Entry for March 30, 2006

  Now I am really bummed.  Just talked to Ron's Cycleland, my dealer in Tulsa, and they haven't even started working on the REB.  The guy I talked to said they were behind 2-3 weeks but he would get someone working on it this week.  I got a bad feeling about this, I can see some young kid that doesn't know shit screwing up the whole simple job.  I wish I had just brought it home and done it myself.

Entry for March 29, 2006

Picture:  Coffee stop on the North Georga ride. 

Here I sit after one week of being "Bulletless".  I have missed out on a couple great riding days and I'm starting to get antsy.  Ron's Cycle is suppose to have the bike ready by Thursday.  If that is the case I'll pick it up Friday or Saturday.

  You would think I'd get in the garage and get it straightend out a little bit but can't seem to work up the ambition for that project.

Entry for March 24, 2006

Picture:  March Cover of Riding South Magazine

 I meant to mention that, Robert, my riding buddy in Arkansas is the editor/publisher of a monthly motorcycle magazine called Riding South Magazine.  It is a regional publication as the name indicates, but has some articles of wide appeal.  My favorite is called "Reentry Rider"; every month there is an article about some old fart like me that has re-discovered the joys of riding after a long absence.  The cost of a year's subscription is a ridiculously low $10, (free if you can find it at a motorcycle shop) here is the contact information: 

            

Riding South Magazine

1220 Jameson Ave.

Benton, AR 72015

Phone: 501-860-8884

E-mail: robertshearon@sbcglobal.net

                                

   He asks that a phone number be included with E-mail submissions so they can be verified.  I suspect that given the readership of my blog Robert will have to hire additional staff to handle the increase in circulation.

Entry for March 22, 2006

  I stayed in Ft. Smith, AR last night and got on the road at 0700 this morning with plans to be in Tulsa at 0900.  I pulled into Ron's Cycle right on schedule and dropped off the bike for them to change the head gasket.  It had been leaking for awhile and didn't bother the performance but as long as it is still under warranty I might as well get it fixed.

  I can tell I'm getting closer to home, the roads are straight and there aren't any trees to muck up the scenery.  The forcast is for snow so I won't miss the bike for awhile.  It's good to be home.

Bullets in Arkansas March 21, 2006

Picture:  Robert and the Bullets in front of Nimrod Dam

  After driving all day in the rain on Monday the prospects of riding in Arkansas with a fellow REB owner I met on-line appeared bleak.  I was to meet with Robert at his home in Benton at 9am and when I left the motel the temperature was in the low 40's, cloudy, but no rain.  After unloading my bike and the customary tire kicking we had a cuppa and went over the route Robert had chosen for the day's ride.  We were heading up State Highway 7, which is a National Scenic Byway, to Nimrod Lake, between the Quachita and Ozark Mountains.  It was a lot faster ride with longer curves than what Pam and rode in northern Georgia.  The cloudy day couldn't hide the beauty of mountains and I had to be careful not to gawk around too much.

  From Nimrod we backtracked down to Hot Springs, AR, the town made even more famous by President Clinton.  Through downtown and up Hot Springs Mountain to a 250 foot high tower with a spectacular view of Hot Springs and the surrounding mountains.  The open air observation area was windy and cold but I managed to take a few pictures.

  Time for lunch at McClard's, Hot Springs most famous BBQ joint, and reported favorite of Big Bill.  The chopped pork sandwich was very tasty, a mix of southern vinegar and KC sweet sauce.  A quick ride back to Benton through Billy Bob Thornton's home town of Malvern and the ride was over.  A little over 160 miles on two Bullets.  If you think one REB draws attention try pulling up on two of them.  I ran out of my cards with "the story" on the back.

  It was a great motorcycle day and a great trip but I look forward to my recliner and my own bed.  Kinda miss my wife too.

Cycle World International Motorcycle Show March 18, 2006

Picture:  Pam and me at the Royal Enfield display (more pics in photo album)

It took a bit of searching but we finally found Classic Motorworks’  Royal Enfield exhibit at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Atlanta.  It had to be the smallest display of all the manufactures, even the Ural had much more space to show all their sidecar rigs, but the traffic keep the South Carolina dealer that was manning the booth busy.  You can see the result of Pam’s spill the other day, her arm in a sling.  She was still able to climb into the sidecar to pose with the old man.

  Lots of Harleys and of course the Japanese but several interesting vintage bikes were on display both British and Japanese, and a huge variety of people.  It was interesting to see all the people in their riding gear-- cruisers, sport bikes, even kids in motocross dress, but I only saw one other REB shirt and that was the guy at the Enfield display.  I spent most of my money on miracle chemicals, guaranteed to put a shine on anything……we’ll see.  

 

March 17, 2006 Around the Neighborhood

Picture:  Cherry Blossoms

  My daughter's riding is over for awhile so I ventured out on my own for about an hour this afternoon.  I just poked around in some neighborhoods then found a nice road to ride for about 10 miles.  Had no clue where I was but managed to find my way home. 

  I didn't take the camera so came home and went back out to get this shot just around the corner from Pam's.

  Looking forward to tomorrow and the Cycle World show in Atlanta.  It is also a NASCAR weekend so Atlanta should be worse than usual.

March 15, 2006 Riding in Northern Georgia, USA

Picture:  Pam enjoys the view in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

 

A wonderful day of mountain riding came to an abrupt halt as we rounded the tight left down hill turn.  I was in the lead on the REB with Pam following on her Rebel.  Although we were going slowly I knew the large patch of loose gravel could be trouble.  My rear wheel wiggled a bit and I slowed to a near stop to check on Pam. As I looked the my mirror I saw her front wheel wipe out and went down and slid across the road coming to a stop against a sign post that saved her from going into a small lake.  By the time I got back to her she was on her knees holding her right shoulder.  A local guy on an old dual sport who had been trailing Pam also stopped to assist.  We got the bike up, kicked the front end straight and dug the mud out of the controls.  It was rideable and she thought she could make it to the next town but the pain in her elbow got so bad we had to stop and seek assistance.  Luckily we came upon a large hiking supply store and the very helpful staff drove her to the nearest hospital ER.

  Long story short………Called Eric, he brought up my truck and met us at the ER, we went back up the mountain and loaded the REB (it was getting dark and cold and I didn’t relish the two and a half hour ride back)and since the truck is too small for two,left the Rebel and headed home.

  Oh! she broke a bone in her elbow and has an appointment with her doctor this morning. Not too serious but points up how easily it is for something to go wrong on two wheels.  Had it not been for her protective gear it would have been a lot worse.  In our "debrief" we concluded that the unknown rider behind, although riding safe and at a decent distance, made her loose concentration.  Ride Safe.

P.S.  The spill occured on highway #180 halfway between Suches, GA and US #129.  We found out from a local rider we meet at the ER that gravel on the road is common as it washes down during rains.  They usually sweep the roads around the end of March, a little too late for Pam.

March 14, 2006 Athens, GA

Picture:  Pam looking wishful at The Hog Pen

  A nice riding day in Athens, GA spoiled by Kansas like winds.  We didn't let that stop us though.  First stop was The Hog Pen, a mostly Harley like place that made custom choppers with non-Harley V-twins.  Interestingly enough they had a 1957 Trimuph in the shop looking for a wiring short.  it was a twin, looked to be about a 250cc in dark green military trim.  It appeared to be a daily rider and was no show bike.

  Next stop, Cycle World a huge harley/honda/suzuki dealership.  Tons of bikes and a friendly sales staff that had actually heard of a Royal Enfield. 

  Lunch was at a new bread store near downtown Athens.  Sandwitches, soup etc.  We got a few looks when we pulled up on the bikes and walked in with all the riding gear on.  They had a nice outside eating area so we could keep an eye on the bikes.

  And now believe it or not Pam has to get a root canel done.  Two hours in the dentist office and she is ready for more riding.  We cruised through downtown Athens and the University of Georgia Champus to a friends house to visit her new baby for a few minutes.  The week old baby girl gave me a new appreciation of my own extremely handsome grandson.

  The ride home about blew us out of the saddle.  Riding in traffic and wind can really wear you out.  Time for one of the son-in-law's home brews and to make plans for tomorrow.

Northern Virginia March 9, 2006

Picture:  A Handsome Pair of Royal Enfields

  Today was a unique riding experience for me.  I hauled the REB (Royal Enfield Bullet) to Sterling in Northern Virginia to meet up with Mike, another REB rider.  Mike and I got acquainted through Yahoo’s royalenfield group.  After unloading and admiring each other’s bikes for a bit we rode to a nearby pizza place and had a slice of great Italian pizza and even visited with the owner.

  This is the first time I have ridden with another REB and it was neat to hear all that dual thumping and valve clacking going on.  Our ride to historic Leesburg consisted of everything from empty residential streets to six lane, traffic clogged highways, to two lanes and gravel.  It was on one of the two lanes that a couple of State Police were checking driver’s license.  I wondered if they thought I had ridden from Kansas  They probably thought we were nuts to be taking a couple of antiques down the road that was turning into gravel 

  We took a break in an Irish style pub in the old downtown area of Leesburg then backtracked to Mike’s neighborhood Safeway for well deserved six pack of Guinness.  Loaded up (not with Guinness) now and only two and a half hours of traffic hell to get back to Harrisonburg.

   Although I have ridden in some traffic before today’s ride was an urban adventure that I will not soon forget.  A good motorcycle day.

 

Entry for March 10, 2006

  As great as yesterday was I got to vote for today's ride as my all time Best on a Bullet (BOB).  The neighbor lady up the street invited me on a little ride this afternoon, just under two hours and about 65 miles of the most fun curvers, twisties, hills and whoop de do's I have ever been on. 

 We started out by riding up a mountain to the Packsaddle golf course.  From the clubhouse you can see Harrisonburg and a great view of the ShenandoahValley.  From there I don't know where were went, I was having too much fun to care.  Jo rides a brand new Honda Shadow 600 and really knows the back roads around Harrisonburg.  The temp was around 75 and it could have not been a better day.

  That will probably be the last of my riding in Virginia, tomorrow Sue arrives and the weekend is filled with family things.  Monday I load up for Georgia while Sue stays here to babysit the grandson.

Riding in Virginia, March 7, 2006

Picture:  I don't think we are in Kansas anymore REB

  Took my first ride in Virginia today.  The first little ride was just to get gas and to see how the Bullet survived the two day ride in the back of the truck.  It was 40 degrees and clear as a bell when the big single fired up with the first stab of the electric foot.  I gave it a good warm up and headed for the gas station.  I could tell right away that riding in Virginia is a lot different than Kansas.............traffic, hills and curves.  The drivers here have the same annoying trait as back home, they don't really want to pass, they just want you to go faster than they do.  They think by riding your tail you will go faster, speed limit be damned.

  After lunch I set out on my first serious ride.  Massanutten ski resort is just a few miles away and after 10 miles of four lane craziness I turned off onto some very nice two lanes with an abundance of hills and twisties.  The resort itself appeared very nice even if the runs were all man made snow. 

  I took the long way home (def: he's lost) and I believe I probably saw more curves in two hours than I have seen in Kansas in the last two months.  Now if there weren't so many cars. 

  Tomorrow looks to be a little warmer so I think I will ride West and see what WVA looks like.

Entry for March 06, 2006

Picture:  Did I haul my bike to Virginia for this?

  Hey, that sounds like a good line for a country song.  After 1200 miles hauling the REB I passed up riding yesterday afternoon for some grandson time and woke up to this mess this morning.  Oh well things are supposed to improve tomorrow and Alexander can keep me entertined in the meantime.