Blue Ridge Thunder

'Tis The Season!

2007-11-15T18:58:00.000-05:00

It is that time of year again. It is the season for... Toy Runs! We've circled the sun again and we're right back here again participating in the weekly Toy Runs that lead up to Christmas. As I sit here tonight watching the first snow of this season falling, I find myself reflecting upon the generosity in spirit, time, and possessions that so many people demonstrated at this past weekend's 16th Annual Haywood County Motorcycle Parade and Toy Run. So many folks gave of themselves through the gift of their time, the gift of their money, and the gift of their ongoing support that it is a very humbling experience again this year to be part of the event.

The planning for the ride begins usually around June of each year when we get the date set. There is a lull in activity until about August when we start gearing up the planning and committee assignments. We hit full stride around October 1st in order to bring about a successful event. The number of man hours contributed to the parade and toy run is truly impressive. The parade also brings together many people from disparate parts of our community to work together in a very successful process. Law Enforcement personnel, secretaries, clergy, school employees, and, of course, bikers from all walks of life put together the event that has quickly become recognized as one of the best in the region.

So, if I didn't get to personally express my gratitude to you, please accept my thanks now for another job well done! Maybe next year we'll cook 600 lbs. of pork!

I ran across some interesting reading today while working on the website. If you haven't been following the changes in N.C.'s Helmet Laws, you might check out the link on the CBA/ABATE website. You can find the link on the Local Links page of www.blueridgethunder.org.

I think I'll close now and go check the fresh snowfall. Have a great Holiday Season and I'll see you at Toy Run!

Let's Diet Together!

2007-04-20T10:43:00.000-05:00

O.K., now that I've got your attention, let's talk about dieting. No, I don't mean eating less saturated fats or cutting back on your 4x a week double whopper with cheese value added combo meal. I'm talking about cutting back on our carbon usage. Unless you've been living in the wilderness for the last several years, you have surely been hearing about the looming crisis around the use of petroleum products and how carbon is literally heating up our planet. You have also been paying dearly at the pump for getting from point A to point B in your vehicles of all sizes and types. Well, a carbon diet will help the planet live longer and save you money. This seems like a pretty good idea all-in-all. If not for you immediately, then certainly for your children and grandchildren.

How do you go on a carbon diet you ask? Simple! Reduce the amount of driving you do and/or RIDE YOUR BIKE more. (See I was bringing it back to motorcycling!) Take the cabon diet challenge. Make a committment to ride your bike to work at least one day per week. Heck, do better, ride it every day! Join people like Nancy Johnson, who packs up and rides her Fat Boy to work in Asheville each day. Think of the gas savings in both dollars and carbon usage that Nancy is able to contribute by riding her bike to work. Can't do it every day? No problem, just do it more than you are doing now and you'll see the savings mount up.

Join Kathy and I as we make this same committment. While I have been a regular rider of my HD to work for a long time, we're going to try and combine some more of our fun time and travel with our carbon diet. For instance, this weekend we are headed to Clinton, SC to see our niece play softball. Rather than taking the Ford Escape or the Ford F150, we're packing light and heading out on the Ultra. We should see a significant savings in gas money as the price per gallon has now climbed to $2.85 again and I KNOW that we will enjoy the pleasures of riding to the game.

What else can you do? Well, you can change the light bulbs in your home to more efficient newer types of flourescent bulbs. This can reduce your carbon usage by 1000 or more lbs. per year. Kathy and I have already made this change, as have some of our other friends, and we enjoy plenty of good light for reading and illumination. Lowes and most of the bigger retail stores sell these new bulbs in bulk now. They cost a little bit more but they last significantly longer and use less electricity so we end up saving in the long run. As with all great capitalist processes, the more people buy them, the cheaper the prices will become.

If you are at all interested in going on a carbon diet, check out this link: Reduce Your Carbon. This link will take you to a site that is part of Presidential candidate John's Edwards plan for reducing global warming.

Well, I'd better quit writing and start riding! It is time to get the Ultra headed to South Carolina! Keep the rubber side down!

--Cecil

Bill to Authorize Special MC Plates Introduced

2007-04-15T11:41:00.000-05:00

State Senator Joe Sam Queen has introduced a bill into the N.C. Legislature that would allow motorcyclists to purchase specialty plates for their bikes in the same manner as we can currently purchase specialized plates for our 4 wheeled cages. The bill (Senate Bill 1036) has been referred to the Legislative Committee on Finance and is currently being considered for passage. Passage of this bill would allow you to show your support for your favorite organization if that organizaiton qualifies for the specialize plate program. For instance, you would be able to direct some of your funds to support either the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Great Smoky Mountains.

In my opinion, this is a good government program that allows each of us to support areas that we greatly enjoy as motorcyclists. Kathy and I have a Friends of the Greate Smokies tag on our truck and I'm very pleased to send a few dollars along each year that I know will go toward the upkeep and maintenance of this particular treasure.

If you are interested in seeing this opportunity come to pass, please write to your local legislators in support of Senate Bill 1036. You may contact your local representatives from this post by clicking on their names: Senator Joe Sam Queen>, Senator John Snow>, Represenative Phil Haire>, and Representative Ray Rapp>. The current Chairs of the Finance Commmittee are listed here: Finance Co-Chairs and you may write to them from this page. A short email to them asking that they pass this bill will help them understand the public support behind this measure.

So, on this Sunday where we have a return to winter weather, I wish for you a great riding season with the rubber side always beneath you!

--Cecil

Important Bill in Congress Affects YOU!

2007-04-10T08:39:00.000-05:00

Well, another Spring is here although this past weekend's snow perhaps challenges that statement. It was interesting getting our biggest snow of the year on Easter weekend. It has been awhile since I've put fingers to keyboard on this blog. I've started a couple of times but the words just didn't come. Fortunately, I've been sufficiently motivated to write now because of an important bill currently in Congress that affects all of us who are motorcyclists. (It actually affects many, many more Americans who enjoy skiing, horseback riding, and riding their ATVs.)

Two identical bills have been introduced in Congress (House and Senate bills 616) that can fix a health care/insurance glitch that affects motorcyclists and some other users of recreational equipment. The problem arose from the HIPPA legislation signed by President Clinton and interpreted by the Health & Human Services Department. The intent of the legislation, among much, much more, was to prohibit the insurance industry from discriminating against various subgroups, including motorcyclists. The AMA (American Motorcycle Association) was heavily involved in crafting the original language protecting motorcyclists. Unfortunately, after passage of the law the interpretation by HHR actually ended up doing the opposite and we are all currently under rules that could allow our insurance companies to refuse coverage for injuries sustained while participating in a legal activity. As I noted, this problem covers other activities besides motorcycles such as horse back riding and skiing.

The fix to this problem is in the form of two bills currently finding their way through Congress. If you go to the Rapid Response site on the AMA’s website (http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/rapidresponse.asp), you can send letters/email to our State Senators and local Representative supporting the two bills. There are two links: 1 for the Senate bill and 1 for the House bill. Please take a few moments and send the correspondence to each section of Congress. It is very, very easy to do and can yield great benefit for us as motorcyclists.

If you don’t think this is an important issue, try this:

1) Close your eyes and visualize yourself having a nice Sunday ride down the Parkway. Really get into it. Notice the fresh smells of spring and the gorgeous colors beginning to pop up everywhere. Feel the slight cool breeze on your face as you move smoothly in and out of curves. Got it?

2) O.K., now while you are there, quickly catch a glimpse of the oncoming truck and camper and see it as it clips the side of your bike sending you off the road and over the edge of the shoulder. Be aware of the pain and wonder what happened to your passenger. Uh, doesn’t feel quite as good now…

3) Move the scene ahead to where you have been in the hospital for several weeks recovering from your injuries. Oh yeah, you’re out of work and have expended all of your sick leave so you have no income at this point. Still feeling o.k.?

4) Finally, see yourself opening correspondence from your insurance company in which they DENY PAYMENT FOR ALL OF YOUR MEDICAL SERVICES simply because YOU WERE RIDING A MOTORCYCLE!

This is the exact possibility that faces you now! Your insurance company can legally do this to you NOW! It has happened many times across the country already. (The AMA does a good job of monitoring this stuff and reporting it back to the membership.) So, if you want to take steps to insure that this doesn’t happen to you, please take 5 minutes and follow the link listed above and click on “Take Action”. You don’t have to know their addresses. Everything is pretty much done for you on the website including having written the letter.

Take care and keep the rubber side down!

--Cecil

Snow, Snow, and More Snow!

2006-02-13T18:36:00.000-05:00

Well, I could show you a picture of my Harley under "glass" but that would just be depressing showing a snow covered motorcycle. Since snow is the big topic around here right now, I thought I'd just share the following information from our enjoyment of the winter weather...

After having finally resolved my wireless network woes of yesterday and today, I was able to upload the images from our little sojourn to Stephen’s Creek yesterday. Nick, Jane, Kathy, and I rode up to see what the weather was like on the northern end of the county. Let me tell you, it was definitely different! From the minute we entered the gorge, we were in a winter wonderland. It was still snowing some 24 hours after the storm had officially arrived. I-40 was pretty clear and traffic was moving o.k. and the secondary roads were in pretty good shape. As soon as we turned off the State maintained road at Stephen’s Creek, 4 wheel drive seemed like a good idea. You can see the images at this link:

Click Here .

There are a couple of images in this series that really were taken at our house and you’ve probably already seen them. I haven’t figured out how to get them out of this series yet.

We measured 9” of snow at Debbie’s while we were visiting. She and the dogs were taking the storm pretty well in stride. Clancy, the greyhound, is still getting over the attack he suffered a couple of weeks ago . His back and neck are full of staples where the surgeon had to pull the skin back up and together. Floyd, one of her German Shepherd/Pyrenhees mixes was shot the other night and has to stay pretty much immobile for a month until his wounds heal. She certainly has a house full of ill dogs at the moment. But, it was gorgeous out there. She had a nice fire going and excellent views of the snow covered cove behind the house. (I failed to get a picture of that… ). As an update, Debbie called Jane early this morning and it was STILL snowing. She had received another 3” to 4” inches bringing her up to about a foot of snow. Nick found reports of 41” on Mt. LeCont in the Park.

While I’m somewhat on the topic of injured animals… As I was leaving work today and crossing the street at Wachovia, I noticed traffic piling up going into Bi-Lo’s. I watched for a moment and saw a raccoon ambling about stopping traffic. It didn’t seem fazed by the traffic (bad sign) and didn’t seem to be going anywhere purposeful. I came back by there a few minutes later and traffic was still trying to get around it. I stopped and watched it for a couple of more minutes and you could tell that it was pretty ragged, undernourished, and oblivious to what was going around it. I was afraid some well meaning tourist would decide to get out and help it but, fortunately, they didn’t. I’m pretty sure it was rabid based on how it was behaving. I called the police to see if they had any calls on it and they had not. The dispatcher was going to send Animal Control down to corral it. You don’t see that every day in town… 

So, this didn't have much to do with motorcycling but I did enjoy being out and about in my 4-wheeler! The weather is supposed to improve by Wednesday of this week and Spring can't be far behind!

--Cecil

A Motorcyclist's Second Best Friend?

2006-01-09T19:19:00.000-05:00

Man's "best friend" has for many eons been considered the dog. The constant companionship and unflagging dedication of dogs to men (and women) has been well noted throughout our written and oral histories. So, if dogs are man's best friend, what rates as the second best friend? I imagine that we could get some pretty solid arguments going in support of various other things/people to rate as second best.

For argument's sake, let me pose this question. What is always present whenever a motorcyclists takes to the road? What can start out enveloping you in comfort and, in a very short time, turn nasty, dark, and angry and challenge you to complete your journey? What, in fact, can many times prevent that journey? Well, if your answer to all 3 of those questions was "a spouse!", you might be right but I'll wager that more often than not the answer to that question is "The Weather!"

How many of us consult our local gurus before we ride? How many of us watch the 11:00 p.m. weather to see if "gee, maybe I can ride work tomorrow..."? How many of us study at our own observations through the years in making decisions whether to mount up? "Uh, gee dear, those rhododendron leaves are really curled tight today and that usually means the temperature is below freezing..."

I certainly will lay claim to being a "weather nut" and looking at all the data, radar and images that I can find when deciding to get the Ultra out. I've made decisions (some good, some bad) when it comes to deciding if a ride should go on as scheduled. I've studied prevailing westerlies, 24 hour satellite images, and historical wind flow patterns in trying to determine if that little patch of moisture is going to go west of the Smokies or east of the Smokies.

I really must admit that I've always had a feeling that if I just knew a little bit more information, I could REALLY tell the weather! Our local weather guru always says that "your weather is what is on your fence post." Well, I've taken that to heart and can now tell you EXACTLY what my weather is... except it isn't on a fence post. It is located on the top of my house! My lovely really, really "best friend" finally consented (or was worn down...) and I now have my very own weather station proudly spitting out data from the roof of the house.

The station went into service on January 8, 2006 and went live on the internet on January 9, 2006. So, I'm happy to share my little piece of the weather prognostication game. You may see my weather by going to our club's opening page at Blue Ridge Thunder or by going to Weather Underground and doing a search for our zip code (28786). The station ID is KNCWAYNE3.

So, check out the weather on "my fence post" and we'll all get together and talk about it and if all the cards fall out right, we'll go RIDE!

--Cecil

Happy New Year 2006!

2006-01-01T11:43:00.000-05:00

As we get started on a new calendar year, I wanted to wish each and every one of you a safe and enjoyable upcoming riding season. I know that with the temperatures floating around in the upper 20's in the mornings and only reaching the mid-40's during the day, it is hard to get out and ride. I really find myself appreciating days like yesterday where the skies were blue and the temperature reached into the 50's. I had a short but very enjoyable ride home from the shop.

The Ultra has been "visiting" with the guys in the shop for a week or so while they figure out the cause of some mysterious "finger prints" that seem to have appeared UNDER THE PAINT on my tank. I almost think we could get a print and run it through the FBI's database to see who, if anyone, touched the tank before painting and forgot to clean up behind themselves. At any rate, I have a long standing tradition of having a New Year's Day ride and I didn't want to break that record this year so I picked up my bike yesterday and will get out after my lunch of black eyed peas, cornbread, and greens for a spin. As I write this, the sun is out in force, the clouds are high and thin, and the temperature is approaching 50 degrees. Maybe I can entice Kathy out for the annual spin...

I wish for each of you a great upcoming riding season, a renewal of old friendships, many opportunities to make new friends, and the opportunities to reach out to others who are not as lucky as you may be today!

---Cecil

Mystery Ride Returns This Sunday!

2005-05-11T08:09:00.000-05:00

Ron Johnson will usher in the return of the Sunday Mystery Ride this coming Sunday, May 15th, beginning at 1:45 p.m. All riders should meet at the Exxon station at the head of Pigeon St. in downtown Waynesville. This location is directly opposite the parking lot of First Baptist Church.

A stop for dessert is planned but you should eat lunch prior to arriving for the ride. The ride will depart at 2:00 p.m. sharp! Would you like to know where the ride is going? Well, that wouldn't be very mysterious if I told you so you'll just have to show up and ride! This is a President's Bottle Points Run.

Meanderings Of My Mind

2005-05-03T17:52:00.000-05:00

While riding the roads of Georgia and South Carolina this past weekend, I was struck by several observations. Some of them were reminders of things that I already knew but became reacquainted with; some were just plain 'ole new larnin', and others reaffirmed just some of the basic goodness of strangers that I'm fortunate enough to see on occasion.

I became reacquainted with the joy of riding. It's no secret that last year's struggles with the Softail had really dwindled my enthusiasm for riding. Being out and about on the Ultra this weekend was just about as good as it gets. Good friends, good rides, and especially good roads all added up to reenergizing that desire to be on the open road on two wheels. I'm pretty sure Kathy enjoyed the comforts of this ride much more than past trips to Myrtle on the Softail when she often described arriving there as "sitting on the short side of a 2X4." Even though she had a root canal the day before we left, her camaraderie and general presence on the ride made an enjoyable adventure that much more fun.

The States of Georgia and South Carolina have some gorgeous riding opportunities if you are willing to take a little longer to get from point A to point B and move away from the Interstate. US 441 to Macon was wonderful and it only got better on US 80 into Savannah. While folks at home were struggling with miserable rainy weather, we were under blue skies and comfortable temperatures enjoying the many shades of green that accompany Spring each year. Also, I learned for the first time that apparently EVERY home in rural Georgia has it's very own pond! Big ponds, little ponds, and ponds in between were a fixture of our ride. I could only imagine how happy Zeke and Orla (our Labs) would be to have ponds on our property like those we whisked by on our journey. US 64 north from the low country had much to offer in the way of trees overhanging the road, many, many opportunities to get off the bike and see some history (although we didn't really take advantage of it), and just some incredibly stress free riding - no 18 wheelers blowing you off the road, no concrete sectioned roads, no internal pressures to "get there." I greatly appreciated becoming reacquainted with the notion of "the ride's the point!" I was never in a hurry to arrive anywhere and, fortunately, our riding companions seemed to agree.

I was once again impressed with the general friendliness of all ages of people as we stopped in roadside gas stations, entertained the wait staff at restaurants, or just talked to strangers as we were loading up to move again. The enchantment of children as they gaze upon motorcycles as we go by them or as they go by us in enclosed vehicles is always a sure fire road to a smile and a wave. And, oh yeah, it didn't really seem to matter what color anybody was...

2005-05-03T17:49:00.000-05:00

Mel's May Day Ride

Mysterious Meanderings on May Day With Mel

2005-04-28T05:33:00.000-05:00

Mel Clifton will lead some two wheel meandering this Sunday, May 1st, in celebration of March's Lion finally running out of energy in very late April. Mel will lead a ride from the Big Gun in Clyde at 1:30 p.m. All riders should meet there at 1:15 p.m. and be gassed up and ready to go at 1:30 p.m.

We're not quite sure where Mel will meander to on May day so you'll just have to show up to find out. This will be a President's Bottle points ride. Please do not confuse the NASCAR points race with the President's Bottle race although it would certainly be easy to do so. I can tell that my mind is meandering now in anticipation of Sunday's planned meanderings.

See you at the Gun!

Mysterious Snow Cancels Mystery Ride!

2005-04-24T08:08:00.000-05:00

Due to snow associated with Dogwood Winter 05, today's Dessert and Mystery Ride has been cancelled. Please check back for the next scheduled ride and/or club activity.

Mystery & Dessert Ride On Horizon!

2005-04-17T22:10:00.000-05:00

Sunday, April 24th, will bring forth a Mystery and Dessert Ride for Blue Ridge Thunder. This should not be confused with a mysterious dessert ride or a deserted mystery ride. These are all drastically different types of rides.

All riders should meet at the Exxon station at the intersection of US 276 and Main St. in Waynesville at 2:00 p.m. This is across the street from the First Baptist Church and just above the Waynesville Police Department. But, hey, that's enough clues...

Remember to have eaten lunch before this ride because this is a DESSERT ride with a little mystery on top! This is a President's Bottle sanctioned ride. Can YOU catch Deanne?

April Club Meeting To Be A Cookout!

2005-04-12T15:29:00.000-05:00

The April club meeting of Blue Ridge Thunder will be held on Sunday, April 17th, at 1:30 p.m. at the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley. We will be utilizing the Pavilion for cooking, eating, and meeting.

Current weather predictions indicate a good day on Sunday so please make plans to attend this meeting and enjoy the company of your fellow club members. There may be a nominal charge per person for the meal.

Beautiful Day Wraps Around Beautiful Ride

2005-04-10T18:39:00.000-05:00

April 10th saw 13 BRT club members and 2 guests take advantage of the beautiful Sunday weather to enjoy a ride to Lake Lure and Larkin's On The Lake Restaurant. The ride departed from the Big Gun in Clyde and followed a route over parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Hickory Nut Gorge. The Gorge was packed with folks out enjoying the great Spring day. A constant stream of motorcycles kept the roads crowded.

MargaritaGrille looked as if it might have set a new record for "most bikers packed into one small place on Lake Lure." Both sides of the road were saturated with parked bikes. The next restaurant down was in about the same condition with bikes entering and departing every few seconds.

Larkin's was busy but not impossible to enter and the group enjoyed a good meal before heading back home via US 64 and I-26. At the rest stop on I-26, one curious young observer was finally coached by his Dad into sitting on Walter's bike. As we mounted up to leave, he was standing on the sidewalk waving goodbye to everyone.

Ron Johnson and Walter Noland were the Ride Captains for this ride, which was an accredited ride in the President's Bottle series of BRT club events.

Sunday Ride Planned For April 10th

2005-04-07T13:01:00.000-05:00

This Sunday, April 10th, will be a scheduled Blue Ridge Thunder ride. All riders should meet at the Big Gun in Clyde at 1:15 p.m. and be prepared to leave sharply at 1:30 p.m. for Lake Lure.

This will be a "points ride" in the President's Bottle competition!

Plans are currently underway for an April club meeting. We are looking to have a cookout at a destination yet to be determined.

Elections For Club Officers Completed

2005-03-27T17:53:00.000-05:00

The March club meeting of Blue Ridge Thunder concluded the nomination and election procedures for Officers for the coming year. Approximately 25 people attended the meeting held at Big Mountain Barbecue on March 20th.

Club member Don Wallace updated members on the coming Kyle Petty "Ride Across America." Wallace will once again join the ride at it's West Coast starting point. The ride will come through Haywood County and may stop at the Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum in Maggie. Wallace will keep members apprised of the plans as they develop.

Communications Officer Bobbye Cogburn reviewed pending plans for the "Christmas in July Poker Run" and distributed an example of the flyer for that event. She also reported that the Poker Run will be advertised in Full Throttle magazine. She also displayed a suggested design for the T-shirt for that event.

New club member Bob Gormly was welcomed to the club. Bob rides a 2004 Sportster 1200. WELCOME BOB!

Current club President, Cecil Yount, advised the attending members that all nominess for Road Captain had been declared "winners" by Presidential Decree and had been paired with each other to develop at least 2 rides per month throug November '05. The monthly assignments are as follows:

April:Ron Johnson and Walter Noland
May: Tony Ruff and Larry Clark
June: W.T. Greene and Dicky King
July: Jimmy Allen and Rusty McLean
August: Ron Hooker and Mel Clifton
September: Susan Dinniny and Nancy Johnson
October: Don Wallace and Nick Kellas
November: Richard Owen and Ron Broadway

The elected Vice-President will be responsible for coordinating with each monthly team to see that the rides are planned and that notification of the ride details are transmitted to the Communications Officer and then to the membership.

Yount then reviewed the nominees for Elected Office and distributed the ballots. The results of the election process are as follows:

President: Cecil Yount
Vice-President: Chuck Way
Secretary/Treasurer: Mary Hooker
Communications Officer: Wendy Ruff

The next club meeting will be held on the 3rd Sunday in April (April 17th)at Big Mountain Barbecue beginning at 1:30 p.m. subject to final approval by Big Mountain Barbecue.

March Club Meeting To Be Held March 20th

2005-03-13T17:17:00.000-05:00

The March meeting of Blue Ridge Thunder will be held Sunday, March 20th, beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Big Mountain Barbecue in West Waynesville. As we did last month, we will eat off of the menu. Please know that gratuities ARE NOT included in the bill so please take good care of your server when you pay your bill.

Club members will cast their votes for the 2005 elected offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Communications Officer. Numerous Road Captains were nominated and rather than have an election for that office, Club President Yount declared them all winners and named them all Road Captains for 2005. The list of names was paired up with a month during the upcoming riding season and each pair of Road Captains will be responsible for leading at least 2 rides during their assigned month. More details will follow regarding Ride Captains...

The list of nominees by office are as follows:

President: Chuck Way, Cecil Yount
Vice-President: Susan Dinniny, Lee Finger, Ron Johnson, Hugh Moody, Butch Smathers, Chuck Way
Secretary/Treasurer: Lee Finger, Mary Hooker, Nancy Johnson, Wendy Ruff, Cindy Way
Communications Officer: Bobbye Cogburn, Susan Dinniny, Lee Finger, Wendy Ruff, Cindy Way, Kathy Yount

(Please note: the Secretary/Treasurer may NOT be from the same household or have a primary relationship as spouse or significant other.)

Members who cannot attend the meeting on the 20th but wish to vote, should contact either Cecil or Kathy Yount to obtain an official ballot in time for the ballot to be returned by the Sunday meeting. All ballots are due to current Secretary/Treasurer Mary Hooker by the end of the meeting on March 20th.

Didn't Make It To Daytona? Try This

2005-03-06T09:39:00.000-05:00

So you didn't make the big trip south, uh? Well, you're not alone. Folks often inquire of me if Kathy and I are going to Daytona or, after the fact, did we go to Daytona. I always have the same answer... "No." Whether it is the time of year, lack of funds, unwillingness to use up vacation days when other more appealing trips are on the horizon, we just never have felt the draw to Daytona for Bike Week. I'd be a rich man if I had a nickle for everytime someone, who has been to Daytona, came up to me and said, "Man, never again. I couldn't ride, I couldn't sleep, and everywhere lines, lines, lines." As an aside, this is also the reason we quit going to Myrtle Beach Bike Week. I just got tired of sitting in high heat behind a dump truck spewing diesel fumes on the bypass and knowing that I wasn't going anywhere in the next hour. I knew it was my last trip when we sat in line trying to get across the old Air Force base. Nope, too many other places to ride and NOT sit in a long, hot line.

At any rate, if you didn't go to Daytona and want to get a small Daytona Fix, try this link... Bike Week"

February Meeting In The Bag!

2005-02-17T19:16:00.000-05:00

An excellent turnout of Blue Ridge Thunder members and guests met on Sunday, February 13th at the Big Mountain Barbecue to enjoy some excellent food and begin planning for the upcoming riding season. Approximately 24 folks came together for the meeting.

Blue Ridge Thunder is pleased to welcome new members Nick Kellas and Donna Forga to the club. Nick and Donna ride a Road King. We were also pleased to have Bob Gormly join us for the meeting.

During the business portion of the meeting, current Club President Cecil Yount attempted to have the annual discussion of what went well and what needed improvement in the last year. Obvious strengths noted were the excellent turnout for the annual Toy Run and the hard work that club members put into that event. Suggestions for improvement included more rides and more participation by members.

Yount introduced the plan for election of new officers for the upcoming year. A list of members from last year was passed around and nominations for this coming year were made on paper by individual members and left with club Secretary/Treasurer Mary Hooker. The nominees are being tallied and will be presented to club members prior to or at the next club meeting in March. If you missed the meeting and would like to nominate someone for any of the offices (President, Vice-President, Sec/Treasurer, Communications Officer, Road Captains), you may send an email to cecil.yount@charter.net or by calling the club Hotline and leaving a messasge.

Yount also suggested to the club members the establishment of a Member of the Year acknowledgement based upon a points system developed by Yount and his wife, Kathy. Members would earn points based upon participation in club events/rides, willingness to assist in preparing for club events, etc. The award of Member(s) of the Year would be held at the annual club Christmas Party in December. A monetary award would be made from fees generated from the monthly 50/50 drawing and/or other fund raising efforts. Further details will be made available at the next club meeting. Points will be awarded for attendance at the March meeting.

The next club meeting will be held the 3rd Sunday in March (20th) at Big Mountain Barbecue beginning at 1:30 p.m. Once again, the restaurant will be open only to club members/guests and we will eat off of the menu. Gratuties are NOT included in your bill so please keep your servers in mind as you depart.

New Ride, New Challenges!

2005-02-09T19:21:00.000-05:00

I'm finding out all kinds of new challenges in owning the Ultra. I've even discovered some muscle groups that have apparently lain dormant for several years(decades?). I'm reacquainting myself with how hard it is to push anything on gravel and I'm REALLY rediscovering that trying to move 800 plus pounds up the slightest incline can lead to a really good sweat!

The new Ultra is everything that I dreamed of and expected when moving more than 5 miles per hour. Below that speed has proven to be more exhausting than I anticipated. Comparing it to trying to move the old Custom is, well, useless. There is no comparison! I used to be able to overcome that pebble in the way but, NO WAY NO MORE! It is amazing how a tiny, tiny pebble can be such a resistant force. I've dismounted the Ultra more than once to try and find the boulder that was keeping me from backing up.

I've certainly reminded myself of the importance of stopping and surveying parking areas before I go pulling into places. I've also retaught myself about the bad relationship between the front brake, gravel, and having the handlebars turned ever so slightly to one side or the other.

So, if you're out riding in the near future and you see a 2005 UltraClassic turned upside down and just two legs showing, please "honk your horn". It's only me practicing again...

BRT Club Meeting Postponed

2005-01-29T16:20:00.000-05:00

Due to the ongoing inclement weather, the BRT club meeting set for 01/30 at 1:30 p.m. HAS BEEN POSTPONED until Sunday, February 13th at 1:30 p.m. The meeting location will continue to be Big Mountain Barbecue in West Waynesville.

Members To Gather For Barbeque...

2005-01-21T18:04:00.000-05:00

The January 2005 club meeting of Blue Ridge Thunder will be held on Sunday, January 30th, at 1:30 p.m. at Big Mountain Barbeque in West Waynesville. The restaurant is located across from the old Dayco plant site and next to Clyde's Restaurant.

The restaurant will be closed to normal business and only available to Blue Ridge Thunder members and guests. Food will be ordered off of the regular menu.

This will be the first meeting of a new year and all members' dues are currently due.

See you there for some good eatin' and greetin'!

Cecil

American Motorcyclists' Association

2005-01-14T19:31:00.000-05:00

If you haven't had an opportunity to drop by the AMA's website, click on the word AMA .

Fair Weather Rider?

2005-01-14T10:41:00.000-05:00

One of my New Year's resolutions was to cut back on my work hours and spend more time enjoying non-work activities. Yes, getting the new UltraClassic definitely qualifies as non-work enjoyment! My plan has been to find ways to enjoy Fridays more, which includes riding the bike more often. Last Friday was wonderful as I managed to get in some quality time in the saddle.

With the weather returning to more seasonal temperatures and conditions this Friday, I find myself contemplating just how much of a fair weather rider I might have become. With the snow swirling outside the window as I write this, I'm pretty sure that the new bike will get to stay dry (if not warm) in it's enclosure. My F-150 (with great heating and sound systems) sitting between me and the bike seems somewhat more appealing right now plus I don't have to worry about damaging the new bike if two wheels just aren't enough in this weather.

So, fair weather rider? Well, yeah, today I am. I hope it is a transient condition...

2005-01-09T23:13:00.000-05:00

Club Members at Hooters!

2005-01-09T23:10:00.000-05:00

Waiting on the Wings!

2005-01-09T11:13:00.000-05:00

2005 UltraClasssic Finds Home!

Potpourri of January Smells

2005-01-08T16:33:00.000-05:00

Kathy and I took advantage of the unexpectedly warm January weather to get out on the new Ultra today and work off those first 50 miles of breakin at low speed. We were rewarded with reminders of all the great smells that accompany any ride on the bike. Some were less than pleasant (recently fertilized field on NC 215 as you enter Canton) while others moved us to the other end of the pleasantness continuum ( man mowing his grass on January 9th).

The smell of money was in the air (emissions around Blue Ridge Paper) and, when we would slow or come to a stop, the smell of newness enveloped us as the new bike baked off the production processes. Fortunately, we did not have to experience the smells of diesel powered vehicles as we just didn't seem to be around any today. I've often thought that the smells of Fall are some of my very favorites but, I must admit, that enjoying the smells of early January was pretty neat also.

As I write this, I'm looking foward to the smells of Hot Wings at Hooters tomorrow and the smells of a new season that are just around the corner. From my vantage point, the sense of smell might just be one of the best riding partners any of us have on our trips here and there.

Cecil

Hot Wing Ride Announced!

2005-01-08T11:57:00.000-05:00

This Sunday, January 10th, we will have a ride to Hooters of Asheville to enjoy some fine 3 mile island hot wings. All members should meet at the Big Gun in Clyde at 1:15 p.m. and be prepared to leave sharply at 1:30 p.m.

See you there!

Cecil

2005-01-07T16:52:00.000-05:00

Blue Ridge Thunder Members Patch

Welcome To The Blue Ridge Thunder Blog!

2005-01-07T16:32:00.000-05:00

As we enter our 12th year of being together, I look forward to adding another element to our overall communications network. The purpose of this blog is to encourage club members to interact with each other around various club topics and events. My hope is that we will keep a running commentary about club events that will encourage an increased interest in riding, meeting, and enjoying the fellowship of the club.

Please take the time to create your account so that you can participate in this on-line adventure and, by doing so, add to the overall health of our club.