I'm sitting here watching the cold rain trickle past my window and bored absolutely shitless, and I'm remembering how much fun my wife and I had last spring when we took the Mini up skyline drive and overnighted up near Ducpond.
Maybe it's just cabin fever talking, but . . . Would anyone be interested in taking a weekend roadtrip out to where the twisties are once the weather warms up? Either ride the whole way, or throw the bikes in the back of the truck on a friday afternoon, get a hotel room/rooms for a night or two off priceline, practice some hooliganism, and head home on Sunday. Shouldn't cost more than $150-200.
Anyone interested?
Count me in although I will have week-long business trips once or twice a month between now and forever (or at least as long as I have a job :-\). I like the idea of riding up and making a weekend of it. I have also been planning a trip out to Deals Gap and running the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway sometime this spring/early summer. I know one thing for sure, this weather suxx.
I'm thinking end of April, beginning of May? Sometime between when the weather warms up, but before the tourists hit.
I'll be out of town the last week of April, but the first and second weekends of May should be good, barring any unscheduled trips.
I would be all about going on a trip. I was tentatively planning a trip of my own to visit friends in Lynchburg, Blacksburg and Hot Springs. Early May would work better for me than late April. I will also check my maps. There may be better roads around Skyline, but not actually on it the whole time.
I would prefer to do it all on bikes. I don't have a trailer, but I do have a truck and could rent a trailer from MWR fairly cheaply if that is the route we decide to go.
I'm still hoping that I will get good weather and be able to ride up to DC the last week of March, but I'm not holding my breath.
Me and my bud did Skyline a couple summers ago. It was a really fun trip. The posted speed limit seemed really slow but the trip was fun as hell. I want to go to Deals Gap with youz guyz.
Beginning of May works fine for me. I will have to truck the bike up there, as there is no way my wife won't want to go, and she's not fit enough for that long a ride, and will pack WAAAAY more than could be carried on a bike. This will actually work in favor of anyone who goes, as I'll be able to carry your extras. The truck can haul two bikes, or I can borrow my buddies trailer and haul 4-6 if necessary.
I know that there are much more interesting roads than skyline, after just two minutes on Google maps I found more than one interesting route off of the blue ridge south of Afton. Check out Reeds gap rd. and rt.627 near Wintergreen.
Looks like May 1-3, May 8-10 (Mother's day) or May 15-17. Anybody have a preference?
If I went on a motorcycle trip over Mother's Day I would be afraid that the locks on my house would be changed when I got back.
15-17 is slightly more preferable, but 1-3 will work fine too.
15-17 may is problematic for me as I will be flying back from Ohio on that Friday. 1-3 May is better.
I have a trip planned (Smoke-Out @ Rockingham Speedway) for 15-17 and same as Dave on mothers day.
You might think about the Lexington area and Natural Bridge hotel, lots of good roads. Also a weekend trip down to Bristol great roads to get there. Just some thoughts - Gene
Sounds like May 1-3 works best for everyone. Lexington is in the area I was looking at, I'll do some research on hotels in the area, try to get a good rate.
You thinking of joining us, Gene? You'ld be welcome.
Post up if you're DEFINITELY in for this, so I can get a head count for hotel rooms. Include the number in your party.
Thanks for the invite but I'm on my way to Barber that weekend, we leave Friday and will be down to Bristol Friday Night. - Gene
sounds like a great trip - I'll look forward to joining you on another one [moto] (Doing the Avon Walk for the Cure that weekend).
I spoke with the owner of Redline yesterday, and he says he'll spread the word to some other Duc owners, and maybe spark some further interest in this trip. Something about sponsoring us with free food, hotel rooms, etc(Don't I wish!). Anyway, I'm looking forward to this. I've got to get away soon or I'm gonna [bang] [bang].
I might be in for this ride....
The rain keeps me thinking about this trip and the one next week to DC if it doesn't rain.
At this point the Blue Ridge trip it sounds like:
Bun-Bun - Yes
Dave - Yes
Mike - Probably?
DC - Maybe
Will - ???
Any lurkers?
Friday 1 May: Meet in Natural Bridge area in afternoon/evening
Saturday 2 May: Ride, route may be up for debate through friday night.
Sunday 3 May: 1/2 day ride, head home
Jeff, do you want to nail down that hotel and anyone else is free to make a reservation?
[popcorn]
I wanna go. Im just kinda broke. Is it Natural Bridge or Skyline? Dont count me out yet.
Well this suxx. I just found out today that the dates of my work trip at the end of April changed so now I won't be back until the night of 2 May. >:( There's no way I can get out of this so I'm out. [bang] [bang]. I was really looking forward to it too. I still hope to meet up with you guys some weekend though so we can go ride. Take lot of pictures.
Quote from: wllgmr on March 17, 2009, 11:15:28 AM
I wanna go. Im just kinda broke. Is it Natural Bridge or Skyline? Dont count me out yet.
Will, It's Natural Bridge, and the hotel info is below.
Natural bridge hotel
15 Appledore Ln
Natural bridge VA
800-533-1410
Don't reserve just yet,
I just left a v-mail with the person who does group rates, and when she calls I'll post up rates and any other info I get.
Rooms are double occupancy, so maybe you can go in with someone else and split the cost. I'll be headed up there Friday A.M. with my wife, in the truck. Anyone who wants stuff carried up should drop it by my house Thursday night before 8pm(If you show up at midnight, I'll likely pull a shotgun on ya. Just sayin'.).
If I don't get a return call by this Thursday, I'll call her back, so we can get this settled by the weekend.
Jeff
Okay, I was unable to reserve a block of rooms. For some reason they are doing pretty good business that weekend, and only have twelve balcony rooms still available for Saturday night. Balcony rooms are running $115/night, and I suggest you book soon if you're planning to go.
So far, it's just XJDave, and my wife and I.
Will, you might want to get with Dave.
Are you taking your car and the bike, bun?
Quote from: Bun-bun on March 18, 2009, 12:40:08 PM
only have twelve balcony rooms still available for Saturday night. Balcony rooms are running $115/night, and I suggest you book soon if you're planning to go.
So far, it's just XJDave, and my wife and I.
Will, you might want to get with Dave.
Balcony rooms are the way to go IMHO, nice patio for some adult beverages and kick back at the end of a good riding day, although the bar is pretty nice as well. There are two rooms, that are directly underneath the large columns whose patios are connected with no rail in between, if you can get those rooms it would accomodate a large get together. BTW I would look at the roads west for the most part although one run up and over the mountain on US60 is a good ride, once over the moutain take Buffalo Springs Turnpike, Rt. 635, over to Rt. 130 to US 501 back into Buena Vista. Although turning around and running US60 back up the mountain is a hoot as well. Just some input for your trip. - Gene
Quote from: wllgmr on March 18, 2009, 04:51:01 PM
Are you taking your car and the bike, bun?
We are taking the diesel truck, and either putting the bike on the truck, or borrowing a trailer from my neighbor. Either way, we've got room, and will carry your stuff up and back for you.
Gene, Sounds like you know the area pretty well, any chance you can c'mon out and ride with us?
Jeff
Quote from: Bun-bun on March 18, 2009, 05:25:01 PM
Gene, Sounds like you know the area pretty well, any chance you can c'mon out and ride with us?
Jeff
I know a few roads. As I posted earlier in the thread I am headed down to Barber that weekend, leaving Friday and will be west of you on Friday on a few of the roads I know, arriving in Bristol Friday Night, then Saturday down thru TN, NC, GA mountains and over to Al. Sunday Races at Barber, then back track to Bristol on Monday, then No. VA Tuesday. BTW this may be why the rooms are getting scarce http://www.horsecenter.org/schedule/09Schedules/April09.asp (http://www.horsecenter.org/schedule/09Schedules/April09.asp) - Gene
The only horses I like are in my engine ;D. Im in for the trip. How long is the ride?
Quote from: wllgmr on March 19, 2009, 05:01:12 AM
Im in for the trip. How long is the ride?
Sweet! That makes 3.
I plan on leaving out of VB around noon. The route I'm taking out there is 255 miles and about 5 hours 15 min.
Jeff had tentative plans for about 200 miles on Saturday. Sunday is not planned yet. Though it would have to be short. I kinda want to be back in VB by dark.
Check in at the hotel is at 4pm, but I was planning on taking the day off, and heading out fairly early. If I get there with some daylight left, it'll give me a chance to spend some time with Margie, and that way she won't feel too left out on Saturday. A nice Sunday morning ride sounds good to me, I had figured on being on the road back to Norfolk by noon/1pm, that should get everyone back before dark.
[coffee] Jeff just told me about the trip yesterday may very well join ya. How many people we got so far, may need another room? I'll have to make sure my bike is serviced for the trip.
Quote from: Gearhead211 on March 19, 2009, 08:07:40 PM
[coffee] Jeff just told me about the trip yesterday may very well join ya. How many people we got so far, may need another room? I'll have to make sure my bike is serviced for the trip.
You'll make 4 riding+ Margie. Another room will be necessary. I'll be trucking my bike, since Margie can't ride pregnant dog for that long a trip. Anything you want carried can go on the truck. If others want to have their bikes towed, I'll borrow my neighbors trailer.
Hope you can make it.
Jeff
[moto] Well looks like I'm in. I think I got the last room available at the hotel. It has two beds so if there is anybody else looking to make this trip and wants to split the cost its only $87 + tax per night. Lets see how many people we get.
I posted this up on Ducati.ms today. Maybe we'll meet some new people.
It'd be really great if we found someone who lives near there, as they'd probably be able to show us some sweet roads.
These are are Skyline from last week's "business trip". I don't think I can claim the park fee as a toll.
(http://i309.photobucket.com/albums/kk392/xjdave11/SkylineMar09-2.jpg)
(http://i309.photobucket.com/albums/kk392/xjdave11/SkylineMar09-3.jpg)
Three more weeks . . .
Who else is coming? This will be fun.
Quote from: wllgmr on April 20, 2009, 09:42:55 AM
Who else is coming? This will be fun.
So far:
Myself
Margie(Wife)
XJDave
Gearhead211(Dave)
& You
There is one bed available in Gearhead's room. Kris might go.
If not, my son Alex has expressed interest. One way or another, we'll be a sixpack.
Hopefully the weather will cooperate. This weekend looks good so far, with temps running from the upper 40s to the mid 70s, but, of course, we're going two weekends from now, so who knows.
I'll be carrying 3 people, their luggage, and 2 bikes, and will carry a good assortment of tools in the truck, so we should be able to solve most problems on site if necessary.
If you want, I can carry some of y'alls luggage, tho it might be in the bed. If you have anything you want me to carry, get it to me by early Thursday evening, as I expect to be on the road Friday morning.
Jeff
Is everyone else leavn fri. morn? Or after work?
I'm leaving friday after work, probably around noon.
I'll try to get off early friday to ride with you.
It's sneaking up on me. We just finalized plans to pick up a rabbit from a breeder in WV. Margie's going to run out to Goshen VA on Saturday while we're riding, and pick her up. It's a fawn Flemish. My wife will have her nemed, and a cage set up before we leave Norfolk, betcha.
Alex is out. There's one bed available. Anyone heard from Kris lately?
Weather (Which is a crapshoot this far out.) says low 80's, chance of thunderstorms for next Saturday.
Who is Alex?
Quote from: Bun-bun on April 20, 2009, 01:31:27 PM
If not, my son Alex has expressed interest. One way or another, we'll be a sixpack.
Quote from: wllgmr on April 27, 2009, 03:47:09 PM
Who is Alex?
Alex is my son. He's about your age, Will. ;D
What does he ride?
Quote from: wllgmr on April 27, 2009, 05:14:07 PM
What does he ride?
A Schwinn. ;D
He keeps it in the back of his pickup truck.
;D
Just talked with Kris, and he's not gonna make it.
His bike's still in the shop.
Will, didja get a line on a clutch yet?
Jeff
Shopping around now. trying to find that good deal, you know. my basket needs to be replaced too. this is getting expensive.
I'll ba carrying a full set (10-27mm) of sockets, wrenches, torque wrench, 1/2" electric ratchet, and hex sockets. Any other tools that y'all think we might need?
Also, anyone who wants me to carry gear for them needs to have it at my house by 8PM tomorrow.
Its not lookn good for me guys. my clutch still has not come in. maybe it will show up tomorrow. it should only take an hour to install.
Quote from: wllgmr on April 30, 2009, 11:12:32 AM
Its not lookn good for me guys. my clutch still has not come in. maybe it will show up tomorrow. it should only take an hour to install.
Damn, that sux. Can you borrow one of your friends bikes(Like that R1? drool, drool.), or maybe the Elefant? Or is that dirt only?
I printed out maps and directions for the Saturday ride. Looks scenic as all hell.
Now if I can just figure out what the weather's gonna do. They've changed the forecast 3 times in the last 8 hours.
The elefant is duel-sport but not on the road yet. Sux for me. Have fun. Im jealous. let me know how much I owe for my share of the room.
Greetings from Natural Bridge, guys. We got here last night, and rode all day today. The roads here are phenomenal! I'll post up pics when we get back, but we didn't take a whole lot of pics, we were too busy riding.
We're taking another shorter run tomorrow before we pack up and head back to the beach.
We've got to set up another trip out here before next winter.
Home again, home again.
Some pics from the ride, then I gotta crawl into bed and die. I gotta work tomorrow. UGH!
(https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/3499002426_235797dc02.jpg)
(https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3498178737_5eb136e09e.jpg)
(https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3498240817_f99b2c3fc5.jpg)