Well, the fun’s almost over

[The emperor has no clothes]

We just finished up 3 days in DC. It was awesome. Ended up riding the bike around DC instead of the Metro like I had planned. Friday afternoon we went to the Arlington Cemetery and as we were leaving I thought we would ride over and around the Lincoln monument. It was not bad at all. So we decided the next 2 days to ride over and park. I’m glad we did, it saved much time. We did get in some traffic coming back from the zoo though.
 Drop Brenda off at the Roanoke airport in a few hours and then down to the Tail of the Dragon. Then it’s going to be hauling ass back home.
 It’s been a great trip ! I hope to do a ride report after getting back.

[DDT (12)]

Rob,

Glad everything worked out for y'all. Great seeing y'all again, too... Be careful on the remainder of the trip, and we'll look forward to your ride report!

DDT

[hubcapsc]

You will have done some riding by the time you get back to AZ!

-Mike

[baldo]

Great, thanks for that...

I'm slaving away on a hot ramp, supposed to hit 96 today.

And you're just gallivanting around, having fun....

Well, at least someone is enjoying themself....

[Wizzard]

Safe winds Rob. Look forward to the report and pictures. 

[Bighead]

Keep the rubber side down and watch out for those on the Dragon.

[Pete]

If you are going to do the Dragon, you may want to check out the http://www.cherohala.org/. It is close by and a great ride.

Many of us like it better that the Dragon.

You could take the northwest entrance to the Dragon and then the east entry to the Cherohala for a nice loop without much riding between or retracing.

You are welcome to stop by the house for cool one if you would like (I promise to not bite or bring up any political discussions). I am about an hour west of either road and within 35 to 40 miles access to I40 or I24.

Let me know where you would be and I can send directions.

[RainMaker]

Rob, glad to hear you had a great time in DC - it is a unique place that would be even better if there were no politicians there.

Your bike will not be the same without Brenda on it.  She really makes it look good.

Be safe on your trip.  Don't show off to Killboy on the Dragon - he loves the shots but you end up on your arse!

Should you go the southern route on I-30, let me know and we'll be happy to give you a place to sleep and some cold stuff along the way.

Take care, my friend.

Mark aka RainMaker

[RainMaker]

Great, thanks for that...

I'm slaving away on a hot ramp, supposed to hit 96 today.

And you're just gallivanting around, having fun....

Well, at least someone is enjoying themself....

It just ain't fair, is it.  96? Heck, it's supposed to hit 91 degrees here in DFW today - who'd have thought it would be cooler in Dixie?

I do know that I feel a lot safer flying with guys like you keeping the birds flying.

RM

[Hook#3287]

Hey Rob, safe trip home buddy

Looking forward to the report.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks, everyone  Pete, thanks for the ride advice. I may check it out, we will see how much time I have. Thanks for the invite also, time is valuable right now. I doubt I have the time. But, thank you.

[Oss]

Safe winds Rob.

Without a doubt you are putting some miles on your dragon this month.

[Wizzard]

Having done both the dragon and the Cherohala, I would skip the dragon and do the Cherohala any time.
I have ridden way better roads than the dragon. Its over rated by far.

[Pete]

Your welcome and have fun.

[NewValker]

Keep smilin Rob, enjoy & be safe,
Craig

[Leathel]

enjoy the rest of your trip, safe travels 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Having done both the dragon and the Cherohala, I would skip the dragon and do the Cherohala any time.
I have ridden way better roads than the dragon. Its over rated by far.

I’m sitting in Hardee’s Tellico Plains right now. Just did the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway. Your assessment was correct. The Dragon was ok. The Skyway was freaking AWESOME ! Might just be my favorite all time.
 Thanks for the recommendation Pete, I owe you. 

[RP#62]

Rob, you missed the cold front, it got down to mid 90's for two whole days.  We got nearly a half of a tenth of rain - real gully washer.  Should be back up to the 1 teens by the time you get back.

-RP

[DirtyDan]

Boiled peanuts ?

Dan

[Serk]

The fun's not over, just a pause before the next session...

Glad to meet you, hope to meet you again soon!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Rob, you missed the cold front, it got down to mid 90's for two whole days.  We got nearly a half of a tenth of rain - real gully washer.  Should be back up to the 1 teens by the time you get back.

-RP

Robert, it may not be as hot out here. But I’ve sweat more in the last 10 days than since my time in the Philippines. It’s not so bad when you are moving, but sitting at a light people look over and wonder if the puddle on the ground is antifreeze or sweat.

[The emperor has no clothes]

The fun's not over, just a pause before the next session...

Glad to meet you, hope to meet you again soon!

ditto my friend, ditto 

[RP#62]

Rob, you missed the cold front, it got down to mid 90's for two whole days.  We got nearly a half of a tenth of rain - real gully washer.  Should be back up to the 1 teens by the time you get back.

-RP

Robert, it may not be as hot out here. But I’ve sweat more in the last 10 days than since my time in the Philippines. It’s not so bad when you are moving, but sitting at a light people look over and wonder if the puddle on the ground is antifreeze or sweat.

Oh, I understand, I lived in FL for 13 years (and survived Inzane in Paducah).  I'll take actual 110 over heat index of 110 any day.

-RP

[Pete]

Having done both the dragon and the Cherohala, I would skip the dragon and do the Cherohala any time.
I have ridden way better roads than the dragon. Its over rated by far.

I’m sitting in Hardee’s Tellico Plains right now. Just did the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway. Your assessment was correct. The Dragon was ok. The Skyway was freaking AWESOME ! Might just be my favorite all time.
 Thanks for the recommendation Pete, I owe you. 

You are entirely welcome, happy that it worked out and that you liked it.
Have fun.

[Bighead]

Having done both the dragon and the Cherohala, I would skip the dragon and do the Cherohala any time.
I have ridden way better roads than the dragon. Its over rated by far.

I’m sitting in Hardee’s Tellico Plains right now. Just did the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway. Your assessment was correct. The Dragon was ok. The Skyway was freaking AWESOME ! Might just be my favorite all time.
 Thanks for the recommendation Pete, I owe you. 

Almost straight across the road is the Bike shed....... no one there?

[Pappy!]

Drink about twice as much water as you think you need to on the hot day rides. You still owe me a beer and vice versa so stay safe!

[msb]

Rob.....since you've already invested all that time to cover the miles you've done on this ride  to date, you might as well take a "slight" detour North and hit our Valhalla Rally which starts this Thursday evening. Timing would be just right. Heck, no sense going home now that you're in the swing of things   

[The emperor has no clothes]

Rob.....since you've already invested all that time to cover the miles you've done on this ride  to date, you might as well take a "slight" detour North and hit our Valhalla Rally which starts this Thursday evening. Timing would be just right. Heck, no sense going home now that you're in the swing of things   

Don’t tempt me. Your guys ride has been on my lists for years. I remember hearing about it on the old Vermin site. Maybe next year. 

[Bigwolf]

Rob,
It is good to know that you enjoyed your time in DC.  Watch out for crazy drivers/riders on the Dragon Tail.  They might crowd your lane.  Be safe traveling home.

I enjoyed the little bit of time we got to talk at Inzane and look forward to doing that again.

Bigwolf

[The emperor has no clothes]

Having done both the dragon and the Cherohala, I would skip the dragon and do the Cherohala any time.
I have ridden way better roads than the dragon. Its over rated by far.

I’m sitting in Hardee’s Tellico Plains right now. Just did the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway. Your assessment was correct. The Dragon was ok. The Skyway was freaking AWESOME ! Might just be my favorite all time.
 Thanks for the recommendation Pete, I owe you. 

Almost straight across the road is the Bike shed....... no one there?

I didn’t see any bikes. Thankfully didn’t even see a ton on the Dragon. Only had one Harley come into my lane, nobody pushing me, only caught a Ford and he pulled over after a mile.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Boiled peanuts ?

Dan

Never saw any. But I did have my first grits in 50 years or so.

 
(My personal grits model) 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Rob,
It is good to know that you enjoyed your time in DC.  Watch out for crazy drivers/riders on the Dragon Tail.  They might crowd your lane.  Be safe traveling home.

I enjoyed the little bit of time we got to talk at Inzane and look forward to doing that again.

Bigwolf

Same here Jerry. There just never seems enough hours in the day. Hope to see you before next year. 

[Pete]

Boiled peanuts ?

Dan

Never saw any. But I did have my first grits in 50 years or so.

 
(My personal grits model) 

Nice model.

In the interest of being transparent, I love corn and do not understand grits.
I will eat corn prepared any way, I will not touch grits.
Grits is a terrible thing to do to perfectly good corn.
To prove my point, no one eats just grits, everyone has to major modify them to make them palatable.
Many do eat corn straight up.

There was a time when some thought grits was a joke southerners played on the rest of the world. 

Next comes black eyed peas and hog jowl then chitlins, watch for them.

[Bighead]

Pete the only way I modify my grits is with salt,pepper and chewing them Love them.

[DDT (12)]

Boiled peanuts ?

Dan

Never saw any. But I did have my first grits in 50 years or so.

 
(My personal grits model) 

Nice model.

In the interest of being transparent, I love corn and do not understand grits.
I will eat corn prepared any way, I will not touch grits.
Grits is a terrible thing to do to perfectly good corn.
To prove my point, no one eats just grits, everyone has to major modify them to make them palatable.
Many do eat corn straight up.

There was a time when some thought grits was a joke southerners played on the rest of the world. 

Next comes black eyed peas and hog jowl then chitlins, watch for them.

Rob,

I'm proud of ya!!! It is true that everybody doesn't like them, like Pete said, and I accept that. You can decide for yourself... I do agree with Pete on your grits 'model', though! Your trying them confirms something I've figured about you from the beginning... that you're open-minded, willing to consider alternatives and new things, and that you think for yourself. Regardless of your conclusions, I do respect that in a person!!! Now, about those boiled peanuts... yeah, you did, unfortunately, miss-out on another golden opportunity to tantalize your taste buds... Oh well, next time, perhaps...

DDT

[DDT (12)]

Pete the only way I modify my grits is with salt,pepper and chewing them Love them.

Barry,

I hear ya, dude! I almost always add lots of butter to mine, but... At a restaurant someplace recently I was carrying-on about suffering from grits withdrawals and such, so the gal brought me a serving in a bowl... A bowl heaped up with so many in and on there, I couldn't add butter without making a mess. I did the sensible thing, and just added salt and pepper, then proceeded to eat them 'your way' until there was room to add butter. I'd forgotten they were actually quite good that way!!! I still prefer them with butter, though, but they ain't bad at all without that either... Thanks for the reminder!

DDT

[Bighead]

Well Bruce butter does go good on corn

[Jess from VA]

Grits are OK, but I avoid all food that looks like baby food.

Even though we have the same haircut.


Some people like it though.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Boiled peanuts ?

Dan

Never saw any. But I did have my first grits in 50 years or so.

 
(My personal grits model) 

Nice model.

In the interest of being transparent, I love corn and do not understand grits.
I will eat corn prepared any way, I will not touch grits.
Grits is a terrible thing to do to perfectly good corn.
To prove my point, no one eats just grits, everyone has to major modify them to make them palatable.
Many do eat corn straight up.

There was a time when some thought grits was a joke southerners played on the rest of the world. 

Next comes black eyed peas and hog jowl then chitlins, watch for them.

Rob,

I'm proud of ya!!! It is true that everybody doesn't like them, like Pete said, and I accept that. You can decide for yourself... I do agree with Pete on your grits 'model', though! Your trying them confirms something I've figured about you from the beginning... that you're open-minded, willing to consider alternatives and new things, and that you think for yourself. Regardless of your conclusions, I do respect that in a person!!! Now, about those boiled peanuts... yeah, you did, unfortunately, miss-out on another golden opportunity to tantalize your taste buds... Oh well, next time, perhaps...

DDT

Thanks, Bruce  They were actually pretty good. I did put about 3 or 4 tablespoons of butter though.
 Now, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that escape in the dead of night in Roanoke. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Had an auspicious morning. I should have known better than getting a hotel on the east side of Chattanooga last night. But I was beat and wanted something quick. Take off this morning, at least I got gas last night. Traffic was moving well, I looked down at my gps and everything comes to a screeching halt.  manage to slow down and bail off to an off ramp. My bad  2 miles down the road a semi doesn’t see me and squeezes me up towards the barrier. I’m able to slow enough where I get in his field vision and he evaded me. My bad again.  I should have not left myself in his blind spot. By now my adrenaline is pumping and I figure I don’t need coffee. Now I’m figuring the right 2 lanes are not for me. I get over in the far left and am pacing traffic at about 75-80. Another 2 or 3 miles down the road a lady comes flying off the on ramp, crosses all 4 lanes, misses a semi to my right by inches and misses me by inches. Now this pisses me off and I think I’m going to catch her and give her some gesture (I hadn’t decided which one). I’m busting 100 to catch her but I’m not gaining on her. I decide to relax and just let her go.
 I’m not hotelling on the east side of towns the rest of the way home.