Busted out!!

[glwilson]

I'd guess Ray's bike will be a "cigar" color... Or at least something that will compliment the cigar... Or vice-versa.

[glwilson]

Just took the Spyder in for servicing before a ten-day run to Missouri later this month...

The temp said 38 degrees... but I think it was lying to me. With steady winds above 25 MPH coming out of the north... it was a cold ride to the dealer -- even with heated grips. Geez... I am still frozen.

I, however, happen to have something from Kentucky to warm me up.

[GIBBY]

Ten days in Missouri, you lucky devil
You know what the Dr. sez, drink plenty of fluids (Makers Mark)

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by GIBBY

Ten days in Missouri, you lucky devil
You know what the Dr. sez, drink plenty of fluids (Makers Mark)

I always pay attention to what the doctor says!

Yeah... Missouri... a Spyder rally near Springfield. They have well over 800 Spyders pre-registered to show. This one is sponsored by a dealer down there that I guess really does a good job of putting rallies on. This is their third. The first had less than 100 show... but has since grown tremendously in the last couple years to where they had to relocate where to a larger area (for hotels and etc).

Apparently Springfield, MO is putting-out the red carpet for the people putting it on... allowing the rally access to a lot of facilities, and providing security and traffic control where needed. Don't blame them I guess. It will bring quite a bit of revenue to the area -- and I am sure they hope the rally will return for several more years. Apparently people have had a great time at this rally from everything I have read about it -- so I thought I would go to see what all the noise is about. Besides, I love riding Missouri backroads.

Will also be doing solo on this trip due to Kendra still recovering from surgery.

BRP's national rally is in Maggie Valley again this year... they expect several thousand Spyders down there from what I read -- maybe more. I am surprised at how Spyders are catching-on rather fast across the country -- kind of interesting to watch -- especially since they don't give those things away.

Anyway... thought I would go down a meet a few people and rip-up a few of my favorite roads. You should see if you can come along -- room is paid for already.

[GIBBY]

As much as I would like to tag along Greg the month of May is booked solid for me. At work we are getting a new piece of equipment and I need to supervise the installation and setup. And I am expecting my first grandson around the middle of the month. Plus, I do not have and extra $25,000 to get a Spyder. You are right about them things catching on rather quickly, rumor has it that Polaris is developing a 3 wheel competitor for the Spyder. Have a great time riding and partying

[rayski271]

hey greg while your riding down in missouri keep an eye out for a rally spot for our regional next year not sure i can get down theree this year to do a scouting mission and i went with a mettalic green on the new paint and then im blacking out most of the chrome it will be my green and black monsterand i cant wait to see her

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by GIBBY

As much as I would like to tag along Greg the month of May is booked solid for me. At work we are getting a new piece of equipment and I need to supervise the installation and setup. And I am expecting my first grandson around the middle of the month. Plus, I do not have and extra $25,000 to get a Spyder. You are right about them things catching on rather quickly, rumor has it that Polaris is developing a 3 wheel competitor for the Spyder. Have a great time riding and partying

May? I am leaving on the 23rd of April!

Besides, plenty of motorcycles go also. Not everyone is on a Spyder...

I am not planning on going on any of the rally-rides, but rather taking off on my own. There are some roads I haven't been on since the sports car days that I want to cover again.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by rayski271

hey greg while your riding down in missouri keep an eye out for a rally spot for our regional next year not sure i can get down theree this year to do a scouting mission and i went with a mettalic green on the new paint and then im blacking out most of the chrome it will be my green and black monsterand i cant wait to see her

Green & black... That should look great, but might not match the cigar!

I plan hitting quite a few roads I have been on before to see if they are as good as I remember - and their condition. My favorite Missouri roads are a bit further east of where I will be, but if I get bored I may leave a day early and hit those roads as I wander back home.

I already have a good idea where you might consider, but will try to confirm it and then report back to you.

[GIBBY]

Originally Posted by glwilson

May? I am leaving on the 23rd of April!

Besides, plenty of motorcycles go also. Not everyone is on a Spyder...

I am not planning on going on any of the rally-rides, but rather taking off on my own. There are some roads I haven't been on since the sports car days that I want to cover again.

For some reason I thought that you had mentioned May in a post some months ago, could be my memory is starting to slide. Late April and most of May is not a time that I can get away from work. Our slow months are in the summer, which happens to work out very well for me. Sure do wish I could make it cause we have similar riding styles, FAST. Sure hope everything works out for Kendra, say hi to her for me.

[jendesigner]

Originally Posted by glwilson

I already have a good idea where you might consider, but will try to confirm it and then report back to you.

Greg could you let me know the roads or area you will have in mind after you get back? I'm riding down to a rally in Arkansas at the end of May, will take slab down but taking my time coming back, would like to check out Missouri roads more. Have a good trip.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by jendesigner

Greg could you let me know the roads or area you will have in mind after you get back? I'm riding down to a rally in Arkansas at the end of May, will take slab down but taking my time coming back, would like to check out Missouri roads more. Have a good trip.

Hey Jen... I certainly will. The area I used to go to many years ago was in the area north, slightly northeast of Poplar Bluff, MO.

I used to camp at Johnson Shut-ins State Park. You can look that up on Google and find it. (Unfortunately many years ago a dam broke and caused major damage to a billion year-old rock formation in the river there that was unbelievable to hang around while the water rushed over them -- like a natural jacuzzi.) Elephant Rock State Park in in the area, as well as some others.

Anyway... all of the "alphabet roads" in that area were really great riding with sweeping curves up and down the many bluffs.

EDIT: I am not sure of the type of riding you like to do... I like to ride and NOT sightseeing so much. Those that like to stop at every bluff, bar, restaurant, and etc would be sorely disappointed with that area. Besides the beautiful parks to stop at, there isn't a lot else to do but ride -- which is why it appeals to me. No offense to those that do not like the same thing.

[jendesigner]

Thanks! Looked the area up on Google, looks like a great area to ride, which is what I'm looking for too. It will be prefect for the ride back, never in a hurry to get back to Illinois roads :-( I'm going to a rally in Harrison Ar, (which have some of my my favorite roads) so that way back will work out perfect.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by jendesigner

Thanks! Looked the area up on Google, looks like a great area to ride. It will be prefect for the ride back, never in a hurry to get back to Illinois roads :-(

Not sure what we did wrong Jen to be assigned to live in Illinois. At least we aren't in the "real" flat states of Iowa, Florida, Nebraska and such.

On a rally once; a guy from Florida told me he didn't feel comfortable on the roads we were on because of all the curves and turns. He said the most curves he ever saw were when he was turning in and out of the gas pumps!

EDIT: There is a group of people in the NCR that have gathered over the last several years to ride once in a while. Typically when you want to do a scouting-ride or something similar you can count on these same few people showing up consistently. These people are very good riders and like to ride-hard more than just hanging-out and sight-seeing. Rayski, Gibby, Stretch are three of them I can think of off the top of my head. For these guys, that area would be fun. (My statements are not intended to exclude or offend anyone here -- as there are several more riders I would include in the group of what I consider to be good riders. I only was mentioning the few that have been meeting to ride as far back as 2008.)

However, for those that prefer the social aspects of a rally more than riding, they might not like the area much -- who knows. I have learned that rally's bring a lot of different types of rider preferences; and it is difficult to provide something for everyone. It is too bad we can't put together a posse to ride through these areas to scout it out. Maybe we can...

[GIBBY]

Originally Posted by glwilson

It is too bad we can't put together a posse to ride through these areas to scout it out. Maybe we can...

Did someone mention scouting posse? That would be a great idea for later in the season, say mid to late October.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by GIBBY

Did someone mention scouting posse? That would be a great idea for later in the season, say mid to late October.

It might be fine for someone with heated seat, grips and clothes!!!

Besides... thought you were going to Antlers... thought that was around that time.

For me... while I like to ride, I also don't like to freeze, and late October can get "iffy" on weather... at least when we get back to the northern area when heading home.

But we can see..