Where is EOM 2013?

[extrememarine]

Lee has been a huge help with having the time to actually go visit and investigate possible venues. It's a reason for him to go thrash his FJR or Mini....

Things are looking good for being within striking distance of many of the tremendous roads you missed last year.

Thanks for the excellent reply Wayne. You make all valid points.

I know from our past private conversations that you are a conscientious guy and take the planning for EOM quite seriously. Heck, if past performance is an accurate indicator of future results everyone can be assured of a great time ahead next fall. I did miss EOM in NC last year, so if it just happened to be in the same general area it would be a bonus second chance for me.

And it sounds like Lee has been providing some hugely valuable local insight on the routes. That helps a lot.

 

[luvtoride]

No, not kidding. Virginia can suck off.

stand by for pity me rant -

When you get a traffic ticket solely because you were the vehicle with out of state plates, and not 1/2 mile prior had mulitple 18 wheelers blasting past you in the hammer lane and tailgating you at the same time, you get a crappy attitude about it. 11 over (80/70 - garmin showed 79mph) in a group of 5 other cars, and the 18 wheelers all but smoke the brakes getting whoa'd down (my fault, completely, for missing that clear sign something was up), and the deputy agreed that "the trucks were really moving today". To top it off, as I'm getting my gear back on, I turn to have the deputy come flying by me getting back into traffic; no big deal, right? Except now the right lane is full of traffic running 90mph again, and I roll 2 miles down the shoulder to before I am able to get back into traffic. That was only because there was an on-ramp for me to use. Was he obligated to assist me in getting back into traffic by law, probably not, but he left me in a situation that was not safe why? He wasn't down the road in a new "hide".

I was polite, courteous, & professional - informed him up front that my license will show I have a CPL, but I was not carrying a sidearm at the time as I am required to do by law, etc.

A call to the patrol supervisor got a "I'll speak to deputy xxxx, as we are in the business of public safety."

End pity me rant.

I don't like Virginia. If I had been pulled over with a peg on the deck at 90, then fine, I deserve it and I'd gladly pay the price for admission to that race track.

I hope you were just kidding.

So, all Virginia Troopers are at falt for the actions during your trooper mishap & that couldn't ever happen anywhere else? Cmon now.

Edited to add: & also there is an obvious fix that I didn't think about until now... get off the interstate. lol!

 

[huron52]

I have been to the hotel in Sparta for a ST.n meet .... ooooh a couple of years ago. It was good. If I remember we had a BBQ outside on the back deck. As for the roads they are as bad as SE Ohio and that's bad!

Townsend TN is to close to the dragon for my liking. You know Fred's worry about those sport bikers

I think we should Lee see what he can dream up in Boone first.

Oh Lee dont have to dream he already has more in that area than you could do in 3 or 4 days and now that he lives there he finds new ones every day, and dont ask me where they are I would have to shoot ya if I told ya:secret:

When I was talking about Lee and the word "dream" I was referring to a place to stay....not the roads.

 

[Fred W]

I don't like that VA has outlawed the use of radar detectors and makes a point of chasing down folks who attempt to use one.

Somehow it is deemed to be completely legal everywhere else in the entire country, but not in VA and its appendage, Washington DC.

 

[extrememarine]

So, all of Virginia is at falt for your trooper mishap & that couldn't ever happen anywhere else? Cmon Wayne.

It's my pity party, and I can blame anyone I want. Fact is, it happened in Virginia.

Yes, I have been pulled over in other states.

NO, I have never been left on the side of the highway like that, in fact, I've had troopers specifically give me notice and direction that they will remain at the scene until I am ready to roll to ensure I safely re-enter the flow of traffic.

Virginia has possibly adopted the same criminal enterprise traffic enforcement philosophy on their highways that follows the line of "out of state drivers are less likely to return for court appearances" which generates more income. I remember Georgia being called out on this along I-75 some time ago. They were nailing the Florida bound spring break traffic.

Anyone else here traveled the I-81 corridor? I have many times over the years - I was stationed in Virginia and lived there for 4 years - I can not remember a time when the flow of traffic was under 80 unless there was an accident or traffic jam. Cager, 18 wheelers, etc.

80mph is over the legal limit, I accept & understand that. If I was running 90-120 splitting lanes, I'd expect to be hauled away in cuffs. I was not riding in that manner, I was riding in a manner that I felt necessary for survival in my mind. What burns even more is that the deputy agreed with my statement about how the semi's were flying that day - he knew it was a bs ticket, but it was easy money.

There is no doubt in my mind that I was singled out, targeted specifically on the grounds of having Michigan plates and Virginia can still suck a wet dog.

 

[extrememarine]

That's another conversation by it's self right here. I was running radar, and got the RD pulled and in my pocket when I saw him coming with the lights on. It might have saved me if I'd had it piped into my helmet, but I was running with only the LED visual aid plugged in. That will be fixed on V2.0. I'm going to research tucking the RD in the nose with a on/off switch somewhere.

I've never really understood on what grounds they ban them. I'm sure there's arguments for both sides.

I don't like that VA has outlawed the use of radar detectors and makes a point of chasing down folks who attempt to use one.

Somehow it is deemed to be completely legal everywhere else in the entire country, but not in VA and its appendage, Washington DC.

 

[Geezer]

That's another conversation by it's self right here. I was running radar, and got the RD pulled and in my pocket when I saw him coming with the lights on. It might have saved me if I'd had it piped into my helmet, but I was running with only the LED visual aid plugged in. That will be fixed on V2.0. I'm going to research tucking the RD in the nose with a on/off switch somewhere.

I've never really understood on what grounds they ban them. I'm sure there's arguments for both sides.

I don't like that VA has outlawed the use of radar detectors and makes a point of chasing down folks who attempt to use one.

Somehow it is deemed to be completely legal everywhere else in the entire country, but not in VA and its appendage, Washington DC.

I agree with Fred on this point. I avoid Virginia whenever possible because of their no-detector law.

And Wayne, I also had the experience of getting nailed (in Kansas) even with my detector because the audio plug had come loose and I could not hear it go off. I am careful to check my audio from the detector frequently ever since then. I don't know how people can effectively use a RD without the audio.

However, even with my personal issue with Tennessee, and a general dislike for riding in VA, no matter where EOM is held I will do my best to be there.

 

[wheatonFJR]

So, are there any other places in the Hendersonville area? Any of the other next door or nearby motels work? Even if more expensive, I would go for that...though money is always a concern, I would pay $$ to stay in the same area at a more decent hotel...

 

[Top_Speed1]

[Towing a pair of jetskii's w my Silverado P/U]

I just crossed the I-95 bridge from DC into Virginia and still had my radar detector on, wouldn't ya know it a cop goes cruising by me like doing 90 (at night so the detector was quite easy to spot all lit up) and so the cop just stalls in the passing lane waiting for me to catch back up. I unplugged the detector right after he passed me but when he stopped me he said "didn't you just notice the sign before crossing the bridge?".

The VA Trooper then said he had to confiscate the unit, I was like WTF! but gave it up after a short beef with him, then he wanted the power cord, I said "No can do, it's hard wired off the rearview mirror power". He looked in disbelief and then said, "Oh Okay, you can keep it then but I will have to write you a ticket". Now I know why there are so many used ones for sale on eBay!

Upon receiving the ticket I wrote back my experience to the court as not guilty of not given enough chance to safely remove the detector and maintain safe driving over the bridge. I never heard back from them so I guess they waived the incident off. So for me, not that bad of ending but they are (were) pretty strict and to the book (...can you say pricks with authority?)

 

[wheatonFJR]

I see this is turning into a RD/Virginia thread...

 

[extrememarine]

@Hiedi - it could happen somewhere else. But it hasn't in my case. If this was Ky or TN, then I'd have the same level of distaste for that jurisdiction as well. FWIW, I was on the expressway for less the 60 of the 400+ miles I rode that day. So, yeah, stay off the highway is typically my MO, but there are situations where commitments dictate the amount of time you have to "play".

@Mark - thanks for getting us back on topic - Lee is exploring that option as well. I like Hendersonville, it's a good jump off point, especially with access to I-26 right there, and I-40 to the north.

 

[luvtoride]

Ok, you people that avoid Virginia because of radar detector laws... we are all adults... well, we claim to be, anyway. There is such a thing as practicing self control.

& for the record... I live in Virginia & speed every single day... not just once in awhile, mind you... every single damn day & knock wood... haven't had a ticket in VA in @ least 6 years. The last one that I got in VA was going to EOM in Boone in a location that's known as a speed trap... unbenounced to me @ the time.

& Wayne... I was kidding about the Interstate.

I was thinking... talking about side of the road safety... perhaps you should speak to Jeff Ashe about his traffic stop by... uh, think it was a NC State trooper. The trooper left & got back into traffic with Jeff & Karen fallen against the guardrail when he slipped & fell against it BEFORE the trooper left.

As originally said.. it could've happened anywhere.

 

[Fred W]

I don't want to hijack this thread any further. We should have a I Heart VA and RD thread elsewhere.

 

[luvtoride]

I don't want to hijack this thread any further. We should have a I Heart VA and RD thread elsewhere.

definitely... start another thread somewhere else to show how many other FJRForum members don't have self control about speed.

Hijack over.

Hey Wayne, have you considered Franklin, yet?

 

[Intech]

I think there is some pertinance to how bikes and out-of-staters are treated by the local constabulary when looking for a venue for a meet. I won't go into details, but there is a ******* WV cop that gave BS tickets to Scoops and I, but not the car that was ahead of us who was clearly going faster. This cop was so professional he walked up to Sharon with a cigarette in his mouth! I am not saying that WV can suck off because of it. We just need to be aware of and communicate where there could be trouble spots. Everyone's opinion is important. That is why we do the polls for these things. Obviously you cannot make everyone happy all the time.

 

[wheatonFJR]

My guess would be whoever does the dirty work gets to choose, and the others get to show up.

My god, can we just agree that we all love to ride twisty roads and be quiet about other crap unless we are doing the work. Makes me glad I'm not the one trying to pick a spot. I've never seen so much ungrateful whining about where an awesome FJR riding party is going to be.

I'll shut my trap now, and try and be a good boy and help if I can.

Sheesh.

 

[El Toro Joe]

Everyone done now? Good!!!

Now back to the topic of this thread.

 

[extrememarine]

Franklin, NC, correct? I've attended many smaller gatherings there and love the area. It provides access to north Georgia, W.NC & E. TN. NC28 would rival the entrance quality found at Cumberland Falls. But. I found one property advertising meeting space; 600Sqft - max occupancy is 30 when set for a reception, or 25 when set for banquet rounds. Based on last year's numbers, we'd need to have dinner in 3 shifts. FredW's idea of a parking lot BBQ comes to mind, but we'd be rolling the dice if the weather turned south on us.

We looked at Cherokee, but the Casio lean towards the circus atmosphere and were pricey to boot.

Hey Wayne, have you considered Franklin, yet?

 

[Fred W]

I've never seen so much ungrateful whining about where an awesome FJR riding party is going to be.

Really? Ungrateful whining? I thought that this was a thread to discuss possible places for the next EOM. Suggestions around that usually come with some reasons for or against a particular place. I haven't seen anything I would categorize as ungrateful whining.

For the record, all the whining has been only of the grateful variety!

FredW's idea of a parking lot BBQ comes to mind, but we'd be rolling the dice if the weather turned south on us.

If you thought you'd want to pursue the outdoor BBQ thing, maybe whoever does the BBQ catering could bring in and setup big tent(s)? I have no idea what that sort of thing costs though. Just a thought that might make a hotel/motel without large banquet facilities a possibility.

 

[luvtoride]

Franklin, NC, correct? I've attended many smaller gatherings there and love the area. It provides access to north Georgia, W.NC & E. TN. NC28 would rival the entrance quality found at Cumberland Falls. But. I found one property advertising meeting space; 600Sqft - max occupancy is 30 when set for a reception, or 25 when set for banquet rounds. Based on last year's numbers, we'd need to have dinner in 3 shifts. FredW's idea of a parking lot BBQ comes to mind, but we'd be rolling the dice if the weather turned south on us.

We looked at Cherokee, but the Casio lean towards the circus atmosphere and were pricey to boot.

Hey Wayne, have you considered Franklin, yet?

Yes, Franklin, NC... bummer man, real bummer. Such great riding in that area.

So, are there any other places in the Hendersonville area? Any of the other next door or nearby motels work? Even if more expensive, I would go for that...though money is always a concern, I would pay $$ to stay in the same area at a more decent hotel...

Bob & Scott stayed next door @ the Ramada. Pretty sure the price was very comparable... & they had a hot buffet breakfast!