JackFlash

Okay, here it is. Just got it typed up. http://www.ohioriders.net/showthread.php?t=103472 .

The 555 ate another bike today, picked up the rider and sent him spinning off through water, mud, and grass. Film at eleven. Yep! I was having a very good day. I thought it would be a wonderful day to go riding, and that's what I did. Everything was fine and going well, until... I was traveling north of Chesterhill, when not far south of 78, I was coming down a hill with a left hand curve. The road had a lot of slippery dust, and was gritty in many, many places. Knowing this, I was being cautious. I wasn't in a hurry to get anywhere. So, approaching this curve I discovered this debris well out into the roadway on my side. Attempting to slow a bit, my rear wheel slipped out from under me, I hit the road, the bike spun a 360, and I went flying through water and mud, and ended up in the grass. A few words were spoken, the kind you wouldn't say in front of your grandmother, and I lay there waiting to see if anything was going to begin to hurt. Thankfully, I could get up and walk without much of a wobble. The bike, the poor thing, was on the edge of the road on it's left side, turn signal flashing, and motor off. I attempted to pick it up but couldn't get my hand far enough under to get a grip. I was all alone. I got the bike spun around, and to where I could lift it onto it's wheels. It was a muddy mess, almost as bad as me. The left side of the handlebars is now bent into a racing style position. My concern was that I wouldn't be able to steer it if the handgrip hit the fairing. It didn't. Now, the bike wouldn't start. Crap! Thinking for a moment, I discovered the clutch safety switch had come unpluged. I pluged it in and cranked it. No start! F%&*K! I opened the throttle fully and tried again. Zoom, zoom! Things were looking less bad. Standing then walking beside the bike, I throttled it, and eased out the clutch hoping to be able to get it out of the mud. It worked. Hurt, you ask? Who me? People, I'm JackFlash! Whatayamean hurt? Well, my hip is a little sore from me landing on it when the road took a bite out of my day, but other than that, I think I'm okay. Ask me again tomorrow when things get a chance to get achy. I got on the bike and eased it on down the hill. Regaining my confidence, and sitting at a funny angle from a bent handlebar, I gave it some fuel and buzzed down the road. It wasn't for another mile that it occured to me that my face shield was missing from my helmet. I stopped, turned around, and went back to the scene of the crime. Sitting there in the water, unscratched, was my face shield. I picked it up and took off my helmet. Oh crap! The mechanism where the face shield attaches to the helmet was filled with mud. WTF now? I always carry a rag to check the oil, so I pulled it out of my saddlebag and soaked it with water. A long time later, I finally got enough mud and crap out of it for the faceshield to fasten on. Back on the bike and off I went. It was a beautiful day for a ride. I hope yours went better than mine. Unless I can find and replace the handlebars before Saturday, I'm going to be out of the running for the big ride this weekend. So, now the search for handlebars for an '08 Suzuki GS 500F. Any suggestions? I forgot to mention that the entire time I was there at the side of the road, after my spill, and when I went back, not one vehicle passed by. Not one. Here's a link to where it happened: http://goo.gl/maps/S9dtt .

I hate to say it too, but my bike went down today and unless I can replace the handlebars, I'm not going to make the ride, either. .

Brandon, I was just talking about you this morning. Go to page 33 of this thread, to post #660. Let's drum up some interest in some Sunday activities and make this a two-day event like it was originally meant to be. .

I may open a thread on it tomorrow since I haven't received any feedback on the idea. We'll see if anyone has an interest. I'm not riding all the back from Newark unless there's a solid plan in place for Sunday. .

That's a really good question, jdonn. Let's all figure this out. Give me some help, guys. Here's what we know: Google Maps shows that from the Northeast group's meet-up spot in Millersburg, to Point B on Brownsville Rd it is: 53.2 mi – about 1 hour 1 min Chatter on their thread indicates they may make a fuel stop in Coshocton. Their departure discussions have suggested: meet there around 8:30 and kick stand before nine to make it to logan in time. kick stand by 8:15 Our concerns are: What time to meet at KFC? What time to be at Point B? What time to leave without the NEO guys if they are running late so we can get to Logan at a reasonable time to gas up, use the restroom, and mix and mingle with the others before the ride ramps up. We need to keep in mind that the main plan is this: Meet by 10:30 Start organizing group by 11:00 and kick stand to ride by 11:30 I would like to be all gassed up and in Logan by 10:00, and originally wanted to leave Newark by 8:30 to allow for anything not expected. We're looking at a 47 mile trip to Logan and a suggested travel time of 1hr 12min. The more I look at how late NEO is leaving their meet-up point, the more I'm inclined to want to not wait on them and just ride straight down 664. The way I see their time frame, everything seems to be pinched up pretty tight and doesn't allow for much wiggle room or time to catch your breath once we get to Logan. If there is anything else you can come up with, now is the time to discuss it. Give me your thoughts on these issues. .

Tell Jnor we said, "Howdy!" .

And now she's out shopping for a scooter, isn't she? .

So far, I have seen no Sunday details of any type. If this is going to be a two-day event, it's time to make plans. I'll wait for some comments here and if no one else starts a thread for Sunday, I'll open one and see anyone is interested in putting some plans together for something to happen on Sunday. If anyone is interested in making something happen, they can add their comments and give input on that thread. Feedback, anyone? .

Keep the THUNDER alive! If there is going to be an organized ride for Sunday the 5th, in the Logan/Hocking Hills area, it's time to start planning it up so people that can't make it down Saturday for the main ride, and riders returning for a 2nd day will know what's going on. Not having an organized ride for the 2nd day, or at least some kind of group activity seems to diminish the worth of all the effort it takes it get everyone together for a two-day event. Dying Shadow or someone who knows the area, put us together a 75 mile route for Sunday, with a meet spot. Snot and Helmutt, or someone good at planning, plan us up a time frame to make it work, but still allows folks plenty of time to pack up and make it home early enough to prepare for work the next day. Give us a place to meet for a 2nd day of fun and we will come. .

Video? Post it up, Dan. .

Google maps satellite shows this to have happened in a wooded residential neighborhood. I don't like the term "Squirrel Killer". If the media jumps on this, it will become "Deer Killer", "Rabbit Killer", and who knows what else. We don't need more negative labels catching on with the media. .

I've pretty much kept up with other regional meet-up threads and this is the first I've seen for the Southwest area. You could possibly intercept the Central group somewhere on your way. Clink their link below for details of their ride. Here are the others I've seen: Northeast Epic Ride Meet up plans http://www.ohioriders.net/showthread.php?t=102930 Central - Epic Ride Organization (Iron Pony meet up point) 5436 Westerville Road, Westerville, OH http://www.ohioriders.net/showthread.php?t=102893 NEWARK - Join us? (Epic Ride) Click here for our latest information: http://www.ohioriders.net/showthread.php?t=102916 .

that no one wanted to see.

We will link up with the NEO group. Check your messages for the latest info. Meet us at the KFC on Cedar St. I don't know the time yet. .

There are two Gas Stations close to the meet up spot, in Logan. Kroger has one at the far end of the Mall parking lot, but it does not have a restroom. The other one is a Speedway, just one block down the street from where we meet up. It has public restrooms. Here's a link to a map. http://goo.gl/maps/AA9kL .

KFC 38 N Cedar St Newark, OH 43055 http://goo.gl/maps/B0qVf .

Have them there in the same week and take a vacation away that week each month. .

Cops have been a little heavy on 161 in New Albany lately. Keep your eyes open. Working weekends sucks. .

New Information!!! Departing Newark from the KFC 38 N Cedar Street Newark, Ohio (Time to be announced)

bump

http://goo.gl/maps/sq7Ty

Just be advised that the 555 is no place to prove your manhood or riding skills. If there is a road to practice restraint and self control on, let this be the one, at least on this group ride.

This is the route that is planned. It is up to date. http://goo.gl/maps/CwzL3 .

And if the behavior is permitted to continue, "For motorcyclists in and around Ohio." will also become known as a joke.