May 28 - June 11, 2011
June 3-5 RHR (Right Half Roundup) Yearly gathering somewhere ‘right’ of the Mississippi. This year is at Cumberland Falls, KY. Also stops in West Virginia to visit the cemetery where my Dad and Grandparents are buried and explore the area for a few days, and also visit family and friends in Cincinnati.

Friday 27 May - 7PM - Doing a little laundry and housekeeping. Pretty much set. Drop Dusty off at BB&B in the morning. He’s like the Norm from Cheers there. Everybody knows his name… I’ll miss him for sure. He keeps me almost sane After that I’ll be ready to roll. Had to do some last minute re-mapping, my original path across the Mississippi may be closed due to to flooding. The route from here to WV is almost all secondary roads. Most I have not been on. My only real schedule is to be in KY on Friday, which leaves plenty of time for whatever I feel like doing…

Saturday 28 May
ODO:  82,080
Miles Traveled: 490
After weeks of bad weather in the direction I’m going all looks good now, I hope it stays that way - not just for me, but for all those that have had to deal with it.
Nice day, not really great progress but that’s the way it is taking all back roads. Some nice roads here and there, traffic not bad for a Holiday weekend. Made it to Hot Springs Village. A little north of Hot Springs. decent hotel, hoped for something cheaper but I was tired.

Sunday 29 May
Miles Traveled: 403
A really nice day. Even less miles today, but oh my - they were great miles. Nice twisties for breakfast on Scenic 7, I’d done northern parts of this awesome road but not this southern part. Great way to start the day.

From May-June 2011

Pretty much nothing but twisty roads or nice sweepers all day long. The butt was telling me to stop early today, and I obeyed. Stopped about 4pm at Pear Tree Inn (Drury), Sikeston, Missouri. Enjoying the the last of the free evening beers (3) even if it is Bud Light. Soon I’ll hit the hot tub/pool. Decent place, thanks for the tip moped dude. One last check for road closures around the Mississippi, looks like I have to take Interstate (100 mile detour) as the secondary roads in the area that cross the great river are still closed.

Monday 30 May
Miles Traveled: 545
Happy Memorial Day/Decoration Day.
Hoped to make WV and visit cemetery but it won’t happen today. I’ll be there tomorrow…

Long day. Took breakfast from the hotel to go, and hit the road before 7AM - Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio (oops wrong turn), back to Kentucky, West Virginia. Staying the night in Huntington, WV. Mississippi River - what a mess. Traveling I-57 the river started about 1/2 mile before the actual banks, on the Illinois side it was even worse, it seemed to go on for about two miles. Even after that, water everywhere. Parts of the interstate seemed like a causeway with water on both sides, up to about 10 ft from the road. Nice scenery in KY all day, but only a few miles of really fun roads. I’ve been this way a few times, but my oh my - Lexington is such a beautiful area.

Breakfast stop, a little park in Vienna, IL

From May-June 2011

Tuesday 31 May
Miles Traveled: 175
Lazy day. Slept in a little, and took my time leaving the hotel. Took a combination of back roads and highways to get to Sutton. Even the interstate here is scenic and curvy. Checked in for a few days at the very old-school Elk Motor Court. This place was old when I went to high school here in the 70’s. $35 (taxes included) per night! It’s every bit as clean as places where I’ve been paying 2-3 times more. Did not do much once I got here - rode a round a little, picked up some bananas, yogurt and beer for the fridge (three basic food groups, right?) Washed the bike, not so much because it was dirty, that never bothers me - but a couple of beers leaked in the saddle bag which was burning on the exhaust, and stunk. I’ll have to have a word with the boys at Southern Star - you’d think cans would travel better than bottles… Real Ale and St. Arnold Bottles are intact (needed for the upcoming Rat Bastard Craft Beer Exchange). It’s amazing how little things have changed here. Scary almost, like a time machine. Only change is around Flatwoods as it’s an easy off/on exit from I-79, so all the usual gas stations and fast food joints have popped up.

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

Wednesday 1 June
Miles Traveled: 195
Wow, what a fantastic ride. Days like this are what us riders live for.
It was scenic, curvy, great weather, little traffic. I headed south to Little Birch first, looks they bricked Grandma and Grandpa’s old house, it looked nice. I more or less planned this as I went along, and it worked perfectly. Most of the roads followed some river or stream, making for great views. Part of the ride was along the ridge top in the Monongahela National Forest. I stopped for hike to view a couple of waterfalls. It was very scenic and tranquil, only about ¾ of mile each way, and getting there was mostly downhill, which meant the return was… a workout. I could go on, but it would only be more words, it was more of an experience. Here are some photos, but they only capture the image, not the feeling. Just an awesome day, start to finish.

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

Thursday 2 June
Miles Traveled:180
Another Great Day - Even twistier roads, but more populated. Lots of 10-15 MPH hairpin turns. Love it. It’s been great riding here, but in the morning - off to the Right Half Roundup!

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

Friday 3 June
Miles Traveled: 400
WV to Eagle Falls Lodge - Made it. Nice place, close to the Cumberland Falls. Great times seeing everyone and hanging out with my ACE friends again.

From May-June 2011

This year’s t-shirt:

A first for one of our get-togethers: A wedding. Mike and Deb (pictured above) divorced after about 15 years of marriage, but came together to last year’s RHR, saying they were trying to make it work again. This year, they are getting (re)married, tomorrow at the falls. Awesome. Dinner at a damn good Italian place in town, about 20 miles away, then back to the hotel and hang out till the wee hours…

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

From Drop Box

Saturday 4 June
Miles Traveled: 54
Skipped the group ride (tummy ache) but went for a little spin thru this curves around this area. Bought some strawberries from a kid on the side of the road. I have never, ever had such sweet juicy strawberries in my life. Had enough to share. 1:30 was the time for the wedding, so we all headed down to the falls. Very cool with the falls as a backdrop. Dinner at the Cumberland Falls Lodge, and then back to do what we do best - sit around and and drink and catch up and tell lies. LOL. Great times.

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

Sunday 5 June
Miles Traveled: 295
After breakfast at the hotel, said goodbyes as everyone pulled out went back home in all directions. Another year is in the books. Next year - Asheville, NC….
My planned ride for the day - off to Tennessee to the “Devil’s Triangle” - unholy mother of satan, what a road!!!!  (Rt 116) 200 degree switchbacks, uphill was just evil. Even for me. Had ride it three times to be sure though…
Warning from a website about this road:
BULLETIN: The Devils Triangle is not a place for the squeamish or beginning rider. There are sections with difficult steep switchbacks, poorly patched asphalt, heaves in the roadway, broken pavement, gravel in road, steep drop offs, and coal/logging trucks to dodge. Other that that it is a great road. RIDE WITH EXTREME CARE …..
In other words, it was awesome.

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

Monday 6 June
Miles Traveled: about 200
Off to Cincinnati in the morning! Took my time leaving, just chillin’ and moving slow. Noticed tires were getting pretty worn, feared they might not make it through the entire trip but they had too much rubber to change them before leaving. Contacted Western Hills Honda, and they will give the baby some new shoes. Arrived around 3PM, visited with Dad for a bit before Sue arrived, and we headed over to Cathie and Tom’s (after dropping off the bike). Large crowd came over for a great dinner. It was so great to see everyone again.

Tuesday 7 June
Miles Traveled: 10?
Picked up the bike, new front brake pads in addition to the tires. Lunch at Skyline IMAX movie with Nancy, Elizabeth and Nolan at the old train depot, Union Station - now houses museums, great to see this great building re-purposed. Nice Dinner at a golf course country club, overlooking the 18th hole. Another great day in Cincy.

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

Wednesday 8 June
Miles Traveled: about 30
Goodbyes to Cathie and Tom. Visit with Claude and Margaret (great great grandson and great granddaughter of Sam Houston). Nice seeing them again, I got to hold Sam Houston’s walking stick. Then, on over to the east side to visit with friends Venita & Jay. Got to see and talk to Christa (via Skype) in Germany. Craig arrived that evening, from college, Wright State. Craig plays on the baseball team, and the team just returned from playing in College Station, TX. I wish they’d have beat the damn Aggies, but A&M won… My daughters Nicole and Kim were able to meet up with them while in TX, too cool.

From May-June 2011

Thursday 9 June
Miles Traveled: 651
Heartland to the Ozarks. Stopped for the night in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Long ride, Interstate from Cincy to around Evansville, IN, then back to the back roads. Lots of corn LOL. Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. The roads hugging the MO border, just north of Arkansas were very scenic and hilly like a roller coaster ride. Hated to be riding late in the evening (deer) but made it to the hotel without seeing any. Checked in at the Comfort Inn, cranked down the AC, walked to a (way too loud) Sports bar for a couple Shiners and a Gyro and watched the Mavs kick butt. Rare time I’m rooting for a Dallas team

Friday 10 June
Miles Traveled: 632
Headed west to pick up Hwy 23, the Pig Trail - then southward to home. I did not realize a small town along the way was hit hard by a tornado, the same time that Joplin was hit. Very sad, seeing the devastation around Etna. Many folks appeared to be living in tents and campers, while cleaning up and rebuilding. Stuck behind a truck transporting turkeys (but not for long LOL) See photo below. Riding the last few hundred miles in Texas was brutal. Hot, I was tired, and ready get off this $@#%^! bike. Stopped about every hour, just to walk around a get water. Must have drank a gallon. Last stop was at a rest area near Huntsville, nicest rest stop anywhere. Inside, a photo with Sam Houston and his walking stick… three days ago, it was in MY hand.

From May-June 2011

From May-June 2011

8:30PM - Home. Great trip. Great times. Sore ASS. Aching shoulders and neck. (but as I tweak these notes Saturday afternoon, I feel surprisingly good)

Highlights Revisited: Spending time with family and Friends in Cincinnati. Spending time with my RHR/Rat Bastard buddies again. The Wedding. West Virginia riding - best day ever. The Devil’s Triangle, evil in a great way. The Ozarks, twice. Deciding to make most of this ride secondary roads (80% or more), and not the  interstate… Getting home, and picking up Dusty, who was sooooo happy to be home again…

From May-June 2011

Total miles for trip: 4,302
Weather: Great, but hot, very hot at times. Only a few sprinkles of rain on the way home, around the Mississippi River, not enough to get even get wet, but enough to drop (briefly) the temps a few degrees…

And finally, thanks to those who helped make the long solitary miles even more enjoyable: Hayes Carl, Ha Ha Tonka, The Mekons, Stone Coyotes, Cake, Kings of Leon, Wilco, The Bottle Rockets,  Slobberbone, Rodney Crowell, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Del Castillo, Over the Rhine, The Sadies, Maggie Bjorklund, Bob Schneider, Jim White, Alejandro Escovedo, and more that filled my (2) MP3 players…

More Photos…

]]> http://texasace.org/go/?feed=rss2&p=30 http://texasace.org/go/?p=28 http://texasace.org/go/?p=28#comments Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:08:30 +0000 texasace http://texasace.org/go/?p=28 This and That…
Someone Once Told Me…

Dusty at Barking Springs, Austin
Cure? for overweight computer geeks?

Music

Good Set of articles on Country Music - Nashville or Bust
Nathan Rabin’s year-long journey into country music, via the A.V. Club

Bottle Rockets New CD - August 11th
New music from Lucero and Avett Brothers coming soon too…
Speaking of the Avett Brothers…Great Song/Video
“Snow Day,” written and performed by a very cool 8-year-old girl named Emma

The annual “Right-Half Roundup” was held in Staunton, Virginia this year. This location is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive, and many historical attractions such a Monticello.

I left Houston around noon on Wednesday, after working half the day. I made it to Tuscaloosa before stopping for the night. This was about 660 miles. I’d be taking Interstate the entire way, so I could arrive by Thursday evening.

Thursday, more interstate, arrived around 7PM. Uneventful, and boring. This was another 650 miles or so. One of the fun things about road trips is the people you meet and strike up a conversation with, about 100 miles out of Staunton I stopped at a rest area for a butt break. Finding the only shady parking spot, I pulled in and stuck up a conversation with a grizzled old biker. He looked like Santa Claus after lap-band surgery. He was on his way back to Ohio after a two-week trip to Florida. He left so his “old Lady” could study in peace and take her finals, she went back to college using his GI Bill. I don’t know how old she was, but he had to be in his 60s. We chatted for 20 minutes or so, then he took off. I had yet another bottled water, then did the same.

Many of pack arrived on Thursday this year which was nice. We all walked up the hill to The Texas Steakhouse next door for dinner. Then back to the hotel, where we enjoyed some adult beverages, and caught up. I stayed up much too late.

Friday morning some of us headed out for a ride to Monticello. We stopped at the the gift shop/museum - saw lots of interesting stuff. On over to Monticello, there was a 2 1/2 hour wait to take the tour. Some stayed, some went to hotel, I decided to explore. I started out from Monticello, and found myself on several nice twisty roads including 6 and 56. I took about 4 hours to get back to the hotel, this was actually the highlight of the entire trip, riding-wise. Back to the hotel for dinner at Mrs. Rowe’s next door, great home-style cooking, and the waitress was a hoot, even showing us a photo of her “retarded” cat. Ended the night with more drinking and telling lies…

On Saturday, a fairly large group of us went to ride Skyline Drive. It was very nice, and almost no traffic. Maybe the high gas prices are keeping people home? We then headed to explore some caverns in the area. Some folks decided to head back to the hotel instead, I was undecided and let everyone go their separate ways thinking I might explore some more roads before heading back. About a 1/4 mile down the road I found Art and Linda and their Venture on the side of the road. The bike had just died, and would not do anything. I waited while they called for service. A wrecker made it in about two hours, they towed it back to the hotel since all the area shops were already closed for the weekend.

Back at the hotel, Boyd and Brett (with help from a large audience) were able to rig up a bypass to the ignition so they could get home. It’s great to know that these guys can fix most anything! I was just sure to keep my bike parked far away, in case they started looking for spare parts! LOL

Dinner again at the Texas Steakhouse, and more hanging out at the hotel. Entertainment provided by Boydster and Rev Jim in the form of (cheap-ass) fireworks picked up at Walmart.

Sunday, we start saying our good-byes and prepare to head out our separate ways. These roundups always end too quickly. I was taking a “long-cut” to get home, heading east towards Virginia Beach. I left Staunton and picked up the Blue Ridge Parkway and headed south. I was cool, almost no traffic, and of course awesome scenery. I stopped at a restaurant at the Peaks of Otter before exiting BRP and going east. I took all day on the back roads, and other than being right in the middle of heat wave (over 100) it was nice and uneventful, with lots of stops for water and Gatorade. I made it VA beach, and then went south into NC and stopped for the night in Elizabeth City. (I asked for a room with good cold AC - cranked it on, I think it was about 50 in the room when I woke up the next morning!)

Monday is my day to explore the Outer Banks. With the exception of a few New England states, I’ve been in all the states east of the Mississippi, but I’ve never really been on the coast, other than Florida and NJ, so this was a nice treat. I started out early, hoping to beat some of the heat, but thankfully it never got as hot on the coast as it was Sunday in Virginia. Very Nice! I started at Kitty Hawk, stopped to take a couple beach shots, then onward, through Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head. I kept hoping to find a place beach-side with a view to get a cup of coffee and/or breakfast. I lucked and found a place with great views of the ocean and pier, and excellent food to boot.

I really like this area, I can envision renting a place for a week and having a family vacation here. There sure are plenty of beach houses and condos, but it’s not too touristy. I visited the Bodie Island lighthouse. Elayne’s gonna be pissed, she really loves lighthouses. On down the coast to the Cape Hatteras lighthouse, then a short ferry ride and south through the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Then another ferry ride, this one long, about 2 1/2 hours. Waiting for the ferry I met a couple of guys on bikes. One had left Louisiana for New York, then over to Atlantic City and was following the Coast all the way to Key West. He expected to take about 4 weeks, but was in between jobs and not on a schedule. Bastard. The other guy left Pennsylvania for a similar ride along the coast. Both nice guys, we traveled together after the ferry ride, at least to near Wilmington where I broke off and headed west. I was determined to make the interstate before stopping, which took until almost 10pm. Long day, but an awesome day.

Tuesday, I got up early again and hit the road. I was making good time, but at some point around noon or so, I made a decision to quit pushing so hard, call work and take an extra day off. I have had very little down-time on this trip. I’ll be sure to schedule more of that in, next time. So I stopped early, again in Tuscaloosa, and was checked in and relaxing by the pool by 4PM. Took it easy, had dinner at Outback (walking distance) and crashed around 10PM.

Wednesday I woke up early as usual, and hit the road around 5AM. It was cool, and I was really able to chew up the miles, hitting the Texas border around noon. From here on, it was off the Interstate taking back rounds again all the way home.

Due to more important life happenings, It’s been two years since I’ve taken a long trip like this. Man, I needed it. Also, the time alone was great, it’s fun travelling with a friend or two, but alone is nice. This was also the first long trip on this bike, and it performed flawlessly. That’s why I ride Honda
Not sure where next year’s get-together will be, but I sure hope to be there.

My Photos
Boyd’s Photos
TQ’s Photos
Neal’s Photos
Adam’s Photos
Linda’s Photos
Doc’s YouTube Videos: Part1 Part2
Theresa’s Slideshow

ECRI Gettysburg  June 2002

ECRII Pettecoat Junction  Sep 2002

????? Mountain Mama  Aug 2003

ECRIII Gettysburg (again)  Sep 2005

ECRIV Laurel Highlands  Sep 2006

RHRI Crossville, TN   Aug 2003

RHRII Hocking Hills    May 2004

RHRIII Helen, GA     May 2005

RHRIV Matewan, WV   May 2006

RHRV Sweetwater, TN  Jun 2007

RHRVI Staunton, VA   Jun 2008

Rode through all kinds of nasty nasty weather from about FM1960 to Conroe, no biggee, the rain never really bothers me too much… I even kinda like it in the summer.

Got to Conroe, went to Walgreens to pick up some photos, then over to Applebees to pick up some grub to bring home. After turning from 3083 onto 75 heading home, I got on it a little too hard for the wet road conditions. Already made the turn, no problem, then got on it. My fault, my mistake. Think I was shifting from 2nd to 3rd. I lost the rear, tried like heck to get her back but to no avail. I was close, even after being almost horizontal, got it back upright for moment, but could not hold her…Dammit.

Have you heard of ATGATT? Well, I was fully covered, Thank Goodness.
(All The Gear, All The Time)

The bike and I separated, guess I was going about 40 or so when the fun started, I slid - it’s amazing how quick the reflexes take over… I stayed flat on my back (jacket’s got armor there) and slid about 30 feet, bike went another 20 or so beyond me hit the dirt on the side of the road and flipped a couple times My poor baby.

I have no road rash, no marks on my helmet. Jacket (First Gear) and pants (HT overpants) made it through intact.

The mirrors are gone, the bags are trashed, the slider thingees, whatever they are called, are trashed, kickstand seems messed up. That’s all I’ve noticed so far. But I got on and rode it home.

Two guys stopped and helped me get her upright. They could not believe I was totally alright and not hurt. One was a young kid, new rider on a sportbike. I told him how important it was to get a good jacket, he had none - but at least he was wearing a FF helmet. He led me home.

Anyway - I’m OK. (hopefully I’ll still feel OK in the morning!)
Guess I’ll call the insurance company tomorrow…

And I’ve got a backup bike. The ACE is probably happy about this, the jealous bitch… LOL

Photos

I’m sure the number of motorcycles that make 100,000 miles is a small percentage, and if you take away the large touring bikes, it’s smaller still. I’m proud to be a part of this special group, that ride and keep riding. I’m proud of my bike that’s taken me so many miles. All trouble-free with never a single mechanical breakdown, only normal maintenance items. Chains & sprockets, brakes, so many tires and probably thirty plus oil changes. I shouldn’t talk much the maintenance that was ignored LOL, valve checks: none; flushing of fluids: none; plugs and air cleaners: once. Luckily, it’s a Honda.

I remember that first ride home from the dealer, how I felt so happy, It took weeks for the smile to wear off. I remember that very hot day, in the first month of ownership that I stopped under some shade trees to escape the sun for a moment and get a drink of water and my helmet slipping out my sweaty hands and hitting and putting a dent in the gas tank.

I remember so many rides with friends. To the Ozarks, to the Smoky Mountains, Big Bend and the Hill Country. The bike was great, the experiences memorable but the friendships priceless. I think back about joining the SCRC Conroe riding club, and how that changed my life as much as the bike itself. The friends I’ve made, the good times we’ve shared. The trips to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the kids, the money we raised.

I remember so many rides alone as well, just me and my ACE. Mile after mile, the wind, the sky, this beautiful country. I often pushed it too hard, too many miles in a single day, which probably lead to back surgery number three. I remember staying behind for another extra day in West Texas, and spending part of it on Pinto Canyon road, which was recently featured in Ride Texas as a great off-road ride for enduro bikes. I had no business there on a cruiser, but I did not know better and loved every minute.

I remember making a right turn and hitting some fresh-spilled diesel on going down and sliding 30 feet on the pavement. This reinforced my belief in wearing proper gear. And getting hit from behind at a stop light and getting my rear fender dented. I certainly recall doing my bucking-bull riding impression when attempting a panic stop on the freeway at 70+ going to Memphis - losing the rear, then the front, but somehow managing to stay upright. I hardly remember all the near misses that are just a part of daily riding. I enjoyed the Safety class I took prior to buying the ACE and the several refresher advanced courses I’ve taken since.

I think about feeling sad recently when I see the ACE parked too much in the garage collecting dust and cobwebs. The Honda ST1100 bike that I bought last year gets the majority of the riding time now. But the ACE will always be here, never to be parted with - waiting patiently to be fired up and ridden, for another ride, working towards that next 100,000 miles.

More ACE photos…

This year’s “Right-Half Roundup” was held in Matewan, West Virginia and planned and hosted by Willo. Previous get-togethers were held in Helen, GA, Hocking Hills, Ohio and Crossville, TN.
Bill from SCRC Conroe joined me on this one, he rode his VTX.

I really looked forward to this trip, since I lived in WV and completed high school there. My Dad’s side of the family is from WV. Matewan is rich in history, with the Hatfield-McCoy feud and the Battle of Matewan (coal miners vs. coal companies, also inspired the Academy Award-nominated movie, Matewan) occurring here.

Matewan Floodwall		Bed & Breakfast in town	Our host, Willo

Thursday, June 1st
Super-Slab, Conroe, TX to Jackson, TN. About 715 miles. BORING.
Friday, June 2nd
Not too much more Interstate, north of Nashville picked up hwy 80 across Kentucky. Met up with Wolf (Ken) and She-Wolf (Mary) along the way. Rain. Plenty of it, sometimes pull off and wait for it to stop rain. Oh well, all part of the fun.

WRECK(s) Unfortunately, as we neared the KY/WV border, while stopped at an intersection we saw part of the group parked on the side of the road, and the flashing lights of cop cars. On the slick rain-soaked streets part of the group was involved in an accident, with four bikes going down, thank God, the damage to bodies and bikes was minimal!

We originally planned to spend Friday & Saturday nights “camping” on the floor of the barracks in Matewan with others, but after the long wet day, we decided to get a room at the Super 8 where some of the others were staying. After a bit of hanging out, a dozen or so of us headed of to dinner ( wild $1.75 cab ride! ), then hang out in front of the motel telling lies for a while before calling it a day…

Saturday, June 3rd
About 8AM or so Bill and I head over to Matewan, after a quick spray-off washing of the bikes. We have no trouble finding the group, as we have pretty much taken over the town for the weekend. Said some hellos to folks staying in Matewan, took a group photo, then headed out on the planned group ride.

AWESOME! This was a 200+ mile ride through the twisties of WV with a stop at the famous New River Gorge Bridge. Until a 2003, this was the longest steel-arch bridge in the world. The bridge is 3,030 feet long and 876 feet above the river below.

After the ride it was time for the Dinner & Party! Much fun was had by all.

Sunday, June 4th
Sadly, these things always seem to end too soon. After saying goodbye to some of the folks at the hotel, we headed back to Matewan one last time say so long to my friends there. It was really good to see everyone again, especially since I missed last year’s and with Steve “Blacktop” who started the Strictly ACE 750 Forum, making the trip from California (by plane, wimp!) to his first ever Roundup!

Bill and I leave with no particular plan. These can turn out to be the best rides of all, It’s Sunday morning and we don’t have to be back until Wednesday night. I had been thinking of spending a couple days riding in WV, I also thought about riding the Blue Ridge Parkway, and even another visit to the famed Dragon. We headed south then east, and decided that the best plan would be to head on south, catching the Blue Ridge Parkway and saving more WV riding for another day, it would be hard to top yesterday’s group ride anyway!

We take some great roads to Bluefield, still unsure of any particular route, we stop at the East River Mountain overlook (3,500 feet above sea level, breathtaking views of Bluefield and East River Mountain) While stopped we start chatting with couple of somewhat local motorcyclists, they give us some great advice - a mile over the mountain is Virginia, with some great two lane roads heading into Wytheville, so that is what we do! A great full day of back roads in West Virginia and Virginia. We get a room, I finally breakdown and buy a new road atlas (you can always find a Wal-Mart) and plan tomorrow’s ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway. By the way, this is one great easy to read (large-font) atlas!

Monday, June 5th
OK, I’ve heard it before from lots of motorcyclists, don’t miss the Blue Ridge Parkway. Yep, they were right. Awesome views with lots of overlooks, bridges, tunnels, and well-maintained curvy roads. I suppose the only downside is the 45MPH speed limit. We enjoyed it, and though we stayed close to posted limits, never really saw much enforcement, better this way to take in the scenery anyway.

One should always give their motorcycle a thorough checking-out before any long trip. I know that, we all know that, but the sound I heard as we exit the BRP to Ashville for gas is the metal on metal when I hit the rear brakes. Oh Crap. As it turns out there is a shop only about a mile from where we are, and they are open on Mondays! The guys at MR Motorcyle got me fixed up in about 2 hours! New rear brake pads, went ahead and had them do front brakes and an oil change too…We decided to stay near Ashville, and head to Deals Gap in the morning.

Tuesday, June 6th
Bill and I hit the road for the last day of “fun” riding…Stop for breakfast in Maggie Valley, then on to Deal’s Gap to tame the Dragon (on 6/6/6 no less). After the customary stop at the Deal’s Gap store for souvenirs and photos, off we go. The ride IS a lot more fun on the ST than on the ACE, but still I don’t set any records (LOL) I just wanna have fun and get home in one piece. Of course, I have to do it more than once After our fun we head towards the interstate for the journey home. We make a pretty good dent in the miles, stopping in Mississippi for the night.

Wednesday, June 7th
Uneventful final leg home, we arrive around 5 PM Tired and full of great memories, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s Roundup!

See all my trip photos

Dragon Photos from 6/6/6
Moonshine Photos
ZEE Photos

Lots more photos from others:
Quiet One’s Photos: http://community.webshots.com/user/thequietone
CodeWriters: http://mybestpet.com/gallery.asp?action=gallery&subaction=gallery&pid=44
Jimbo: http://community.webshots.com/album/551092095yNgOIW
Blacktop: http://sa750.com/rhr4ss/rhr4/index.htm
Scruffy: http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=551246745&security=JSZwia
Shadowman: http://community.webshots.com/user/neto43

Links:
Matewan, WV: http://www.matewan.com
Great US Motorcycle Roads: http://www.motorcycleroads.us/
Tail of the Dragon: http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

Photos from Zach Delph (Thanks Zach!)

Saved by Rock and Roll…
Story and photos from: Nashville Scene:

Sometimes we lament the fact that we weren’t born earlier, so that we could have experienced the great rock acts of the ’60s in their prime. What was it like to see Jefferson Airplane at the Fillmore or Bob Dylan at Royal Albert Hall? Sadly, we will never know, though we imagine WILCO’s Saint Patrick’s Day performance at the Ryman must be what the heyday of rock felt like—assuming everyone in the ’60s wore green shirts and drank a lot of beer.

Wilco may be indie darlings, but their live performances are pure rock ’n’ roll, clean and simple. JEFF TWEEDY brought out the guitar solos in full-force, but instead of wandering aimlessly into mediocre jam band territory, he kept the solos tight and compelling, proving that he’s more than just a gifted lyricist. We always wondered how the instrumental melee in “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart” was created, and now we know—PAT SANSONE pounded on a keyboard with his fists, then picked up his tambourine and dropped it on the floor.

During the set, Tweedy limited the between-song banter to an observation that “playing here is really fun,” and a subsequent self-deprecating remark about his ineloquence. But in the first of two encores, he opened up and explained to the drunken St. Patrick’s Day throng that the world was miserable and they needed to scream during “Kingpin” to help “move energy around the world”—and the crowd happily obliged.

Then something happened that our kids can fantasize about having been alive to witness: Tweedy came out to the front of the stage with his acoustic guitar, asked everyone to be real quiet and played a solo version of Uncle Tupelo-era “Acuff-Rose” without any microphones, letting the exquisite acoustics of the Ryman carry his words out to the awestruck multitudes. “Early in the morning, sometimes late at night, sometimes I get the feeling that everything’s alright….”

Wilco Set list
2006-03-17
Ryman Auditorium
Nashville, TN

1. Sunken Treasure
2. Remember The Mountain Bed
3. Airline To Heaven
4. At My Window Sad And Lonely
5. Forget The Flowers
6. When The Roses Bloom Again
7. California Stars
8. Muzzle Of Bees
9. Hell Is Chrome
10. Spiders (Kidsmoke)
11. Jesus, Etc.
12. Walken
13. Handshake Drugs
14. I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
15. A Shot In The Arm
16. At Least That’s What You Said
17. The Late Greats

Encore 1:
18. Hummingbird
19. new song (Maybe The Sun Will Shine Today)
20. Theologians
21. I’m The Man Who Loves You
22. Kingpin

Encore 2:
23. Passenger Side
24. War On War

Encore 3:
25. Acuff-Rose (Jeff solo acoustic unplugged)

Another good review:
http://www.glidemagazine.com/1/reviews1227.html
opening act: The Latebirds (from Finland)