InZane, DC report

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InZane, DC report

« on: June 21, 2018, 07:57:26 PM »

Started out at 3:30 am. I was too hyped up and couldn’t sleep. Brenda was already gone the day before taking her Mom to Phoenix for radiation therapy. Everything went good and I was making good time. Listening to the audiobook really made the Interstate not quite so boring. About 5:30 pulling in for gas near Amarillo I hear something. Turn down the sound on my headset. At first as I was coasting in I thought it was a front wheel bearing. But when I get stopped and helmet off it’s obviously coming from the engine. Sounded terrible and I wasn’t sure what I should do. Checked for hotels and found one about 5 miles away. Get to the hotel and unloaded. By this time I’m pretty sure the noise is coming from the alternator. Once the nut came loose on the drive hub and it made a funny noise. Thought maybe I’d get lucky and that would be it. But it wasn’t. But I detected a little side play in the drive side. Had much help here on the forum offering to send one and other help, which I am eternally grateful for. Ended up getting an alternator shop to rebuild it the next day in record time.

Day 2 I only got in 350 miles because I didn’t leave till 5:30. The next 2 days are pretty uneventful. I was trying to catch up to my SoCal and AZ buddies. But I had only minimal sleep for a couple days and I was running out of steam.
Got to Roanoke Sunday, my wife had flown in Saturday. Brenda was hungry so we went to eat and pick up some essentials (beer).
Monday hooked up with my Massachusetts buddies and some locals for a spirited ride around the hills there. I still don’t know exactly where we went. One place was called Blueberry Ridge. It was a good ride.
Tuesday we rode with Rainmaker, Speedo, and Dennis from Blythe to Mt. Airy (Mayberry). Another good ride.

Wednesday we hooked up with 3fan and a bunch of others for a ride to pay homage to Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee. I very enjoyable and informative ride. Then the fun began with a little backwoods riding. It was the most fun of all.

Thursday I took Brenda on a ride on the BRP. We only did 60 miles of it and then some other back roads. But it was thoroughly enjoyable.

Each night there might have been a little beer drinking and a little BS’ing.

Friday Brenda and I were off to DC for a few days. We went to the Arlington cemetery that afternoon and then rode across the Memorial bridge and rode around the city a little. We spent the next two days looking and acting like tourists.

I dropped Brenda off at the Roanoke airport and headed to the tail of the Dragon. It was ok and I’m glad I did it. But I really didn’t enjoy it. I have heard so many stories over the years of people over riding into your lane. I was hyper vigilant of that and really couldn’t enjoy it that much. But....Pete had recommended the Cherohala Skyway. I took Joyce Kilmer Road over as a short cut. The Skyway was the bomb ! I thoroughly enjoyed that road. Nice big sweepers at a good speed, perfect pavement, beautiful views.

Made it to Chattanooga for the night. I was really tired and got a hotel right as I got into town. Big mistake ! I battled traffic across town in the morning and had a few close calls.
The rest of the ride was pretty uneventful along interstate 40 the whole way. Met lots of interesting, friendly people all across the country.

Had a great time visiting with old friends and meeting many that I have wanted to for years. It was a great event !


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