Tour de Dixie (Part One)

Tour de Dixie (Part One)

It started with a phone call. Actually, it had already begun, I suppose, with the reading of a post on our message board. The Wild Bunch was going to do a ride in the mountains over the New Year’s weekend, and I was interested, naturally. The call I got from SmokinJoe, however, cinched the deal. How can anybody turn down a personal invitation from such a guy?

Punisher and Butter Britches then entered the equation when Allan called and informed me they were also going, and that they would tolerate a hook-up with this lacking in social graces gypsy dude. We arranged a meet place and time, then all that was left was for me to get there.

It came to pass on that cloudy, cold morning that I actually found them at the appointed place and time! With my lack of navigational prowess, it’s a wonder I can find the end of my driveway sometimes… It had rained at home all night and into the early morning delaying my departure a wee bit… So, it was also a wonder that I made it there on time, too.

Congenial company and grits to boot, now we’re talking about a serious breakfast social event! There is nothing like eggs, sausage (or bacon or country ham) and a mess of grits to get a body going in the morning, so I was off to a roaring start! Then Allan picked up the check, and I was reminded once again of just how good life can truly be!!!

We rode together all the way to Knoxville. Then, Allan paid me the high compliment, not to mention he provided a demonstration of his own high tolerance for risk taking, when they followed me through some back roads towards Oak Ridge, and the back way into Clinton in the great state of Tennessee… God’s country, according to SmokinJoe. (For what it’s worth, I don’t disagree with him!)

WOW! No wrong turns or anything and we missed the worst of the city traffic in Knoxville! We got to the main road in Clinton and split up. Allan and Jackie had a motel room reserved over by the Interstate, while I was headed to Gordon’s (Lucky 13) house. We were all to meet up later for some Mexican cuisine at the usual place near Gordon’s… We did.

Hal 47, Gordon, Joe, Allan & Jackie, plus yours truly had a rather pleasant and entertaining evening. If you know Joe at all, then you know that he not only tells funny stories; he tells stories funny, too! He shared, with virtually no coaxing at all, several of his anecdotes, recollections, and perspectives on various topics… and I enjoyed belly-laughing right along with everyone else…

The following morning, it was meet-up at the usual ride starting place… the Hardees over by the Green Bridge. Larry, Lance, and Paul (Wimp) joined the group from the evening before, and we all dined, then went AOS and KSU. Yeah, it was brisk for sure. This like every other morning I rode on this outing began with temps in the 20s. A word about that…

I’d chosen to use my Tour Master cold weather riding suit this time, because it is much warmer than my leathers. I ordinarily prefer the leathers, because they offer greater comfort over a broader range of conditions. However, temps below a certain level are best handled with the cold suit… Since I hadn’t made my mind up entirely on the Florida leg of this journey yet, I went with the cold suit because I did know what I’d be exposed to on this leg.

The cold suit and Gerbigs, plus the wool hunting socks I had along, did the trick. Well, they worked quite well for those body parts they covered. Wearing a half helmet in 20* temps is not the brightest idea I’ve ever had, but there it is…

My face remained cold all day each day of this ride. Why wear an open-face half helmet then, you might wonder… A very reasonable question, but the answer is rather lengthy… Suffice it to say that it is a treasure with a special meaning and story behind it, so I’ll be riding with it as long as I can.

Mercifully our route was quite scenic, so we stopped frequently to sight-see, visit, and discharge used coffee, and the frequency of these stops allowed my face to remain relatively thawed throughout the ride over to Shady Valley, TN, where we met up with Hubcap Mike and 3fan4life Mark. We then rode down to Elizabethton, TN, and to our motel for the next two evenings.

Logan’s Steakhouse is a couple of hundred yards down the road from our motel, so most of our entourage hoofed it there, while a couple of lucky folks, myself included, were treated to a ride with CharlieMac in his vintage Chevrolet. It was cold and I was tired, so that ride was most appreciated!

In case you’re wondering: Yes, we did have a large time. Joe was his usual self, so the hilarious tales and yarns were free-flowing right along with the beer and other beverages… Others in our group are quite adept at story-telling, also, so there was no lull in the laughter! The food was good, too, and a good time was had by all. Except…

Apparently, I managed to miss a golden opportunity to cop a feel… Yep, one of the cute little members of the wait staff came over to our table to bum a cigarette… Joe gave her one, then she needed a light, so he loaned her his lighter too. Being a life-long smart-ass, I then asked, as she walked by me, if she needed a pat on the rump too to get it started… I didn’t actually see her turn around, as I’d already turned my head away expecting to be slapped, only, according to the others, she actually stopped turned her be-hind towards me and paused for a few seconds… Dang…

Not so many years ago, I used to be one of the last folks standing at these events. Not so anymore, regrettably, as I run out of steam earlier and earlier, it seems, with each new gathering I attend. I really need to eat more greens and cornbread to rebuild my stamina, I reckon…

Our second day of this ride was even better than the first. More scenic locations, stunning panoramas, spritely riding, and grand comradeship. And, more frequent stops for the usual reasons… My face got another reprieve!

We even stopped at a BBQ place along the way, but I didn’t have any. Nope, I was planning on having some, but then I saw where they had pinto beans. When I inquired about a bowl, I was asked if I’d like a regular bowl or ‘the meal’ which included a large bowl of beans, cold slaw and cornbread, so… I didn’t want to eat too much, so I went that way and passed on the pork sandwich… A good choice, as it turned out!

Napper tells me that fortune smiles most favorably upon those who practice clean living and pure thoughts… I won’t attempt to claim I’m a worthy recipient of all the good fortune that has come my way, but I for sure ain’t complaining about it either!

Another evening at Logan’s, but this time the ol’ bug slayer didn’t attend the festivities… I suppose it’s true that every party needs a pooper… I played my role well…

Sunday morning it was time for farewells at the motel parking lot. A few of us rode on down to the Golden Arches for a last breakfast together, then we too said adios to each other. Temps were in the 20s again, but this time I’d be riding solo… I stopped often, even went indoors a couple of times!

Ending these rides, for me at least, always involves a mixed bag of feelings. I really like and respect the folks I’ve been privileged to meet through my long association with ALI. Owning a Valk is wonderful, but all that goes with it truly blows your mind! MITCHO once told me that, and I’m constantly being reminded of that statement, especially when I’ve been around such fine folks as these. On the other hand, …

I am a sociable recluse at heart… and an incurable gypsy. I love most of all wandering and wondering around our amazing continent, exploring new places, revisiting familiar locations, meeting strangers, and being alone with my thoughts. Discovering all I can about life, love, human nature and human potential has been a quest I’ve set upon, and there appears to be no end in sight… and I’m mighty glad about that!!!

DDT