TLCMC

Well, the riders were each “pops” and it was quite cold, so we’ll go with the “Popcycles” moniker. To break their winter doldrums, Larry, Dave and Richard rode a leisurely tour through the Henderson Mountain area of northern Cherokee and southern Pickens counties (yes, there really are mountains that close to home). They started after lunch and kept it short in an effort to use the best hours of the winter day. Their strategy paid off a little since their 40 degree ride was about 5 degrees better than the morning temps. In winter we’ll take anything we can get! Although they saw snow flurries at the start, the stiff winds quickly pushed those out and brought in broken clouds which gave an occasional peek at sunshine. Each rider made good use of heated jackets and gloves.

All agreed it was enjoyable getting back on the bikes, if only for a few hours on a cold day. About 100 miles. Join us next time and we’ll promise warmer temps!

I finally got a chance to get out for a ride today and since I still need to get the ABS fixed on the 2010 Triumph Tiger I decided to take little Red out and put some more break in miles on him. I gave him a clean-up before leaving, since he was going out in public, and he looked real pretty sitting on the drive.

Red, for those who don't know, is a 1970 Triumph TR25W.  His last great adventure ended in disaster when he suffered a catastrophic seizure up in Jasper. Since then he has had a complete rebuild and having completed an initial shake down ride bringing him back from the mechanic I was starting to gently put miles on to break him in. 

This Halloween, Larry, Dave, Mike and Mel rambled through North Georgia in all its fall glory.  Their weather was a far cry from the warm tropical moisture of Zeta a few days earlier.  With starting temps in the mid-forties, heated grips and gear were prized conveniences.  They took easy-going backroads like Cove, Grandview, Sunrise and Doublehead Gap around Jasper and N to Van Zandt’s in Dial.  It was a welcome respite as temps had dropped to 41 in the upper elevations and winds were blowing 20+ mph.  Thin morning cloud cover was delaying the day’s expected warmup.  Fortunately, the previous day’s dry air, sunshine, and winds had nicely cleared the roads of the extensive weather debris from Zeta.  But while the metro area largely had power restored by Saturday, it was apparent from the numerous bucket trucks they weaved around, that work was still underway in the mountains.

No, not the hair kind (most of us have little need for that!).  Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum just outside of Birmingham, AL.  Little known secret… the World’s BEST motorcycle museum is that close to home.  Really, I’m not kidding. 

Dave and Larry were able to take a Friday off and make an overnight trip of it.  Although the remnants of (another!) hurricane were thoroughly soaking Atlanta as they packed, it slipped out just in time for them to make a dry run west.  They took easy-going state roads like 92, 120, and 78 rather than hectic I-285 and I-20.  And it was surprisingly enjoyable riding.