Hey guys, just got back from NYC and have been reading the posts. August date is too late, and Paul is right about Sturgis. I will probably go to Baxter as well but only because it is close. I say we target June or July. Since me and Pianoman and Pig and Rusty and Tomo and Hondax all live smack dab in the middle of the US and have the ability to get together I would suggest we meet this week (in the 70's here) and talk it over and then share our thoughts later this week or next. In the meantime still wanting to here from others far away that might make a trek this summer.
You just got back from NYC? You didn't bring any comunicable diesases with you did ya?. Last time I was in the City, when I left, I stopped at the Delaware Water Gap and threw my clothes away.
Seroiusly, whatever you KC Locals decide. It's only dead bugs on the windshield and numerous tankfulls of gas. I'll be humming to myself so I don't get bored. Humming and looking in the cagers cars for a good leg shot. Life is grand.
Ratboy: This thread has seemed to dwindle down so we still don't have a trip planned, but i think when the KC boys get together to discus it in the next couple of weeks we will revive the planning. But I wanted to let you know that my best friend lives in Savannah and just bought his second Harley so I would have something to ride when I fly down to visit him. We fish alot on the intercoastal waterway. We are planning to ride Blue Parkway and maybe the Dragon this fall. I will let you Southeast boys know when cause it would be fun to meet y'all...even if I will be on a stinking Harley.
Another trip I go on every year is to see the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. Anybody interested in joining in on that should let me know because it is a hoot! So, as if anybody cares, these are my trips planned for this season:
Down to ride the Hill Country near Austin, Tx the first weekend in June with Paul and other Texas Rocketeers.
College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska June 15th
Rockets Across America II hopefully some weekend between June 24th and July 27th
Sturgis August 3rd - 9th
Baxter Ralley Marne, Iowa 3rd weekend in August
North Carolina in early Fall
And oh by the way, being a Southern boy you probably already know what the plural of y'all is?........ All y'all.
I have had some of that Carolina sauce and it doesn't have enough tomatos in it for me. It's just some vinegar and seasoning. I wouldn't turn it down though.
Listen, the debate about what color R3 is fastest has nothing on several parts of the country claiming the best BBQ. From dry rubs to being saturated in sauce to what's the best sauce will reign as a never ending struggle to find the ultimate BBQ.
I'm for trying it all as often as possible because if I stop looking, I'll probably miss the best just around the corner. I grew up on tomato based sauce but Carolina mustard/vinegar makes a strong statement that becomes habit forming. Little too runny for me..... a lot like Georgia sauce but that doesn't keep me from dripping it all over me during the feasting.
Okay, back to the topic at hand. Raymond tells me the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best rides for the Rocket. Beautiful county and easy winding roads. No promises but fall sure sounds the perfect time to see the leaves change and bet a big dose of "Monkey Butt".
It offers a wide variety of riding depending upon your particular tastes.
There's the hard core twisties of the 'Tail of the Dragon'...
There's moderate twisties...
There's wide sweeping turns going around the mountains...
There's the 'up and down' twisties climbing the mountains...
Weather is usually in the low 80's to upper 70's most of the spring and the fall, but you can get 'caught' with some days in the 50's if you're too early or too late in the year.
Riding in early spring and late fall is not recommended... late September is usually the latest that I personally ride there... maybe the first week or two in October depending...
If go out to maps.google.com and search for Boone, NC that's the group that I ride typically gets into the mountains. We generally take SR-16 north out of Wilkesboro and use Boone as our staging point. From Boone it's an easy entrance on to the Blue Ridge... you can head north or south from there depending upon how you want to ride.