Smashville and home again

I think I speak for most of us who were there but we had a great weekend in Nashville.

I just got back home about 2:45 in the afternoon and had a good trip. Gas wasn't too expensive and only had to stop for gas twice after leaving Nashville.

We also have a new Rocket Captain from Crestview, Florida. His name is Joseph and he rode up with Dave McAulay (Scot in exile / SoccerRef) from Ft. Walton Beach, met me in Montgomery, AL on Friday and then we rode up to Rocky's house (HeR3tic) in Wilsonville for a great barbecue sandwich with fruit salad for lunch. We then headed on up to Nashville and arrived there around 3:30 pm. Joseph became a Rocket Captain by riding up on his Harley (he did good...but we weren't really riding all that fast) and while at the Triumph dealership in Hendersonville he rode a demo Rocket and after much consideration finally decided to trade in his Harley and take ownership of a Red Rocket demo bike (I think it was a 2006???).

Britman was already there when we showed up at the "Taliban 8. Soon after Flip arrived with his two Harley riding friends, these were real motorcyclists. They may have been riding but he is 71 and he has 135,000 miles on his Harley and she is 67 and has over 100,000 on hers (Flip...when you get home feel free to correct the mileage totals if needed).

Then Rusty, Raymond and the "mystery" guest showed up (known to us on the board as Dave...Pianoman).

HeR3tic was staying at the Hardy Inn (I think) on the other side of town and also brought his wife along.

Friday night we headed up over to the Hooters in Hendersonville (Henderson???) during which I soon found out I was a lot safer in Afghanistan than I was on the highways around Nashville at dusk.

After dinner at Hooters (a number of photos were taken, will post shortly) and we had a nice leisurely ride back to the hotel (HeR3tic got lost or couldn't find our location), Nashville has a nice skyline to watch at night and traffic was noticeably lower in volume.
Part two to follow...

Wish a lot more of you could have made it, it was great to match the names to faces.
Dennis

Thanks for the update

Great read Molinoman. It was hard to read the progress of "the gathering" knowing I wouldn't be there. I'm so glad you had a great time.:bch:

Rockets meet Grandfather

On the way home from Nashville, Molinoman, Joe(no name yet) and myself Scot in exile(dave) happend to bumb into the Rockets GrandFather
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I'm Home

690 miles straight through- Nashville to Fredericksburg. I still have a "Road Slab Head" but I am home. Hope everyone else throws a post this way when they get to the barn. Dennis please e-mail your address when you get a chance so I can get your purchase in the mail. A great time was had by all, great to put faces with the names. By the way, DO I HAVE A GREAT PHOTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Now is sleep and food time. See you all. Next year, a small town and more Rockets.

A great photo, you wanna bet?

Sorry Britman, but I may have a better photo...coming soon,, Dave and Joseph know what I am talking about.
Dennis

Pianoman & I departed 8:05am Sunday from Nashville. We chose our route & from there just kinda winged it. I may have cost us some time in the long run but we saw some beautiful country along our route. Lots of hills, valleys, bridges, twisty roads (unlike the ones on the Nashville ride), a camel and a fawn (which about was smashed by Pianoman). After 11 hours in the saddle, P-man had to cash it in at Jefferson City, MO. I give him all the credit in the world for his accomplishments. He endured more than I ever imagined a man of his stature could.

3 1/2 hours later I arrived home. According to the odometer, 697 miles on Sunday, 14 1/2 hours from start to finish. Rolled into the parking stall at 10:35 pm with at least a gazillion hitch-hiker bugs that weren't happy that I didn't slow down for them to step safely aboard.

Thank goodness for throttle locks. I'll bet Raymond can crush walnuts with his right hand now after the 15 hours of riding to Nashville without one. At least there was a break (overnight stop) before we hit Memphis, TN. which gave him little time to rest his grip. Flip set him up with a "cheap mans" concoction & all is well.

Great time (all but having to put up with Flip). Although the folks he brought along with him (Carol & Ed) made up for it. Very personable couple. Flip & I got along great really. Talked in depth about "creativity abilities" mostly.

Was glad "The Kid" (Joseph) was able to negotiate the purchase of a Rocket. Was sorry to hear he lost some expensive riding gear though, and missed out on the planned group ride.

The group ride was the most extreme riding I've ever done. Scot in Exile & I did our best to keep up with the leaders & "I" felt we showed 'em that Rockets have a place in their league. I'll bet Jamie could have given 'em a run for their money, literally! I've never felt more comfortable on the Rocket than I am now, after that experience. Totally incredible riding, & I know what the Triumph is capable of.

Good to be back home with family. Kinda tired this morning & my head is not quite cleared yet. The hum & rumble of the TOR's is still ringing in my head & I'm feeling a little unsteady, much like being out in a boat for several hours & then trying to get your "shore" feet back under ya.

Everyone, good to meet ya and hope to learn more about you in the future.

See ya.

ps, someone please equate 697 "stock" Rocket miles to actual milage if you please. OR, have we (as a group) ever decided that the odometer & speedometer are independantly driven. Someone made the comment that the bike would show "more" miles on it as time progresses than it would "actually" have due to the speedo error. I guess that would be true if the odo & speedo are inter-related, right? HELP ME UNDERSTAND!!!!!!

Mystery Rider Un-Covered

Well, my cover is blown. I've got tons of stories to tell. Rusty covered our trip home and I'll fill in the blanks later but I will say the BBQ in Jefferson City gave me new strength and I decided to ride on in to KC. I got home at 10:30 pm Sunday night. Never slept better in the old bed! More to come later but now it's off to my regular morning cross-word puzzle to keep what's left of the mind still working.

P.S. Flip, I done did have a good time!

ps, someone please equate 697 "stock" Rocket miles to actual milage if you please. OR, have we (as a group) ever decided that the odometer & speedometer are independantly driven. Someone made the comment that the bike would show "more" miles on it as time progresses than it would "actually" have due to the speedo error. I guess that would be true if the odo & speedo are inter-related, right? HELP ME UNDERSTAND!!!!!!

Click to expand...

I can't speak for anyone else, but since I corrected my speedo with tune boy, my odometer now reads about 7 % slow.

Glad you guys had a great time!