Departure/Arrival Update Thread!

[SWriverstone]

WOOHOO! We're cooking breakfast in Harpers Ferry and hitting the road by 9am. We're all stoked...except...a little nervous about the 105-degree heat index...   At least we'll be riding the BRP at 2,000-3,000 feet (which might be a few degrees cooler).

Bikes are packed, lubed, comm systems are running---time for a little ride!

 

Scott

[mxvet57]

have a good ride.

all you right coast riders your going to be hitting some bad storms that are coming across Indiana. i have heard of rain at 1.5 inches and hour. one report said one town got 10 inches last night. also I70 is closed in some sections b/c of flooding.

as far as my trip, I'm planing to hit the road around 4:00am monday and plan arriving in ES around 6:00pm. with a little sight seeing thrown in.
and as allways all plans are subject to change.

[Acadian Rider]

I'm well on my way.  

Visiting the Barber Motorcycle Museum tomorrow.  May get to Eureka Springs Monday night instead of Tuesday night.  

My Canadian bike told me it got to 36Celcius today.   Don't know what that is in Farenheit but I know it's up there.  

[Mac]

I'm well on my way.  

Visiting the Barber Motorcycle Museum tomorrow.  May get to Eureka Springs Monday night instead of Tuesday night.  

My Canadian bike told me it got to 36Celcius today.   Don't know what that is in Farenheit but I know it's up there.  

Thats not too bad, just wait till August, then it'll be really hot.

[basco]

I just rode 450 miles and 300 of it was was thru high winds. I am sore and decided on moteling tonight

[DredheadV2.0]

I am ecstatic we didn't leave today, as we would have been sodden and wind-whipped.  Of course, leaving tomorrow may net us the same result.

[Sea Dog]

I did the Blue Ridge from Asheville to Cherokee and the Cherohala today.  Thankfully, the temps were only in the mid-70's up there, but but things turned HOT and humid as I descended into Chattanooga.   Tomorrow is going to be a hot ride across Tennessee, but it will all be worth it when I pull into Corky's BBQ in Memphis   Anybody else stopping in Memphis Sunday night?

[Bug R]

I'm well on my way.  

Visiting the Barber Motorcycle Museum tomorrow.  May get to Eureka Springs Monday night instead of Tuesday night.  

My Canadian bike told me it got to 36Celcius today.   Don't know what that is in Farenheit but I know it's up there.  

Leon,
I guess you took the southern loop down I-81, the Ohio river route looks like a complete mess at the moment with some very ugly weather.
Ride safe, Yes I'm envious, stuck at work.
Chris

[Bunbun]

Dove and I have arrived and are holed up in the hotel.  Weather is currently kinda crappy but not too bad.  Just a general, consistent shower.  I can't remember who else was to be checking in today but as I recall, there was a ride tomorrow.... Anyway, we're at the Eureka Suites room 204 if anyone wants to drop by.  I think we're going to see a show later, but come on by!

Bun

[twist]

I'm in Springfield, MO for the night, at the Hampton Inn & Suites just off of I-44 & Glenstone, Exit 80 A.  Stop by if you are staying here for the night.

[snuffy]

Howdy and welcome to all you riders coming to Arkansas this week.

I just wanted to pass along this note.

I plan to be on 341 this Wednesday and look forward to seeing y'all.

As of last weekend I can no longer put out any roadside signs to let riders know that I am up ahead.  Seems the state has taken offense at me doing that.  I am setup about 8.8 miles from the south end of Push Mountain road.  I would appreciate it if y'all could space yourselves out some in order for me to have a chance to get a good shot of each one of you.

All are invited to stop by and say hey.  I'll make a group photo and give it to y'all if you do.

I can't say for certain about this Wednesday, but I do know that the forest ranger had the day off last Wednesday.

Have fun and ride safe.

[Scoop]

Hey all wet and weary travellers
We (Basket, PussnBoots, Raisedbywolves, Mr Lahey, IW and Scoop) along with a couple of pick ups are in Cuba MO.  It has been a cool and wet ride from Canukistan for the most part.  We are looking forward to some heat and perhaps some sun.  We have 300 miles to go tomorrow, so will be in there in the afternoon-ish.  Looking forward to seeing you all.  Sorry that RocketBunny is not coming now
Bill

[DredheadV2.0]

Me, Kris, and Mike rolled in, very wet, at around 7:00.  We managed to duck and dodge really well, but finally had to suck it up after Mountain Home - put on the rain gear and got wet for a couple hours.  Hot tubs and dinner and beer made it all better.

Waved at Bunbun and Dove on our way in - they were, like, walking and stuff.

Just finished drinking a beer and watching V For Vendetta on the telly.  Sleepytime.  See you all in the late morning sometime.  I do not plan on doing any major rides tomorrow.

Oh, by the way - US Rt 160 is FUCKING AWESOME!!!!!

[DredheadV2.0]

Oh, and said hi to... damn, lemme see... Garry, Huron52, Jimmy, er... R Doug... Acadian Rider... Sprocket...  damnit, there were more...
I fail.  Tired.  Bed now.

[Sea Dog]

Unfortunately, I'm not going to make it.  Caught a bad cold and am heading back east.  Rode to Nashville today, sneezing in my helmet the whole way    Hope everybody is dried out and having fun!

[Mac]

I leave early tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll be there before 6:00 pm. I'm stopping off at interstate bbq in memphis and possible bmw of little rock. Olympia phantom suit tryouts.

[1moreroad]

Got home safely last night after Push Mountain.  I got home a little earlier than I had told the wife so I even got a few marriage brownie points out of the deal.  

[Hickey]

Made it home safe by 4:30 this evening.  Hope everyone else gets back safe and sound.

[twist]

I'm in Corydon, IN, should make it home tomorrow night.  Krismark split off in St Louis around 2:30pm to go North.

[stromgal]

I had hopes of making back to Milwaukee today, but the weather got quite threatening-looking south of Rockford. Am holed up for the night.

Had a great time meeting/chatting/riding with y'all.  

bj

[Jetpilot5]

I got home about 5:00pm.  Left I-44 at Cuba MO after getting blown around by truck traffic and the wind for several hours.  Much nicer ride up 19 to the Missouri River, then 94 and 47 to Troy and county roads up to cross the Mississippi at Louisiana MO. 1,718 miles for the trip.

Wonderful seeing and riding with everyone at the National.

Everyone get home safe.

[Krismark]

I got home a few minutes before 9pm safe and sound but wind-worn.



I can't tell you how many times I yelled (literally...like "YOU F*CKER!!!)) at the wind when it blew me two feet across my lane going down I-55.



Thanks for sharing half of the trip with me Gary. Have a good ride tomorrow!  

[snuffy]

To all who made the Wednesday ride on 341, don't forget to send me an email for a copy of the group photo.

Thanks all for stopping by.

snuffy

[mxvet57]

pulled in the driveway around 7:30pm Thursday. i managed to hit no rain home. from what the radar was looking i thought i was going to get wet at some point. it did however storm here last night but i slept through that.

i had a great time with ya all and it was nice to put a face on the screen name. thanks to dred for putting this together.

so where is the meet next year?

i took today off from work to so it's out side to work on the bike (change oil) and give it a good bath.

also need to order up a new front tire.

[basco]

I am still here in Eureka Springs to avoid the rain. Leaving tomorrow and should be home Sunday.

Also got a nail in my tire yesterday. Had to go the next town over to get it replaced.

[twist]

I'm now home.  Hit some thundershowers in Western Maryland, but mostly dried out by the time I got home.

[sprintrock]

Left this morning at about eight, and got home around noon.  Followed some of our Canadians for a while and got rained on for about the first 40 miles.   Great event and it was a pleasure to meet everyone.  

Rockford

[Mac]

I'll be leaving Eureka Springs early on Sunday. Hopefully, I'll be home before it gets too dark.

[Bunbun]

Dove and I are back in shithole, TX.  Ran into some thundershowers for about 100 miles but no big dealio.

Bun

[DredheadV2.0]

Arrived home safe n sound and rain-free.  I DID, however, manage to knock over the overloaded Bandit in the parking lot at the Rodeway inn, with Kris on board.  Sayonara one turn signal.  Kris rolled off like a champ, no harm done there.

Also, the exhaust seems to have been exquisitely hot, maybe due to overloading, or a loose pipe, or something.  I've ridden long distances hammering the throttle day after day with the same setup, but this time I melted a 4" long hole into the right side Givi.  It looked for all the world like a wee alien had burst through, leaving a rent and dripping ABS plastic in its wake.  The bag currently sits out on the deck, fiberglass mat and resin hardening.  Bondo and paint are next.

All in all a good time.  Nice to meet everyone and see some old familiar faces.  Who knew Dakota would turn out to be so nice!  

[Playinthestreet]

Leaving KC Sunday morning.  1800 to go.

[twist]

Thanks for sharing half of the trip with me Gary. Have a good ride tomorrow!  

Thank you too  

I found a Jimmy John's near me, I guess I'll be going there for lunch more often.

[blackbuell]

I left ES, AR Sat morning and made it back home to Cinci Sat just before dark. Stumbled on a few very nice roads in Missouri: rts 14 & 76. They added some time to the ride, but the detour was worth it.

Nice to see you all. It's always great to see the wonderful variety of bikes, mods, and riders.

Jon

[Stargzrgrl]

MacGyver and I made it back to Northern Illinois Friday around 6:00pm.  

That was fun, wish we had more time to spend with old and new friends!  

[basco]

Got home about 1 am last night. It was cold, typical CO - 80's in the day, 40's at night and gas stations close early.  

[garry]

Just got in...

9.5 days

3585 very twisty miles

No crashes

No pucker moments

No roadside chats with The Man

Sunny and blue skies for 8 days. Two days with sun in the AM and rain in the PM.

Ride report to follow. I have about 500 pics to download and sort through...

[Acadian Rider]

Got home this afternoon after four days and 2,000 + miles.  Total for the trip was 5280 miles in 13 days.  

Had a wonderful time seeing old faces again and meeting new ones.   And those Northwest Arkansas roads...    

First impressions when I got up in Bangor Maine this morning was   it's cold up here.  After the heat of the last two weeks I can't believe I actually used my heated grips today.  

Now it's back to reality and back to work tomorrow.  

First item on the agenda is a three day business trip to Halifax Nova Scotia.    

[SWriverstone]

SLK50, cablebandit and I got home yesterday. After a blissful ride on MO160 Thursday, we rode through traffic-and-ugly-scenery-hell on Friday in KY (bad road choices)...and rode for 6+ hours in pouring rain Saturday (ugh) in eastern KY into WV.

Stopped at Cracker Barrel in Beckley for lunch ( ) and dumped all our sopping gear on their "front porch."   Then walked inside only to find it a FREEZER inside (they had the AC cranked).

We split up there, me riding east to Lexington, VA and they riding north on WV19 to I-79.

Other than coming across a head-on vehicle collision on 160 ( ) it was an uneventful ride home.

Great meeting everyone I hadn't met before...and I can't wait for ESTN!!! (Be there!!!)

Scott

[Scoop]

The Thunder Bay branch of the Canadian contingent all arrived home safe on Sat. nite.  But, STN was down and we could not post!  
We managed heroic slabbing to make it all the way back in only 2 days.  This even after spending 3 hours in a Flying J buffet, trying to dry out!.  After leaving Joplin, we ran into about 20 minutes of downpour, but that stopped once we turned north. About an hour after that, the sun came out and stayed out for the rest of the day.  A VERY windy ride from Ames IA to home on Saturday, but no rain.  We stopped at Aerostitch and improved our compliment of rain gear....better late than never
Really good to see everyone, old faces once again and new faces to meet.  My wife is still talking about Cricket's Beemer.....I may be in the market for a new bike this year.
We had a good time riding, but were very sad to have to send Mr Lahey home on the bus sans bike  
Also learned the value of a tire plugging kit.
So, time to start planning the route for 09!
Thanks again Dred, for all the work.

[Playinthestreet]

3:30pm PDT, 6/17... HOME...4919mi