world's largest...

once again, had the opportunity to ride with my wonderful wife... seems like we've been riding more together lately and i'm likin' it!! hopefully the trend continues...

memorial day we took a ride to see the world's largest frying pan. great day for a ride... my wife was a little leery about being on the bike for so long, especially after riding so long to wilmington... we decided to blast down interstate forty to get there and take a leisurely ride back...

we rode out there, not quite knowing what to expect or where to find it... turns out the waypoint i downloaded wasn't accurate and led us to a gas station. knowing that we had ridden the street a few weeks earlier and not seen it, i figured we'd better ask directions...

the attendant at the gas station answered my request for directions as if i must be some sort of knucklehead for having missed it - it's at the town square, down a couple blocks on the right...

we hop back on the bike, head down a couple blocks and sure enough, there it is!!







the site of the frying pan was originally a public school... years ago, the school burned down and the only building left is the cafeteria. apparently they use the cafeteria as a town house...


we walked around the town square, which outside of the 'town house' and frying pan, is an empty city block with tennis courts on the backside of the cafeteria and an odd shed-looking building in one corner.



of course we also had to pose for a couple touristy pictures...



i wasn't sure if i should be offended or not, so i thought i would thumb my nose at them...


again, it was a great day for a ride and even better that i got to spend it with my wife... i think that she was kind of humoring me (and probably laughing at me) for wanting to visit the frying pan. in the end, i think she appreciated it as well...

wonder if i'll be able to talk her into going to the world's largest chest of drawers, the world's largest ten commandments or the shell-shaped gas station...

check out the 2008 ride map to see the route - this one in purple...

the coffee test...

i posted earlier about some maps i had gotten from america rides maps. i'm really impressed by the detail contained in the map as well as the quality construction of the map.

in my post, i suggested chipping in the extra couple of bucks to get the waterproof map. to be honest, i hadn't actually tested the waterproof durability of the map. i based my comment on the quality material used in the map as well as the price. again, for eight bucks how can you go wrong??

the way i figured it, testing the waterproof-ability of the maps would come one day when i was riding, using the maps and it would start raining. it would be a good test to see how the maps hold up as well and manipulating the maps in the rain. funny how things work out...

i'd been ranting and raving to my neighbor about the maps and wanted to show them to him. on the way to his house, my wife's coffee spilled on the maps. what better time to test them out. both the waterproof and the non-waterproof versions got coffee, so i figured it was a heads up competition.

after noticing the spill, we used napkins to wipe the excess coffee off the maps. wiping the waterproof map was like wiping a piece of plastic. the coffee came off easily and didn't soak into the paper much. there was some staining, but i would expect that.

the non-waterproof map had to be wiped more carefully - blotting more than wiping. if we wiped the map too hard, some of the print started to come off. when we were more careful, we didn't have a problem getting the excess coffee off. more coffee soaked into the map, but not as much as i would have expected. since more coffee had soaked into the map than the waterproof one, it was obviously stained more.

we dried both maps on the dashboard of the car. after the maps were completely dry, they both folded up nicely. other than staining on the waterproof map, you would have never known it got wet. the non-waterproof map had more staining and was a little wrinkled - you could tell it had been wet. however, it is still very usable.

both maps fared well. if you were on a trip, you could probably get by with the non-waterproof map. it could take some water and still survive. but, if you ride, you're going to get wet. in those cases, you definitely want the waterproof map. and even if you don't plan on riding in the rain, you'll want the waterproof map for those mornings when you're planning your ride and your coffee or beverage of choice doesn't stay in the mug...

now that i've real-world tested the maps, i'm even more impressed. definitely a must-have for trips...

i don't need no stinkin' map...

...or do i??

i've always had a fondness for paper maps. there was some sort of instant bond the first time i opened one up - even if i couldn't get it folded again. opening a map was like expanding the world, new areas to explore, new places to go.

over the years, i became adept at reading maps, quickly figuring out where i was and picking out routes to get me where i wanted to go. did i ever get lost?? sure, but that was part of the adventure.

fast forward many years... i get a gps for my bike... did i need it?? of course, not, especially since i'm an expert map reader. it's fun toy, a complement to my paper maps, certainly not a replacement.

over time, i used the gps more and more... learning how to use it, exploring the capabilities, the ease of use. it's not perfect, it did get me on the wrong road a time or two, but it could correct itself and ultimately get me where i wanted to go. but i got lost using paper maps too, so i guess i can't fault the gps too much.

the more i used the gps, the more i liked it. the more i could use it to my advantage and avoid it's disadvantages. and the more i used it, the less i used paper maps. heck, i can't even remember the last time i looked at a paper map. unless you count the pirate maps my son and i plan our adventures with...

even though i still carry paper maps on my rides, i'm thinking they're more conversational pieces, bits of history. that was until my wife, always looking for a good deal, found an offer for a free motorcycle map!! a double-whammy. not only a motorcycle map, but a free one!!!

i jump online, head over to america rides maps, and order me up a map. the hardest part was decided which one to get. the maps mostly cover western north carolina, an area i'd like to spend a couple extras riding around. and heck, with a new map, i'd have a reason to take a couple extra days.

after i ordered the map, reality started to set in. what the heck am i really going to do with this map?? after all, i have a gps. and my paper maps are just along for the ride - they don't play an active role in my riding anymore... at worst, this map would give me some ideas of roads to ride...

a couple days later, the map arrived... i tell you, i'm pretty impressed with it. first thing i noticed was the paper it's printed on. looks very durable and waterproof - an important feature when you're taking a trip on a bike for a few days. the size of the folded map is perfect - it can easily fit into a windshield bag or even a jacket pocket.

unfolding the map was like entering new worlds again, discovering roads and areas i never knew existed. i was also discovering how much was packed into this map. on one side is the maps itself. with 'featured' roads, marked in red, and easy to follow. the addition of gas stations marked on the map takes the concern out of riding and wondering when, or even if, you're going to make it to the next gas stop.

route descriptions are on the other side of the map. they contain everything you need to plan the route - mileage, turn-by-turn instructions, road types, traffic patterns and other useful information to make the trip enjoyable. there are also suggested rides, which helps take the guesswork out of creating your own perfect trip from scratch.

the next time i travel to western carolina, some things will be different... the trip will be a couple days longer and i'll be bringing this map along. not only that, i'll actually be using it to plan a couple rides around the area, taking roads i would have never found or taken with just my gps.

the america rides maps have brought the paper map back on par with the gps - more of a companion again... check them out - for five bucks you can't go wrong. hell, throw in the extra three bucks and get the waterproof.

happy ridin'...

2008 rides

once again, various rides...

routes:
------ 01/06/2008 - first ride of the year - the lake loop
------ 02/09/2008 - saturday ride - smithfield, nc
------ 04/03/2008 - gettin' fish sammiches - wilmington, nc
------ 04/09-10/2008 - myrlte beach pre-party - rocky mount, nc
------ 04/12-14/2008 - bike week - myrlte beach, sc
------ 05/26/2008 - world's largest frying pan - rose hill, nc
------ 06/09-12/2008 - harley davidson factory tour - york, pa
------ 06/21-22/2008 - smoke out 9 - mocksville, nc
08/17/2008 - 25k - spring hope, nc
------ 09/28-29/2008 - visit appalachian state university - boone, nc

tail of the dragon...

our travels around and on the tail of the dragon...

taming the dragon...

took a ride to the tail of the dragon in july... but this was more than just a trip to ride the dragon - it was about riding with family and friends, the brotherhood of biking and fulfilling a dream.

it started two years ago when i gave my father-in-law a ride... as mentioned, he's been riding most of his life. that was until he was in an accident. thankfully he wasn't seriously injured, but his bike didn't make out so well. he'd been threatening over the years to put the bike back together and start riding again. either that or just outright buy a new bike. i would gently prod him, offering to help rebuild the bike or riding him out to a dealership to buy a bike. he finally came through in may and purchased a new bike... and this trip would be our first ride together...

we figured a three day trip to the dragon; a day to travel out there, a day of riding around and day back home. all timed to be able to meet up with my brother and the rest of the crew - as well as get back in time friday night to meet a previous commitment.

we headed out wednesday morning after topping off the tanks...



it was great riding weather - clear skies, nice temps. we decided to stop every hundred miles or so. this would give us a chance to stretch our legs and top off the tanks. it would also give me a chance to determine if we needed to stop longer or stop for the night if the trip was getting a little long for my father-in-law. while he rides really well, i wasn't sure how he'd handle a longer trip like this. especially on the interstate - i know he hates riding on the interstate. but we decided to take this route to get to maryville as quickly as we reasonably could.

along the way we made a couple stops for gas...


after this stop, we head out - using the gps to help get us to our destination. i'm usually pretty good with getting in and out of place and heading in the right direction. as i get back onto the interstate, the gps is telling me to turn around. i could swear i'm heading in the right direction. i decide to follow the gps and turn around. riding a couple miles in the other direction, i realize the gps has recalculated the route - not really the route we wanted to take. even worse, it's back tracking us about fifteen miles!! decision time... do i turn around yet again and confirm to the father-in-law that i really don't know what i'm doing?? or do we just keep riding?? i decide to keep riding...

our first gas stop in tennessee... the signs posted next to the big open field make you wonder what kind of problems they may have... forget the open field - if i didn't want to walk into the gas station that was less than a hundred yards away, i would have taken care of business down near the tree-lined creek that was ten yards away...





gearing up for the last leg of our journey, i look off into the direction we're heading - it's looking kind of iffy - rain gear or not?? we decide to chance it.

as we pull onto the highway, it starts raining. we pull over to the first rest area, less than two miles down the road. by the time we get there, the rain stops. looking ahead, the sky is clear. we're already wet, so we decide to head on without rain gear.

a couple miles down the road, the clouds roll in and open up on us... luckily our exit was just a few more miles down the road. we exit and find the first gas station so we can slip into our rain gear. even better, the gas station has a car wash to pull into so we don't have to take up space under the awning by the pumps.

note to self: don't ever pull into a car wash, especially when it's raining - it's slippery as hell!!!

after getting our rain gear on, we head the rest of the way to our destination - the princess motel...



not the greatest place in the world, but the price was right. and what do you really need when you're traveling?? a place to throw your clothes and lay your head at night. and this fit the bill...

after a day of riding, we decided to grab something to eat, relax at the motel and plan the next day's riding.

not really much to plan, though. we'd ride the tail of the dragon. as much as we wanted. and when we got tired of that, we'd ride some of the other roads in the area. and when we were done, we'd head back to the motel.

we got up thursday, grabbed a bite to eat and headed to the tail of the dragon.



i told my father-in-law that there would probably be riders that would pass us - not to be startled when it happened. in addition, we'd have to watch out for tractor trailers on the road. if we saw any, we'd just pull over somewhere and wait - yeah, like there's a lot of room to pull over!!! we agreed that we would ride our own ride and ride as slow as we needed.

we rode the dragon several times, enjoying the scenery and meeting new friends...




our new friends... sort of... the guy with the mv agusta was a little serious about his ride and got offended when father-in-law called it a honda.




father-in-law leading the pack... truth be told, when we took off, no one was behind us. by the time we made the eleven miles, several riders caught up to him and were kind enough not to pass...







the tree of shame... a living memorial to those the push the limits and don't quite make it...




after spending the day riding, we headed over to smoky mountain harley davidson. huge store and super nice people.



after that, we headed back to the hotel to meet up with my bro and the crew... grabbed a bite to eat and sat around the hotel all night telling lies...





i had to be back in town late afternoon on friday. i wanted to be pulling out of the parking lot no later than eight in the morning. father-in-law was up for leaving a little earlier since he wanted to take make longer and more frequent stops on the way home. not a problem with me.

since he's an early riser, he would be our alarm clock. when he got out of the shower, he'd get me up, we'd pack up and head out. with that, lights went out and we went to sleep.

next thing i know, i hear him in the shower. i might as well get up and start packing some of my stuff. it wasn't until i got out of the shower that i realized it was only two thirty in the morning. what the @$*%*^$@!! what was he doing up so early??

it was too late, i was awake, showered and pretty much packed. might as well head out... we would certainly be able to take our time getting home.

the ride home was long and cold. hard to believe it was july.

on the journey back, i had time to reflect back on our trip. i was finally able to take a ride, a real ride with my father-in-law. two years earlier i got my bike and started dreaming about the day i would be able to ride with him. this was it - here we were...

more importantly though, i think he was fulfilling his own dream of riding again. maybe the fear or memories of his earlier mishap had subconsciously prevented him from rebuilding his bike. but here he was, putting those fears, those dragons, aside and riding again.

this was easily one of the best trips i've ever taken... i look forward to riding with him again.

check out the 2007 ride map, this one in light blue.

a more detailed map of our laps in and around the dragon...

2007 rides

hopefully the map won't get too junked up, but i'm going to include routes i take on my rides... if it starts looking too cluttered, then maybe i'll create a separate map just for routes...

i realize it may be hard to determine the routes without actually zooming in - but that's the way it goes...

routes:
------ 01/04/2007 - ride home
------ 01/06/2007 - ride to greenville, nc
------ 01/13/2007 - saturday ride around
------ 01/14/2007 - sunday ride to nowhere
------ 01/28/2007 - ride to sanford
------ 05/11-12/2007 - ride to rocky mount
------ 05/13-19/2007 - columbia, sc
------ 06/23-24/2007 - salisbury, sc
------ 07/18-20/2007 - tail of the dragon
------ 08/19/2007 - sunday ride around the "block"
------ 10/28/2007 - sunday ride
------ 12/31/2007 - new year's eve ride

sturgis 2006 - planned route

update 07/10/2006: unfortunately i won't be going to strugis this year. you can read more about the reasons...

this is the route we're planning to take to sturgis this year... for the first leg of my trip, i'll head north to manassas and meet up with the rest of the riders. as plans stand now, my neighbor and some of his buddies will be riding with me... for the last leg of the trip, knoxville - home, i'll break off from the pack and head back into youngsville...

really looking forward to this trip...

i decided to add "polylines" to the map to show a little cohesiveness between the points. it's not exactly what i was hoping to achieve - actual routes between points - but it's not as bad as i thought either...

new google map...

so i've decided to play around a little and see what i can do about adding a google map ... this is/will most likely be a work in progress for the next couple days or so as i learn all the different functions/capabilities of the googlemap api. if i can get this working, i plan on making a map plotting our trip to sturgis this year - assuming i make the trip to sturgis!!!

anyway, here's the first map...

i would like to thank ron for his excellent post on getting google maps to work in blogger and some additional information i found here.

2006 rides

once again, a map of the places i rode in 2006...

2005 rides

here are the non-brunch rides i went on in 2005. i think i got them all... whatever i didn't get will be added when i remember...