to the east and back (ngw eastern run)

[rcmatt007]

Of course Oklahoma has been in a drought, and the first day of any rain was on Friday, September 16th as Beth took the 1200 from Lawton to Clarmore..... The "78" was already in Claremore, and I followed up later in the comfort of a pick-up truck.

Saturday, September 17th, up early and off we go along old 66 to Vinita, then turnpike to Joplin and we seem to be catching up with the rain. We pull into thegas station in Joplin and there is a bright flash of lightening, a crash of thunder and the lights go off, and, as Louis the 14th said, "apres moi, le deluge".

Did you know that older 4 cylinder wings run like s%^t in the pouring rain? Water seems to get EVERYWHERE. (sorry no pics of all this).

50 miles later, the rain seems to be ending and I pull into a gas station. My riding partner says, "why are you stopping? The rain is ending"..... I calmly explain that my BP med has a diuretic"

On through Missouri ahead of the rain..... across the mighty mississippi into Illionois... and sure enough, my 78 has very few miles on it!


some 450 or so miles and wespend the night in Mt vernon Illinois

[rcmatt007]

across lower Indiana, and we seem to skirt just past any rain, so life is good.


Cannot cross into Kentucky because the I64 bridge is out, instead bypass, then miss the exit, and through "Olde" Louisville.... some wonderful houses (but I am driving, so again, sorry no pics)

but we are ahead of the rain



into West Virginia



another 450 or so and spent the night in Charleston.... the Motel 6 is no longer on my "to do list" about 30 feet from our room was the freeway off ramp

[rcmatt007]

rather than pay for the turnpike, we decided to wander up old Hwy 60... really a beautiful road with just enough twisties to keep you on your toes



into the shanendoah valley and Virgina



the trees were just starting to turn off in the distance

[Whiskerfish]

That woman you ride with always has a smile on her face!! Whats up with that

[rcmatt007]

rain can damping the spirit

[rcmatt007]

soooooo

into Virginia and visiting out daughter in DC. The next morning out through that wonderful DC traffic back to the shanendoah valley, and of course, it rained ending about the time we headed down the valley. Stopping to get a HD coffee mug Beth looked at a folder on the BRP, and so we ended up calling and then staying at some cabins which were built by the CCC right near Mabry's mill. I must admit I was skeptical starting down the "road" to this set of cabins



and even more so looking across from the office



but we we in a different cabin

[rcmatt007]

headed off the next morning and quickly.... yes drizzle then rain. of course being in the mountains rain means you are in the clouds



so off the blue ridge, down to I40 and west to asheville... and yes.... rain

In asheville it was actually hot (and not raining, so off with the wet rain gear) and back on the BRP



and soon back toward the clouds



staring down the "STEEP AND SLOW" hill to Coruso the skys opened again.... but fortunately the rain gear was in the saddle bags and it did not get any wetter

and.... made it to the rally



saw a couple of familar wings

[rcmatt007]

the next day, getting ready to ride, I noticed VETTER was a popular option

[rcmatt007]

a great two days of riding




and waterfalls

[rcmatt007]

Saturday we head off on I40 to home. Stopping at a rest area just west of Jackson Tenn, I hear my name being urgently called because smoke is coming from the tail pipes of the 1200.... and it looks like oil coming out around exhaust #4



the bike starts, and..... it is only about 5 miles to the motel 6 we were going to stop at..... so 45 mph down the freeway.

Sunday morning we pick up a u-haul truck. I detach the sidecar in the parking lot and load everything up

and we get home

and it turns out.... yeup, a blown head gasket

[Dangeruss]

Nice write up Rodger. Looks like you and Beth had a fun (wet?) ride! Wish I could have made it, maybe next year I can do the east run.

Did you know that older 4 cylinder wings run like s%^t in the pouring rain?

I have heard this time and again, but it is not my experience. When I left the Pig Tail Run in June, I hit a torrential rain in Kansas City Missouri, I had to pull off the road and take cover in a Mini Mart for a while. I was soaked to the bone, but the bike never missed a beat. Rode to Nebraska in 2010 and rode through the rain 2-up all the way through Montana, and never had a problem. Must be the drought in Oklahoma spoiling your bike?


p.s. Ya know, I under pressure to complete my map now . . . (thank you!)

[Brant]

Thanks for sharing Rodger. Wish I could have made it.

[Sagebrush]

Nice pictures Rodger, I'm kind of looking forward to the pictures Beth took while riding with Terrie. If some of those came out they should be pretty good.

Is the 1200 back together?

[KYpondman]

Thanks, Rodger, great pics and story.
Claude

[rcmatt007]

That woman you ride with always has a smile on her face!! Whats up with that

What's not to smile about,