| Arriving into Suches Georgia was a breathtaking experience. From the very twisty roads to the beautiful scenery. The fall colors were in full spectrum. The reds, yellows, oranges and fading greens were incredibly awesome. We arrived at dusk, and found the T.W.O. campground without too much difficulty. We were immediately greeted by GT, our congenial host for the weekend activities. Since T.W.O. is a "two wheels only" campground, and only offered one hook up for motorhomes' ( towing anything with two wheels was ok), we were sent to the "annex" of T.W.O.,...a lovely area only 1/2 mile up the road at the local airport. As the grounds at T.W.O. were getting a little crowded, other campers were setting up shop here as well. We set up at the annex for the night, and decided to take it easy. We were pretty tired from driving all day, and exploring the Jack Daniels Distellery in Lynchburg, TN that morning. There were plenty of offers for dinner and live music, but opted for relaxation. Woke up Saturday morning ready to explore the breakfast option as well as the local terrain and our fellow riders. Also, I was anxious to unload the bikes and get them cleaned up after a 2600 mile trek across the USA. As a result, we got off to a late start, we barely made it to breakfast...but Britt, our hostess for the weekend, was more than kindly willing to whip something up for us. We kept a tab running, which was very convenient. At breakfast we met up with John and his girlfriend and made arrangements for an afternoon ride. I am all excited. This is really my first opportunity to ride on the street. Basically, I have only ever really ridden on a race track. The ride was exhilerating, and really started to gear the excitement up for the main ride on Sunday. In preparation, we joined our fellow riders at the main T.W.O. campground for dinner and a live bluegrass band. Dinner was awesome, and the music was terrific as well. We met a lot more people that night. Watched some people taking "dance" lessons. A few even tried their hand at playing spoons. The comaraderie was wonderful. Forgot to mention that it was a Halloween party Saturday night. Few people wore costumes. Since Suches was in a dry county, a few people brought beer and wine to share with everyone. It was all very homestyle. Thank goodness it was the end of day light savings time. We got an extra hour to sleep that night. After getting to bed late, the extra hour was welcomed. Sunday morning came soon enough. Up at the crack of dawn. After getting the bikes fueled, we headed down the hill to get our selves fueled. They were serving biscuits and gravy, and grits. Seemed only right. There were alot of people starting to filter through. I was glad we did our registration stuff the night before. It was one less thing to think about. Riders meeting began at 8:30 am. Our gracious race director, Ben Cheatwood, was most thorough and humourous. Us newbies were sworn in, and some advice given. Finally, it is time to line up the bikes. Gear on, bikes started and warming up, we head to the "grid", which is actually just the side of the road. The friendly Sheriff, "Mac", stopped traffic as each set of riders took off. The time was entered on our time cards, and off we were to our first check point station. Wow. Cool. I was taking it a little bit easy at first, staying close and following to figure out what street riding was all about. The twists and turns were exhilerating. By the first check point, I was pretty comfortable on the bike and on the road. Susan and I were switching positions frequently, (I had just a little more top end, he,he) and then I got running with a guy on a nsr, gry leathers. Before I knew it, I was leading and out of the corner of my eye I see Susan slow down. I am wondering if something happened to the bike (not likely) or to Susan (even less likely), so I am fiquring I went off course. After a few minutes when no other 50's passed, I knew I went off course. So, I turn around, head back up the hill, just in time to see a flock of 50's turning down the road I missed. Now, I need to kick it up a notch. Gotta catch up to Susan. As I continue to pass people, I am a little more watchful of the red turn arrows to signal the direction of the course. Thankfully, I come up on a group of NSR's that are turning, so I slow down, confirm the arrow (this time I saw it), and continued on my way. Never once did I even think about using the mile markers they gave us on the course sheets. I've never riden enduro style before. I didn't know what any of that stuff meant. I am flying by this point. I keep thinking I see people ahead...so I've got to catch up. As I am pulling out to pass a truck going up hill, I notice to the side of the road, the second check point. I brake, duck in behind the truck, get my time on my card, and take off again. Before I know it, I am all by myself. The engine is trying to seize (left it held wide open just a little too long). I know I am more that half way through the course. I keep my fingers crossed, hoping that I don't have to walk the bike. Then engine never lets me down. A guy catches up to me...he thinks he is lost, and somehow he thinks that I know where I am going. Ha! That's a joke. The blind leading the blind. Soon, we are the main highway ( the same one we drove in on). I am familiar with this portion of the road. I start to rail again (still with my fingers crossed that I don't screw up the bike any more than it is). Alas, after the final 24 miles, I see the proverbial lights of T.W.O. Relieved, I enter the grounds, park the bike and hand in my timecard. Susan is already there of course, asking me, where the hell have I been? At some point, along the last section of the ride, I got thinking to myself that this must be like the Isle of Man. I've got this shit eatting grin on my face, that did not leave for at least a couple of days. Even as I write this, I am giggling to myself remembering the feeling of riding on those wonderful mountain roads. And it was a great feeling to be doing about 60mph, up a hill, around the corner, to have the Sheriff just smile and wave at you as you go by in a posted 30 mph zone. Back at T.W.O., we are fed lunch. We are all starving. As the race director (BEN) tallied up the times we all gathered around and swapped race stories as we waited for everyone to straggle in. Finally, it is time for the awards. Somehow, I ended up with the First place in the "Premier" class. Susan is pissed. She gets second. I hear about it for the next week until I am kicked out of the motorhome in Jackson Mississippi and shoved on a plane back to Sacramento. To sum up my experience in Georgia... it was the best ride and the most fun a girl could have on a YSR. I will look forward to participating again in the future with the same enthusiasm as I had this year. I would highly recommend it for the best riding in Georgia, as well as for the beautiful landscape. My thanks to GT and Britt for continuing the tradition of the annual True Grits run. |