Everything Zen?

Come 9:00 AM Saturday morning, I was supposed to meet Dan and the Country Roads Riding Group at Sugarlands Visitor Center just south of Gatlinburg, TN. That's a mere hour from me -- much better than the 8 AM meetup time in Walland, TN -- only to backtrack. .

So I set my alarm and am off-and-running with time to get me to where I needed to be by the set time. Being "Ed" I factored in a fudge-factor of 10 minutes late-time to get there. I managed to arrive at 8:57. SWEET! I am not "on time", but "early" even!

Well not so much! I waited, and waited .... and waited!

At the risk of ruining the suspense factor, I was supposed to be there at 8:45 AM, NOT 9! (didn't realize this until AFTER i got home and re-checked an email -- somehow I got 9 AM in my head, not quarter 'TIL nine! sucks, because I thought I was on time (FOR ONCE). In retrospect I find that rolled past just 7 minutes prior.

Dan always tend to leave a little bit late. The route he was taking is NOT conducive to making time, so with me arriving "early", the odds are in my favor that they haven't gone by yet -- that was my mindset anyway. Additionally, Little River Road is a great run in that it is curvy and scenic, but is ALWAYS crowded with slow moving vehicles. I have NEVER made time on that road ... EVER!

SOOO .... they should be around in a "bit". I wait ... and wait ... AND wait. Once I finally gave up, I decided to lube the chain on Cloud9 since she was about due  a bit of love. Then, I figure I will take the route Dan took and hope maybe? I can catch up.

This is highly unlikely since I have lost a LOT of time by now. I need to make up nearly 45 minutes I waited for them to show -- even though they passed -- yeah, not gonna happen!). However, they do stop and socialize a bit and they are planning eating lunch somewhere, so there's a chance. If I don't catch them, I can run MY pace .... win-win!

I like riding with Dan and his group. I am *NOT* into group riding anymore, but will make an exception here. Dan keeps a very rational (read as slow-for-me) pace, but the characters in the group ALWAYS make the experience worthwhile. I have NEVER had a bad time with ANY of them.

Nonetheless, I have maps, plenty of daylight, and gas -- let's go! The route he planned I would not have were I on my own. US 441 from Gatlinburg to Cherokee is a great run --- IF you can enjoy it without traffic. It's AGONIZING if you don't.

I already have a record (a warning for speeding) in that section of the national park, so am NOT in the mood to push. I fall in line with the tourists and am patient (heheh, those that know Ed know that "patience" and "Ed" should never be used in the same sentence without the qualifier "lack of", but I was trying). I followed a line of cars for a long time. Some were courteous enough to pull off and allow traffic to pass, others not.

We reached a  trailhead (for hiking) and there were a sh*tload of cars and all the parking areas were overflowing The lead vehicle wants (from brake lights and lethargic speed) to find a parking spot, resulting in a slow crawl. Well, we got past MANY  parking opportunities, and the driver is STILL moping at 15 mph.

It's a double yellow. My patience is ... EXHAUSTED. A quick twist of the happy handle and the situation is quickly resolved.

I am now enjoying the climb to Newfound Gap at my pace. Just prior to the peak I approached another line of cars. However, they weren't crawling (they were holding a comfortable 50 mph as opposed to the 15 mph when I did the DY earlier). Dare I say, I filed in line patiently (TWICE in the same ride? ... heresy!!) and followed them ALL the way (another 20 miles? down the hill) to Cherokee. Honestly, I did!

When the turnoff to the BRP, came only one of those vehicles turned where I was going. I guess my patience had worn thin again, and I quickly dispatched of the driver of the vehicle.

Heh! Shortly, thereafter I came across a park ranger. CRAP! I am cruising at a good clip! I am NOW diligently watching my rear view mirror. Luckily, he had no interest in me and we both kept happily rolling along in separate directions.

For the rest of the day I was "ON"! It was Zen-ish! Absolute MAGIC!

I hit EVERY curve for the next 150+ miles without reservation nor hesitation. While on the BRP, I found myself holding an average of 60-65 mph EVERYtime I looked ... sometimes even 75 mph (that was later in the ride as confidence built) .... I was ONE with the bike AND the road.

That's a special moment when it happens. I must confess it's the FIRST time I have been this comfortable on a bike since having to park Pearl (some may remember her as the blue 600 bandit I had many "miles of smiles" (quote from Tom Blum) on. I *really* was on.

So after the BRP I stopped in Asheville to pick up some high gravity brews that I cannot find here in NASCAR country ("we have BOTH kinds Bud AND Bud Light .... ugh!). After stocking up some, I know of a fun route from A-ville to home.

One of the roads along the way is NC-63. I have NEVER done 63 going this way -- AND it's been a LONG time since I have been on it at all.

There has been a LOT of rain lately, so am more concerned about rain and how it washed gravel into the roads from driveways than how the road itself has deteriorated over time. NC-DOT, in their infinite wisdom in ONE county along a delightful stretch of NC-63 decided to do the tar snake thing.

[rant -- WTF do these municipalities use tar snakes to limit casualties when they ONLY contribute to them? I am sure I am missing something!]

Later along the same road, but in another county, it was smooth without tar snakes (or traffic ... WOO HOO!). I am playing (almost) fearlessly and with a GREAT deal of confidence. I am still vigilant of gravels, but am nailing the corners ... consistently!

After 63 came an old friend in NC-209 and if I had any rhythm in the corners before, it was only solidified in these. 209 lends itself to smoothness and rhythm and I was all too happy to comply! I was sooo ON!

I stopped at a horseshoe bend I stopped at years ago which has a roadside creek and some cascades. It's serene. Some years back, I stopped here to play with the camera. When I went to Google the location I noticed something.

Curiosity really has bugged me since, as when I first tried to find where it was, I noticed that the creek went back into the mountains (on the terrain feature) and then .... disappeared. From the topo lines ... it looked to be a cave. Hmmm ... this demands further exploration!

Today, I had time as there was PLENTY of daylight left and I told Melissa to expect me about dark-thirty. So I hiked up the trail ... and up ... and up ... Yeesh! the WHOLE way along the trail was an incline! I finally got up to where the trail crossed the creek and gave up. I had already hiked at least a half mile by now.

I got back to the bike and resumed my carving. Oddly, the break didn't cause any lapse in the attack, and this made me smile .... MORE!

The 1250 is a great bike! It's not as fun as the 600 is because the fun is subdued by how smooth it is. You never *feel* fast. I never FEEL how fun it is (with the 600 you KNOW it, because, by God YOU are shaking as much as the bike is). There were a FEW times this day that I *felt* that. I still haven't touched a peg down, but, still,  it's one of those it's-built-for-me bikes.

one step closer to the edge, and i'm about to ..... BREAK!!!!

alright fair warning ... this is a rant. it is nothing more ... no substance ... not my normal "contribution", just a rant!

so i actually got out of the house today -- such a rare and enjoyable occasion -- even better when i get to without Dad. a friend of mine, one of the folks i have been privileged to go caving with lately, has a motorcycle he recently purchased. he got it for a song, but it needed work -- meaning not running but "a little TLC" will get it there.

anyhow, i went over there today and we tried to chase down an electrical issue (ugh! i STILL hate chasing electical issues). we did determine his solenoid was bad, and i'm convinced his battery is not strong enough to turn over the motor. this conclusion happened rather quickly, but being a sunday, there was little more that could be done, since the place he got the solenoid from was closed.

i spent most of the rest of daylight hours hanging out with them and enjoying their company. they even wanted me to stay for dinner. well who am i to refuse such hospitality? the food was great, the company was better.

i figured i would try to be civil and get back home before dark. not exactly an easy task since a band (filter) i have seen and enjoyed live were playing IN knoxville tonight (where i happened to be) for a low-dough show, but to keep dad from bitching too badly, i skipped it. surprisingly, upon my arrival he seemed rather calm and collected. sweet!

later on, he had an accident, and i guess he got defensive when i gave him hell for waiting so long. the progression (regression?) from there typically goes downhill. i have been party to this for a while, but after hearing the same thing enough times, you get, well perturbed! at least, i do!

one of his buttons he likes to push is "put me in a home" (only because he knows i have too much integrity to do that so he has no worries. i tell him to speak to me sober -- can you guess how many times this has happened?), the next "button" is "you will have to get a job!" he tries to use that as if he thinks it's something i *don't* want.

THE MOTHER FUCKER HAS NO CLUE!! and the timing was not good either -- which could well be why i am blowing off steam right now!

later this week the mortgage people are coming to repossess our trailer. had i been working, this would not have happened, but melissa, bless her heart, no matter how hard she works at her part-time job, cannot pay the mortgage alone. were i working, and supplementing our income, the mortgage would be paid, at least not enough to go through foreclosing -- but i "don't want" a job!

in 26 months, her and i are coming up on our 25th anniversary. our 25th anniversary was supposed to be spent together in germany. well, i'm not working. our bank account is NOWHERE NEAR where it needs to be to finance such a trip -- but i "don't want" to work!

i used to ride -- A LOT! it was typical to pull 15K miles in a year and a couple times over 20K. since  having to tend to him, i get *maybe* 5K per year. i won't spend HIS money like i would MINE! there are things i *want* for my bike, that i won't ask, because i don't *need* them and ... again ... it's not "my" money -- but i "don't want" it!

i DID tell him i am fucking up my life by NOT working to tend to him, but am unsure that it sunk in, or, if it did, that the bastard even cares! sooooo fed up right now!

(sorry for the rant)

yep time for some linkin' park!!

a Memorial weekend?

(haven't had internet so this is just NOW getting posted.)

I had a rather productive Memorial Day weekend, of sorts. I have had some lingering issues since Tellico and I focused on lining them out..

First off, the KLR headlight was not working towards the tail end of that weekend. I had tore into it briefly a week or two ago only to find that it is blowing fuses. Yippee! I *love* chasing down electrical issues! (rolling my eyes)

SO I got around to tearing off the plastic fairings and gas tank with the intention to follow the wiring harness from the fuse all the way to the headlight. I did just that and could see no visible signs of breakage or a short. Wonderful!

I pulled the wiring plug from the headlamps and installed one plug, put in a new fuse, turned the key and have headlight. Okay must be the other circuit, so I hooked that plug in and turned the key …. and have BOTH hi and lo beam lights and the fuse is still holding.

WTF?!? all I had done was remove plastic and the gas tank. (shrug) So I reassemble the whole thing and fire it up and still have lights. Alrighty then! I ran it up the road flogging it a bit trying to create some vibrations that may cause it to act up again. Pulled back into the driveway and it is still working.

I am totally not convinced it’s fixed, but for now it’s working. I reckon there is little more to do than wait to see if it happens again. I guess it *could* have been that the fuse that I initially replaced was bad, but am doubtful that that was the problem. Time will tell!

After that, I did another “band-aid” fix by placing a shingle over the hole in the bike shed (from where the tree fell on it a couple weeks ago). Again, not fixed, but works for now.

Then Sunday, I looked through the tractor manual to see what type of fluid and how much would be needed for the PTO. The box blade is stuck in the raised position and will not lower. It has been that way since Skip helped me remove it when it was stuck.

I was so glad to get it out of the hole it had been in, I was not too concerned with the box. However, the driveway is getting in really bad shape and I need to get the box blade operable, so I can grade it.

While perusing the manual I found that there is a locking knob that disables the lever from operating the PTO. I turned the knob and voila! the lever now operates the box blade. YAY!

While on a roll, I went ahead and looked at Dad’s trailer. The lights are not working (YAY more wiring fun! [another eye roll]).

I can see that the wire is cut. Cool! a simple splice should fix it. I did the splice and no joy! I also noticed the ground wire was frayed. Okay so, I fix up a jumper to have ground. I now have one brake light but no running lights. Ah well, this will have to wait.

Melissa has a lot going on right now, but she knew I have been trying to get a ride in here lately. Originally, it was to try and meet up with this other guy who keeps finding a reason not to go. Sunday evening she told me – scratch that! INSISTED – I go ride Monday. She said “you need this!” I LOVE that woman!

The weather was absolutely gorgeous! Blue skies without a cloud present and the mercury was a a very mild 70* as of 10 AM. I figured I would head north into Kentucky as it has been a LOOONNGG time since I rode up that way.

The plan was to take TN-70 all the way up to VA where I would catch US 421 for a while. I haven’t been on that section of 70 since I was riding with Ozzie and Georgette some 5 or so years ago. 70 is great once north of Greeneville.

The first stretch has some very fun roller-coaster curves. Some of it kind of tight but *all* of it up and down and curved with banking. It really feels like being on a roller coaster. Good stuff! I have a grin pasted to my mug beneath my helmet!

Additionally, there is NO traffic. NONE! This is too good to be true.

For the longest time, I have had confidence issues and tend to lightly tap the rear brake prior to entry – even when I do not need to. It is rather annoying! However, I was really tuned in to what I was doing and noticed that I wasn’t using that security blanket except in the blindest of curves.

Once you get about 10 miles north of Rogersville, the road gets even better. There is a mountain pass there and this is the part of the route I was most looking forward to running.

I hit the first couple 20 mph switchbacks a little assertively and was feeling a good rhythm as I began the climb. About halfway up, though, I encountered a slowly moving line of three cages on my side of the road. UGH! The curves are *really* tight and sight lines are minimal to non-existent.

There is no way to sneak past all three in one swoop. I just filed in line and cursed in my helmet as I painfully *strolled* through those tasty curves.

However, *this* was the only time all day I got stuck in “traffic”, so I shouldn’t complain. I had the roads pretty much to myself and when I DID encounter another vehicle(s) it/they were easily dispatched. I was averaging between 60 and 70 mph every time I looked down at the speedometer – ALL the while on twisty roads. AWESOMENESS!!

I had to stop for gas up near Hyden, KY and it was out in the middle of nowhere. I needed gas so I was glad to see it. As I was walking in to pay (no card reader at the pump), I saw a sign in the window stating “Honk if you are glad your electicity is coal-powered” Heh! welcome to coal country.

I grabbed a candy bar and a drink and took a break. It was definitely the only game around. It was rather busy. Oddly though, it was more busy with four wheeler ATVs than it was cars or trucks. I saw 5 or 6 four wheelers ride in and only 3 cars/trucks – and one of those was hauling a trailer with 3 four wheelers on it.

That part of Kentucky is four wheeler heaven. There were plenty of trails off the main road going every which way. Heh, there were times I was wishing I had the KLR.  ; )

After finishing my candy bar, it was time to dance again. Cloud9 and I took off with vigor and resumed our pace. Again, the roads were empty and this part of Kentucky is rife with sweeping curves that offer sight lines that allow you to twist the wrist, and that’s exactly what I did. ZOOM ZOOM!

I got to KY-66 which runs through the Daniel Boone Nat’l Forest. This was the main reason I decided to come this far north. I *love* this road.

It is tree-lined and parallels a river. It repeatedly wends and winds its way through the forest … and again, NO TRAFFIC –  more ZOOM ZOOM! Fantastic!

I pulled into Harrogate, TN and visited with a couple friends for a bit. After a far too short visit it, I pointed the bike to do the hour or so ride to the house. As I pulled in a little after 7 PM, Melissa was warming me a plate of food. Did I say I love that woman?    ;)

What a fantastic day. Had beautiful weather, no imperial entanglements, no butt-clenching moments, and 350 miles of fantastic riding! It don’t get no better!

[update: I looked over the trailer wiring again a  couple days later, I had to tip it up on it's side to see it, but there was another frayed wire along an "unnecessary" loop. I cut out the bad spot, spliced everything together and voila! All lights are now perfectly functional.]