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6-18-03
We will be shooting the Honda Hoot riders from today (Wed) through Sunday, so any orders placed in our store will not get fulfilled until we get back. Apologies for any inconvenience.
6-17-03
A call to arms
It's time to get active friends. Whining on message boards isn't going to change a thing. This "Saturated" policing of Deals Gap is getting ridiculous. Last weekend Knox county even came out to dip their hands in the pot...a dozen officers, 27 tickets...out in the middle of nowhere. If this is a safety push, then why are Highway Patrol officers ridiculing riders for wearing safety gear? Why are they still allowing tractor trailers to pass through, while giving sportscar and sportbike drivers tickets for passing on a double-yellow? Why was the speed limit lowered to nearly half what it is as soon as you cross into the next state?
This is clearly an attack on our freedom to enjoy the roadways we have paid for, and to curb the tourism to this world-famous area. Please join me in contacting our Senator, our Congressman, (area code = 37804-5782) and the Press to be heard. Remember, just because you don't live in this area, doesn't mean your words go unheard. The further away you live, the stronger your tourism voice will be.
Moving on, what little bit of riding could be had last weekend, was great. Traffic was light with the calm before the storm that will be coming this week. I escorted 2 semis through Friday, actually meeting a 3rd semi during one escort. We also had to squeeze past a tractor mowing the roadside, and a tow truck that had to park in the middle of the road to winch a R1 up that went for a dive. The rider had to be flown out by helicopter, but I heard he was fine, and didn't even have any broken bones. <?>
About 200 bicyclists came out and rode across the Gap, then over to Cherohala Skyway and across that. Appearantly they're in training for an eternity in hell or something. They looked like they were having fun though...well for the camera anyway.
The cruisers were all smiles...except for this one guy catching bugs.
Even Nancy was "Coppin' a knee". (almost)
I've decided I must be a good luck token for people who want to crash right in front of me. After watching 2 riders collide head-on a few weeks ago, with minimal gear, and walk away from it, I was hoping it would be a while before seeing anything else. Unfortunately, that was not to be. Just as I was coming up behind a couple on seperate cruisers, we crossed the state line and hit the first curve in TN. The guy leading made it, his girlfriend following, didn't. She ran wide as that turn tightens and rolls off-camber. She went down ahead of the sliding bike, so it tumbled right over her when she hit the ditch. I really expected it to be ugly, but when I ran over to her, she just had her leg pinned under the rear of the bike. I about crapped myself trying to lift a 600 pound bike with my Buck-35 ass, but managed to get her out from under it and she was fine. She was of course very shaken, but a little scratch to the elbow and that was about it. She said it was their first time through the Gap, and she was trying to keep up with her boyfriend. A common post-crash explanation that we all know should not happen. So anyway, if you want to crash out sometime, just be sure you do it in front of me. You'll be fine, and I might even think fast enough to get it on film.