After a good night sleep, Jonanthan and I headed over to Broadway, where many of the Bike Week events were taking place. We spent several hours walking around looking at many of the bikes, visiting the vendors, and of course people watching!
Here’s one of the few BMW’s
Sweet!
Why not just buy a car!
A Bad Mother!
Oh yea, there were also a couple of Harley’s there as well! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaMIRa_aK1E
Heading South on I-26 early on Mother’s Day was amazing! A slight drizzle dancing on the windshield with intermittent rays of sun peaking through, made for a magical display.
We soon settled in, finding the pace the road would give up so early in the morning. Turns out she was giving steady, and calm. Out of Asheville, this stretch of Interstate is filled with gentle curves, and amazing mountain scenery, the Smokies mountains are majestic, and living up to their name with pillars of smoke reaching towards the heavens. This Sunday morning no one is in a hurry; at least not yet!
2 hours into the ride we arrive in Columbia S.C. the skies are beginning to clear and the temperature is climbing. We make a brief stop to rid ourselves of the rain suites and heavy gloves. We are ready to RIDE!
The road has changed from gently rolling curves, to long straight aways, and an increased posted speed limited. This is no longer a sleepy ride! We pour on the throttle and set the cruise some where between 80-110 mph. (no specifics my wife is reading this).
Upon our arrival in Myrtle Beach we settled into our hotel, unloaded and quickly headed to the beach.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-07f-SkxA1I
It was a fantastic ride to Myrtle Beach, more later!
On Saturday, May 10th, our 4,000 mile, 11 state adventure begins under sunny skies and warm temperatures. Our destination for day one is Ashville, N.C. but first we need to make a little detour.
Five hours later as we arrive on the outskirts of Knoxville, we head south on the infamous St. Rt. 129, towards the “Tail of the Dragon”.
A beautiful Saturday afternoon on the Dragon is no place for children, this road is packed with old men on Harley’s, and youngsters with nothing but power between their legs. This riders haven requires constant focus, and exposes real riders from posers. In fact, a tree at Deals Gap stands as a memorial for those, that for one reason or another, lost their focus.
My son Jonathan, had an absolute blast! When the ride was complete he was grinning ear to ear, although I thought he needed a change of underwear the first time his pegs dragged the asphalt! Later, he told me it was the most fun he has ever had on his bike.
Soon it was time to head east towards Ashville, next stop; Myrtle Beach!
The response to our trip has been overwhelming. Thank you so very much! The bikes were just picked up from the mechanics and are as ready to go as possible. Many of you have e-mailed wanting to know our exact trip itinerary. I have planned the trip but not overly so. Here’s the schedule as I know it now.
Saturday: departing Springfield at 7 a.m.- riding to Asheville, N.C.
Sunday/Monday: arriving in Myrtle beach and staying for the festivities until Tuesday morning.
After this point it is a very loose schedule, but here’s a few scheduled cities… Charleston, Savannah, Atlanta, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Dallas, Memphis, Nashville, and several others. I will keep you informed as we proceed.
I want to take a moment to say “thanks” to all of you, for your kindness, your musical suggestions, your invitations for a pint, or shelter as we pass through. Many of you have given me your numbers in case of emergency as we pass by your area, to which we are eternally grateful. I now have a few last minute items to attend too, but we keep in touch each night. I hope you have a wonderful weekend , Thanks again for expressions of grace!
Tuesday: Charleston, Savannah, Atlanta, Tallahassee.
Hey all! Hope the weather is as nice in your area as it is in Springfield. This is prep week for me as my 11 state tour begins on Saturday. My oldest son and I, will head out around 6 a.m. and not look back for some 3200 miles. Each night I will be posting an update of the days events, I will work hard to not bore you with the details(here we are loading the bike). The first part of the trip will be around the Blue Ridge Parkway including ”The Snake” and “Tail of the Dragon”. Then we will move on to “Myrtle Beach Bike Week” where we will spend a couple of days before heading south to other uncharted galaxies.
If you have some ideas about anything you would like me to post, I am open to suggestions. I have done this before, but thought I would get some feed back.
And remember I will bring a T-shirt back for each and every one of you! If you behave, that is! :)
On May 11th and 12th I will be at Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Anyone going to be down there? Let me know!
My buddy Lenny, is heading to Daytona for Bike Week. (See part 1 for the full story).
He is a fairly inexperienced rider and asked for some help in preparing for the ride. Today we tackle the question; “What should he take with him”? Remember he will be gone ten days! Help him out! He will reading your comments!
Lenny recently obtained his motorcycle license, purchased a bike, and wants to attend Daytona Bike Week! So he came to me asking all sorts of questions about pre-trip planning, what should he pack, how far should he ride per day, and things of that nature. I thought it would be great if we could pool our wisdom and experience, to make a checklist for Lenny and other riders who may be planning a trip this year.
Each day we will tackle one segment of the trip, beginning with any general pre-trip advice you may have. Here’s some further info concerning Lenny’s trip.
1. He is riding with 2 other riders.
2. He has his accomodations settled.
3. They are beginning in Virginia.
4. They will be gone 10 days.
5. He is totally cool with this!
It is now official! OK, almost official! I will be attending Myrtle Beach Bike Week in early May. I have vacationed in the Myrtle Beach area many times, and consider the Southeastern part of the country, one of my favorite areas to visit. I say “almost official”, because Spring of 2008, is poised to be a busy time for my family, as Ethan will be graduating High School, and preparing to leave for college. The second reason I say “almost official” is… I haven’t asked my wife yet!
Over the past few days I have been thinking about the rides I would like to take in 2008. Here’s a list of possibilities…
My riding will be more limited than normal, as Ethan, my youngest son, graduates from High School this spring, then will be attending college in the Fall. Looks like it will be a busy 2008!
