Nafo 2010 & Beyond

[old Pilot]

I departed from Hardy, AR, around midnight Wed, 22 Sep. Why did I begin the ride at midnight? Madness, I suspect. It was a cooler ride and I had no deer encounters, so the decision ended up being okay.

On RT 412 in TN around 0200 while cruising at 75mph in a 55 zone a Sheriff came up behind me and then passed me, haha. Once I was on RT 40 the cruise control kept getting bumped up until I was cruising at 85-90 mph. RT 40 was a racetrack and the object of the game was to avoid the 18-wheelers.

Stops for gasoline, and a 2hr nap on a rest area picnic table, were my only breaks. 522 miles later I arrived at the Marriott around 1100 hrs Thurs morning. There were no motorcycles to be seen. I think I was the first arrival and I was exhausted and punchy.

Thanks to FJRBandit, FJRMGM, and okmac for the room shares. Really appreciate it.

Here is the lobby of the Marriott from the 7th floor.

On Friday Patriot led FJRMGM, MVETTE, Blind Squirrel, Burnspot, and me on a 200+ mile ride. We did the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway. It was a good ride, lots of great scenery, and we all arrived safely back to the hotel in time for the evening meal (it was a good meal too).

One of the group is missing.

A dam.

Me & my ride.

Patriot, our leader.

NAFO was a good time. Met old friends and made new ones.

It is raining today. I left Knoxville, wound thru Sevierville and Gatlinburg, and decided to overnight here in Maggie Valley, NC, as there is no point in going up on the BRP in rain & fog. The forecast is for more rain tomorrow so not sure if I'll get on the BRP tomorrow or wait it out.

My plans are to ride the BRP and Skyline Drive, continue up to visit friends in Baltimore and in Pennsylvania and then make my way back to Arkansas.

 

[Burnspot]

It was great meeting you! That was indeed a good ride, but you're missing the photo of the man-eating Praying Mantis, lol. I crossed the BRP in Boone today and it was pouring rain, the thought crossed my mind to run down the BRP a bit, but thought better of it.

Ride safe and see ya at the next meet!

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Good to meet you and great to ride with you Fred! Should your travels ever bring you to/near Chesapeake Va. you have a warm bed and a hot meal waiting for you. I hope we can ride together again soon.

 

[vabrzn]

Great pics!

 

[hellcreep]

A good report and pictures!!

It was excellent seeing you aqain and I look forward to the FFO Rally!

I'm now in Alabama (with TN "white lightning moonshine" in the trunk) headed towards Texas.

Have a good trip to PA, Old Pilot!

---hellcreep

 

[old Pilot]

Hellcreep's runnin' moonshine :lol:

I'm in a cheap motel near Fancy Gap, VA. Rode the BRP all f'ing day in rain, fog, and wet leaves. Don't mind the rain but the fog was bad, could not see and was nervously running at 25mph for several hours. No pics, there was nothing to be seen but fog, fog, and more fog.

 

[Patriot]

Thursday was a good ride up and mvette and I stayed in a budget motel in Cleveland for the night. Then we rode to Knoxville via the Okowee river, 129, the Cherohala, and the Dragon heading north to Knoxville. I marked on my GPS the highlights of that loop and used those as waypoints for the ride I led on Friday.

Friday was just a blast. Very memorable when a plan keeps peaking all day. Even when "Wrong Way" Mike involuntarily rides a few Cherohala sweepers thrice with his group of merry man staying on his heels. It was just about a perfect day.

And I say a prayer of thanksgiving there was no real damage to anyone with the bicyclists deciding it was OK to take up the entire left lane of hwy 360 heading north late in the day. All of them heard Izabella's air horn from 50 yards, but one of them decided to stay left in the lane before a blind curve. They were doing 15 mph and I was staying upright at 45. Really was gonna kick somebody off the cliff and move to the middle of "their" right lane if and as soon as I saw a vehicle heading from the other way. I was upset, but once I vented to Blindspot at the next intersection, the pleasant day's feeling returned stronger than ever.

It was a fun day and great ride on Saturday experiencing the devil's triangle, seeing the peneteniary, and visiting the Oak Ridge Energy (Manhattan Project Bomb's Fuel) museum.

Thanx much guys. And I got to meet two very friendly hound dawgs. And said a prayer for the other one I saw on the median of the interstate.

It was a great time for me, excellent pleasant memories, and yes yes yes...MEM and Scoops are as hot in person as I imagined in my dreams. :lol:

Does anyone know the dates and organizers of NAFO 2012 so I can mark my calendar ??? :yahoo:

 

[Burnspot]

Mike, it was fun running with you...even though you briefly ran off with the group at the gas station while I filled my Camelbak, lol.

Here's our Praying Mantis friend from Cherohala (note he's looking at the hand probably thinking, "I can take it!"

 

[old Pilot]

Today the BRP was just beautiful. No fog, lots of sunshine, and perfect temperatures. Rode from Fancy Gap to the end at Waynesboro, VA. Approx 250 miles today.

Unfortunately, not many pics were taken because I happened upon this machine.

Nice wicked bike ridden by a very good rider. We played most of the day. The bike & rider were both more competent than I, but we did have way too much fun. Oh, did I mention there was no speed enforcement at all on the BRP today? If there had been, we'd probably both be in prison.

Tomorrow I'm going to backtrack a bit on the BRP just to hit some of those nice curves again, then I'll continue north on Skyline Drive.

 

[okmac]

I figured you were going to get into some rain for a couple of days. I had about 2 hrs of rain when I left and then had great weather all the way home. Took my time and got home on the 28th.

Hope you have dry times ahead.

Mac

 

[old Pilot]

More rain & fog today. My nice warm electric vest is at home.

 

[old Pilot]

I'm still on the road. Had a very nice visit for several days with friends in Baltimore. Am in Pennsylvania now visiting more friends & family.

The FJR seems to be running fine but I've had to adjust the idle several times. The idle was low, then a few days later it was idling at 2000 rpm. Do not know what the problem is. Have another 1500 to 2000 miles before I'll eventually arrive back home so I hope it does not become an issue.

Will post some photos later.

 

[MartyA]

The idle was low, then a few days later it was idling at 2000 rpm. Do not know what the problem is. Have another 1500 to 2000 miles before I'll eventually arrive back home so I hope it does not become an issue.

Grit / gummy throttle cable?

Little wet here in PA. have a nice ride!

 

[old Pilot]

The idle was low, then a few days later it was idling at 2000 rpm. Do not know what the problem is. Have another 1500 to 2000 miles before I'll eventually arrive back home so I hope it does not become an issue.

Grit / gummy throttle cable?

Little wet here in PA. have a nice ride!

Could very well be, don't know. Adjusted the idle 2 days ago & have not been on the bike since (my uncle loaned me a car for a few days here). Will be getting back on the bike soon to explore some WV roads before heading back to Arkystan.

 

[FJRBandit]

Enjoying the pics of your casual ride through the Appalachians Fred!

It was nice meeting you at NAFO and I look forward to seeing you at SFO next year. Have a safe trip back to Arky my friend.

FJRBandit

 

[old Pilot]

Enjoying the pics of your casual ride through the Appalachians Fred!

It was nice meeting you at NAFO and I look forward to seeing you at SFO next year. Have a safe trip back to Arky my friend.

FJRBandit

Thanks Turk. Back at ya. Hope to see you at SFO next Spring.

I'm in WV now, gradually wandering toward home. 19 days and counting since leaving for NAFO. Will post a few more pics when I'm home.

Fred

 

[old Pilot]

Home. Had a great time, will post more commentary & photos later. Here is my Nuvi screen shot. Does not make sense to me. I was definitely flying on the interstates but there were a lot of slow twisty, rainy & foggy hours too. The total mileage seems correct and the max speed is, uh, ahem, probably correct. Maybe the Nuvi lost some moving time hours?

 

[old Pilot]

The NAFO & Beyond adventure is over.

Had a great time visiting friends & family.

Things I learned:

Take the heated vest with me!

The First Gear Jaunt jacket is truly 100% waterproof.

Mercury 2 pants are 90% waterproof. Riding through Tropical Storm Nicole, my butt got wet.

TCX boots are 100% waterproof.

Cortech waterproof winter gloves are definitely not waterproof. Soggy leather, yech.

The Laminar Lip was a waste of money.

The FJR & PR2s are a good combo for high speed riding, even in the rain.

My Escort 8500 was a wise investment!

The FJR did 3600 miles without a stumble. Only had to adjust the idle, clean the rear brake light switch and the kick stand switch. That's it.

Crossing the Mississippi River.

A PAIR OF HOGS- Someone had a sense of humor. The one hog is heeding nature's call :lol: