Topic: Six States In Four Days... (Read 9187 times)

Fired00d · « **on:** July 29, 2007, 12:43:38 PM »

I went on a six state five day road trip from 7/24 - 7/28. Travelled in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. Intent of this trip was to attend the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Rally at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. We didn't quite make it all they way there though. We originally had the routes mapped out to make the trip happen in alloted time, but after looking at the roads (Interstate) we would be travelling on it was decided to take US Highways/Byways to have a more scenic route and not really be concerned about reaching the before mentioned objectives. Unfortunately you can either get to your destination and see a lot of concrete/asphalt Interstate or take the scenic route and spend more time travelling.

I started my journey leaving from home and travelling to Winston-Salem N.C. to meet up with the rest of my travel companions. Since this was my first time to Winston-Salem and knowing that there is a well known custom bike builder and engine guru there I mapped out directions to his shop on my Zumo. Below is a picture of this gentleman standing beside my bike.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #1 on:** July 29, 2007, 12:46:11 PM »

We then went inside his shop and he gave me a tour and talked to one of the wrenches concerning some motor work. Here is another picture of Kendall and I.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #2 on:** July 29, 2007, 12:47:22 PM »

Here are a few of the customs that were in his shop...

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #3 on:** July 29, 2007, 12:48:06 PM »

Another..

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #4 on:** July 29, 2007, 12:48:43 PM »

Another...

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #5 on:** July 29, 2007, 12:50:30 PM »

Kendall Johnson was down to earth and "real" approachable person. I got the impression that he doesn't mind taking the time to meet/talk to people that enjoy riding. I also gave him a card to the site and invited him to check us out.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #6 on:** July 29, 2007, 12:55:05 PM »

I left Winston-Salem the next day (7/25) headed to Fontana Village to visit the Tail of The Dragon and spend the night. We got caught in the rain as we got closer to the mountains and didn't get in until late so we decided to do the "Dragon" the next morning before leaving.

Someone had asked me to give a report of what I thought about the cabins at Fontana Village since that is where we were going to be staying. I wasn't impressed at all w/the cabins and if I were to go there again I wouldn't stay in one. The only good thing the cabin had going for it in my book was it gave us a place to sit in the evenings and enjoy some cold beverages on the front porch. The cabins in my opinion were over priced for the shape they were in.

Here is a picture of our bikes at the cabin.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #7 on:** July 29, 2007, 12:57:25 PM »

Here are some pictures that need no introduction..

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #8 on:** July 29, 2007, 12:59:32 PM »

Me standing in front of "Tree of Shame". I was somewhat reluctant taking this picture since we did the "Dragon" from the south end and started at the "Tree of Shame". Luckily I didn't have to return and leave any

parts there.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #9 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:00:56 PM »

Deals Gap Resort Sign...

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #10 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:04:15 PM »

After leaving the "Dragon" we travelled north to I81 back into Virginia where we got on US 23 and headed north thru the western part of Virginia. Below are some pictures from a lookout near Norton Virginia.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #11 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:05:09 PM »

Another...

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #12 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:06:17 PM »

One of me and the mountains as a backdrop.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:07:11 PM »

The road we just travelled to get to this lookout..

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:08:06 PM »

Zoom in of the valley below..

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #15 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:09:13 PM »

The road ahead to travel..

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #16 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:10:56 PM »

What a "cheesy" smile.

Anyway it's the sign of the overlook in case you wanted to know where it was.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #17 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:13:04 PM »

We ended up in Ashland Ky for the night. We had gotten caught in another rainstorm and decided we would catch a cab to dinner. Along the way we passed some industrial factories of which one had several smoke stacks lit off.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #18 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:13:55 PM »

Another..

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #19 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:14:49 PM »

Last one of the plant...

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #20 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:16:34 PM »

The next day we headed to Pickerington Ohio to visit the AMA Motorcycle Museum. Following will be pictures of some of the bikes they have.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #21 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:17:50 PM »

AMA Museum pictures..

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #22 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:18:27 PM »

AMA Museum pictures..

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #23 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:19:03 PM »

AMA Museum pictures..

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #24 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:19:37 PM »

AMA Museum pictures..

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #25 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:20:10 PM »

AMA Museum pictures..

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #26 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:20:49 PM »

AMA Museum pictures..

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #27 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:21:46 PM »

Lunchbox on display.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #28 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:22:34 PM »

More bikes..

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #29 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:24:07 PM »

Check out this fuel tank.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #30 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:24:52 PM »

.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #31 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:25:53 PM »

Early Vetter fairing.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #32 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:26:49 PM »

.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #33 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:27:33 PM »

.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #34 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:28:20 PM »

.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #35 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:29:10 PM »

.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #36 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:29:59 PM »

.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #37 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:30:42 PM »

.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #38 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:31:44 PM »

The ultimate sidecar....

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #39 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:33:35 PM »

'67 Electra Glide..

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #40 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:37:47 PM »

I'm embarrassed to say that the next couple of pictures are of an attraction that is really close to me and I've never been to visit it before. It's called Seneca Rocks. When I pulled up and saw this mountain I had to get off bike and take a picture. I've heard about this place before and actually had mapped out a route to take me there, but never had rode it. Guess I'll be going back real soon.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #41 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:39:01 PM »

Seneca Rocks zoomed in..

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #42 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:41:27 PM »

I had wanted to share my GPS tracks from my ride, but unfortunately I used up the alloted points (10,000) that the Zumo will store before it starts overwriting them. My saved tracks started on 7/26 after leaving the Tail of the Dragon en route to Ashland Ky.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #43 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:42:28 PM »

Ashland Ky - Pickerington Ohio - Parkersburg W.Va

Fired00d · « **Reply #44 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:43:14 PM »

Parkersburg W.Va - Home.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #45 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:45:23 PM »

All in all it was a great trip w/some great friends. Didn't get to go all the places that we wanted, but got to see some incredible sights that might not have been seen if we just tried to make it to all the places we wanted to see. This is the same group of guys I've travelled to Sturgis, and Laconia with and we are already thinking about where our destination will be for 2008

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

SOKOOLJ · « **Reply #46 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:48:24 PM »

dOOd,

Outstanding pics. I have not been to the AMA museum, but I'll have to map it out now. Glad you made it back safe Brother.

Screamin · « **Reply #47 on:** July 29, 2007, 02:03:03 PM »

Thanks for the report and pics Dood. I was thinking of you getting soaked at Mid - Ohio and glad you found fair skies.

Fired00d · « **Reply #48 on:** July 29, 2007, 02:09:38 PM »

Quote from: Screamin on July 29, 2007, 02:03:03 PM

Thanks for the report and pics Dood. I was thinking of you getting soaked at Mid - Ohio and glad you found fair skies.

We got rained on every day of our trip. On the way from Pickerington to Parkersburg we ran into a hell of a storm. Cars had pulled over to the side of the road because it was raining to hard. I would have loved to seen their face as six motorcycles rode by as they sat on the side of the road. Unfortunately for us there was not a place to pull over for shelter and it was just as easy to keep riding (slowly) then sitting on the side of the road in the rain.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #49 on:** July 29, 2007, 02:13:19 PM »

Quote from: SOKOOLJ on July 29, 2007, 01:48:24 PM

dOOd,

Outstanding pics. I have not been to the AMA museum, but I'll have to map it out now. Glad you made it back safe Brother.

It was nice, but I was expecting more street bikes. It seemed to me mostly a Moto X exhibit. I was expecting something like the Barber Motorsport Museum in Alabama. I'm not sure if the exhibits change during the year or what we saw is what is always there.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Bubba · « **Reply #50 on:** July 29, 2007, 06:45:53 PM »

dOOd, that's what I like about this site it just gives me ideals of places where I want to go. Looks like you and your friend had a great time...
Thanks for sharing your trip.
~bubba~

Gettinold · « **Reply #51 on:** July 29, 2007, 07:10:42 PM »

Gary glad you had a good time. This was the most riding you have done since you surgery and was wondering how you felt on the ride. you didnt mention anything so, I hope you didn't have any discomfort other than normal wear and tear.
Anyway you had better get that pumkin cleaned up and ready for the next run.

Dave

Special_Ed · « **Reply #52 on:** July 29, 2007, 07:31:57 PM »

Gary,
Great report and pics, thanks for posting. Glad you made the decision to enjoy the ride and see the sights along the way.

Ed

jeffj · « **Reply #53 on:** July 29, 2007, 07:47:30 PM »

Thanks for the pics

Glad you had a Fun and Safe Ride

jeffj

SOKOOLJ · « **Reply #54 on:** July 29, 2007, 08:02:55 PM »

The trip sounds like it went well, so how is the new butt?

Gettinold · « **Reply #55 on:** July 29, 2007, 08:36:47 PM »

SHHHHHHHHHHH........... Garys sleeping.

SOKOOLJ · « **Reply #56 on:** July 29, 2007, 08:41:03 PM »

Quote from: Gettinold on July 29, 2007, 08:36:47 PM

SHHHHHHHHHHH........... Garys sleeping.

We'll let him recharge.

Fired00d · « **Reply #57 on:** July 29, 2007, 08:58:50 PM »

Quote from: Gettinold on July 29, 2007, 07:10:42 PM

Gary glad you had a good time. This was the most riding you have done since you surgery and was wondering how you felt on the ride. you didnt mention anything so, I hope you didn't have any discomfort other than normal wear and tear.
Anyway you had better get that pumkin cleaned up and ready for the next run.
Dave

Quote from: SOKOOLJ on July 29, 2007, 08:02:55 PM

The trip sounds like it went well, so how is the new butt?

The new butt held up well on the ride. I had several long dyno runs on it w/o any hitches or hiccups. It was great to be back in the saddle for long days again.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Boatman · « **Reply #58 on:** July 29, 2007, 09:50:51 PM »

Great bunch of pictures. Glad you're home safe. Bob

lilbear · « **Reply #59 on:** July 30, 2007, 01:43:03 PM »

d00d,
Thanks for the pictures and of course sharing your adventures. Looks like a great trip! You danced all over our stomping grounds! Incredible roads just about everywhere. Glad you finally made it to Seneca Rocks. Aren't they truly amazing? The journey to and around there is pretty fantastic all in it's own!

charlie · « **Reply #60 on:** July 30, 2007, 07:25:52 PM »

Great pics and a great report, thank you.

altugo · « **Reply #61 on:** July 30, 2007, 07:37:51 PM »

Gary its nice to see you on the road for longer rides.I loved the pictures as always.How many riders you guys were?

Fired00d · « **Reply #62 on:** July 30, 2007, 07:49:09 PM »

Quote from: altugo on July 30, 2007, 07:37:51 PM

Gary its nice to see you on the road for longer rides.I loved the pictures as always.How many riders you guys were?

Altugo,
Thanks. It was a total of six riders including me. This is the same group of guys I went to Sturgis, and Laconia with. We try to get together once a year and take a long ride together sort of like "boys night out".

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

altugo · « **Reply #63 on:** July 30, 2007, 07:55:55 PM »

Quote from: Fired00d on July 30, 2007, 07:49:09 PM

We try to get together once a year and take a long ride together sort of like "boys night out".

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

I hope mrs DooD wont get you in trouble for that.Mrs Altugo almost always does.

Fired00d · « **Reply #64 on:** July 30, 2007, 08:02:37 PM »

Quote from: altugo on July 30, 2007, 07:55:55 PM

I hope mrs DooD wont get you in trouble for that.Mrs Altugo almost always does.

Nope, she's kewl with it. We are all a bunch of "ole married guys". No harm in us. Hell it was even my 50th birthday while I was travelling. Wifey is real understanding.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #65 on:** July 30, 2007, 08:16:35 PM »

Anybody recognize this Rider?

Scroll thru to the next three photos.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Screamin · « **Reply #66 on:** July 30, 2007, 08:56:27 PM »

Quote from: Fired00d on July 30, 2007, 08:16:35 PM

Anybody recognize this Rider? Scroll thru to the next three photos.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

By golly, you're famous. You gonna charge em for posting your pic?

Fired00d · « **Reply #67 on:** July 30, 2007, 09:10:00 PM »

Quote from: Screamin on July 30, 2007, 08:56:27 PM

By golly, you're famous. You gonna charge em for posting your pic?

I wish.

I had to pay to get the pics, but it's all worth it.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Boatman · « **Reply #68 on:** July 30, 2007, 09:33:57 PM »

Quote from: Fired00d on July 30, 2007, 08:02:37 PM

Hell it was even my 50th birthday while I was travelling.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Now I really know why you were up way too late and didn't get early starts in the am..

Otherwise you would had made it to Mid-Ohio.. Belated Happy Birthday Gary.

Fired00d · « **Reply #69 on:** July 30, 2007, 09:37:04 PM »

Quote from: Boatman on July 30, 2007, 09:33:57 PM

Now I really know why you were up way too late and didn't get early starts in the am.. Otherwise you would had made it to Mid-Ohio.. Belated Happy Birthday Gary.

Yep, there was a method to my madness.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

SilverDawg · « **Reply #70 on:** July 30, 2007, 09:37:11 PM »

Gary,

Great photos and glad you had a great, safe, time on the ride. Remember, it's the journey, not the destination. Looks like you gang figured that out pretty quickly.

Thanks for shareing.

lilbear · « **Reply #71 on:** July 30, 2007, 10:50:00 PM »

Quote from: Fired00d on July 30, 2007, 08:02:37 PM

Hell it was even my 50th birthday while I was travelling. Wifey is real understanding.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Happy belated 50th Gary! They say that the 50th is a major event?? Looks like you celebrated it in a major way. Congrats on your recovery and again, thanks for sharing the adventure. Good times with friends, cool! On two wheels, Priceless!

HogDude · « **Reply #72 on:** July 30, 2007, 11:05:38 PM »

D00d,
Glad you enjoyed yourself and Happy Belated.

bdas2 · « **Reply #73 on:** July 30, 2007, 11:21:11 PM »

great report nice pictures..........looks like great scenery and nice roads

Fired00d · « **Reply #74 on:** July 30, 2007, 11:22:16 PM »

Quote from: lilbear on July 30, 2007, 10:50:00 PM

Happy belated 50th Gary! They say that the 50th is a major event?? Looks like you celebrated it in a major way. Congrats on your recovery and again, thanks for sharing the adventure. Good times with friends, cool! On two wheels, Priceless!

Quote from: HogDude on July 30, 2007, 11:05:38 PM

D00d,
Glad you enjoyed yourself and Happy Belated.

Thanks, it was a blast. I have so much to be thankful for.

Last year at this time I would never thought I would have been able to ride like this. It was a blast being in the wind, seeing our wonderful country, and sharing stories and

and night w/good friends.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Hoist! · « **Reply #75 on:** July 31, 2007, 12:35:18 AM »

Nice ride and great pics d00d! It was nice following along on your journey! Thanks for sharing.

Hoist!

Ghost Rider · « **Reply #76 on:** July 31, 2007, 09:53:53 AM »

Great pictures and report Gary. Lots of great miles and stories.

Thanks for sharing
Ghost

RJ749 · « **Reply #77 on:** July 31, 2007, 10:42:11 AM »

Gary,

Catching up after a day or two away. Thanks for sharing the pics, looks like a good trip and time in the wind

WFP · « **Reply #78 on:** July 31, 2007, 11:49:43 AM »

Thanks for the Great report Gary!

BTW, if travelling with a laptop, I download the tracks each night to ensure that they will be saved....I have all from our trip to BC.

/Bill

Chief · « **Reply #79 on:** July 31, 2007, 12:03:53 PM »

Quote from: WFP on July 31, 2007, 11:49:43 AM

Thanks for the Great report Gary!

BTW, if travelling with a laptop, I download the tracks each night to ensure that they will be saved....I have all from our trip to BC.

/Bill

Been there, done that, killed the laptop.

naitram · « **Reply #80 on:** July 31, 2007, 12:06:48 PM »

Quote from: WFP on July 31, 2007, 11:49:43 AM

Thanks for the Great report Gary!

BTW, if travelling with a laptop, I download the tracks each night to ensure that they will be saved....I have all from our trip to BC.

/Bill

then you can import them into google earth

FR8TRN · « **Reply #81 on:** July 31, 2007, 12:38:31 PM »

D

D,

Great pics and report man, looks like ya did some really nice riding. Enjoyed it.....

djkak · « **Reply #82 on:** July 31, 2007, 04:02:02 PM »

Quote from: Fired00d on July 29, 2007, 01:22:34 PM

More bikes..

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

H-D had a lightweight single in the ‘70’s; I think it was a 250 and it had a conventional rear swingarm with fork tubes and slider assemblies instead of coil over shocks; very distinctive look.

Jock · « **Reply #83 on:** August 03, 2007, 11:09:22 PM »

Gary,

Thanks for sharing, a belated Happy Birthday and I appreciate the information regarding the cabins in Fontana.

Glad you enjoyed the trip.

Fired00d · « **Reply #84 on:** August 04, 2007, 07:42:48 PM »

I recieved my pictures from the "Dragon" today and thought I would share...

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #85 on:** August 04, 2007, 07:43:22 PM »

2....

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #86 on:** August 04, 2007, 07:44:32 PM »

3...

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #87 on:** August 04, 2007, 07:45:28 PM »

Last one. Compliments of Killboy.com

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Jock · « **Reply #88 on:** August 04, 2007, 10:07:42 PM »

Gary,

You can always count on this guy and his crew to have some great shots. On #3 I thought I was going to be blinded by the shine on that chrome.

You Are The Man !!

Fired00d · « **Reply #89 on:** August 04, 2007, 10:21:52 PM »

Quote from: Jock on August 04, 2007, 10:07:42 PM

Gary,

You can always count on this guy and his crew to have some great shots. On #3 I thought I was going to be blinded by the shine on that chrome.

You Are The Man !!

Jock,
Thanks for the compliments and the B-day wishes, but the bike was filthy.

I had rode in the rain the day before and put it up "rode hard and wet". Look at picture #4 and check out the right muffler on the inside you can see better how filthy it was. Picture #3 was just a case of the light hitting it right and a little chrome blinging, but definitely was not the way I would have wanted the bike to be. I'd have wanted the glare to be so bright it would have broke his camera.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

hard10 · « **Reply #90 on:** August 04, 2007, 11:51:06 PM »

Gary, happy belated birthday.

SPIDERMAN · « **Reply #91 on:** August 05, 2007, 12:39:57 AM »

Gary,
I feel like chit dude. You've been nothin but the best bro to me and here I get so wrapped up in my own pity party I miss your birthday and your big ride. I am truly sorry brother. I hope you had the best birthday any man could have. I know the ride was good, the sound of your voice when you called in the middle of it was a man at peace with the world and livin the life.

Can everybody say AMEN ?

B B

ccr · « **Reply #92 on:** August 05, 2007, 05:25:38 AM »

Amen!

VaEagle · « **Reply #93 on:** August 05, 2007, 09:41:37 AM »

Great photos and thanks for sharing the trip with us!

Also Happy belated Birthday too!

bisounours · « **Reply #94 on:** August 10, 2007, 09:21:38 AM »

Thanks for sharing these pics and this trip

Jacques

skyglide · « **Reply #95 on:** August 10, 2007, 10:34:44 PM »

VERY COOL

Author Topic: Six States In Four Days... (Read 9187 times)

charlie