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Hey all, so last Thursday I got back from my trip out to indy and more, and I finally got the pics up and the time to write a report. Enjoy!
Sunday Day 1 439 miles
So I got up early to watch the F1 race at Spa before I head out, great race but I'm a little bummed Kimi ended crashing out right at the end Load up all the gear, get a block away and then come back for the chain lube I forgot. Headed down Rt. 7, 22, out to NY, hit up T***** rd, say goodbye to Ozzy, who had followed me out that far, then head south on I87, west on I84 and south again on I81. Stopped at a scenic view area on I84, beautiful view of the sunset. Started talking to guy in a RV pulling a Harley. Turns out he was a bounty hunter from Alabama, orig from Brattleboro, came up here to visit and ride the roads. Pretty cool. Get to Locust Lake State Campground at about 9:15pm set up camp and hit the hay.
Monday Day 2 387 miles
Woke up and found out the campground to be an awesome spot. Back on the interstate until I reach Gettysburg. What a place that is, I spend maybe an hour cruising around the military park but then have to keep on going. More interstate miles until I reach the Skyline Drive at 5:30pm. $10 to drive the 105 miles but it was worth it. Some of the most amazing views of the trip, and more deer on the road than I ever want to see again. Finish the Skyline Drive and transition to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Rode about 40 miles in the dark with more deer, until I arrive in Buena Vista where my friend is going to college. He threw a bonfire that night and I stayed up much later than I planed.
Camp
Locust Lake
PA soldiers monument
VT soldiers monument
Skyline Drive
Tuesday Day 3 about 284 miles
Woke up to rain, and it rained pretty much all day with varying degrees of intensity. Met up with an older guy, Larry, on 1981 Suzuki GS1100G from Toronto. He was riding the BRP, and his pace was close enough to mine, we ended up riding a couple days together. Ended up at Linville Falls campground, right off the BRP at mile marker 317.
In the clouds
Wednesday Day 4 about 284 miles
Light rain in the morning that gave way to sunshine all afternoon. Plan was to finish the BRP and get to the Dragon by the end of the day. Ended up riding all the way to the top of Mt. Mitchell elev. 6578ft. Took a detour off of the parkway because of a closure and found NC route 80 (South from the BRP to route 70). One of the best roads on the trip, sorry no pictures, was too tight and twisty and fun. Made it Robinsville NC after dark and checked into Phillips Motel.
Thursday Day 5 356 miles
Headed north from Robinsville to the Dragon. We got caught behind an 18 wheeler right before the fun started so we pulled off and waited 15 minutes for it to get a ways ahead, only to catch back up halfway through the dragon, and have to pull off and wait again. Lots of traffic on the dragon, but none that would hold you up. Stopped in TN at a store to get our dragon stickers/t-shirts and whatnot and headed our separate ways. North to I75 and then to West I74 to Harrison OH to the Comfort Inn. Passing by Lexington OH I encountered the worst rainstorm I have ever rode through. Washer and dryer was very needed after a couple days in rain and shitty saddlebag rain covers.
me and larry on the dragon
Where do you call home board. One of two from VT
Friday Day 6 178 miles
Made it to Indy through the rain, met up with the svrider.com people and set up camp. Our seats were as awesome as they looked like they were gonna be: bikes in our view for about 32 seconds, views of turns 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and launching down the straight. Rain slowed and stopped in early evening and didn't start again until morning Sunday.
View from STAND J SECTION 8 ROW T SEAT 4
Saturday and Sunday Day 7 and 8 21 miles
Qualifying was in the bright sun and was awesome. There were at least 3 different Desmosedicis there.
one of the yami customs
Hayden leads in the opening laps
Rode to one of the only places with an open room in Indy sunday night, the Hampton Inn, and payed way too much. I was tired.