Britman's Memorial Day ride 2009

[..]

No T-shirts, no contests.

Just riding and b'sing after the rides.

Memorial Day weekend ride 2009. Arrive Friday May 22nd, Sat 23rd, Sun 24th, ride home Monday.

Days Inn Motel
206 Blowing Rock Blvd
Lenoir, NC 28645

(828) 754-0731


Please let me know if you’re coming by email to britman453@hotmail.com

Subject title Memorial Day weekend ride

Email me for a Streets and Trips or pdf of the routes.

If I post a warning in the route directions heed it. I’m not challenging your capabilities. Being purely factual. The routes Saturday and Sunday WILL be challenging for those not riding on a constant basis. IT IS NOT A RACE.

These will be days with lots of twisties and spirited, but safe, riding. Those uncomfortable with taking lots of twisties and sweepers or long day rides may enjoy a self guided ride. I can help with suggestions

There are plenty of dining opportunities available within easy walking distance. There's a gas station opposite the motel

Pre ride briefing at 8.45 am. Leave the parking lot of the Days Inn at 9 sharp, gassed up.

Route details follow.

Saturday route approximately 255 miles

North on Hwy 321     TL 2nd stop light past Comfort Inn
Cross railroad track         Immediately TR Hwy 90 Valway Rd
TL Hwy 90 Collettesville Rd, pass Abington R, Valley View Circle
TL Adako Rd becomes Brown Mtn Beach Rd
TR Hwy 181 north to the BRP some sweepers with some REDUCING RADIUS CURVES
TL South on the BRP               TL Hwy 226 south
TR Alt 226 - – THIS ROAD WILL BITE IF YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION
TL Hwy 226 north to Spruce Pine – GAS UP continue N on Hwy 226
TL Hwy 80 south    TR Hwy 19 E          TL Hwy 80 south, CROSS BRP
TL Hwy 70 to Old Fort     TL Catawaba Ave     CROSS I 40
Becomes Bat Cave Rd    Becomes Old Fort Rd
TR Hwy 9     TL Chestnut Hill Rd     After 7.5 miles TL Miller Rd
TL Alt Hwy 74 / 64 to Chimney Rock

SATURDAY LUNCH
Duncan's Bar-b-que
461 Main St.
Chimney Rock, NC 28720
Tel: (828) 625-1579

Duncan's Bar-B-Que has been serving the area since 1967. We specialize in hickory smoked Bar-B-Que pork, both sliced and minced, hickory smoked ribs, delicious Bar-B-Que Chicken, and all beef jumbo hotdogs. Located along the river in Chimney Rock Village, we offer riverside picnic tables with a beautiful view of the Rocky Broad River and surrounding mountains. Open Wednesday - Sunday.

Continue S on Alt 74 / 64 towards Lake Lure. Pass the turn for Hwy 9
TL Bills Creek Rd     TR Freeman Town Rd     CROSS Bible School Rd
TL Cove Rd    TR Padgett Rd     TL Painters Gap Rd
TR Cove Rd     becomes Montford Cove Rd         becomes Sugar Hill Rd
CROSS I 40      TL Hwy 226      CROSS Hwy 70     
TR N Main St IMMEDIATELY     TL Hankins Rd 1501 
TL Stop sign Lake James Rd 1552     
TL Stop sign becomes S Mtn Institute Rd     TL Hwy 126
TL Gwaltney Rd 1226     TL Hwy 181
IMMEDIATELY 4/10 mile TR Henderson Mill Rd
TR Piedmont Rd TL Hwy 64 to Lenoir     
TR Last Stop light     IMMEDIATELY TL Stop light to Days Inn


Sunday route approximately 280 miles

North on Hwy 321     TL 2nd stop light past Comfort Inn
Cross railroad track         Immediately TR Hwy 90 Valway Rd
TL Hwy 90 Collettesville Rd, pass Abington R, Valley View Circle
TL Adako Rd becomes Brown Mtn Beach Rd
TR Hwy 181 north to the BRP some sweepers with some REDUCING RADIUS CURVES
South on BRP
TR Hwy 221     TL Hwy 194 Three Mile Hwy     TL Hwy 19E to Spruce Pine GAS UP     TR Hwy 226  Bakersville     TR Hwy 261 Roan Mtn Rd
CROSS TN State Line becomes Hwy 143
TL Hwy 19E / 37 to Hampton
TR Hwy 321/ 67past Watauga Lake towards Mtn City
Before Mtn City TL Pleasant Valley Rd
TL Hwy 421 – WATCH  FOR GRAVEL to Shady Valley

HAVE LUNCH at the store (HOT DOGS AND BURGERS) or there’s another place across the road from the store.

North on Hwy 421 to Holston Valley
TR Hwy 75 / 44  before Abingdon   TR Watauga Rd
TR Hwy 58 to Damascus, TR Hwy 58 to Taylors Valley  Pass State park on left     TR Tucker Rd     TR Hwy 194 Rugby Rd to Helton, Lansing, Warrensville    TR Hwy 88     8.75 miles in Creston   
TL Three Top Rd to Todd  1100 / 1121 3/10 mile TL Peak Rd 1100
CROSS Hwy 194 becomes Todd Railroad Grade Rd
4 miles TR  Cranberry Springs Rd  6/10 mile TR onto Brownwood Rd 1359
TL Hwy 421  4/10 mile TR Hot Rod Rd – Access Rd
TR Old Hwy 421     TL to BRP    TR BRP South
TL Elk Creek Rd 1508 becomes Triplett Rd
Stop sign TR Elk Creek Darby Rd 1162     TR Hwy 268
TL Hwy 321 to Blowing Rock, Lenoir

Britman GA               ST1300
Chuck and Linda VA Valkyrie
Dan Ferrentino VA        Valkyrie
Detn8er SC                Valkyrie
Frank Smoak SC        Valkyrie
Ian Mittler GA           GS1200
Jim Baker                 Concours 1400
Larry & Penny SC      ST1300 x 2
Mark Carnes            Valkyrie
Mark Phillips GA       ST1100
Michael Demoret GA   Aprilia Futura
Mike Marshall SC      Valkyrie
Moe Guilbert  GA      ST1300
Monty Shaw GA        ST1300
Paul Hinckley            Valkyrie
Patrick GA             ?
Penny Broach x 2      ST1300
Sam Demoret GA     Valkyrie
Slacker SC                Concours 1400
Smokin Joe TN         Valkyrie

[Detn8er]

Looking forward to this ride Paul. I see we are doing lunch Sat. at Duncans BBQ.....We have been eating there for 20 plus years. He is quite a character, If you can stop by when things are slow he'll stand and talk with you as long as you are willing to listen. He has been flooded out, burned out and has battled the city of Chimney Rock to keep his little BBQ place going.
The restaurant next door (Genny's sp.) belongs to his brother and also has some fine home style cooking. 

[..]

Excellent. 

So riders will have 2 choices for lunch!

[Demo]

Paul,

I'll send you an email but I'll be there.  Possibly bringing my son if he can keep that Italian thing he rides in one piece.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I'm leaving out on the 23rd and doin' The Blue Ridge Parkway to Blowing Rock . I'll see you guys late evening on saturday the 23rd.

[Kindred Spirit]

I'm hoping to make it!  Will know in the next week.  I look forward to this ride every year.
kwh

[Duffy]

I will be there. 

Allways (OK, only the third year) a great ride!   

Paul do you have a blastoff time from Atl? Meetup?

Normandog - will you ride with us from home?

Paul - tuck your shirt in! 

[Normandog]

call. Look forward to seeing folks. 

[Duffy]

Cool. Yeah, I better do that too! 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Just got my room for Saturday night. I had planned to cross The Great Smoky Mountains then hit The Blue Ridge Parkway all the way to Blowing Rock that Saturday morning ( 23rd ). After looking over your route I may just meet y'all in Chimmney Rock for lunch then finish the ride with the group. I'm guessing around 11:30 - 12:00 is when the group will roll into town ( Chimmney Rock ) ???

[..]

Leave Mrs. Winners in Cumming at 9 sharp full gas tanks.

400 to Clermont, Clarksville, Toccoa, Westminster, Walhalla, Sapphire, Hwy 215 north to the BRP, to Hwy 181 south towards Lenoir.

About 300 miles.

Cumming to Lenoir, NC

North on GA400
TR Hwy 136 Harmony Church R. to Stop sign TR
TL Bark Camp Rd to Murrayville
TL Hwy 60
Veer right Hwy 115
TR Ben Parks Rd
TL Hwy 283 towards Clermont
TR Hwy 52       TL 283 To Clermont
TL by Clermont Hotel      Follow Hwy 254
CROSS Hwy 11/129
CROSS Hwy 384
TR Hwy 115 to Clarkesville pass Hwy 197
TR Hill Crossing Rd
TL Hwy 115 Cross Hwy 23 / 441
TL Hwy 365 / 17     TL Hwy 123 to Toccoa, Westminster, SC
TR Hwy 76      IMMEDIATELY      TL Hwy 183 to Walhalla
TL Hwy 28 north to keep right on Hwy 107      TR State Rd 37413
TL Hwy 281      TR Hwy 64      TL Hwy 215 to BRP
BRP North to Hwy 181 South towards Marion
TL Brown Mtn Rd      TR Hwy 321 to
Days Inn
206 Blowing Rock Blvd
Lenoir NC 28645
(828) 754-0731

[Duffy]

re: Bump

...ohhh, now I get it...  I think   

[..]

If you want to ride up in a group please be at Mrs. Winners in Cumming ready to roll at 9 sharp Friday morning.

Mrs Winners is west of Jct 14 off GA400

The route to Lenoir includes some of the BRP but will not include the ONE LANE section by Mt. Mitchell.

I have no idea what the traffic will be like on this section and have NO desire to find out.

Get on the BRP at the junction of NC Hwy 215. On to I 40 east near Asheville, over the mountain and then up Hwy 80 to rejoin the BRP and on to Lenoir.

All of the above depends upon the weather. The BRP on a rainy day with low cloud and bad visibility is not the most congenial of rides.

[Duffy]

re: "Mrs Winners is west of Jct 14 off GA400"

in American English that is Exit 14. 

See ya there.

[..]

Bugger it.

I've been here for nearly 16 years and I still can't speak/write American.

[Demo]

Any idea on how many leaving from Cummings (regardless of highway nomenclature)?  Mike and I are planning on joining.

[..]

6 to 9 including you 2.

[Duffy]

Demo

Thumper and I plan to ride with the group from cumming on Friday.

I invited Duffy, Jr but haven't gotten a yes yet. (After being compared to my reckless a$$ on the last ride he attended, I don't blame him.  ) We'll see. Suppose to have dinner with him and Jane (his wife) on Wednesday.

See all on Friday.

[..]

Oil changed yesterday, new front tire today. Managed to get this one to last 8,000 miles. Not bad for an ST.
NO I will not be putting a rear tire on the front.

Everyone, please remember to check your tire pressures before you head out this weekend.

[RedValk]

wow...sounds like you get similar mileage on front us Rune folks get. BEST....is like 6-8000. Usually more like 6000...and IT IS TOAST! some get only like 4000 out of a front tire on Rune.

i'm with you, i will not put a rear on the front...though many on the Rune board do........

[..]

wow...sounds like you get similar mileage on front us Rune folks get. BEST....is like 6-8000. Usually more like 6000...and IT IS TOAST! some get only like 4000 out of a front tire on Rune.

i'm with you, i will not put a rear on the front...though many on the Rune board do........

Is it because of the Runes weight combined with it extended front?

The ST is because I'm always dashing intt corners  In the past it's been averaging 6,500 miles to a front and a rear.

With the tire just removed I have made an effort to be more conservative. Could have got another 1,000 + miles maybe but with a 4 day ride coming up I wanted to make sure I had good rubber under me.

[RedValk]

Is it because of the Runes weight combined with it extended front?

that's my guess....and doing heavy braking on those massive front rotors/brakes....with all that weight...and....i'm almost betting the OEM tire was designed more for a lighter sport cruiser???

[hubcapsc]

With the tire just removed I have made an effort to be more conservative. Could have got another 1,000 + miles maybe but with a 4 day ride coming up I wanted to make sure I had good rubber under me.

My rear Cobra is close to the edge... I have a new one... I have decided to leave it on for BMDR
and change it out before the blue/gray ride... hope I've made the right decision... I have an "almost worn
out" venom that I removed before Smokin' Joe's BRP ride last year... I'd hate to accumulate a
pile of $200.00 "almost worn out" tires... It's not a "may pop" and it's not down to the wear bar (but close)
seems to me it should go for the weekend...

-Mike

[..]

Keep this phone numbe with you

828-277-8600 M&R Cycles in Asheville. I've had to have a couple of emergency tires from them 
http://www.mrcycles.com/map_hours.asp

Closed Sundays and more than likely closed Memorial Day.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Oil changed yesterday, new front tire today. Managed to get this one to last 8,000 miles. Not bad for an ST.
NO I will not be putting a rear tire on the front.

Everyone, please remember to check your tire pressures before you head out this weekend.

I can understand why your tires don't last Britman.

Raymond

[hubcapsc]

Keep this phone numbe with you

828-277-8600 M&R Cycles in Asheville. I've had to have a couple of emergency tires from them 
http://www.mrcycles.com/map_hours.asp

Closed Sundays and more than likely closed Memorial Day.

My wife, the truck, a new cobra, the jack and whatever tools are just a couple of hours away   

I'm not really cutting it that close - I just accept that it is possible I might be wrong one day 

-Mike

[Normandog]

But then not many have been willing to pay me for thinking. 

[hubcapsc]

Here's the tire that I think is good for one more ride...

Opinions?



-Mike

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Here's the tire that I think is good for one more ride...

Opinions?



-Mike

Bring It...LET'S RIDE 

[Coot]

Here's the tire that I think is good for one more ride...

Opinions?

I'd say that tire is good for about another thousand.  I'd look at it at every stop, especially the last 500.  I'd run under 75 mph the last 500.

Coot

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Coot are you going this weeend ? I'm hookin' up with the group Saturday at the lunch stop in Chimney Rock , NC.  Gordon and Big Al will be with me.

[Duffy]

Weather forecast for Lenoir improving. 

http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/tenday/USNC0384?from=weekend_topnav_outdoors

Fri
May 22
Partly Cloudy

10% Chance of rain.


Sat
May 23
Partly Cloudy

84°
61°

20% Chance of rain

Sun
May 24
Few Showers

81°
63°

30% Chance of rain

Mon
May 25
Cloudy

77°
65°

10% Chance of rain

[3fan4life]

Here's the tire that I think is good for one more ride...

Opinions?



-Mike

That tire has plenty of life left in it......


This is what a worn out tire looks like............ 



Avon Venom rear after  8,000 miles




Avon Venom front after 18,000 miles

[hubcapsc]

Now that's a may-pop!

-Mike

[3fan4life]

Now that's a may-pop!

-Mike

I managed to "Nurse" it home like that (about 35 miles) it was flat the next morning.

[razor]

How did this turn into a tire thread???

Anyway, back to the ride.   Paul, Laura and I will be there. We're planning on riding over with Joe on Saturday and meeting ya'll in Chimney Rock.  We'll probably break off from the group on Sunday at Shady Valley and head home from there. Lookin forward to it.

[..]

See you Saturday.

Look out for Mike on a black Goldwing at Chimney Rock. He's riding up from Atlanta on Saturday to meet for lunch.

[Kindred Spirit]

The weather can't decide what it wants to do!!!

[Normandog]

The weather can't decide what it wants to do!!!

Weather for WNC is great for the weekend. Slight chance of stray showers in the mountains. come on up Kendall. And be sure to bring Nikki with ya. 

[Kindred Spirit]

Normandog!
Nikki and I have plans on riding up saturday morning and meeting everyone in Blowing Rock.  Thought about leaving late tonight but it would put us 2-3am getting there.  Can't leave until 9pm because of graduation.  It has been raining here all week and doesn't seem like it's gonna stop anytime soon.  We will definitely have to leave in the rain.  Nikki doesn't want to spend 5 hours riding in the rain even though she will.  She's a great sport.  I'm sure we will see everyone saturday.
kwh