Ride Report - GirlRiders Memorial Day adventure, from my perspective

[acalliste]

I thought everyone was aware of everything that happened on this trip, but apparently that is not the case. Therefore, here the ride report I posted on the other forums for people who weren't there or who may have missed some things that happened.


I took a trip up to north Georgia with GirlRiders for Memorial Day weekend (and some lucky guys who got to tag along). We stayed at some nice cabins in Suches, and rode around the area for a few days. I didn’t get as much riding in as I would have liked since my bike chose this opportunity to have its charging system flip out, but more about that in a minute.

Some of the group arrived on Thursday and got a bit of riding in early. I didn’t get there until Friday evening, so my first day of riding this trip was Saturday. The plan was to ride from Suches to Morganton, around and over to Robbinsville, then back down to Suches. The morning is a little foggy and the roads are a bit wet, but not a big deal.

We had a nice little ride, split into two groups at first, then three when the crazy fast people (Claus, Ken, Teresa, Tasha, Fugi) split off on their own. We met back up at a gas station before the Cherohala Skyway.

We went along this road for a while, having an absolute blast. We (group 2) had caught up with the first group, who had stopped to meet us. When got back on the road, I looked down and saw that my gauge lights were flashing wildly, the tach was sweeping back and forth, and the speedometer was flashing “00”. It did this for about 5 seconds, then went back to normal. “Whew” I thought, “that was weird”, thinking it sorted itself out. But then it happened again. Then went back to normal, but freaked out again. By this time, I’m starting to worry because there is no safe place to stop on this road. Nothing but one blind turn after another and no shoulder, except for the occasional scenic overlook. When I began to feel the power cutting out, I knew I needed to find one of these areas. Thankfully one appeared a few seconds later, and I pulled into it. My bike died as I pulled the clutch in and I coasted to a stop.

Hopping off, I become aware of a horrible smell, kind of like a paper mill. There is steam or smoke coming out from under my seat. Some of the people I was riding with stop with me (others were ahead and hadn’t figured out anything was up yet). I turn the key back on and there is no power at all. Ok, something definitely wrong with the battery. Someone has a 5mm allen wrench, and we get the seat off. There is steam and liquid spewing from the vent in the battery. It’s toast.

So here I am on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere with a broken bike. I have no cell phone service, from where I’m standing anyway. However there is a deck that goes pretty high, and when I climb to the top I have a bit of service. We decide that everyone else will continue on the ride, since lunch is only about 15 -20 miles away in Robbinsville and there’s no sense in everyone hanging out there with me. Lauren said she would stay, and I’d call for help and have that help either find me here or meet everyone in Robbinsville and they could lead them back up to me.

Now to figure out what help I could contact. I have a membership to ROK, with roadside assistance, so I called them first. But for some reason they can’t take GPS coordinates, which is all I have. There’s no address up here! I also called my SO, but we can’t keep a very good phone connection. Between a few words here and there, and text messages, I give him my GPS coordinates and he also finds the address to the restaurant everyone is at and he gets on the road with the trailer to find me. But he’s at least 2 hours away. Oh well, we are in a beautiful spot, there’s a picnic table and a little shade, and we have some water. We strip down to our under armor and settle in for the wait.

A group of cruiser riders pulled up as we lounged there. Who knows what they thought, with a gsxr750 and a ZX10 parked there, and two women in their underwear laying in the grass under the trees. Hahaha…

Suddenly one of the guys appears on his girlfriend’s ZX10 and the battery from his bike in his backpack. He thought if we could get some power to my bike, we could bump it and at least ride it down. However the battery is too tall and whoever rides it has to basically hold the seat down with their butt. I didn’t feel comfortable doing that, so he rode it that way and I rode his girlfriend’s bike back down.

Back at the restaurant, the bikes and batteries are restored to their rightful owners, and I settle in to wait for my SO to come and rescue me. We picked up a new battery on the way back to the cabin, and it seems like I am good to go.



We decided to ride to Deals Gap the next morning. I have never been there and didn’t want to miss the chance, so we headed out again on wet roads and this time under a little misty rain, and our way out is down the technical end of Wolf Pen Gap. The weather doesn’t seem to be getting any worse, though, so it should be a good day.

Until we stop. Then I notice that weird smell again. I look at the bike and there’s steam coming out from the under the seat once more. I felt like screaming. What the hell is wrong with this POS? Pull the seat off, and the new battery is steaming from the vents, though not as bad as the first one when I noticed it. Check the power and we still have it. Maybe the regulator/rectifier is overheating in its retarded place behind the radiator? One of the guys unbolts it and zip-ties it on the side of the engine where it can get some air. I rinse the steaming acid off, put the seat back on and we decide to make a run for Wheelers, about 10 miles away. We stopped once and I turned the bike off to let it cool, but when we try to leave it won’t start. Fine, we can bump start it, but they warn me to keep the RPMs as low as possible. Less than 4k, preferably around 2 or 3. Well, this bike hates low revs. Wreaks all kinds of havoc with the ECM, but I guess I can deal with that rather than a blown up battery under my butt. It’s painfully slow going, with the bike lurching and running like shit the entire way.

Finally we make it to Wheelers, he’s open and I roll up to a bay with an empty lift. Thank goodness, he can get right on it. He ended up putting a new regulator/rectifier and a new battery in it. My headlights don’t work now either, so he finangled a way to make them work, basically connecting the headlight fuse to the turn signal fuse with a wire. And curiously, now the lowbeams come on when the switch is set to highbeam and vice-versa. But at least they work, keeping me legal. $300 and about 2.5 hours later, I’m down the road headed for The Dragon!

Katie had waited with me, and now we ride to meet up with everyone else. They had already run up and down The Dragon a few times, so just me, Katie and her husband went up as far as we could go, to the road block and back. The road is pretty wet with an occasional dry patch, and about halfway up, the rain starts. By the time we headed back down, it was really raining hard, and the road is soaked, with puddles in some places. The good thing was, there was hardly anyone else out there. Still, I tip-toed around every corner. After the weekend I was having, I wasn’t about to push my luck in any way. It was good to just get through it without anything going wrong. And the bike was actually running pretty good, seemed happy.

We hung out for a while, checked out the tree of shame (I really wanted to hang my old rectifier from it, but decided to keep it to give to the dealer to see if they’d warranty it), the gift shop and restaurant. Then got back on the road. I stopped by Wheelers on the way out to pick up my battery which I was going to return, and headed home. However, every time we stopped all the way home, I noticed the bike was harder to start. Finally the battery became weak enough that it wouldn’t start the bike, so we went back to bump starts. For some reason, the battery wasn’t being charged at all. But I made it back to the cabin, riding through a torrential downpour in the process, and the group taking a couple of wrong turns. That was one of the longest rides of my life, or at least felt like it. Sheesh.

When we returned home, we dropped the bike off at the dealer to let them deal with it. Hopefully they can get it back to something like normal (at least whatever “normal” is for this crazy bike).

Despite the technical difficulties, I still had a blast on my second trip to north Georgia and my first trip to the dragon.

[LaurenOE]

Ok, now for my ride report.
Being one of the ride leaders for this get together and being that I had changed my ZX10R’s suspension for this trip, I decided to get to Georgia one day early to settle things out and get re-acquainted with the roads up in Georgia. Sure, I had taken my ZZR1200 up from Florida a week or two before, but my sport bike was a different animal and I needed to get back in the “groove”. My ZX10R is so different from my ZZR1200.

I got to the cabins Thursday, settled in and woke up Friday morning ready to get everything dialed in. The majority of folks were coming later in the day, and later in the day I had committed to making my famous chicken cutlets for our group dinner. Bill was also a ride leader, so he too was eager to get his “Mountain Legs” back under him.

We headed out Friday morning and down Wolf Pen over to Blood Mountain and into Dahlonega. I picked up some personal items at the drug store. As we were getting ready to leave, Bill wanted to head directly back to Suches via 60. I wanted to take the same way back to Suches, over Blood Mountain, and I wanted to be alone, and maybe take it up a notch.

On the way back, I pulled a bone-head-double-yellow-pass on a really slow mini-van, right in front of a Lumpkin Sheriff. The pass was clean and safe and the only real issue was that it was a double yellow, and it was in front of a Sheriff. Oh well.

Back at the cabin, and knowing everything was dialed in with the ZX10R, I took my shower, and met some of the folks who arrived. In the late afternoon, I got into Suzi – er – Kawi homemaker mode and make my chicken cutlets. 10 pounds of chicken and a TON of cooking and I was ready to socialize with the folks who had arrived all through the afternoon. We waited for the folks that got caught in Memorial Day Traffic, and then all ate a late dinner in the meeting place across the field, and everyone, together for the first time, relaxed and made merry.

The rider’s meeting at 8:00 on Saturday was actually at 8:00. I was happy that on Friday, the folks who had come had done intro laps of the area. Just about everyone at the rider’s meeting was prepared for what the day was to hold. All the ride leaders and Katie and Tammy spoke about the day’s expectations and everyone was very receptive. I had to pick the folks that were going to ride with me, and I knew not everyone would be happy. At around 8:30, the meeting was over and we were off.

Personally, I’ve ridden the roads around GA/Tenn/NC so many times that I knew exactly what to expect. The route for the day was planned by me, and being the ride leader of the “fast” group meant that I’d be out in front and setting the pace.

We headed off on 60, north to Morganton. Being the ride leader, I had to set a pace that would make everyone happy, while also knowing that won’t happen. As we started to turn and burn I thought constantly about my speed and if it was too early to start to “get it over” and push it. 60 North is usually perfect, but it was the morning, and the morning brings out critters and folks who might not be expecting sport bikes to be kicking it up so early. Our group consisted of the folks that I thought would be faster, but I had no real way of knowing when I picked the group. The last thing I wanted was something to go wrong so early in the morning, so I took it down a notch or two and made for a brisk pace up 60. Ken on his Yamaha was right on my tail, and it appeared that everyone was well spaced behind him, but other than that, I was focused on the road ahead.

In the planning for the weekend, I had wanted to have three groups. Claus, my *usual* riding partner up in Georgia was a good choice to invite along for this weekend as he has an easy going demeanor and if, when we got to Morganton, if anyone wanted to go faster, he’d be the one to take over for those people. I trust him not to push it until someone gets’ hurt. He is responsible in the Mountains and is always a pleasure to ride with. Claus is part of a “Georgia posse” that I ride with, that consists of folks that I know from other internet forums. Riding with my “Georgia posse” has made me a better rider and almost a “snob” when it comes to riding with good people.

When we got into Morganton, I asked around and looked carefully at the people I was leading. I asked about the “pace”. Everyone said the pace was fine, but expressions don’t lie and more than a couple of folks wanted to go “faster”. I’ve been on enough group rides to know how sport bike riders are, and there is always an “Alpha” group. The “Alpha” groups are those that want to go faster, or perceived faster. Knowing the dynamic of group rides allowed me to set about a plan, a plan that was starting to come together now that some folks wanted to “pick up the pace”. I pulled Claus aside, checked with him, and then Claus took the folks who wanted to go faster and I took the rest. Being in smaller groups and not having to pick favorites as to who was “fastest” was in my plan all along and made for a safer dynamic as the “fast” group now had nothing to prove. Now, as the advertised “Fast” leader and stepping down, I could assure egos would be fine. Besides, if the group *really* wanted to go fast, Claus (to a limit) would oblige. Hey, we are sport bike riders, it’s how we are.

When Claus took off, I had the perfect group in tow. I was very happy that I would be taking three other people through some very technical sections in the coming miles. Claus, although never having ridden the section ahead would be fast enough for the fast riders and ultimately our times (his group and mine) through the technical sections would be very similar and we’d have another chance to change things up in Tellico Plains.

I had previously discussed my plan with Bill who was taking the “slow” group, that if everything worked out according to plan, we’d ALL be in Tellico Plains at about the same time, and move through the Cherohala in about the same window, to arrive at Lynne’s Place in Robbinsville and have lunch together.

Yep. We had the plan dialed in. We had “planned spontaneity” and it was working like clockwork!!

Later, according to plan, we pretty much arrived at the gas station in Tellico Plains at the same time! I love it when a plan comes together.

Once in Tellico Plains, Claus headed out first across the Cherohala, with him and his group, going to wait near the end of the Cherohala. I was going to lead the two (fast) groups when we linked up, as I knew the route to Lynne’s Place. Again, Bill and I had talked about what to reasonably expect on the Cherohala, and the time we’d actually be riding on it. We knew that Memorial Day weekend would prevent our usual burn through the Cherohala. We knew that it would be relatively slow going, so it made sense for all groups to be close by going to Robbinsville.

Sure enough, after meeting with Claus and his group on the Cherohala, they pulled in behind me, as I started to take the entire group into Robbinsville.

Turning and burning, and after passing where I could, we were finally in a section devoid of the Harleys and slow-pokes. Things were good. Tammy was behind me, as we weaved along the remaining Cherohala.

Then I looked back, and she was gone. I’ve had the feeling before. The feeling where you slow down and wait for the person that was behind you, to come around the curve you just passed. You shift down a gear or two and look in the mirrors. Then you go so slow that you sit up, and turn in the saddle to see for your own eyes, if your friend is there. Finally, you make the decision to stop. Then a second later, you make the decision to turn around and get back to the place you lost contact.

I had a sinking feeling, but knew that our speed was minimal for the conditions. There was no way the curve could have taken Tam out, but you never know. As I sped back up the Cherohala, Jenn was pulled over on the side of the road and I gave her a hand signal to stay put where she was. If Tam was in serious trouble or involved in an accident, having one of Tam’s close friends there along, might have added to some drama or hysteria. Since Jenn was in Bill’s group, and they were now coming up on our two groups, having all those bikes trying to find out what was going on would be dangerous in itself. The last thing I wanted to happen was more of my friends getting hurt. I wanted to prevent a Domino effect of people getting into trouble.

As I came to the pull off where Tam was, I saw her standing there and everyone around her bike. There was no rash on her fairings and she was moving about without pain. Relieved, I knew it was something mechanical and that my friend was fine. A broken bike, knowing the roads up in the Mountains is a HUGE relief.

Wanting to keep the plan moving along, I sent everyone down the mountain who had come back to see if Tam was alright. Bill had already known the plan, and he was taking the folks he was leading into Robbinsville and to lunch.

Tam and I were left alone to wait for help. Tam was on the phone with Scott (her man) and he’d go to Robbinsville and then when he got there, the folks who were having lunch would take him to our location and bring us back lunch. I’d get back with the group, and Tam would have her bike on the trailer and back with Scott.

An hour or less passed, as I lay under a tree in my under armor. Tam walked about taking pictures and waiting for Scott to arrive. A few Harley/Cruiser riders stopped in the pull off and seeing two women, in their “underwear” sitting off to the side made for interesting looks. Tam and I laughed at the perception of the two of us. Not a single Harley/Cruiser person came up to us to ask if we were ok. Just then, Fugi came roaring up, and had a battery for Tam to use. Fugi had taken the battery out of his bike, and rode Tasha’s ZX10R back to our location. Fugi got Tam’s bike started and I quickly got my gear back on. Fugi then rode Tam’s bike back to Robbinsville and Tam rode Tasha’s ZX10R.

Once in Robbinsville, we were united with everyone. Bill was getting his group ready to leave and had ordered me and Tam a cheeseburger. Claus was also getting his group ready. Claus knew the route back, and I volunteered to stay with Tam in Robbinsville. Bill took his group back, and Claus left with everyone else. Me and Tam waited in Robbinsville until Scott arrived.

When Scott came, Tam gave him a big hug, handed him his sandwich – actually Fugi’s sandwich – and proceeded to load up the bike. I wanted to go back the way of the route I had planned in case Claus had run into any problems. I checked to see if Scott and Tam were fine and knew their way back to Suches. There were fine.

Me, I was off. Alone, back over the Cherohala, and to make my way back to Suches. The afternoon showers had started on the Cherohala and I knew how it was going to go. Sure enough, I hit a patch or two of rain, and made my way back to Tellico Plains, down 68, to finally hit 60 outside of Morganton.

Ah, 60 from Morganton to Suches; a magical stretch of road in the late afternoon. Dry and Fast. There were hardly any cars or other folks on the road. Me and my ZX10R. Working through the gears. Alone in the zone. True magic.

I got back to the cabins with a smile on my face. Everyone had made it back. We sat around that night telling our stories of the day. Me? I was relieved that my responsibilities and my contribution to the day’s activities made everyone’s day so memorable.

When talk of Sunday, and the trip to the Dragon was bantered about, I looked across at Claus. He looked over my way. We knew we weren’t going to the Dragon. We had other plans for Sunday. Those events are kept secret. Claus, Me, John’s tree and two ZX10Rs moving through the mountains.

I love it when a plan comes together.

[acalliste]

"We're going ducking!"


Suuuuure you are!

[LaurenOE]

Originally Posted by acalliste

"We're going ducking!"


Suuuuure you are!

We had the wetsuits and all..the duckie thing was something we *were* going to do. Bill wasnt into it as much Saturday night, so the plan changed. Although...I kinda knew me and Claus might *get it on*.

[acalliste]

mm hmm... a likely story.

[ktrides2]

Can I play? In summary...

Not so fun, but good for stories:

• the Dragon in the rain
• bugs in my bead
• car sick driving to town
• broke bikes and lost girlfriends

Super Fun:

• Friends, food, laughs and more laughs
• Riding, riding, riding
• My last ride on blood mountain (I could have passed my husband and it felt SO good!)
• Brownies
• My morning walks
• Dinner alone with hubby in Dahlonega Thurs. night
• Riding, riding, riding

This goes down as one of my favorite vacations!

One regret is that I didn't move to the faster (middle) group after getting warmed up, I was feeling a bit restrained. Maybe that was for my own good! I also would have liked to make a stop or two to see the sites/views, but its SO hard to stop riding!

Fantastic time ladies!! Thanks for showing us the roads! You are the best!

[acalliste]

Next time, Katie!

[LaurenOE]

Originally Posted by acalliste

Next time, Katie!

Believe me.. the next time will be sooner than later!

I'm getting that loving feeling, whoa, that loving feeling...

[rockertom]

Good write ups folks. Enjoyed the reading. I am headed up next month for a few day of turn and burn for myself. Be like a home coming of sorts, since mountian roads is how I learned to ride. Thanks again for the reads.

[not2slow]

Originally Posted by rockertom

Good write ups folks. Enjoyed the reading. I am headed up next month for a few day of turn and burn for myself. Be like a home coming of sorts, since mountian roads is how I learned to ride. Thanks again for the reads.

Depending on the dates you chose and if you don't mind riding with a local shoot me a pm and count me in.