is thinking of moving back here). |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/25/15 at 08:12:58 Time to talk dollars and opportunities. Dave hasn't bit yet, so I think he is likely not "really into" a long foray to Texas to go riding with the cactus guys. MM is up for it and Old_rider is up for it, but Oldie is in Florida so New Orleans would be the only logical join up spot if we each started from home base. That's like half way to Leaky Texas, so I think Oldie is going to be making his own trekking/hauling plans. MM and I could meet up in Atlanta or I could drive up to MM's place and stay a day and show him some new lead slinging guns like he's never seen before. Or we could just meet in Atlanta at a set place and load him up on the trailer. Cost vs Other Opportunities It is a 1,500 mile trip one way, or 3,000 miles in a car. Travel time is 22 hours one way or 42 hours spent in a car. 3,000 miles at 20 miles per gallon = 150 gallons of gas x $2.40 a gallon = $360 in gas OK, what with eating while driving and getting more rotten gas mileage because you are speeding, lets say it is $400 just in pure travel dollars. Actually, it would be closer to $450 because you get gouged for gas prices and for your food on the interstate all the time and when you speed when going uphill the gas goes quicker. For a lot less than $400 dollars I could give a "free" weekend at Big Dog or Blue Ridge. A lot less than $400. Actually, a smaller cabin free weekend at Simple Life would still fit inside my half share of a Texas trip (if split between 2 people). Dave, we have never been to your farm. You wanna give us a consolation destination and see if MM can get excited about a spring trip to come see you at your neck of the woods? He could just ride his bike that far and we could pitch a tent in your back 40 for accommodations. Can you shoot a gun on your farm without upsetting the neighbors, or are they too close in? WWYWT? (what would your wife think?) MM wants to go somewhere in the spring and he has done the Texas trip before after all. He might like a trip to go visit Dave perfectly well. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 09/25/15 at 08:22:33 So , ;D ---- To Summarize our April Ride ! We're going Rattle Snake, Scorpion , and Armadillo hunting in TX === By way of the Florida Panhandle -where OldFeller claims the extra bed and the rest of us Easterners camp in the private back yard ? Then meeting the North TX and Oklahoma Folks in North TX , for a spirited DRY Ride to South TX where we'll find some folks from the Far Western Parts at a Cabin/Campground place with a nice bath-house and grill. 8-) Sound Good to Me ! :) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/25/15 at 08:36:45 MM, Dave ain't interested in Texas, but mebbe he'll host us in his cow patty pasture instead. You have always said you wanted to explore up that way, so here's your chance. Dave's is like 5 hours away for both you and me. Cheap trip, so this means we can take Dave and company out to eat and do stuff like that for what we would spend in gas just to GET to Texas. Never met his wife, never seen his farm or his surroundings, ever, in my whole life. He is in day ride range of both Indiana and Ohio, states I have never touched, ever. ===================== I mean, really, I was born in Texas and made trips to see Granny about every 4-5 years growing up so I kinda know about Texas already. I remember the trip, too --- loonnng trip. ===================== Seriously, for the amount of gas money we'd spend just to get to Texas one way we could just rove and stay in cheapie hotels all over wherever the heck we went. Wherever that might be. Heck, we could even take Dave with us for the same price. 21 hours in a car just to get to Texas. 5 hours on your bike to go see Dave. Eat out nice places. Rove. 2 extra days to do it in (time not spent in a car). Better roads to ride. Cheaper, too. Heck, I might just ride my bike, since it is only 5-6 hours out and Hwy 15 looks like a sorta interesting way to get there. Curvey curley, Curvy curley weeeeee !!! That would up my travel to 8 hours with rest stops, but it would be worth it. Have Fun on the way up no less. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by springman on 09/25/15 at 09:16:08 Hey guys. I understand the cost factor. I guess I just look at it as wanting to explore. I know there is much more for me to see in the Hill Country and I want to see as much as possible. I know there is much more to see close to the Dragon, and I want to ride those roads also. But I also want to ride Arkansas, Colorado, Florida and even California. I can't do it all in one year but I can probably do at least one per year. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/25/15 at 09:50:27 Springman, You'd like one of our roving trips. We look at a map and plot out some Price Line cheapie hotels along the way (and I mean the $39 roach hotels) and we carry a change of clothes with us and that's about it. Endless adventure, no constraints about what we do before we light for the day. Since they are prepaid, we can light between 12:00 noon and midnight, no problems. I like shorter smaller trips better, anyway. You can do more of them. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 09/25/15 at 11:36:26 WEeellllll..... you could just ride it like I did..... spent like $35 bucks on a hotel on the way (met up with MMR and we split it). 8 tanks of gas at about $3.50 avg. per x 8= $36.00 (one way) so $71.00 to get there, (+food) x 2 = $142.00 round trip. Add the $75 for the four nights? $225.00 for the week (+food).... And a lot of fun and great rides! Of course only a few of us would bike it all the way :) and after this fall / winter I might be healing up.....yeah gotta take care of the growing back problem. :( I'm planning for one trip to texas and maybe one trip to NC/KY/TN next year. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/25/15 at 14:31:05 I would be happy to provide a base camp for riding in this area. We can shoot on the property, we can fish on the property (and eat catfish for supper as long as MM knows how to clean and cook them), and I have an outdoor shower for cleaning up in. I even have enough garage space you can pitch a tent in the garage! There are some really good rides around this area - and it might provide a way that some of the local guys could hook up with us.....the ones who can't get away to the TN/NC/TX area. It doesn't have to replace the Texas event......might/ could be an option for an early summer event once our spring rains are out of the way. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by springman on 09/25/15 at 16:08:03 Yep oldfeller, that roving trip sounds good. But I do have an idea of some of the places I want to ride. I think that the Arkansas ride could be like a four day ride for those in my general area. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by springman on 09/25/15 at 16:11:10 I am with you old rider. I did the bulk of my expenditures of the Sisters ride was for food. If I can get my bike to where I am comfortable (meaning my butt and back don't hurt after an hour), I am keen on doing a long ride. And riding the bike is a lot less expensive than hauling the bike. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by springman on 09/25/15 at 16:14:07 By the way, I would also love to see Dave's place. I get plenty of vacation time each year. It just becomes a matter of finances and timing. God willing I will have plenty of riding years in me and will get to see Dave's place and MM's also in the coming years. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/25/15 at 19:21:11 6B505D4A5B574C4A5159544B380 wrote:
OK, we Gots New Places to Ride and some well known good old places to ride. Dave has a farm with shooting & fishing and roads to ride. There are good roads to ride on the way up to Dave's Farm. Old_Rider has FLORIDA and a place to spot us. MM has a mountain farm with a valley to shoot across (350 yards, easy). MM has a fully equipped game room and barns and all sorts of stuff. We got the Dragon area proper, with The Big Dog waiting for us to get enough people to make it worth while. We got Blue Ridge, with Cabin #4 just waiting for us. We got Texas, for those who want to go that far to dodge armadillos and rattlesnakes and scorpions. Got some funny RED EYED Thumper-rabbits up there, mean toothy lookin' critters to say the least. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/26/15 at 08:26:01 I propose, that when the Texas Trip hits the pavement that all that want the endless skies of Texas to gather together and go do the drive. Those that remain behind may have to just go do a little bitty consolation explore ride into the Daniel Boone Federal Reserves or the West Virginia mountains or some such, if we can find some places that look interesting enough. Daniel Boone Reserve is close enough and small enough we could carefully plot a path to do every last curly in it in one full day if we plotted them out well enough. (I need to figure out how to detail such a map into my phone so it gives me directions and turn by turn and such. Google says it can do it now, but you have to learn to speak Google Maps) Such a consolation would be quietly arranged between Dave and I as it would be a low key local sort of thing so as to mute out the sharp agony of missing out on all that endless, open, endless, ... endlessness. We will sub in some close in local tree-covered simple small curly roads instead, just to take our minds away from all that HUGE open sky and calm ourselves thusly. Might have to shoot a gun, too. That always calms me as shooting is measured in partial inches and mere hundreds of yards of distance and really isn't nearly as huge as the wide, open skies of Texas. :) ....... or if we are still really really distressed about it, some sedate fishing accompanied judicious doses of wine coolers may be required to calm us out completely ...... You know, a catfish of some size is best filleted into two slabs of meat and is then fried and eaten skin side down (leaving the skin on the plate if you manage to do it right). Of course a 3 pound catfish on an ultra lite rod might get kinda exciting at times, too. After all, beyond that size they really do belong in Texas as they are too too big for Kentucky. :D |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/26/15 at 15:47:56 Did I mention there is a 20 pound catfish in my pond? :-? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/26/15 at 16:07:58 My luck I'll hook him and get up up close enough for him to knock me over with his tail and fin me good once or twice with his dorsal spines. Then he will swim away jest a laughing at me ...... hauling my rod and reel with him. ..... until I reach down with my bloody hand and pick up my Steyr M95 and pop him in his big old finny barbelled headbone. No fish laughs at me and gets away with it. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old.indian on 09/26/15 at 16:50:14 0B2820222128282136440 wrote:
OldPoop, er OldFeller will fit right in with the Tx-- chicken rustlers, in North Carolina they go fishing with shot guns too. (Or in his case a hand held cannon...) ::) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/26/15 at 17:34:08 http://www.guns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/steyr_95-34_note_the_small_size_even_in_relation_to_a_female_shooter_photo_by_oleg_volk.jpg Now now, a M95 Steyr is a 100 year old dainty little straight pull fishing rifle suitable for use by little dainty women to defend themselves against marauding 20 pound catfish, prissy french poodles and other semi-dangerous game. Mine throws a dainty .333" diameter 1.2" long 260 grain slug that somewhat exceeds the ballistics of a 45-70, 'cept mine is currently loaded down a goodly mite in consideration of my aging shoulder bones vs that solid steel butt-plate. It is one of the guns we will be a shooting while the rest of the Texas crew is out looking for their armadillos and rattlesnakes and scorpions and long spiny cactus spines. Make no mistake, that is one tough little Austrian broad and whomever made her mad is surely going to regret it ...... soon, too. :P The gun was designed for Austria/Hungarian horse soldiers with the gun being able to be repeat actuated 5 times held with left hand while the reins hand (right hand) worked the straight pull action. Calvary actually practiced doing this while galloping along at a full gallop. Pull ... Push ... <BANG> Pull ... Push ... <BANG> Pull ... Push ... <BANG> Pull ... Push ... <BANG> Pull ... Push ... <BANG> Pull, action stays open, slam in new clip .. Push <BANG> ... Pull ... Push ... <BANG> Pull ... Push ... <BANG> Pull ... Push ... <BANG> Pull ... Push ... <BANG> (repeat as needed) The clips are Mannlicher style stripper clips of 5 rounds which are easily loaded from the top when the bolt was left automatically left open when the clip ejects out the bottom, a loading activity you also had to practice doing at a full gallop. A new clip frees the bolt automatically so it can be pushed closed when the new clip is rammed home in the action. Power-wise, the requirements for the round was to be able to take down a horse with a single body shot. The gun can be pointed and fired single handed, with the wrist being somewhat at risk from recoil forces and not a good idea to do unless your life depended on it. Recoil from Nazi era mil-surp ammo was cheerfully noted as "Brutal" in all modern references, but that was with wimpy Nazi 205 grain pointed spitzer bullets. Mine are considerably heavier. [smiley=engel017.gif] But as MM knows, I always load down into the more dainty range of things ..... |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/26/15 at 18:50:46 http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_20150926_212920743.jpg Here is a loaded clip of 5 rounds, 3 Nazi mil-surp and two handloads with custom fitted lead slugs. http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_20150926_213310260.jpg Side view of the dainty little things with a 7mm-08 cartridge included in the group to give some diameter and length reference. The one on the end is the infamous BoxCar and the one in the middle is the Oldfeller M95 Styer as has been done and redone as custom bullet mold runs by several different custom mold makers. They are reversed in the clip held picture above, so don't let it confuse you any. Big flat tip "hits like a box car" and mushrooms big so now you know where it got its name from. Penetration is shorter though as the big mushroom cuts down on penetration as well as reducing fps over the yards more than the other tip does. The skinny tip one isn't a slouch either, it has killed American Buffalo, Elk and other relatively large non-dangerous game in its lesser 8mm .326" somewhat skinnier slimmer & lighter variant. Penetration was good on the buff, they found the expanded slug pooching the skin out on the far side. The 8mm bullet is still in production today and is currently sold by Midwest Shooters Supply. http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/000068MMMAX/8mm-Maximum-225-Grain-Double-Cavity-Reproduction-Mold-by-LEE-RELOADING-PRODUCTS Imitation is, after all, the sincerest form of flattery ....... ;) and please, always remember Lee Precision molds aren't generally speaking very good at holding the dimensions on custom mold drawings over the course of an entire mold run very well and you are stuck with whatever junk Midsouth gets from Lee due to tooling chipping or tooling wearing from hitting inclusions of aluminium oxide in the metal -- and in the end Midsouth still ships it to you and you are stuck with it. Has happened before, too many times now. Sorry, but you were warned up front about the LEE custom mold size variations. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old.indian on 09/26/15 at 19:50:55 As I noted.. There ain't no wheels on the little critter, therefore it qualifies as a "hand held cannon"... :) One of these days I should figure out why some of these kids, (20 years younger than I am), JOG and OldPoop for example, call themselves "old" and moan and groan about their aches and (probably imaginary) pains. I should probably change my handle to ancient. Indian..... Darn little whippersnappers...... >:( |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/26/15 at 20:20:32 Oh, I think that the Steyr's solid (case hardened) steel butt plate and my full Box Car loads would convince even you to load it down it some. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 09/26/15 at 21:55:54 OK back to business guys ... ::) So now were going to Texas in April ? , then Kentuck in April then --- , Arkansas (Iron Mountain) in April , then do the Blue-Ridge in ? May ? :-? Well , I'm glad that Hay season don't start till June ! ;) Kinda looking forward to CatFish cooked on a big flat limestone rock . :) We could include Daytona bike week in March --- just saying ! ;D By Spring I'll be chompping at the bit to go somewhere . 8-) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by verslagen1 on 09/26/15 at 22:10:43 June is a great time to be in California. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/27/15 at 07:43:23 MM is like a boy in a candy shop, "I want that, and that and that and one of those, too" Dave will tell us when Spring has sprung up in his neck of the woods. Three miles from Ohio, I think I might touch me a new state. :D I'm waiting to see MM try to be in three places at once. http://s.hswstatic.com/gif/big-catfish-2.jpg Dave, what do you guys use for catfish bait? You know that 20 pound catfish has been eating bream and all sorts of other available things as his natural food. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/27/15 at 08:24:00 Our Catfish get a regular diet of Floating Fish Food, kitchen scraps, and an occasional mole from the yard! http://i60.tinypic.com/dy6lp1.jpg http://i57.tinypic.com/2ykkimr.jpg |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/27/15 at 09:16:19 Wow, I have always wanted to go fishing in a catfish farm. Just stick a piece of floating fish food on each barb of a treble hook and then aim to snag you a big one. Or, for the heck of it throw a spinner bait out with stinky pork rinds hanging from the hooks just to see if it makes it back in without picking up a fast tender youngster. Can you feed them from your fingers? (let them suck your fingers in then grab them by the gills, that is). This might be a case for a Oldfeller Steyr sub-sonic at feeding time --- just shoot them using the red dot scope as they swim by. Then treble hook them to bring them in to shore ...... Wait, I bet you got a rowboat, too, don't you? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by verslagen1 on 09/27/15 at 10:05:35 Ya got one of them bow staves carved up yet? get yerself a fishin' arrow. http://https://sp.yimg.com/xj/th?id=JN.YMQJuYRSDrcP2lQ%2f4FZZSw&pid=15.1&P=0&w=300&h=300 |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/27/15 at 10:49:27 M-80 fishing for bream and bass. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_An7Dj1w_gU Of course I would never do this, personally, especially since M80s went unavailable in North and South Carolina like 40 years ago ..... :-? ...... wonder where the boys got theirs ...... |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 09/27/15 at 20:51:22 Wow Dave ! :o That almost looks like one of those Deer Farms where they call the Deer up and you pick the one you want . ;D Is it really going to fair to collect a couple of them ? :P and Yea , I hope to have a busy ridding season next year. 8-) wait : This year ain't gone yet ! about last of Oct. rains come to my area . |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/28/15 at 03:24:59 Yep....it is OK to take a catfish as long as they are eaten. I have been feeding them for years - so I guess this counts as my "livestock" on the farm. (Same rational applies to the Turkeys that keep eating my grass seed). I went for a ride yesterday after church.....I expected to be gone for just a bit - the ride turned out so nice I was gone for about 3 hours and 115 miles. This really is nice riding weather up here right now.....it isn't 90 degrees in the middle of the day anymore! When I got home I was cutting brush, and although I was working hard I barely broke a sweat. There really are some very nice roads around here. In KY the roads tend to be curvy and follow the ridge tops or creek valleys. The same holds true for the parts of Indiana and Ohio that are along the hilly areas draining down to the Ohio River....once you get to the flat plateau areas the roads tend to be straighter and a bit less exciting. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 09/28/15 at 18:54:08 actually I'm more interested in the Roads but we have to eat sometime , :) should I bring my own Flat Rock or do ya'll have an over abundance ? Say Dave Don't ya'll have some big get-to-gather in your area in the late spring ? :-? That could be a day ride maybe . |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/29/15 at 07:17:45 So, MM is interested now .... he wants to flat rock some catfish Indian-style. I want to catch me a multi-pound catfish on an ultra-lite bream rig that I have. (hee hee, that'll be fun on the can-I-actually-do-it sort of fun) Now to fire up MM's gun lust a bit, I have two of those dainty little Steyr rifles, one red dotted and one scoped. And two sets of bullets to figure out which is more accurate (in which gun). The red dot Steyr is my running rabbit gun. Rabbits are stupid and if no one is chasing them they run away by bits and spurts --- for a little while, anyway. So yeah, we can do a short extended weekend trip to see Dave, actually we could do that just about any time he wants to have us. (weather and football games permitting) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by springman on 09/29/15 at 15:12:41 Dave, you have pms. OK, that does not sound good. You have pm's. That's still not quite right. Hey, you have personal messages. Ok, that's better. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/29/15 at 16:18:56 6063617A7D747E727D130 wrote:
I don't see any new PM? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/29/15 at 16:46:13 Oooooooo ...... Secret question of the day "Are there enough catfish so I can I come too?" |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 09/30/15 at 03:34:31 No...it is a secret covert plan to replace your poly fill air cleaner element - with one using Uni-Filter foam! ;) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/30/15 at 06:39:50 That's not a secret, folks have already done it. Uni-Filter foam is good stuff, but requires removal and washing in solvent every year, which makes it a little bit of a pain in the butt. It isn't very thick either, 1/2" is the thickest it comes in. Plus it tends to be a wee bit more expensive (like 3 times more) than the Poly-fill material. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 09/30/15 at 06:58:41 All this for an Air-Filter ? :-? So I'll bring my collapsible ultra-light fishing rig ! :) and a flat rock or pan . ;) , a tent , cot , sleeping bag , and good brake pads ! :) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 09/30/15 at 07:13:06 No, Dave's got a secret --- he's gonna keep it too, which is good on Dave. I can't go anywhere until it gets well into leaf season as I am tied down with 3 weekends upcoming of events and football games. So I am just taking little trips locally to keep my wrist in shape. We shall see what the boys plan out for organization of the candy store of new ride events that are out there now. :D Yeah baby, even a 6 pound catfish on ultra-light would be an astronomical fight --- might bust the rod. If Dave's pond has a smooth bottom, he'd have to geek eventually. But if there is any tree stumps, etc a canny catfish would wrap the line and bust it. ;D |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 09/30/15 at 14:37:43 My grandpa (adopted) taught me how to catch several fish at a time! 1/4 stick or even a M80 (which used to be 1/8 stick), wax the wick, light that puppy and lob it into the pond.... :o :o of course you might not get anymore fish for about 2 years if its a small pond ::) :P but you can eat good for a week or two ;D |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 10/01/15 at 06:23:45 75767E68737E7F681A0 wrote:
And if the pond is small enough......there won't be any water left in the pond either! :o |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 10/01/15 at 06:58:23 M80 fishing is apparently PC unsavory and somewhat wasteful fishing -- I think MM and I will have more fun with the ultra-lites. In truth, one 10 plus pounder could be filleted and feed the lot of us for one meal. And, I think Dave likely feeds some deer and a few dozen rabbits, too ..... .... but we will leave those alone beyond scoping them and saying "Bang" as his wife thinks of them as pets and would NEVER understand us popping one for an impromptu caveman barbecue. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 10/01/15 at 07:04:36 76555D5F5C55555C4B390 wrote:
She could care less about the Turkeys - but they only come around when I am busy with other stuff, and go into hiding when it is legal to shoot them. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 10/04/15 at 21:33:27 ::) Bone-less Skin-less Ready-to-Cook Chicken Breast out of the freezer section of Wal-Mart are a lot easier to clean-up for Cooking ! ;) But skinning out a couple of Cat-Fish ain't too hard to do . 8-) Still waiting on the long range weather book . :P |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 10/07/15 at 18:25:40 Last Friday night the weather was miserable, we went to the Woolfest and it was rainy and cold, Saturday was the same, and on Sunday the weather warmed up and it has been great every since. This week has been perfect riding weather! You can't always get this good weather predictably, and we have had some snow flakes this time of year----shame you guys aren't up here to ride this week! |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 10/07/15 at 19:03:41 Hmmm... Woolfest... and you did not partake? even though it was chilly?.... sounds like the right fest for the weather:) I suggest... shearing sheep! just the right thing for the job! :P ::) 8-) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 10/08/15 at 02:55:31 Baaaahh ..... Baaaahh ..... BAAAAAAAA !!!! BAAAAAAAA !!!! So, no more sick jokes about slipping your cold feet into a nice warm set of Wool-fest socks, huh? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 10/08/15 at 02:58:51 Baaaahh ..... Baaaahh ..... BAAAAAAAA !!!! BAAAAAAAA !!!! So, no more sick jokes about slipping your cold feet into a nice warm set of Wool-fest socks, huh? [smiley=engel017.gif] Winter approaches, and thoughts have to turn away from cycling to shooting stuff. I just laid in a 30 round pressure series on 160 grain bullets out of my 7mm-08 as we have some RL19 powder and some 160 grain high BC bullets and a NEW cubic boron nitride coating system that claims to be able to do what no man has ever done before using the .308 case size. 2,800 + fps second out of a 22" tube with a 160 grain slug jest sounds a jest a leetle too good to be true. As does being able to march on past book max on RL 19 because the super slick bullet coating blunts the top of the pressure curve and ups the exit speed even out of a moderate length barrel. I suspect these thingies might kick a mite, too. Make an elk gun out of my little 7mm-08, right. MM thinks I load too hot already, but he's wrong, the fired primers he sees that look all funny are due to using a chamfer tool to remove military primer crimps -- gives a angle mouth to the primer pocket that the primer must then conform to full up the empty space, so they all look flattened, even at normal load ranges. Since there are burrs involved in this chamfering process, some fired primers do leak a little gas. But remember, .308 machine gun brass is designed to operate in HOT AS HELL machine guns (raises pressure a lot) and the case does not expand at the web more than .0005" on any of my rounds, which is how I judge the load pressure is getting "too hot". ;) I also priced some 104mm used Ebay pistons out of a Subaru Forester at $35 each, but have decided to let that go on by again this winter as my bike runs good now except for the little oil weepie thingie. Heck, if I leave it alone it may outlast me. ;D |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 10/08/15 at 03:02:35 We went to Woolfest! Bad weather never keeps anybody away form Woolfest....sometimes they have to pull the cars out of the muddy parking lot with tractors - but that doesn't stop anybody from going. It is the social event of the year in that county. Evidently the area was a huge wool producer 100 years ago, and they still have a celebration. We wore rain gear, boots and took an umbrella, and had a great time as usual. We bought home made Ketchup, a broom from a man who makes them while you wait, a coffee cup to give to my sister that says "I smile because you are my sister......I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!". My wife went back with a friend on Sunday (I went for a motorcycle ride). |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 10/08/15 at 12:04:06 Well, I guess i'll talk about riding my motorcycle all year long, so you guys will know what it is like and won't miss it so bad.... wait.... you probably will miss it more... Ok, i'll ride and gripe about how cold it is riding.... um, well, that probably won't happen until about January.... but i'll do it! :) :D ;) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 10/08/15 at 23:12:18 We should all meet at OldRiders in Jan. for a nice Cool Ride ! [ch128522] |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 10/14/15 at 07:59:14 You are talking still, until somebody posts trip dates and a firm location and a commit listing you are jest chatting on the subject. We got lots of potential trips, but somebody has to take it to the next step and do the research on the camp locations or whatever. The group can tent, but actually seems to prefer a cheap cabin if it can be had. Next, an exploratory trip need never to plan to have more than 3 people as more than that is "circumstances at the last minute" coming in to play. You can get a small trip together much easier than a larger trip. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 10/14/15 at 22:24:09 well :P if OldFeller is willing to ride to Florida in Jan. ... ::) ... Then I will too ! 8-) Old Rider , recon you could find us a cheep cabin ? since there ain't no curves in Florida --- where is there to ride to ? Or Should we just wait till March and go to Bike-Week so we can get out on the race track and "Demo" some new bikes ? ;) I'll bet there are some curves on the track that we could take at full throttle ! ;D anybody ever "Demo'ed" during Bike Week ? :-? |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 10/15/15 at 20:39:35 LOL! a cabin? I'm not sure they have such things here. :) I did rent a pop-up camper for my folks about, um, 30 years ago, from Eglin AFB MWR (recreation rentals). More like an RV spot, there are tons of those around. I'll look and see what is available here in the area. Gulf breeze (20 minutes away) has a National campground right on the Gulf, you should be right near the wave action on the beach! If you would like, we could actually rent a pontoon boat from Hurlburt AFB... (I would take the captains class) and do some trolling up and down the sound.... and hope the water isn't choppy... LOL :) Eglin does have a campground and I could more than likely get you a spot in January because NO ONE IS CRAZY ENOUGH TO CAMP THEN :o ;D LOL, and I would have to get you a pass to get on base, but it shouldn't be a problem if you aren't a felon or something :) But seriously, if you guys want to hit this area up, I have a fold out queen couch in the living room and a queen bed in the 3rd bedroom (warmer inside). The beach is near, 10-20 minutes, depends on which direction. The only good ride is about 20 minutes long, riding along the Navarre beach road to Pensacola Beach, it takes you right along the Gulf of Mexico and you can see it from the road, view this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxNZxxCnrXw . We could head out to Destin Florida (tourist trap) along highway 98 over Okaloosa Island (more beaches) and out to Grayton Beach, or Blue Mountain Beach (no mountains, just beach) which are also tourist traps. (high dollar eatin' and souveniers). There is a biker bar on a bayou up near Freeport https://www.facebook.com/michael.mcginnis.182?fref=ts Do some looking on the net for the "Emerald Coast", Fort Walton Beach, Navarre or Destin, Florida... if you see something that interests you, let me know :) It does get down into the 30's here in Jan and Feb, but the days sometimes get up into the mid 60's... (that's during a cold snap). Average temps are usually in the 40's at night and mid to upper 60's during the day though. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 10/16/15 at 07:55:19 You are getting closer to planning something. You got a spot and you are looking at Bike Week as a proposed time with something to do. Bike Week next year is March 4–13, 2016 which is also the start of better weather. Bike week is sorta crazy crowded, isn't it? It does have lots and lots of things for activities but you are likely going to be in line with a bunch of Hurleys to get there. Hurleys rule on them straight Florida roads -- I'd think I'd take a pass on that one and wait to eat my well separated Hurley bacon up in the mountains. Hurley guys in a group tend to beat the shite out of you for the least flimsiest excuse, you know ..... ::) .... Hey, I dunno why he fell over, go ask him. Heck no, I didn't kick his fender as I went by, he musta hit a pot hole or drug his floorboards ....... besides, I was already down the road when he went over. MM could ride his Harley and fit right in. This leaves a bed open for somebody else if you are going to Daytona Beach Bike Week. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 10/18/15 at 05:04:07 Well, Daytona is a bit of a ride from here.... I'm in west florida... although we do have a kinda bike weekend in Panama City Beach called "Thunder Beach", there are two a year. The next one is Oct 21st-25th and the spring one is Apr 27th-May1st. http://thunderbeachproductions.com/rally-info/events/603-thunder-beachr-autumn-2015-date-change.html There are "events", but I've never gone to any of them, there are several different "Avenues" or meeting area's were vendors ply their trades and bands play music, there was one that had a stunt show last year, and a motorcycle high-wire act (kinda cheesy though, I never did like circus acts). It is an interesting thing to do to see all genre of motorcycles, and a plethora of Harley types.... but I have fun just walking around and looking at stuff, its a great way to waste a day. If you guys are headed to Daytona, I've never been....might prove to be interesting, but does sound like the one we have here....lotsa noise and crowds :) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 10/18/15 at 07:25:27 Your right OldRider , "Great way to waist a day" . It was good to walk around and see all the vendor set-ups last year. I must have read 2000 helmet stickers ! some of them from walks of life I've never thought of before ! :-/ also Last year the weather turned chillier as the week wore on :P I bought a insulated pair of nylon bib-overalls to ride home in , and a jacket to match. ;) April might be a better time to ride North Florida. some brochure I had said something about test ride at the race track but I didn't check it out (happy with both my bikes) , but after thinking about it ... perhaps I should have ? I'm still happy with my bikes but ??? ::) I walked into the Kawasaki shop the other day and sat on their new 650 twin --- it felt good :D . but it was CHAIN DRIVE :( . After being "Grounded" all winter , a spring ride is defiantly in Order ! Texas , then Florida , then ... yeeeea - haaaaw till cold weather sets in again ! No HELMET LAW in Florida ! :) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 10/19/15 at 07:18:17 New Runs listing Thunder Beach Run, Apr 27th-May1st Location of run is Panama Beach / St. Augustine http://thunderbeachproductions.com/rally-info/events/603-thunder-beachr-autumn-2015-date-change.html Old_Rider can bed host two people and he has MM and Oldfeller as his first takers. Got room lots of tent space in his yard though. ======================================== Twisted Sister Run, Texas Hill Country Mid to Late April (final dates not determined yet) Sign up and discussion thread is http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1438888894/72#72 |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 10/19/15 at 07:37:29 Now we got to spot us a date to go see Dave's Farm and ultra lite some 20 pound catfish and shoot a gun some. I will also encourage the Twisted Ones to put a date to their event so it can join this listng of rides. Dave, what is cooking for known events around the Cincinatti area in the late spring early summer (as are seen in your area weather-temperature wise)? Note: If we fill up on these new runs in the late spring early summer we may drop the spring run to the NC mountains as Dave and I still have to schedule vacation as we are still working. We would likely want to do a fall run anyway, probably a Big Dog run, but maybe not as Blue Ridge has some very good roads around it too. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 10/19/15 at 07:56:41 Dave, please drop us a sticky for NEW RUNS LISTING -- 2016 and I will populate it in proper date order with each new run with a link to each set of folks discussion threads. This way folks can oggle the wonderful selection of things to do that are Worth Doing and go join the ones they are interested in. You may want to put the already done runs back in the general Cafe section, they will drop off the front page but will always be able to be searched for. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by MMRanch on 10/19/15 at 23:40:26 Long as I'm home for Hay Season (last of May-middle of June) I can work around the rest of the chores ! ::) I might finally get that Michelin Commander II broke in ! ;D 13,000 miles and going good . |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Dave on 10/20/15 at 04:34:10 OK....I will open a "sticky" for the 2016 ride suggestions/schedule. I am not sure of any local events worthy of scheduling a riding weekend around.....or when the weather is proper. May can be nice - but is really iffy....our Appalachian Festival was always the 2nd full weekend in May (Mother's Day), and it could be 80 and sunny or 40 degrees and rainy, and most years is was rainy that weekend. June and July this year were the wettest in 140 years and the contractors got nothing done outside.......and I got very little riding done in those months. Most likely August/September are the most reliable for weather. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 10/20/15 at 05:57:08 OK, mid-August for Dave's Scoot & Shoot & Catfish Wars --- we can refine later. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by old_rider on 10/20/15 at 06:40:33 Looks like rain here this coming weekend.... so the Thunder Beach Run will be a little wet.... Got to keep an eye out on the weather for these events.... I did a dragon run a couple years back with a bud, rained the whole weekend, we rode the dragon once even though it was sprinkling. We spent most of the weekend in the Microtel lobby and dining area just talking to other bikers.... was ok, but kinda a waste of dough. |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 10/20/15 at 08:21:10 As we approach each one (that I am going on, anyway) I always post a monthly weather thingie. It isn't accurate for much until you get inside the actual week before, but it does plot the major weather patterns going through which is what we want anyway. I know we said we'd use the farmers almanac for next year's events but this is available now to answer my question about Cincinnati weather general patterns. http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/cincinnati/ohio/united-states/usoh0188 85 for a high, 64 for a low -- can it get any better than that? :) |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by verslagen1 on 10/20/15 at 10:08:11 Accuweather will predict the following month... http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/kerrville-tx/78028/november-weather/335918?monyr=11/1/2015 |
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Title: Re: Dragon Run #2, Late Summer 2015 Post by Oldfeller on 10/20/15 at 10:15:54 Yeah, we use it 2 months out and it drifts day by day and is sort inaccurate until you get two weeks out then it stops drifting and becomes more accurate. I think they use a long range algorithm until 2 weeks out then use a much better short term algorithm. Since Blue Ridge allows you to cancel 2 weeks out, it is good enough for that duty. Big Dog locks you in at one month out, which still has you out in the fuzzies. I like Dave and Old-Riders cancellation policy the best. ;D ;D ;D |
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