| Author | Message | ||
     Blublak |
Ok, here’s a short version of my thoughts on Runnin’ The Ridge..  Got to Boone the day before everything kicked off, hung out and met a couple of Buellers and a few of them were BadWebbers so it was already starting to be a cool get together… At last, faces to names.. Now don’t ask me to describe everyone, I can’t.  The next day, got up.. Had some juice at the hotels ‘continental b’fast’ and met up with my wife on her Blast. And we were off for the 77 (or so) mile trip to Tilley’s. I gotta tell you folks that have never been in that area of the world before.. There are lots of nice roads and some really great folks livin’ and workin’ out there..  Let’s face it, nice people when you stop is a great thing and pretty much everyone we met (with the exception of one or two people attending the event) were pleasant, jovial and friendly.  Tilley’s put on a really nice lunch and we got to have free dyno runs and the tee shirt and were told that if we went to another dealer (Crossroads Buell / hd) there were sling bags to be had. Got to meet more BadWebbers there, and finally met TedK face to face.  Great starting point, really! Next we ran out to Crossroads and picked up our sling bags (we hadn’t gotten them when they first came out) and one of the guys there mentioned a road.. So off we went, Bushy Mountain Road was a really nice curvy bit of two-lane asphalt that climbs up the hill. Had a great time riding it then of course, coming back down. From there it was back to Boone and the host hotel. In Boone we had a great dinner and the riders meeting, where first Peggy and then Tripp Nobles warned everyone about the nature of the roads we were about to ride. Please don’t push to hard, unfamiliar roads, some not in the best of shape (due to the storms that came through the week before), however all the roads were supposed to be open and useable since they had pre-run both routes the day before. After some socializing and what not, it was time to hit the rack.  The next morning I got up early, I had the night before agreed to be in the ‘photo group’ for the mornings ride. We went out following the rented Aztec that was being used as our ‘official’ event photo vehicle. Hmmmm.. What can I tell you? 321 out of Boone is really nice for the first few miles, before it turns into a four-lane highway. Don’t worry, the route for the first day didn’t leave us on that section of pavement. As a matter of fact, if I hadn’t ridden it the day before I wouldn’t have ridden it at all, since the photo group hit the Blue Ridge Parkway for a few special miles on the nearly empty road for group pictures and a few posed shots. Soon we were on our own, sort of, and riding some beautiful roads. Bubba, you done good son!  Wish you were there.. 221 was some nice two lane twists and turns.. A great warm up for what was coming… Then, 181.. Two lane sweepers that you could easily lean through at speed.. Damn, it was nice.. We stopped outside Morgantown and in a few moments the photo car caught up to us.. Once again, we were off and riding. 126, another great road.. And then we were onto 70 (ok that was kind of boring). Onto 221 then 226/226A. Now,  from what I heard, 226A is where Mike went down. This stretch of road was one vicious, tight little set of switchbacks clinging to the side of the mountain. Now for what it’s worth, there was gravel, sand and various types of debris all over these extremely tight almost evil little turns. The fact that only one person went down on that part of the route was probably a blessing. I could have seen a lot of folks losing it out there.. I think most of us had a moment or three there and the fact is that Mike is the only one that can tell us exactly what happened, but if you had seen the road.. You may not have wanted to ride it (but if you were there with BRAG you would have.. just because there is that level of craziness). Now comes some more fun.  We were supposed to get on the Blue Ridge Parkway about now, but it was closed. According to the Ranger there, it’s been closed for at least a week. Ok, re-routing on the fly! We ended up on 19 trying to get to 194 to rejoin the route. Damn, 194 was closed as well! This was getting stupid.. People were having a great adventure, so it was all-good..  Once we were back in Boone, we had a little break, and then hit the Go Kart joint (they made the mistake of leasing the whole place to BRAG).  Yeah, sure, no bumping, no dangerous maneuvers.. Damn, did they think this out? Put a bunch of us together with a bunch of motorized devices and expect us not to be… Uh, exuberant? Get real! It was a party on wheels.. We should have had more time to tinker with the karts, we would have had them all screaming around the track!  The next day the wife and I headed out with a small group. Wound along 321/421North/194South (don’t ask me how roads are both North and South, but they have ‘em there). Now here’s something.. We were given maps that had the routes on them.. Uh, the only problem is the first real road we were supposed to hit was Rt.88. But we were in Tennessee.. Where it’s called Rt. 67. Duh! I pulled off to ask where 88 was and our little group rocketed past us.. As a lot of riders seemed to just be hauling butt on 421. Hit 67/88.. Now that was a great stretch of road! Nice, backcountry curves and twists, nothing life threatening (so to speak) but truly awesome scenery as we paralleled a river and had a wonderful run to 194 north. Stopping at a little place just shy of 194 we got a warning about the road being under construction ahead and were given an alternate that would take us to 58 in Virginia.  194 was nice, you’d like it.. But then came 58. There were some wonderful curves and a trip through a wooded area that makes the heart sing as you lean through lefts and rights… Here’s where I had some problems.. Seems our small group (a couple of others had stopped when I did to ask directions and were with us on the correct roads) had just come upon some Harley riders. They signaled for us to pass them.. The bike in front of me, a yellow 9S, took off, and I slipped in behind him. Then, he started to brake hard and come back into the proper lane.. I hit my brakes and suddenly my front wheel and his rear connected. I was climbing his rear wheel! OH S**T THE BED!! (Hey, Bill, if your reading this, sorry about the tire marks on your plate) Somehow both of us managed to stay upright.. And managed to start breathing again. (Hell, I half expected to have no leather on my seat any more as my butt clenching would have ripped it off)  If you’re down that way.. Ride 58 to Damascus.. Great road! The third dump happened here in Damascus when my wife dropped her bike while turning into a gas station, she hit fine gravel and the bike landed on her. She felt stupid, the bike had some minor damage and she managed to sprain one hand and partially tear the ligaments in the other. Some time later, we had a tow truck to take her bike back; she couldn’t move her fingers so she couldn’t ride. She insisted that we finish the ride as she rode back with the tow truck and promised to find a doctor as soon as she got back.  Ok, here’s something else.. In VA our next road, 133… Is called 176! Damn it! We almost missed another one.. Had to ask again.. then hit the correct road South back into TN. Another winner of a road, 133 has some great fun snaking through the forest and made for a run up to our next stopping point.. Shady Valley Country Store.  Great folks, nice place.. Nice stuff to eat, drink, cools tee shirts.. Uh.. What else? Who knows? This is where I found out about Pete. From folks that were there when it happened. I’ll let them tell the story since I would have to be considered third party hearsay. 421 South from the store.. The ‘Stripe-ed Snake’!  This is one of the best roads we’d been on the whole time.. Perfect road conditions, tight, serious work out type curves, elevation changes, a whole variety of skills testing right there.. Damn, this is one of those roads you have to ride again.. If you haven’t ridden it yet.. Well.. Get out there and do it!  Once in Mountain City I thought about it, and decided I had to get back to the hotel, I needed to see to my wife. Hopefully nothing is broken. But I had to know so I skipped the last third of the run and took 421 back to Boone. I was told by Jose later that compared to what was already ridden, these were no major roads and somewhat anti-climactic compared to everything. Too bad Jose missed some of the other roads I’d been on, he would have liked them too, but as far as I can tell, he never made it too 88 or 58 and that’s his loss..  The farewell dinner was another nice time, took the group picture and got to chat with some of the folks.. My wife came in and had several pictures taken of her bandaged hands. So.. Did I say enough about the event? Compared to HOG events, this was a great time and we can’t wait to do another.. Of course, my wife needs to heal and Bumble Buell (her blast) needs a little work… She’s planning on joining me at Barbour in October.. So she needs to heal quickly.. As does the bike (minor damage only)  That’s it.. Hope some of ya can start posting pictures soon… Later, | ||
| Jlnance |
Blublak - Thanks for the wonderful writeup. I was trying to describe the ride to some friends and I couldn't do it justice. I'm just going to point them to your account. I talked to your wife in the hotel lobby after the farewell dinner. Hope she is doing ok. She seemed like a really nice lady. She should make up a good story to go with those bandages :-) One thing I regret is that I did not keep the maps from the event. It occured to me that I may want to do this ride again some day. It looks like you kept yours. Would you be willing to post or email me full size coppies? Thanks Again, Jim | ||
| Bumblebuell |
Hi Jim - I just e-mailed the maps to you. I wish I had a more romantic story about these bandages but, as another riding friend told me, it's the low-speed things that get you! Take good care! Robin | ||
| José_quiñones |
Blueblak, Just more the reason to go back down there again!  Other than the "accidents" and the map confusion the rally was a home run in every way. I'll have pictures later. | ||
| Stealthxb |
Blublak... Please email me the maps also. Thanks in advance. | ||
| José_quiñones |
Some pics to get this started:  Paul's M2 and My S3T. My bike ran great, Pauls did also with the exception that the voltage regulator mount broke, we "fixed" it and it broke on the way home on Saturday, the voltage regulator lost its ground and the bike died completely in Charlottesville, VA. Paul called up the BRAG Roadside assistance and eventually they showed up and he made it home to Upper Marlboro, MD at about 11 pm Saturday. | ||
| José_quiñones |
 Friday Night's Dinner at the Hotel, I took a bunch of shots but they came out crappy this is the only one good enough to show. | ||
| José_quiñones |
 The view looking down at US226 from the Restaurant we stopped at for Lunch during Thursday's ride in Little Switzerland. I believe it's Bill and Kevin from Ocean City on Bill's M2 in this shot. | ||
| José_quiñones |
 The goKarts on Thursday Night. Lots of banging and bumping, lots of fun. My back and my knee still hurt. Pete is riding the 97 car he's the third of the three cars hugging the inside rail. | ||
| José_quiñones |
 Paul from Australia. I felt bad for him because he's come all this way for Boneville first and the BRAG event and he (along wit Gator) probably spent more time riding to and from hospitals than enjoying the roads we were supposed to be on. | ||
| José_quiñones |
 The Shady Valley Country Store. Fun spot. good food. | ||
| José_quiñones |
 The sign at the store let you know you were not in Kansas anymore... | ||
| Billfish |
Jose' I think your right, nice shot of me and my wife Kevan. We were following;(trying to keep up with), Craig and Steve (OCBueller) also from Ocean City, MD. | ||
| Dale |
Looks like it was a lot fun. Wish I had my xb to ride. | ||
| Ocbueller |
Nice pics José. Enjoyed meeting all the badwebbers in person. Did I mention that Kevan spotted a mountain lion or some such cat? SteveH | ||
| Billfish |
Steve, We looked up, Google, and identified the "Big Cat". Kevan is positive she saw a mountain lion. I'm busy keeping my eyes on the road, especially roads I've never traveled on. Sorry I didn't see it. This sighting took place where we saw on the other side of the road two men working in a tobacco field. | ||
| Blublak |
Hmmm.. Let's see.. Here's one of the milder turns.. but it gives you an idea of what beautiful roads they were..  Then of course,  There's the view from the mountains.. Now, talking about Karts.. Uh, who's the only one joking about an extra 2 ponies from aerodynamic helmet designs?  And damn if it don't look good on the track..  But...  He's still stuck in traffic.. Ok, here's what it was all a celebration of..  Some people didn't have the same brands as the rest of us..  But, we didn't mind.. we are all there to have a great time..  Despite everything.. the weather was great, the roads were outrageous and I got to make some new friends.. this was great.. and yep, we'll have to go back there again.. Later, | ||
| Spooky |
I was on the ZR-7. I might head back to Shady Valley this weekend if I can git away from work. | ||
| Jlnance |
Thats my Red Blast!!!! | ||
| 1313 |
Some of my pics from the adventure...  Tilley's race XB...  S1W Molten Orange tank commemorating Tilley's & Higbee's win at Phoenix (Buell's first win in the AMA!)...  Some familiar signatures on the tank... 1313 | ||
| 1313 |
Hell, it's midnight and I am on my 4th beer, thinking about the awesome past week. What else do you expect me to do?    1313 | ||
| 1313 |
Some pictures by our campground entrance on the Parkway in Spruce Pine...   And some on the Parkway...  1313 | ||
| 1313 |
Group shot on the Parkway...  Norbert on his S2-T, SkeeterXB on his (duh?) XB...9S, Buellish's S2-T and my S2. Local Culture...  Hillbilly Heritage Festival?!?! 1313 | ||
| 1313 |
The last leg of my 1,500 mile adventure...  Big Cycle...  Damn S2 keeps jumping in front of the camera...  Ending mileage... 1313 | ||
| Coolice |
Great pics and stories everyone. I haven't been east so the photos are good. It's like you can sit and envision the fun everyone had! | ||
| Buckinfubba |
man looks like I missed a good time with ya'll, dang life gets in the way..... sooooooooooo, now you know why shady valley was our playground down there.....dragon shmagon!!!!! nice pics .....ain't it beautiful | ||
| Pnut |
Thanks for the pictures 1313 and blublak, it was a great time. And the weather was outstanding. Buckinfubba, I also learned of a place called "Brian's corner" | ||
| Orion1 |
Hey Pnut, you weren't supposed to mention anything about that!!!! Anyway, here's a photo of "Brian's Corner", just to bring back some memories for Bubba Brian:  That's Loner, Katie's Red Ninjette (29hp & 13 ft.lb, per Tilley's Dyno), Pnut, Fred, & Jonathan just after our escapade up & down a true NC backroad. There were no cow's in the road, but Pnut DID get to kick an apple out of the way. | ||
| Mbsween |
Most of my shots were after we got done riding, so here's a shot of some x1s in the hotel parking lot. BTW I'm willing to host full size pics/videos of the event. I'll make it so you can easily link to them here. if anyone is interested email me here.  | ||
| Epierce |
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