ChevelleFan

That's gonna be a chilly ride to Nelson in the morning. I'm not saying I won't make it, but it seems doubtful. -Dave

Painesville is quite a bit (north)east of downtown cleveland, maybe 25-30 miles? As to the 40k -- how many miles do you think you'll be putting on it? At 24 years old, that's only 1600+ miles per year. If it starts/runs/rides without any weird noises or vibrations, that should be a good price for an 1100. Guy says he'll deal, so offer him $1300 no matter what. -Dave

Hell no -- I can't imagine driving any sort of trailer through there. I mean, I could if I had to, but why clog up the road? I got stuck behind some dude pulling his boat through there (stopped in the pull-offs about 4 different times to let him get ahead) For the record, I did catch some pavement on my boots a few times, at the toes. I know I have a lot to learn (never done a track day), but it felt like a solid first effort. -Dave

I was just down in that same area Aug 5-9th. It was sooooo fun. I too saw my first bear, in the road as I was coming around a bend -- it was a cub, and he darted off in a hurry. I didn't stop to look or try to snap a pic, but I remember it vividly (on Rt 360). Got off the bike one day and went whitewater rafting down the Ocoee river. Beautiful area. Highly recommended for anyone who hasn't been there. -Dave

Thanks Gawd I just got back from there before it was officially declared un-cool. I rode it Wednesday 8/5 mid-day -- no cops, just a few slow harleys. There's some sweet photos of me on my SV (blue w/ soft saddle bags) on zeefoto.com. For my first time there, I think I did pretty good. But I can see what everyone is complaining about. Cherohala Skyway is cool because it's very scenic and all, but certainly not a challenging road. http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=0HH6014R040089&po=89 (pics 90-95) -Dave

This guy?

I'm going to be camping in the general area at that time. I think on those dates I'm staying near Tellico Plains area, but I don't think it's very far from Deal's Gap (40 min?) If you want to try and hook up for a ride while down there, let me know. I leave here Tues morning and will be down around the National Forests (cherokee, natahala, pigsah, etc) until sometime next week (leave the 12th-13th?) -Dave

I feel like a tard for not seeing the scroll bar. I was afraid that that's what it said. I've seen midget strippers once. Once. Scarred for life. -Dave

Uhhh.. just curious here, but what does the rest of the sign say? "7-8 midget ... " ?? -Dave

I'm heading down to that area in just over a week (leaving aug 5 or 6). Dragon, Blue Ridge, Cherohala, are all on my to-ride list. What's Hellbender? Any other suggested road or sites worth seeing? -Dave

Maybe someone could show these to Professor Gates. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2wOxnAiIVs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJfQevjpf_g Chris outlines a few simple rules to not get your ass kicked by the Police. Professor Gates missed the "STFU" rule. (and possibly the "get a white friend" rule) Cops show up at Gates' house right after he got back from an international trip. The house had already been broken into before this incident, as Gates stated he was having trouble with the door. Cops asks for ID and Gates shows a Harvard ID. Huh? Mistake #1. Show your f*cking driver's license or passport, that shows your address. If he's done nothing wrong, what's he afraid of? Cop calls Harvard Police to see if they recognize him. I see nothing wrong with that. When the cops eventually start leaving, he just starts yelling at them. Yell at the cops at your own peril. You want the cops gone? Say "Thank you, have a good day." I find it quite interesting so far that you don't hear about any of his neighbors sticking up for him. Except for his 'peeps, Obama. (what an idiot -- wont even bother with that, other than to say I bet a bunch of otherwise normal white moderates and liberals are rolling their eyes and beginning to see what they voted for.) wu tang! -Dave

Actually, the reason we went to PA instead of southern Ohio was because we all had relatively thin back tires (esp me) and I didn't think we could get there and back without showing cords. PA is good, but SE Ohio is better, IMO. Still a great ride, though. -Dave

Almost the same route I was looking at when I txt'd you. Let me know a good meet-up point and I'll be there. -Dave

Another OU alum here -- that's where I started street riding, on my '86 Radian around Athens, back in '94. Good times. I also have heard "Ohio's Dragon Tail" applied to mainly Rt 536. I've never ridden Tail of the Dragon, so I can't compare -- but when you've got all the great roads in SE Ohio, who cares? 555 is awesome, though. A definite must-ride. -Dave

First, we've got dumb & dumber: Two Riders with Learner's Permits run into each other, neither wearing a helmet. One is life-flighted. http://www.newsnet5.com/news/19820444/detail.html I ride through this intersection quite often. It's one park road intersecting another. Epic fail to crash here. I guess both riders should automatically have their permits revoked. Next: we've got freak accident. Car hits, deer --> deer knocks motorcyclist off bike --> rider gets run over by Ford Explorer --> motorcycle continues and hits Dodge Dakota. Rider died at the scene. Again, no helmet. http://www.newsnet5.com/news/19811927/detail.html I don't know how people can ride without a helmet. I've bounced my head on concrete while working under my car and it *hurts*. That's only couple inches off the ground and 0 mph. The 2nd accident just goes to show it might not be the rider's fault at all, but he suffered the consequences. -Dave