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A Grits Odyssey - 2003
Well, after a three-year absence, the
Squids made their way back to the Grits. As the anticipation
of the riding and getting to see people we have met on previous
trips mounted, the excitement in the motor home continued to
escalate. I for one am extremely excited to be going to Suches.
I made my first trip in 1999. It was the height of the fall foliage,
and let me tell you, it was SPECTACULAR. 
Lake Winfield Scott
Susan
and I made the trip alone that time. I had the best time of my
life that trip. It was so much fun. I won't even mention the
first place I took (Susan was second, he, he). We immediately
starting making plans to try and do this every year.
The second trip was still a good time, but I was on the sidelines
in 2000. After suffering a broken collarbone (that refused to
heal) and two ruptured discs in my back (that I worsened by falling
out of the motor home), I was so disappointed that I could not
ride. Well actually, I am sure I technically could have rode,
but due to the overwhelming amounts of Vicoden I was on, we (the
team) felt it probably wasn't a good idea. We actually had to
make a stop in Memphis at a Walgreen's and have my physician
call in a refill. We were able to recruit more people to come
on the second trip. I didn't take much convincing for Rose to
want to come. She got so tired of Susan and me talking about
it the year before. Margaret was also up for the fun and excitement
Suches has to offer.
This year was our third journey and it promised to be even more
fun that the previous adventures. We recruited yet another Squid,
Lisa for this one. 
The Grits Squids
Susan, Rose, Margaret and I rode in
the motor home for the first leg of the expedition. We picked
up Lisa in Memphis. We had her take a taxi from the Memphis International
Airport to #58 "Don't Be Cruel Lane" at the Graceland
Campground. We could have picked her up, but wanted her to struggle
with trying to tell the cab driver the street address of the
campground. I was planning on flying out of Memphis Monday afternoon
to get back to the dreary world of work and school.
We left Salinas on Sunday the 19th and finally arrived in Georgia
on Friday afternoon. 
We set up camp, unloaded the bikes,
and did what naturally came next…we RODE. This was my first
time back on the bike in over 3 years since my last accident/crash.
My riding was a little rusty, but it all came back in a hurry.
Unfortunately, my brain short-circuited when it came to the start
up operation of the bike. Susan gave really specific instructions
for starting the bikes: Gas on, choke on, put it in third and
push. Well, I thought I had the first two down, and then started
putting the bike in third. I am on the right side of the bike
and can't figure out why it isn't shifting and why I can't find
neutral. Rose quietly comes up beside me and very casually tells
me "Bubba, that's the brake". I give her a sheepish
grin and say, "I guess it's been a while, eh?" Yup,
that is for sure. Ok, so now I am on the correct side (the left
side) of the bike and am able to get the bike in third. So with
the clutch pulled in, I am on my way to find the small segment
of paved surface at the TWO-airport campground to start my adventure
and I start pushing the bike and gradually let the clutch out.
To no avail, the bike doesn't want to start for me. Rose sees
that I am still having some trouble (Is it really any wonder?),
so she again says in a less casual, more to the point manner,
"Bubba, the bike starts easier when the kill switch isn't
turned on". Again, dumbfounded (since I thought I had done
this part right), I turn the kill switch off and try again. But
alas, the third time was not a charm either. This time Susan
peels herself off her bike (it wasn't pretty) and proceeds to
start my bike for me. Finally it is started. Susan, in her own
inimitable style says "Bubba, next time, turn the F***k**g
gas on!" I try and explain (making short stories long) but
she doesn't want to hear it. Everyone is ready to ride, so let's
get this party started! It is a beautiful day, sun is shining,
and it is about 75 degrees and the Georgian roads are waiting
for us! I jumped on my Yerbi and took off with everyone to enjoy
the moment.
They said on the news that the peak fall foliage was a few weeks
ago. But, let me tell you, it was still pretty spectacular. Yes,
a few more trees were naked and there were generally less leaves
on the trees but man, it was awesome.
Also on the news, there were some threats
of a cold front coming in, and it was looking like rain on the
horizon. Needless to say, we were glued to the news (when it
was on, when we weren't riding, when we weren't at the TWO lodge
eating the most awesome food you can imagine) waiting to see
if the rain was coming on Sunday or if we were to be spared by
the Weather Gods!
Friday night at the TWO lodge was a kick back, relaxing good
time. We had an amazing meal and enjoyed the company. We turned
in early after all the fun and excitement of the day. Back at
the airport campground, the stars were shining so bright in the
night sky that you thought that you were looking at a photograph
or a painting. Saturday morning proved to be beautiful; the sun
was shining and warm. The sun rise reflecting off the fall colors
is beyond description. This trip is really an opportunity to
get back into touch with nature; far away from the hustle and
busy of city life, the monotony of work and the drudgery of school.
Today, the only thing on the agenda was to get the bikes rain
proof (in case it rained on Sunday) and to enjoy the sunshine
and ride. That is what we did…I would guess that we rode
for about 30-40 miles on Saturday.
In the evening,
we were looking forward to the blue grass band, the food and
the festivities at the lodge.
We
signed up for the 21st annual Grits Fun Run, got our maps and
the rest of our goodies. By this time, we had ourselves convinced
it wasn't going to rain until we were finished riding and on
our way up to Nashville. We retired for the night, set our clocks
back and set our alarms for 6 am to allow us time for coffee
(and tea for me), breakfast etc. and be at the lodge by 8 am
for our riders meeting and the Do-Dah parade.
I woke up Sunday morning, not to the sound of the alarm clock/coffee
maker, but to the sound of pouring rain and high winds! I wasn't
happy. But hey, we weren't going to drive 2600 miles to pout
about a little water. We jumped into our leathers and went down
to the lodge for our riders meeting at 8 am. There were more
people there than I expected. A lot of people said they weren't
going to ride if it was raining. I would have to say there were
about 100 people ready to go.
We gathered to determine our game plan. Susan's bike was happy
only in 6th gear, WFO. She was going to do what Susan does best
and ride WFO. The rest of us agreed to stay together. Rose agreed
to hold our time cards since she was the only one wearing a rain
suit with an accessible pocket. With the rain, I was uncertain
about a) my riding abilities and b) my tires, c) the wet, slick
roads etc. Susan agreed to meet us at the first check point to
make sure we weren't going to wuss out and turn around.
Once we all got going the ride was much better than I expected.
It was raining, but not as heavily as it was earlier. It was
a little warmer too. We started up GA highway 60 for 16 miles,
turned right on Skeenah Gap Road for 8 miles, left turn onto
old highway 76for 12 miles, then back onto highway 60 for the
remaining 26 miles with the finish line at the TWO lodge. I know
I took it too easy, but I didn't want to take any chances in
the rain.
About half way through, it was getting
hard to fight the urge to pass the suckers that had just passed
me. I knew I could go faster, and that I was being ultra careful,
but the little angel on my shoulder told me to stay with the
group and enjoy the ride (it wasn't a "RACE" after
all). I rode most of the time in 4th gear on the Yerbi but did
kick it up to 6th once or twice along old 76 because it was straight
and wide open and because I could. What a thrill! This Yerbi
was so fast and twitchy; it was just like riding my old superbike
(but way faster). I think I got the bug a little to race again
next year. We will see…
After the last check point, the temperature seemed to drop about
20 degrees and the rain picked up quite a bit. I am beyond feeling
my fingers and toes. I am soaking wet. My leathers must weight
at least 20 pounds wet, my gloves are dripping, my feet are wet
and I am freezing. Soon, I see a sign for Suches, 10 miles. I
take the lead and pick up the pace. I am wet and cold and need
to get to the lodge to warm up with a nice cup of hot chocolate.
I hope the others are keeping up behind me.
Finally, I carefully pull into the TWO
lodge, approximately 90 minutes from the time I started. I am
unable to get off the bike for a few moments. I am somewhat cramped
into the riding position. Even so, I have got a smile from ear
to ear. Within moments, I hear Rose, Lisa and Margaret pull in
behind me. We park our bikes and head into the lodge. This is
when we all wait to see how Ben Cheatwood decides our finishing
positions. As it turned out, Margaret was first, I was second,
Lisa was third, and Rose was fourth. Somehow, Susan ended up
with Galaxy champion. I guess the third time is a charm.
After the awards were handed out, we headed back to the airport
campground to pack up. We need to make it to Nashville tonight.
I am flying out of Memphis on Monday at 2pm, so we can't delay.
As it was, we didn't leave Suches until 4pm. It was a long drive,
but uneventful. On Monday, we made it to Memphis and I headed
to the airport to catch my flight home. It was a sad moment to
pull away in the cab knowing the fun I was going to miss on the
ride home. I would miss Beale Street. I would miss the Oklahoma
City memorial. I would miss seeing Lisa and Margaret try and
eat a 72oz state in Amarillo. Mostly, I would miss everyone.
Well, my flight was ordinary, as was my four hour
wait in Phoenix. I am home, sleeping in my own bed, and everyone
else is still in Memphis. Bummer. I hate it when good things
come to an end.
But hey, there is always next year…. |
