OT: Sharing another motorcycle ride with ya'll

Saturday (9-6-08) the wife and I headed out at 7 a.m. and met up with some of our cycling friends for a day ride. There were 9 motorcycles all total.  It was damp and foggy, and there was a very light misting of rain.  We all stood around talking, drinking coffee, and basically waiting for the weather to clear up a bit so we could head on down the road.

The mist of rain finally let up at about 8:45 a.m.  We saddled up our steel ponies and headed east on Hwy. 72 towards the Georgia line, then headed north up Hwy. 79 across Skyline Mountain, with the low rumble of the exhausts echoing through the crisp morning air.  When we got to the top of the mountain, the fog was as thick as pea soup, and the temperature dropped several degrees. We pulled over so the others could put on their jackets, but I was actually enjoying  the early-fall coolness myself, so I decided to leave mine in the saddlebag. Visibility was only about 100 yards, so needless to say, we took it easy and cruised along at only about 40 mph.   We stopped at the only small store on top of the mountain for a nice hot cup of coffee and some conversation, and to allow the ladies to warm up a bit.  The lady who owned the store had fresh home-made fried pies - chocolate, peach and apple - for $1.00 each. Although they looked and smelled great, I was theonly one who passed on them.  The others thoroughly enjoyed them, and thouroughly enjoyed telling me how good they tasted.  After about 20 minutes, it was time to saddle up the steel ponies and head on down the backside of the mountain into Tennessee.  We skirted around Winchester and rode on into Deckherd, where once again we stopped for a butt break and some more coffee, and to decide where to go from there. After 20 minutes or so of discussion, it was the decided that we would take Hwy. 41 into Manchester and stop there for a bite of lunch.  Manchester was about a 20 mile ride from where we were. By that time the temperature had risen to a more comfortable level and the ride along Hwy. 41 was really nice.

Once in Manchester, we stopped at a local Mexican restaurant for lunch. I ordered the pintos &  cheese appetizer (about a 1/2 cup serving) and watched as the others scarfed down huge plates of tacos, burritos, Mexican rice, and chips and salsa.  Needless to say, they were stuffed by the time we had to saddle up again, and were probably more suited for a siesta than for motorcycle riding.  Nonetheless, we fired up the steel ponies and headed towards Tullahoma.  From there, it was on in to Lynchburg where we stopped so a couple of the folks could purchase some leather items they wanted.  We strolled around Lynchburg looking at the other motorcycles parked around the square,  the leather shops, and gift shops for more than an hour. Then, we headed back towards Fayetteville where we stopped at a gas station for one last cup of coffee and some conversation about the day's ride and events before saying our goodbyes.  After the handshakes and hugs, everyone split up and headed on back to their homes.  Another wonderful day of riding motorcycles through some beautiful country, the company of friends, and enjoying life was now in the books.   

Ahhhhhh, ain't life grand? I know mine's been soooo much better since WLS! 

Sounds like you all had a wonderful ride. Nothing I like better than a nice long ride. I like leaving out early in the AM on a nice cool day and riding in the mountains. Good for you passing on the fried pies.  

Hey Judy. We need to get together and do lunch one of these days. Just let me know what is good for you.

So glad you had a great ride and are enjoying life again Bob. Nothing  taste as good as healthy feels!!! Have a Blessed Day!

Michele

Sounds fun!!!  Guess what my husband did?  When I went back to the dr to get my drains removed, on Aug. 26th, we came home pulling a trailer with a harley davidson on it.  Its a Orange Screamer?  anyway, the Harley place was right beside the hotel we stayed at the night before my surgery in Anniston.  Hubby eyeballed that motorcycle while I was recovering lol.

he's only driven it around the block so far.

but we want to take rides and little trips like you! 

I've lost 26 lbs since surgery....told him let me loose more and i'll ride with him lol.

Donna

HD Screamin' Eagle? They are sweeeeet!! And some serious bucks too!  In our book, there's nothing like riding - it is totally relaxing, fun and such a sense of freedom!  Congrats and ya'll RIDE SAFE!!

BamaBob,you make your rides sound so interesting.are you a writer,if not you should be...Im so proud your WLS is working for you..mine works for me,life is grand Thanks the Lord and WLS.  Juju

Glad you enjoy reading my recounts and ramblings about our little motorcycle excursions, Judy. No, I'm not a "writer" - wish I was - I hear they make mucho buckos.  Hmmmmm, wonder if I could write a book about our motorcycling adventures? And would it make me truckloads of money?!  

thats what it is a screamin eagle.  It's been 20 years since my hubby really rode a motorcycle and that wasn't much.  I told him to get good and used to it before we should venture out.

any suggestions for a couple of newbies like us lol?  we live in the muscle shoals area, in Colbert County, although we have a Russellville address which is in Franklin county.  How long have you been riding?

have you ever rode to gatlinburg or anything like that?  I would love to rent a cabin there, drive and maybe pull a trailer with the motorcycle, then ride when we get there....you can tell i''m a big time newbie i know!

anyway thanks and keep posting your motorcycle adventures!
Donna

"drive and maybe pull a trailer with the motorcycle"

Donna, trailer a perfectly good motorcycle?!  NO WAYYYYYYYY!!!  Them' s dirty words, girlfriend!! It's made to RIDE!!  We ride ours to Gatlinburg, Destin, FL, Gulf Shores, Helen, GA, - anywhere we want to go. And we absolutely love it!  We've been on several day rides in your neck of the woods too.

As for suggestions, the first is to always put SAFETY FIRST!   Tell your hubby to practice riding and take it at his own pace until he is comfortable riding solo, then practice with you on it  as a passenger too.  He may want to take the Rider Safety Course also. It is a good thing, and most insurance companies give a discount if you have taken it.

I rode when I was a teenager, then after I got married, had kids, and all the responsibilities I gave it up.  After the kids were grown, I decided to get back to riding after about 25 years.  I did exactly what I suggested to you - took  it slow and easy and practiced, practiced, practiced.  It came back to me pretty quickly, but safety is still priority one!  I "ride like they can't see me or like I'm invisible", meaning I never trust the other guy - I ride defensively always anticipating what can happen.

So, ya'll get busy on practicing the riding and hit the road on that HD Screamin' Eagle.  I bet you'll love it!!  Good luck and be safe!!