Sorrie Assis

That's Warner Brothers' Latin talk (think Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote) for "sore ass", and let me tell ya I have it! I got the Bandit out yesterday to do a scouting mission of the area we will be holding our next east coast SME at.

The plan was to meet Phil Ross at the campground at 10 AM. This required me leaving at 7 AM. I was up and moving in time and got the bike loaded and on the road on time. What a novelty.

I slabbed it all the way up on 81. Typical, uneventful, slab boredom ensued. I showed up at the campground and met the owner, asked the questions I had which were promptly answered, and waited on Phil ... and waited ... and waited.

He was fashionably late. Pair that up with me being fashionably early, and that wait seemed eternal.   ; )  When he showed I jokingly asked him if he were on "Ed time" and he gave me the one word reply "Philometers!" with a wry smile. Heh!

He had some work-related paperwork to fax so we headed into town. As we left the campground and came  back to BlackLick Rd. he points to the left and states, this is where it just starts getting fun and then we went right.

WTF?!?  that wasn't right ... at all. He would atone for it though!

Once his paperwork had been sent we were free to formulate a plan. I had a route set up that I was going to take had I been alone, which now I wasn't. Phil said it looked good but was "intimidating". Wow! if Phil thinks it's intimidating, it *must* be a really good route!

He talked me into heading back to Blacksburg so we could lunch with Jennifer. I haven't seen her in a very long time, and he knows the roads much better than I, so it didn't take much convincing.

We were on I-77 briefly and then hit a slew of roads I would likely never find again. The route to Blacksburg that we took you will not find on a map. We were on route 60* (not giving away Phil's secret roads) and just swishing back and forth through the countryside when I noticed in the mirror that we picked up a guy on a vintage boxer twin (an R100 if I recall). He was scooting that piece of old technology along quite nicely and kept with the PC 800 Phil was on and my Bandit1250 fairly well.

We came to a stop sign and briefly discussed where we were going and where he was headed. Phil told him our itinerary and that we could lead him right to where he was going but a little more pleasant a route. Not sure what he had had in store without Phil's intervention, but the very next road we hopped on was a BLAST!

VA-73* is FANTASTIC! It parallels a little river/creek and has some fairly complex curves. I am screaming "WOO HOOs" in my helmet at this point. Such fun!

We soon parted with our Beemer company and continued on through some more great roads until we got into Blacksburg. We went across the Va. Tech campus. I have never been on campus before and was impressed with the old buildings that were still standing. What a beautiful campus.

Jennifer never answered her cell phone, so Phil and I had dinner without her. He took me to his second favorite "beer store" that also serves as a bar/restaurant. We both had a cheeseburger and a draft of Highland's Little Hump Ale. The beer was great and the cheeseburger was good too, but the best part of it was the beer store itself.

We don't have beer selection here in Newport, TN. Plenty of NASCAR beer, but not really much in the way of a selection of "choice" beers. The selection was impressive, but the guy who works there, a friend of Phil's, gave me the "tour" complete with explanations like "this is the best Porter we have" and "this brewery was bought out by these folks" etc. Phil had to pry me away from the tour as my food was "getting cold". Ah well, my beer was getting warm too.

Phil insisted on picking up the tab and while we were there grabbed a few brews for later in the evening upon his return home. Thanks for lunch Phil and the beer as he slipped me a few "must try" beers.

By now, Jennifer had called Phil and explained that her phone had been off because she was in the theater but was home now. We headed over there and had an all too short visit, but it was also good to get back on the bikes too.

We hit some awesome stuff. At this point the roads were not numbered and many didn't have street names posted. I can tell you it was more good stuff.

Phil was in the lead, but all day I had been able to keep him in sight. I noticed he had been hitting the brake prior to entering turns quite a bit. This is unlike Phil.

It gave me time to think about how I approach taking a turn. I typically will tap the rear brake when entering a right turn until i can see through it, just to prepare myself for anything that may crop up like bad road conditions (gravels, etc.), forest rats, or cell-phone-talking idiots half in my lane.

I have rode with many folks and I notice that hitting that brake is not practiced widely. I guess it is mostly my paranoia that has me doing it. I got to thinking how much of riding is blind faith and how much is not tempting fate. Funny the things you think about when just riding along.

At the next gas stop we addressed his tentativeness entering the turns. He said part of it had to do with the bias ply tires (Phil and his radials!) and part of it was that the bike doesn't want to turn.

We proceeded on through Indian Valley and hit another road that bordered the New River (which I think we crossed about 5 times during this ride). This was great! Again I am screaming in my helmet.

Although one of those curves on Copper -something- Road nearly bit me. I was entering a left turn a little hot and went to scrub off a little speed and the rear wheel skittered momentarily. When it did, for whatever reason, I fixated on the grassline. I definitely thought I was going to crash and then either experience or luck took over and I refocused on the road, leaned her over and proceeded on.

We stopped at a "Shot Tower", which is a large stone cylindrical building where they use to make lead shot. The hot molten globs would be dropped down this shaft and form into perfect spheres before dropping into a pool of water below to cool. This was one of three in the nation that he knew of that were still standing. Pretty cool stuff!

While we were stopped, I jokingly stated "I finally figured out how to keep Phil Ross in sight. Put him on a PC 800 and me on a Bandit 1250". He chuckled, but I think he took offense because I didn't see much of him the rest of the afternoon.   ; )     I get the sense he was also getting the feel of how to wrestle that PC into the turns because when I could see him, he was no longer braking prior to entering the turns.

Eventually we wound our way back over near the campground and took the "fun" section that went the opposite way from where we headed out hours before. Sadly, the sun was low on the horizon and there were gravels in the middle of the lane and strips in the asphalt that had been redone and were akin to speed bumps. The layout was great, but between the road surface and not being able to see due to the low sun, I took it easy most of the way up.

He was stopped at a lookout at the top and we took a minute or two to take in the views. Such beautiful country. I love Appalachia!

As we were mounting back up, he said he had run his adrenals enough and was going to slow down. If he ever tells you this, don't believe him. He was gone!

I had been wanting to run route 16 but he had said earlier he didn't want to take that bike up 16. However, we were soon on it and winding our way up the mountain ... until we got stuck behind a line of 2 cars and a pickup truck going at a snail's pace.

Phil knows the road and picked his spot and passed all 3 in 4 turns. The first few were easy "Esses" and offered sight lines, but that last one looked to be a blind right and he took it.

No way in Hell, I would have had the balls to make that move (again Blind Faith vs. Tempting Fate). I found a spot where I could knock off two of them but a corner was approaching so I ducked back into the right lane in between the lead car and the pickup  that was causing the backup. Another turn later and I was back to playing. Man! that road is a hoot!

Phil was waiting at an overlook near the end of the fun section and I queried him on his pass. He told me he had a sight line on that last pass, but I don't see how. Anyway, it was all good, we both got to play and neither of us died.  ; )

It was near dusk now and we got to a gas station in Tazewell, VA and hung out for a little bit enjoying each other's company before heading in separate directions. Thanks Phil for letting me tag along and leading such a GREAT ride!

The rest of the ride was pretty uneventful as it was all four lane in the dark. I got home around midnight and had logged just a tick over 600 blissful miles for the day.

That stock seat, though, is a BRICK! After 60 miles my ass is screaming. After doing ten times that amount the imprints of the Bandit's frame rails become embedded in your ass! OUCH! It's still a bit tender 26 hours later.

Hate

Hatred is a poison-filled seed
Resentment is the light and water that nourish it
As the seed grow it eats away at your very soul

It grows until nothing remains
Upon reaching maturity
You are immersed in its darkness

The darkness propagates
But the soil is lifeless
As are you

garage follies

Sometime last week the belt flew off of Dad's zero-turn riding mower while I was mowing. I promptly took it to the garage and parked it there, figuring I would just replace the belt. Then I got to thinking about it and having some oil in the garage decided I would also do an oil change and other normal maintenance items that have been far from regularly performed and way overdue.

When I went to pull the blades (to sharpen them) I noticed they were bent -- BADLY!! I showed them to Dad and he decided we would just get new ones. While there, may as well get a new belt and oil filter too.

Sooo ... I went ahead and drained out the oil, pulled the oil filter -- which wasn't easy. Partially because where it was mounted and partially because it had been on there so  ... damn ... long ... it took a Herculean effort to remove it. I eventually wrestled it from its grip and set it off in a pan on the workbench to drain.

Then i went about removing the blades. This was no problem at all. Then we went to get parts for it next day.

That was, as I stated, sometime last week. My sorry ass hasn't gotten back out there since. Well until last night anyway.

So I went ahead and replaced the blades with new ones, slipped on the new belt, lowered it back down off the jack stands, repacked the bearings with grease, and filled the oil. Started up the mower to cycle through the filter and went to check the level ........ only to find a large pool of fresh oil all over the floor. Damn! some idiot (me) forgot to put the filter back on. DOH! (or should that be "DOPE!")

Grabbed the filter and installed it, refilled the oil, started up the mower again  to cycle oil through the filter. No problems this time, until I noticed on the bench the *new* filter (that I forgot we purchased) sitting there. I am not pulling it out and going through this again, so we have an oil filter for the next change, I guess.

With that done, I moved the mower out of the way, and went over to grab some sawdust from the lathe area to  sop up the spilled oil. And there! ... there! ... right where I was looking for it before! ... was the live center spur that goes in the tailstock of my lathe that I had been tirelessly scouring through the sawdust to find not two weeks ago.

It was in open ... plain ... sight! There is no way that could've been there before! While I am bummed I didn't see it when i was LOOKING for it, I was glad to find it. It's not an expensive piece but is critical for spindle turning and rough turning.

Anyway, I put it back in the tailstock, grabbed some sawdust and cleaned up my mess. With that done, I went to start the mower and move it out of the garage back to the shed where it lives. It started right up, but when I went to back it up, it didn't move. WTF?!?

There are sliding tabs on the back frame that you can use to disengage the transmission so that you can push it around if it is not running or you just don't feel like firing it up to move it a couple feet. It is light enough (maybe 200-300 lbs) to roll around.

I checked those and they were where they should be to ride the mower. The linkage for these tabs actuated the shifter piece that engages/disengages the rear differential. The belt was good and tight. WTF!

I decided I would jack it up and remove the wheels to see if the axles moved if there were no load upon them. Sure enough! both wheel hubs were turning. Hmmm .... I slapped the wheels back on, let the jack down, and tried to see if it would move.

Voila! weird! I have no idea why it didn't just do that to start with. I messed with nothing when I removed the wheels. It just decided to start working. Okie dokie. We are all set to mow again I guess.

Next garage project(s) -- I need to bleed the brakes on my Bandit and the KLR has developed a popping upon deceleration that I get to chase down. Oh boy!

Fighting temptation ...

The group that I occasionally ride with was putting on a Bar-B-Q for all who were interested in attending. The guy that oversees/founded the group is a really great guy and I do enjoy his company. He is quite a character.

I checked with Melissa and she was free today so it was arranged that someone would be there to attend to Dad. We tried to get Isaac to come over so that Melissa could go with me, but he couldn't bring himself to make the sacrifice.

Anyway, I have not gotten my lazy ass out to the garage to bleed the brakes on Cloud9, so I would be taking Ms.Chif -- besides, it was her turn. And she let me know it! She was cranky and didn't want to crank over. It took a few minutes and then the engine finally fired up. I think she was telling me that she doesn't like to be ignored.

I had set up a route that included Parson's Branch. I have heard about this road before and had never tried it. It is a one-way gravel road that stretches from Cades Cove and terminates onto the Dragon -- right about in the middle. Where the cookout was being held was not far from the entrance of Cades Cove and also was not too far from the Dragon, so this seemed like the perfect time to hit it -- especially since I had the KLR.

I took the near direct path -- not BECAUSE it was the direct path, but because the route had some nice roads that I enjoy riding. This is the route I usually take when riding to Tellico. It included River Road (TN-73) and I really enjoy this one because it meanders along a winding river for most of it and is in the shade.

The problem with this road is that it is almost always riddled with traffic. Today, though, although it was kind of busy, the slower motorists tended to pull over when a line of traffic started forming behind them. That's the way it should be. That is why TDOT spent the money to put them there. It's about time some folks are getting it!

After River Road it was Cades Cove. Now typically, I steer clear of this area because it is nothing but a slow loop of rubber-necking tourists ooh-ing and aaah-ing over the deer and other wildlife that are in sectioned off acreage. It's basically like a large zoo but with some room for the wildlife to roam. It's nice ... ONCE! but going <10 mph on an 11 mile loop is no fun to me.

However, the only way to get to Parson's Branch is to endure Cades Cove. I finally got to the turnoff for Parson's Branch and was able to wick it up a bit with some confidence of no oncoming traffic since it is a one-way road. It's gravel, but it's pretty easily navigated.

I am zooming along when I see dust up ahead. I close in on two vehicles stirring it up and am motioned around them as I was going faster than they cared to. Cool, I can do that!

Most of the road was pretty tame (compared to what I had been running on that bike) except for this one long climb. It has rained on and off the past few days and yesterday we had a really good storm move through. Where the gravels were thinned out, it was a bit muddy. I pinned the throttle, stood on the pegs, and went for it. No problem there either.

There were a few water crossings but they all were about an inch deep at most and running over concrete so there was no need to stop and survey the best line -- just go! I was hitting most of these crossings at about 20 mph and just getting my feet wet.

After the second crossing there was a little trail branching off to the left that had a mudhole at the entry point and then wound off into the woods and went ...... SOMEwhere! I looked at it ... HARD!

I wanted to take it. I really did! and if I had ANYone with me, I would have. I was a bit intimidated to try it as I was alone and without a cell phone should anything happed. So it will have to wait until another time. 


I kept on going and the road has some switchbacks and climbs and descends and a few more water crossings and I'm just having about as much fun as I can on a gravel road zooming along.


Then I saw the asphalt and knew I was at the Dragon. Already?!? That road could've been twice the length. I turn north on 129 and again, am scooting right along.

This is my second time doing the Dragon on the KLR and I tell ya, I am loving it! This bike is an absolute hoot to wring out.

The first time on it, I oscillated between 1st and 2nd gear and was wringing the snot out of it. This time, I was going between 2nd and 3rd gear and probably averaged 55 mph on that road.

I had the road to myself. There was no one going northbound ... NO ONE until I came across one slow rider and he must have seen me coming and slowed down more and waved me by. This must be my day! I happily obliged!

I was hitting the corners in a very good rhythm and got my picture taken a few times. I cannot wait until they are posted. I was feeling it. Here are a few links to some of the vendors out taking pictures ...

(hit the next button to get to the next photo)

 6 shots (446-452)

10 shots (1468-1476)  and 10 more shots (1477-1485)   -- these guys really liked me   ;j

and a botched corner .... 6 shots (897-902)     at 900 you can see i am (or at least part of me is) clearly on the wrong side of the yellow line. DOH!

Next up, was a trail I had found on Googlemaps that was marked "trail" and it paralleled the Foothills Parkway. I figured I could ride that "trail" and then get on over to the Parkway and then connect to 321 and head over to the cookout. Not so much!

I found the "trail" just fine. It was a power line servicing trail and ... it was gated off. Bummer, the start of it looked pretty fun -- a rocky climb. I was studying it trying to see if there was a way around it and decided against the idea. Good thing too, because there was a cop up the road and probably within sight of that "trail".

I turned around and picked up the Foothills Parkway. Not a bad thing, this is a fun little stretch too with awesome views of the terrain below. There isn't much to tell about the rest of the ride. I got to the cookout and hung out with some folks and grabbed dinner and even was able to resist some of the yummy desserts that had been brought. After everyone left, Dan, his wife, and another guy hung out for a half hour just shooting the bull and then we all headed to our respective homes.

I only logged about 170 miles, but it was good to have some seat time and to get to hang out with Dan again. It was funny, at one point he said, "Wow! Twice in one year" (meaning we seen each other twice so far) and then followed with "Oh wait this is the third time!" It was good to see him and his wife again and to see some others and meet a few more.

Most of all it was good to get out and burn some fuel and arrive home safely --- AND without any grief from Dad upon my arrival.

I-I-I feel so ALIVE

Wow! it's been a loooonng time since I have been able to enjoy a good live show. I check Red's website often, as they are one of my favorite bands to see live, in hopes they are coming to town, or close by.

I noticed a while back that they were indeed coming to Asheville, which is an hour and a half to the east. I contacted my buddy who usually joins me for shows and he was on board. Cool! now we just have to wait until the date arrives.

Well the wait was so long I had nearly forgotten about it. I managed to check last weekend and realized the show was on this Tuesday night. Uh oh! I hope he can still make it as we both had apparently forgotten about it.

I get in touch with him and he is still signed on. Sweet!

We arrange a time to depart and he shows up right on time. However, Melissa is struggling to get through traffic due to a rainstorm that dumped a lot of rain and shows up about 15 minutes late.

Okay, now we are off. As I head out I tell Dad I won't be back until late to which he replies "I won't be here"

"Oh?" I quizically asked

"I have other plans"

"Okay" I say and was content to leave it at that as we are already running a bit late. Then he adds "See this?" and shows me the *top* of his left wrist and it has red marks on it. Obviously he has been playing with his knife in very melodramatic fashion. "I'm going to work on it some more." he says

I said "Okay, whatever works for ya" and headed out the door. This may sound insensitive, but really it's him being that way. He always tries to start some shit as I'm heading out the door. Not that I get out *that* often, but when I do, and he is awake, he makes a point to be an idiot.

Ah well, this too shall pass! Still, on the ride over it is in the back of my mind. This is the first time he has said that sober.

Anyway, we get on the road and are making good time. However, every time I go to Asheville, it is an exploration of streets as I can never manage to just drive to my destination without getting lost. Sean is the same way -- so here we are together -- we are sooo screwed!

Somehow I managed to break precedent and drove right to the place. Now the problem is parking. There is nowhere to park over there. We finally find a lot and have to pay, but at least it won't be towed.

By the time we get in, the first act is on and jamming away. I had wanted to catch this group as I visited their myspace page and they sounded pretty good. Their name was Icon for Hire. They were pretty good -- the ONE song we heard. It was only 8:20 and they were playing their last song (show started at 8). Dang!

Next up was a band called Love and Death (if i remember right) featuring the former guitarist from Korn. They were okay, but didn't really do much for me. They did a cover of Devo's "Whip It" and made it their own. Was odd to hear it done that way. Even though I was mostly unimpressed, they did close strong. They did a medley of Korn songs that really rocked.

Next up would be Red. I have seen Red numerous times and am always impressed with and anticipate their live show. It is quite the departure from their recorded stuff in that it is much more energy driven.

When they took the stage and lit the room up! *This* is why I go to live shows!

They got me doing my lame-white-boy-bopping around as I was just enjoying the music. At one point between songs, the bassist was saying thank you to the crowd and mentioned a young lady they had met earlier in the day who was a drummer and had on her wrist a tattoo of the snare drum used by the drummer. They brought her on stage and presented her with that very drum. Very cool!

They had a good set selection but it was mostly focused on their new disc. I have all 3 that they have released so I knew the ratio of how many were from each album. They only played 3 songs from their second album and probably played all but 3 from the new one. Sadly, they weren't the headline act, so something has to be cut as they didn't have a full set. Bummer, because they had 3 more songs that, in my mind, are must-plays.

After their set, I was hoarse from yelling and hooting and hollering and atttempting to sing at the top of my lungs when they asked. I needed something to drink. I headed over to the bar to get a bottle of water when my evil eye spied something I wish I hadn't seen.

On the board was a list of what was on tap. They had Bell's Oberon. I have heard about this beer. Bell's is a Michigan brewery and I have seen NO product of theirs locally -- until now.

I really was not interested in getting a beer (HONEST!), but I have heard good things about this beer. I had enough time there in line to think about it ... and think about it ... and ... I caved!

I gave in and got one. I haven't had a beer in nearly 4 weeks. I have another 8 weeks on the wagon ... and I fell off!

Damn! so much for discipline! And to make matters worse, it wasn't all that great! It wasn't bad, but I don't know what all the hype about it was. Hell if I was going to fall off, it could have been for a better beer! LOL

Next on stage, would be the headline act -- P.O.D.! Sean and I have seen them once before and they weren't the headliner but still stole the show. Amazing band to catch live, and this night was no exception. They rocked the house. They played a bunch of their popular hits and a  lot of new stuff. There was this one kid who knew every song and was a big fan of the group apparently.

He would be dancing (violently -- not mosh dancing but just flailing about) and singing along with the band. In any other context he would have appeared to be insane. You know, like the crazy old man walking down the street mumbling to himself. He sure was enjoying himself though and very aware of his body position as I never saw him make contact with anyone.

(by the way, I got home and Dad is already in bed, and snoring, so I guess he must've changed his plans)

Gimme a brake!

Earlier in the week, a buddy of mine who oversees a group I used to ride with, pings me on the FB chatbox and asked if I would be able to join him for a ride anytime Thurs.-Sun. After conferring with Melissa and checking her schedule, I got back with Dan and told him Sat. would be good for me.

He was planning a twisty route that included Shady Valley, Damascus, and New River (not the one in W(BG)V) and thought of me. Aww!   ; )  

I told him I would likely break off at some point so that I could spend time with my new toy as I don't really have many twisty miles on it yet. Hell, I haven't even hit the power band as things start happening real fast at 5K and 7K is when it really starts singing.

The first hour would be slab time to get to the good stuff. Since they were headed in my direction, I told him I would meet him at 8:15 AM (which should be 5-10 min. earlier than they arrive if they left on time).

I showed up not only on time, but EARLY! At that time of day, there wasn't hardly anyone out and I made good time getting to the interstate and was kickstand down and waiting at 8 AM sharp (which was their planned departure time from 20 miles away).

After sitting there a couple minutes, I noticed a person get out of a car that was parked about a 1000 feet ahead of me and start walking back towards me. When she approached me, she greeted me and asked if I knew how far it was to Virginia. I told her it was about 80 miles and then asked "What state are we in?"

Initially I wanted to say "confusion" but behaved and politely informed her that we were indeed in TN. Then she turned around and walked all the way back to her car -- and sat there.

About 10 minutes later, Dan waved as he rolls by followed by 8 other bikes. Wow! big group this time! I fired up Cloud9 and took off to file in behind them. That goofy woman was still sitting there, not sure what was up with her, but whatever.

Here is the route we (and after splitting off -- I ) took ...    http://g.co/maps/s77kz

We slogged along for an hour and then pulled into a gas station. That was all the slab for the day -- the rest would be good stuff. Bring on the twisties!

We fueled up and shot the bull a bit. There was a nice mix of bikes -- 3 Harleys, 3 Goldwings, a Suzuki Intruder, my Bandit, and a three-wheeler called a Stallion, made by Ford.

It was a four cylinder automatic fully enclosed trike with steering wheel and gas pedal with a Mustang rear end. Pretty interesting looking machine.

Dan told me to go ahead and jump in behind him and when we got to the good stuff, he would motion me around to go run my own pace instead of the group pace. Cool, I can do that! That was pretty awesome of him!

So anyway, I do just that! I am cruising along and there was practically no one on it! a rare, free run at the "Snake" (aka US 441 through Shady Valley). This is a sweet stretch of twisty tarmac.

I encountered two cages but was able to scoot around both of them rather quickly and easily. Man! this Bandit is a freakin' rocket! Adrenaline .... is .... FLOWING!  Yeah baby!

Near the end of the run, I got slowed by a cruiser who was doing his part to save lives with his loud pipes. He had no interest in pulling over and I never had a comfortable sight line to slip past him, so just cooled the jets a bit. I knew I had put some distance between me and the group, so figured I could turn around and run it again until I saw everyone then turn back around.

Well, they must've been enjoying themselves as well as they weren't as far behind as I thought. Maybe I wasn't as fast as I thought I was, either way, I turned around and we all met back up at the store. I'd never stopped at the store before. They had a lawn tractor powered by a V8 Ford engine and had a snake on the top of the cowling. Pretty cool.

Here is a link to the pictures Dan took ...

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.386576718052308.83732.102742376435745&type=1

After checking everything out and more BS-ing, we were soon mounted back up and headed north. The road headed out from the store was a first for me, and I really enjoyed it! It paralleled a meandering creek/river through a shaded valley (hmm ...) and brought us up into Damascus on US 58.

I had been on this one once before too. It is quite fun!

Once we got out of town and away from some traffic, I found a passing zone and zipped past Dan to have some more fun. I was scootin' along nicely until I came up on a van hauling a trailer filled with bicycles.

I soon got enough of a sight line and zoomed on past them. A couple corners later, I encountered another one, with one more in front of it! Yeesh!

Luckily there was enough of a gap for a Bandit to fit comfortably so  the first opportunity I got, I did just that. Then hopped around the next one. It was kind of like leap frog!

Cool! now I am back up to speed and grinnin' from ear-to-ear until ... I came up on ANOTHER van hauling a trailer full of bikes. GAH! I got past this one  and was in a good rhythm.  I had already hit the power band and things were going well.

Then I approached a hard right and realized I was going a little quicker than I wanted and grabbed for the front brakes to scrub off some speed when the lever went nearly to the bars before engaging anything. What it did grab wasn't much, but I was committed at this point, so just leaned it over hoping it would stick (already have lost traction on these shitty Conti tires a FEW times powering out of a corner).

Well, it did, but from there I backed down. Apparently the front brakes got some air in them somehow at some point as the second pull would be pretty solid.

I stopped in a pull-off to await the rest of the group and then filed in behind everyone. My day of haulin' the mail was done. No problem, smelling the flowers is good, too.

We stopped at a little Mom-n-Pop cafe that I wasn't too impressed with, but the company was great.  After lunch we started turning south and west headed back homewards. We picked up NC-88 and this was another good pick.

I had never been on this but it was a nice winding ride through the countryside, kind of deal. We soon are back in Mountain City and fueling up. I decide at this point I am going to jump on 321 south and head towards home and see where the road takes me. I let Dan know and a couple others in earshot I said Goodbye to and headed out.

I figured I would just take 321 into Newport. Newport is to the south so I grabbed 321 southbound. 321 is great fun too! It twists and turns next to Watauga Lake and I am kickin' it nicely.

I noticed the lake was "on the wrong side" but figured I was remembering it wrong and kept on going. Not so much! If I wanted to go to Newport, I would've had to take 321 northbound.

I found myself in Boone, NC, and for some reason thought my buddy, and fellow maggot, Tim Schwab lived there. He lives close but not IN Boone. I have no service on my cell but carry it in case I need to call 911.

I have Tim's number saved so I search out a pay phone. Good luck with that!

I finally find one (that works) but have no cash, only plastic. I figure I can make a purchase and get cash back. The storekeeper says, he could do it but it would cost me $2.50 service charge to do it. Well I need to make the call.

He asks if it is local. I show him the number and he dialed it for me and Tim answered it. I asked if he were home only to find out he is in Sylva this weekend doing Guard duty. He tells me he is only about "2 hours away" and I am welcome to come visit if so inclined. I'm out and about so what the hell?

Two hours my ass! Maybe ... MAAAYYYBBBEEE two hours *ed-time*! He told me my best bet would be to take 321 down to 40 then head west. I missed 321 at some point, but found the Blue Ridge Parkway. Cool! It's a rough life!   ; )  

Again, I am enjoying myself. This time of year there isn't much traffic to deal with so I am zipping right along.

I come across 321 and jump off it so I can get to 40 and make some better time. Even though there is little traffic, there is enough to bring the average MPH down below 70 so, I figured I could do 80 on the interstate and opted for that.

It took *forever* to get to I-40! Once there I was pissed when I saw I had another 100 miles to get to the exit then it was another half hour to Sylva. Two hours? BAH!

I slogged through it and by now the predicted rain showers had made their way far enough west that I am being spat on. Not hard rain, just annoying.

I arrived in Sylva and put a dollar in the first phone booth I came across to get more specific directions from Tim. I sure do miss the days when a phone call cost a quarter! I could hear him, but something in that phone was inoperable so he couldn't hear me. I have about had it by now!

There was a guy walking by and he could see my frustration and heard me mumbling something like "that was a wasted dollar, now what?!?" He asked if I needed to use a phone and offered up his cell. Very cool!

Tim knows where I am and graciously comes to get me to escort me back to where he is. He asked me to stay the night there with them. That was tempting as I was kinda beat at this point, but I have to see what Melissa's schedule for Sunday is.

She tells me she can make arrangements to have someone cover for her Sunday school class and we hang out and tell lies until our eyes got heavy.

I hung out for a bit in the morning before taking off. As luck would have it, by the time I am ready to leave, it started raining harder. Oh well! I knew the weather was going to be bad so fully expected I would be getting wet on the way home anyway.

I got back to the interstate without issue and dealt with a steady drizzle the rest of the way home. I arrived at the house damp, but not soaked, and I call that a win. Especially since it was almost 60* as opposed to the 40s it would've been had I made the trip home last night.

Always great to ride with Dan and that group and this time was no exception. In addition, I got to hang out with my good buddy Tim for a while. I would ride through a deluge to be able to enjoy those things again.

Tomorrow -- bleeding brakes and re-lubing a chain!

'scuse me while i ramble

I have gotten real slack about my writing and I don't like that. I noticed my stuff reads better and i edit less when i have been writing a little more frequently. it's like everything else .... practice!

At the risk of losing what faithful readers  i do have, here is some practice. This is going to be a potpourri of topics with likely no coherence at all.  It will likely be as entertaining as looking into the dark recesses of Homer Simpson's mind.

There is new stuff going on. A friend of mine on FB the other day quizzed what his "last beer" would be. This guy appreciates good beer much the same as I. Well it not only got my attention but about a half dozen of us maggots got in on the convo.

Long story short, there are about 5 or 6 of us who are on a lose weight crusade (and doing the "no beer" thing), three of whom are in on a bet.  The losers pay $100 and have to buy all the beer at an event we will all be at in Tellico in October and there is yet to be another conditioin -- the idea was that it should "sting a bit for the loser" (originally there were two).

Well the stopping-drinking-to-control-my-gut madness spread and inflicted me as well. I am not in on the bet and I am not really pursuing it exclusively for the weight. I thought a break from the homebrews would not be a bad thing. They are fatty but soo sooo tasty (most of the time)!

The timing sucked though! The agreed start date was May 1.

I quit drinking the Friday (the 27th) before. This was two days prior to my birthday. Now *I* set the early date, but it was the first time in YEARS I hadn't drank at least one beer on my birthday.  

My plan is to go three months without a beer. Timing again sucks, because a good friend of mine will be in northern GA Memorial Day weekend checking out housing as he just got a job offer from a small college in that area.

I hope to meet up with him but won't be toasting a glass with him and that sucks! but I got to do this! it's just a discipline thing.

The last weekend of July, I am jumping off the wagon. That will be three months and we have, coincidence?, an event that weekend. I think I have got Brian to tag along since he will likely be moved to GA by then.

So anyway, while on the wagon, I figure I can modify my dietary intake as well and some occasional exercise and maybe shred a couple inches around the middle, all the while adopting healthier habits. Dad has a "version"? of an exercycle type thing? It's odd, but it should work some cardio.

Ever since Saturday morning I have been drinking almost strictly water. I do have a batch of sweet tea I am finishing off but will not rebrew another batch. I figure I will drink one glass of soda with dinner and water the rest of the day.

I am working on cutting the snacking out and what I do munch on, I am careful about what I grab. I am eating smaller portions at dinner. I even try to eat a sandwich around lunchtime (peanut butter or cold cuts no cheese  ;(         This means leftovers are building up, but the dogs don't seem to mind.  

I plan to hit the exer-thingy for about 10 min. per day and then slowly increase and let the body tell me when it's time to stop. I will probably start that in the next few days. If I slowly adapt new habits I can keep up easier than overwhelming myself. Don't want to throw too much at the system at once.

Is that right? I don't know, but it's my approach.

I never did weigh in until yesterday but plan to do daily tracking of activity, diet, and weight so I can gauge what works. I am not in the race to be the biggest loser, I just want my riding suit to zip up a little easier. I joke, but it would be better to be carrying less "dead" weight around. Yesterday's weigh in 222.8 (GASP!), today 221.8 ---> hopefully that is a trend but i doubt i will lose a pound per day.

For my height on the BMI scale that is nearly "obese" -- yeep! time to get crackin'!

I have no target. Again, it started out about being disciplined to not drink for three months no matter what arises. I have no doubt I can do it, but while doing it I can take on better habits. It would be nice to lose 30 lbs. but I don't see that happening as I am taking the tortoise role and looking long run.

Also been out in the garage the past few nights. Had a piece of black walnut I had cut but never chucked. So I found center and mounted it. here is what I come up with ....

Black walnut is such beautiful wood!

The piece on the left has since cracked and not sure I can get anything out of it. The piece on the right I was able to keep and made a lidded box out of.






Here is the box and lid ....

The lid has developed a crack on the top and this may become a bowl instead of a box. I had a finnial-type handle on the top of the box lid but it broke off. i can glue and screw it back on but not sure if I will.

I guess it depends on how the crack in the lid goes.

So that is the 'sands of time' for this episode.    ; )