Just one of the things...

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I'm thankful for many things in my life this is just one. Thankful that in 1998 Harley Davidson of Knoxville, Tennessee sold the bike I was buying out from under me while I was working tornado damage in Jackson , Tennessee. I found this one just outside Jackson, Tennessee in Lexington, Tennessee and bought it . Because of this bike I've met friends that I will call friend until the end of my days.

[Oss]

 

[CleoBen]

Hi Smokin' Joe, where are you in East Tennessee? We lived in the K'ville, Murrvul, Alcoa area from 1990 to 2005.  We are ready to come home anytime!

CB

[NewValker]

Everything happens for a reason.

Craig

[_Sheffjs_]

Agreed, and for Sherry and I amazing Valk friends as far away as Norway! Opened their homes to us placed us on a beautiful Valkyrie for an amazing 6 hour ride and taken out on a boat by more Valk friends showing us the Fjords.  And never to not mention our local FL group!   

[old2soon]

              Best cursed bunch of FRIENDS/RIDERS I've ever tied up with!  RIDE SAFE.

[John Schmidt]

Yes Joe, you probably can't still put a face(heaven forbid ) to the name but I'm kinda glad it turned out that way for you. We've met a number of times over the years, have always wanted to go on one of your rides but my life requirements at home have prevented it thus far. As for folks I've met on here as a result of buying my Valk, they are a special bunch indeed and I'm also thankful for having the opportunity. Some have gone west and are sorely missed....thinking of RJ among others. Always chuckled at some of his postings and/or comments in our conversations, he was not afraid to speak his piece.

So, here's hoping I can maintain my health so as to continue riding and passing time with new and old friends alike. 

[msb]

Great post...couldn't agree more . So many great friends made over the last 17 years riding this beast

[hubcapsc]

I'm thankful that after I saw Frank Smoak's red Valkyrie, I looked
on the Internet and found this place, filled with people like
Smokin' Joe and Punisher and Detn8er... I didn't know if I'd
fit in since my screen name was "hubcap" and not Decapitator
or something like that, but here we are all these years later
and I'm thankful to know all of y'all... 

-Mike

[The emperor has no clothes]

I'm thankful that after I saw Frank Smoak's red Valkyrie, I looked
on the Internet and found this place, filled with people like
Smokin' Joe and Punisher and Detn8er... I didn't know if I'd
fit in since my screen name was "hubcap" and not Decapitator
or something like that, but here we are all these years later
and I'm thankful to know all of y'all... 

-Mike

(I'm glad you didn't pick decapitator) 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Hi Smokin' Joe, where are you in East Tennessee? We lived in the K'ville, Murrvul, Alcoa area from 1990 to 2005.  We are ready to come home anytime!

CB

I live in Clinton … 18 miles north of Knoxville.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Yes Joe, you probably can't still put a face(heaven forbid ) to the name

So, here's hoping I can maintain my health so as to continue riding and passing time with new and old friends alike. 

I know exactly what you look like John I could pick you out of a police line-up right now   

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I'm thankful that after I saw Frank Smoak's red Valkyrie, I looked
on the Internet and found this place, filled with people like
Smokin' Joe and Punisher and Detn8er... I didn't know if I'd
fit in since my screen name was "hubcap" and not Decapitator
or something like that, but here we are all these years later
and I'm thankful to know all of y'all... 

-Mike

Always a pleasure riding with you Mike the " red book " rides are becoming legendary in our circle   

[trout dude]

The Day Shelia said we need a bigger bike (was all over the country on a 750 ace) Changed our lives forever. We never new it would be like this and would never change a thing Man what a Genuine Groupe of people we have met and turned into GREAT FRIENDSHIPS (Family)

Joe Thanks for your post so we all can reflect on our lives on a Fat Girl  

Mitcho said it best when you buy a valkyrie you get a great bike but it is all that comes with it that is amazing  


   

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

The Day Shelia said we need a bigger bike (was all over the country on a 750 ace) Changed our lives forever. We never new it would be like this and would never change a thing Man what a Genuine Groupe of people we have met and turned into GREAT FRIENDSHIPS (Family)

Joe Thanks for your post so we all can reflect on our lives on a Fat Girl  

Mitcho said it best when you buy a valkyrie you get a great bike but it is all that comes with it that is amazing  

Ninja Mitch is a smart man and like you a very good man. Proud to know you both and call you friend. Saved the pictures 

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

I miss riding with the Wild Bunch 

[Mr Whiskey]

Thankful for all the friends & family we get to share wind with, jaw with, kick tires & lie with!!
Thankful we survived the crash so we can continue to do so, even if it is on a Wing
Thankful someone could use the spare parts...

(here she is... takin' a "last ride" 'cross The Dragon )


& in her prime!! (Carried us well, Lord I miss that ride! )


God Bless Y'all, Happy Holidays

[DDT (12)]

Joe,

An amazing bike in every way! ALI and I have had a long term affair that's produced some of the best memories of my entire life! And one of those... Well, nobody has said it better than MitchO: It is indeed a great bike, but it's all the comes with it that really blows your mind!!!





For a great many of us, you are one of those very special friends we've made solely because of our Valk. Our paths would likely never have crossed but for our gals, and our lives would also likely be different and lessened but for that. I'm proud to know you, to have ridden with you, and to have shared the bond of friendship with you... I appreciate ya, dude!!!




DDT

[John Schmidt]

Yes Joe, you probably can't still put a face(heaven forbid ) to the name

So, here's hoping I can maintain my health so as to continue riding and passing time with new and old friends alike. 

I know exactly what you look like John I could pick you out of a police line-up right now   

Joe, you're probably not alone in that one. 

[JimmyG]

Joe, I understand what your saying.  I have owned many makes of bikes over the years, but the Valk is the most enjoyable I have ever owned.  The extra benefits have been the friends I have made from ownership of this great bike. First friend I made was Mac,(Crazyhorse), and Tom,(Wingman). Two wonderful friends.  So many people I have met at rides, I cannot name them all, but a few special ones I have grown to know and love as brothers and sisters are,  Gary and Rosie, Billy and Trish, Tom and Joyce, Mitch and Laura, Dennis and Sheila, Gig and LuLu, DDT, Jim Babcock and wife,(opps forgot name).  , Reb, Smokin Joe, Alan, Gordon,  and many more that I am getting to know as time goes on. I know I have missed some, my apologies, but I am getting old and my memory evades me sometimes.   I sure enjoy meeting nice people on these rides.  Sure has been fun and I hope I can make several more rides as time speeds by.  Lots to be thankful for in life.  Thanks for these wonderful memories.

[R Bowers]

Was off a bike for 26 years. Wife wanted a bike so we could something without our sons. Road with few groups, could not find a group we fit in with. Was looking for a ride and found Joe's color ride. Asked the wife want to try this group ? Showed up at ground zero and we were  treated like long lost friend's. It was the waterfall ride. KSU at 9:00 AM Sat after a great ride  returned at 9:30 PM. Wife was cold and tired. After we got back home Sunday asked the wife what do you think about this group. This is our kind of people. The rest is history. Thanks Joe !

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Was off a bike for 26 years. Wife wanted a bike so we could something without our sons. Road with few groups, could not find a group we fit in with. Was looking for a ride and found Joe's color ride. Asked the wife want to try this group ? Showed up at ground zero and we were  treated like long lost friend's. It was the waterfall ride. KSU at 9:00 AM Sat after a great ride  returned at 9:30 PM. Wife was cold and tired. After we got back home Sunday asked the wife what do you think about this group. This is our kind of people. The rest is history. Thanks Joe !

Never know when to expect you but always expect to expect you . You folks are good people and proud I met you both I would share the wind with y'all anyday.

[Moonshot_1]

I'm thankful for many things in my life this is just one. Thankful that in 1998 Harley Davidson of Knoxville, Tennessee sold the bike I was buying out from under me while I was working tornado damage in Jackson , Tennessee. I found this one just outside Jackson, Tennessee in Lexington, Tennessee and bought it . Because of this bike I've met friends that I will call friend until the end of my days.

But look at all the cool Harley clothes you missed out on.

[The emperor has no clothes]

We have met and made many friends also because of the Valkyrie. Back when the SoCal chapter was on the old Bulletin Board I would go over and check it out sometimes. Didn't know any of them, but just read up on their activities. One day they posted a ride weekend to Zion. Didn't know if we would mesh with them, but kind of invited myself and my wife to the ride. Met up with them in Vegas, and the rest is history. We've since done many rides with them and many other groups all over the country. It's been a true blessing. Even met up with DDT in Alaska.
 Hubcap said something to me recently that has stuck with me. Something along the lines of "All who have ridden with you consider you friends. The rest is just interweb nonsense". I think he is a wise man. I hope to ride with all of you someday. 

[msb]

What started out about 10-11 years ago as separate small groups from Eastern WA, Western WA, and BC meeting up on our Valks at the Valhalla Inn in New Denver BC  has grown over the years to this...the best bunch of folks one could ever hope to call friends.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Appreciate everyone contributing to this thread . Cool reading the reply's   

[GiG]

Joe, I understand what your saying.  I have owned many makes of bikes over the years, but the Valk is the most enjoyable I have ever owned.  The extra benefits have been the friends I have made from ownership of this great bike. First friend I made was Mac,(Crazyhorse), and Tom,(Wingman). Two wonderful friends.  So many people I have met at rides, I cannot name them all, but a few special ones I have grown to know and love as brothers and sisters are,  Gary and Rosie, Billy and Trish, Tom and Joyce, Mitch and Laura, Dennis and Sheila, Gig and LuLu, DDT, Jim Babcock and wife,(opps forgot name).  , Reb, Smokin Joe, Alan, Gordon,  and many more that I am getting to know as time goes on. I know I have missed some, my apologies, but I am getting old and my memory evades me sometimes.   I sure enjoy meeting nice people on these rides.  Sure has been fun and I hope I can make several more rides as time speeds by.  Lots to be thankful for in life.  Thanks for these wonderful memories.

Back at ya' Jimmy, We love you and Steph, you're the best 
We've met so many incredible people through this club, I never thought it happen, but we plan all vacation time with folks connected to the VRCC. Truely amazing.
 I started out running down to the Tennessee rides years ago because it was an area I wanted to explore. Then I wanted to go on every Smokin Joe ride and all the rides that spun off from Joe's. There has been so many in the past 20 years that the details of different rides and dates and events, run together.

 I hope to continue to make, every ride I can get to in KY, TN, VA, NC because of the cool people in this club. Not to mention IN, NY, PA...

(btw, Slacker's ol lady is Suzanne, ask her about the milkshake story...).

[Rams]

Wonderful people riding a great motorcycle, who could ask for more....   
Can't wait to get back in the saddle.   

Rams

[MITCHO]

When I decided to get a larger bike about 9 years ago I looked at a little bit of everything.  One week I found a black Interstate for sale in suburban Chicago where I worked.  I went home that weekend and told Laura that I found what I wanted.  She was unfamiliar with the bike so she Googled it.  She took one look at an image and was in complete enthusiastic, supportive agreement.  The search was on at that point.  It took us a few months before we found Sugar, our red and black Interstate.  That was the beginning of a lot of new adventures for us.

To be perfectly honest, we weren't looking for a 'club' or group of riders to ride with.  I just wanted to get back on two wheels and Laura wanted to come along.  We were perfectly happy riding by ourselves and were fortunate enough to have a great social circle/family with whom we shared time.  After buying the Interstate I, of course, began researching parts (chrome!) and maintenance for the bike and stumbled upon this board.  I trolled the board, still do, lol, for a few months and saw a posting about Britman's ride and Smokin' Joe's ride from Clinton to the ride.  I mentioned this ride to Laura and she was apprehensive, the idea of meeting up with a group of strangers, bikers, no less was outside of her comfort zone - goodness know what sort of hooligans, ne'er do wells, miscreants, or maniacs might be involved!  I assured her that if there was an unsavory mixture of raping, robbing, and pillaging at Clinton we could just turn around - I had not registered or advised anybody I was coming.  She agreed and the rest is history.

The first evening we went to Clinton we met Smokin' Joe and about 8 or so other guys.  It was wonderful to see so many beautiful Valkyries in one place.  But as for this group of hooligans, ne'er do wells, miscreants, or maniacs?  Well, that's become an unexpected and amazing chapter in our lives.  I have shared many miles (not enough though!) with Joe, Gordon, Wimp, Hal, Santa, Rainmaker, and the others.  When we rode over to Britman's ride the adventure continued as did the friend list.  This minor 'pre-ride' arranged by Joe resulted in this most amazing, and unexpected, chapter in my life. 

I have had more adventures and made more friends than I could have ever imagined.  I am not naming everybody by name as there's quite a list and I sincerely hope you know who you are.  How incredible to know that you have friends from around the country, and internationally, that are there for you, and vice versa.  The only negative in this whole situation has been the pain that comes when I see one of my dear friends injured or lose them. 

All of this from one ride arranged by my (first Valkyrie) friend Joe.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Excellent post Mitcho ! Made me think of something else on our first ride with the SoCal group. I was apprehensive about riding with new people that I didn’t know their riding style. I don’t ride side by side, no problem with those that do, but it’s just not for me. I had a plan that if they did I would just peel off and make an excuse that Brenda didn’t feel good or something. I was very happy to see that everyone had good skills and rode staggered. After a few miles “Oneway Wayne” realized he forgot his insulin at his home in Henderson. Another rider peeled off with him to go back and retrieve it. I realized right then and there this was a group that would enjoy riding with.  

[larue]

Amen