Subject: Rally Report - long
Author: Ian Adkins
Date: Aug 4, 2003, 6:32 AM
Post ID: 1714028671
Hey All,
Just returned from the Blue Ridge Rally. What a great weekend! Although
there was a lot of rain getting to and from the rally the weather on Friday
afternoon thru Sunday morn was beautiful.
I think there must have been about 10 Loops in attendence. If I remember
right Mark (one of the organizers) said there was about 100 people there.
Always great to see Loops making a strong showing. Of course a Loop (Fred
Sahms'Eldo) won People's Choice. One of these days they will realize that
they need to have a People's Choice that divides the bikes into catagories.
Loops will always win, in my opinion.
I was impressed with the campground. Very clean and neat. I am always
impressed when I see the owner cleaning the bathrooms at 630am. The food
was much better than last year albeit a bit pricey. Worth it for the
convenience, since there isn't much close by.
On Saturday Ken Pitts lead about nine of us on a 100+ mile jaunt through the
mountains...ending up at the Wheels Through Time museum in Maggie Valley. He
even had it timed so we would get there just as the Owner, Dale, started his
tour of the place. Very cool to listen to his stories about the bikes and
to hear the bikes run.
This year I decided to leave my old trusty 69 Ambo (my touring machine) in
the garage and take the 70 Ambo to her first rally. With only 150 miles to
go riding the bike without shield wouldn't be a problem. I could pack light
and not be too tired. She never missed a beat on the 450 mile jaunt...even
when riding through heavy rain on Sunday. The was impressed that the stock
handle bars made for a great riding position in the twisties but also
allowed for a comfortable riding position on the flats.
I now find myself in withdrawl. Rallies like that beg for another and I am
looking forward to the next. Won't be a Guzzi rally...rather I am going to
head out to Birmingham,AL at the end of Sept to see Ken Pitts race and check
out the Barber museum. If any Loopers want to put this ride on their "list
to do" I would love to see some of you there.
Thanks to Barb and Mark who put on a great "must do rally", Charlie M. (who
offered the other bed in the cabin), Ken Pitts for organizing and
coordinating a safe and fun run through the mountains and to all who put up
with my jabbering on in the evenings...after a few too many barley pops :-)
...Ian