We left on thursday the 20th and headed for Natchez! It was slow and warm but we all know a day in the saddle is always better than work. Friday we got an earley start and dodged the weather going into Birmingham. On the way for the Hotel to the track I got going a little hot!?!?!?!?. I was tired of all the gear and wanted to stretch it out a bit. I was lucky enough to meet the supervisor for all of Alabama"s Motor Patrol. What a great guy he followed us from the entrance ramp at 280 and 459 to I20 east and finally to the track entrance. He gave us a warning. He was a very nice guy and just was trying to keep squids like me from scaring the **** out of the locals. On with the trip we spent the next couple of days watching some excellent races. The weather for the races was perfect! We were able to catch up with Alabama's favorite son " Mr Buz Copeland " and his wonderful wife Pat. We had dinner with them and then on Monday Buz was good enough to skip work and lead us to the georgia state line. He took us on some great roads around the outside of Birmingham then north toward our destination. We zigged and zagged across north west Georgia and found some excellent roads to try out my brand new pilot powers. Wow is all I can say about the roads and the tires. I have been all over that country but not on a sport bike!!!! North Georgia 60 was my favorite road of the day. When we got to the end my tires were scuffed from side to side andI had a grin just as wide. We based out of the Franklin Motel!!! Clean, cheap and is in just the right spot!" Thanks Scott" Tuesday we headed out to slay the Dragon and the skyway etc. But wait what about 28 North from Franklin. Holy Bat stuff batman! On to the dragon and skyway. At lunch time my tires were scuffed up like a track day. I never felt like I was pushing to hard I was just looking for a speed so I could drift into the corners and then ease it on out and still enjoy full advantage of the lean angles the new tires afford. By tuesday evening I had used all of the front tire as well and new it was time to back off a little before I lost the front end. Wednesday it rained while we were going down the Blueridge near Cherokee. It was raining hard! The wind was howlling. I had Ritas rain suit! doa! The two things I really needed on the trip were home!!! I missed Rita and now I missed my rain suit. I had one of those $5.00 wind breakers in my tank bag. It helped but I still got wet. We headed back to the hotel to dry out a little and let the rain pass. I bought a cheap rain suit that day and never used it agian. That afternoon we headed south and east through south carolina and georgia. Moer excellent roads and a little more rain. The pilot powers stick quite well in the wet as well!!!! Thursday my rding partner and boss was ready to head back!!!" That stinks" I was in a groove and wanted to have another day to carve up the roads. The weather was looking bleak and so we agreed tohit a few roads in georgia before fining the four lane. Because I had the GPS and he didn't have a map I lead us in a very indirect route "350 miles of twisties" before arriving back in Alabama and the 4 lane. He got over it but then we road all the way to West Monroe,LA. It was some where in the neighborhood of a 700 mile day.
The two things I should have taken and would have If I could have are Rita and my rain suit. Rita is a great riding partner and never lets me get to crazy. The rain suit is your friend in a storm!!! My leathers got relly heavy. I am sure I have mentioned it but My new tires were first class in the dry and wet. There were kids there at deals gap talking about the ten min. club????? I am not sure how long my passes took and don't really care, I did have one heck of a time and next time will take Rita and spend some time exploring more of the area. I have very few pix it was difficult to stop!?!?!?!!?! I have pic of Rita and Josh hayes signing a picture for her. Rita and Susan flew up with Josh's Mom and Dad so we had a little in. All in all it was a great trip with periods of pure adrenaline rush and then there was the 4 lane!
Steve
The two things I should have taken and would have If I could have are Rita and my rain suit. Rita is a great riding partner and never lets me get to crazy. The rain suit is your friend in a storm!!! My leathers got relly heavy. I am sure I have mentioned it but My new tires were first class in the dry and wet. There were kids there at deals gap talking about the ten min. club????? I am not sure how long my passes took and don't really care, I did have one heck of a time and next time will take Rita and spend some time exploring more of the area. I have very few pix it was difficult to stop!?!?!?!!?! I have pic of Rita and Josh hayes signing a picture for her. Rita and Susan flew up with Josh's Mom and Dad so we had a little in. All in all it was a great trip with periods of pure adrenaline rush and then there was the 4 lane!
Steve