Raleigh area ride for 4/22 or 4/23.

[Rodney]

Alright gang lets try this again. A couple of us will be riding up to the Strom event in May and have talked about doing a ride together before we go. Also last year a group of us Strommers got together for a ride and just sort of lost touch.



RIDE HAS BEEN SET:

When: Sunday, April 23
Depart Time: 11:00 a.m. - get there a little early if possible
Meeting Place: Cracker Barrel on Hwy 42 exit 312 off I40, (Clayton/Garner area)
Destination: Topsail Island, NC (We plan to eat a late lunch at an ocean front seafood restuarant).
Who is welcome? Any V-Strom Rider - Please post a reply to this thread with your first name if you are joining us, this way we want leave without you :)

Rodney

[aceboxer]

Hey Rodney,

Thanks for getting this started. Saturday's ng for me, Sunday's a strong possibility.

Mark

[NCVSTROM]

Hey Rodney,

Thanks for getting this started. Saturday's ng for me, Sunday's a strong possibility.

Mark

I have my daughters birthday that day but most of the festivities are going to be on Saturday and that night. A bunch of 13 year old girls sleeping over. Come to think of it, maybe I should ride Saturday night! Seriously, Sunday afternoon would probally work better for me.

[Rodney]

Alrighty then. Lets tentatively plan for Sunday afternoon - 4/23. How is a meetup time of 1:30 or 2:00 p.m.? Any volunteers to pick a route and lead us?

Other local Strom riders are welcome to join the fun.

Rodney

[Fletchstrom]

Definitely interested in riding with you guys on Saturday or Sunday. I think they are currently calling for rain on Sunday (70% chance). Granted...I haven't got a problem with riding in the rain. Need to test out my raingear anyway. :-)

One of my friends from work is holding a benefit ride April 22nd starting at Scooters bar & Grill off of Atlantic Avenue. Registration is $20 and the ride starts at 11am.
The ride will end at Locked & Loaded Grill in Garner on Hwy 70. Proceeds are going to help one of their friends who is being treated for breast cancer.

Hope you all are able to ride in the Ride 4 Kids on Sunday, May 6th @ Jordan Lake. Were hoping to have beautiful weather and 1000+ bikes, so invite every riding partner that you can think of.

http://www.stromtrooper.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9678

[NCVSTROM]

I do not have a clue as to a route. Guess I will give that some thought. Hey Fletch, how do you know they are calling for rain 11 days from now? They can't even get the next day right!

[Fletchstrom]

Dooooph. I was thinking this Sunday. My bad! :-0 This is proof that I work way to many hours . Can't wait till my vacation in May. How long of a ride are you all interested in?

[NCVSTROM]

Well, I will not have to be to work until the next day................but I think the daylight is lasting until about 8pm. So if we meet up around 1pm thats roughly 7 hours. I would think we could do just about anything in that time frame. I live in Wake Forest and have explored the roads around here and been up to the Virginia line. I have not found anything too spectacular to rave about, but I guess it depends on what you are looking for.

A few ideas are riding to one of the lakes, heading towards the coast or maybe just some local sights. We could look up some dirt roads as well. I have not dropped my bike yet so I am sure some off roading would fix that! Where do you guys usually ride?

[Fletchstrom]

I'm game for any ride that is planned. Hmmmm....the coast sounds pretty good though. Maybe take 42 to Hwy 64 to Manteo and grab some good seafood. Then take Hwy 264 back to Raleigh. That might be pushing the 7 hour window, but it would be a good ride that follows the coast/sound. Google says about 420 miles. This route is quite a bit of straight roads except for 264 between Manteo and Washington. That section would be pretty fun.

[NCVSTROM]

I have lived in this state for 14 years but have never been out that way. Sad but true. One of the reasons for the bike. Sounds like a nice ride for an Am start though. Since we are starting out in the afternoon do you think we should think a little smaller? I will play with Mapquest or something and look for, I don't know, say, 300 miles or so? What do you think?

[Fletchstrom]

Yeah. My route is too long to start around lunch. It would be more of a painful ride than an enjoyable one.

How about heading towards Lake Gaston or possibly riding towards Danville, Va. I have heard there are some nice scenery and curvy roads near Virginia International Raceway.

[NCVSTROM]

Some curves would be nice. Maybe we just pick a general destination and see what we can find?

[aceboxer]

I'm up for just about anything. I like the pick a spot on the map and go idea, maybe look at one of the online maps for the twistiest ways there.

[Rodney]

The only reason I suggested 1 or 2 pm depart time was to allow those who attend church time to join us. I can meet up at anytime. If everyone prefers we can leave at 9 or 10 a.m.??? It looks like we've settle for Sunday the 22nd. I'll make sure to free up the day.

The coast sounds awesome. We could hit Topsail Island, NC. We could take 24 to 17 then head back on hwy 50 out of Surf City. Hwy 50 offers a few twisties down that way and the roads are good; the scenory is okay. From Garner (say we meet at Cracker Barrel on hwy 42, just off I 40, exit 312) its about 2.5 hours there - we could grab late lunch/early dinner at a seafood rest. I know of and head back. It would be about 7 hours round trip with the food stop, maybe less time depending on our pace :)

If we decide to stay more local I suggest we ride out hwy 42 down to Sanford. Hwy 42 offers some good twisties once you get past Fuqua-Varina. One road I've been wanting to explore is out past Corinth (Sharon Harris Lake area). Once you pass the good twisties on 42 you'll turn left toward Sanford staying on 42, but you can continue straight (I don't know the road number or name and don't know where it heads to). It might be a good road to check out.

Your thoughts about leaving earlier?

Rodney

[NCVSTROM]

is around 11am on that Sunday. I like Rodney's Ideas for either route. Meeting @ Exit 312 off 40 works for me too.

[Fletchstrom]

The earlier the better for me. Cracker barrel is a great meet point. Just eat breakfast before hand. The line to eat at cracker barrel at 11am on a Sunday will be out in the parking lot. I'll be there whichever way we decide to venture! :-) Fletch

[NCVSTROM]

The earlier the better for me. Cracker barrel is a great meet point. Just eat breakfast before hand. The line to eat at cracker barrel at 11am on a Sunday will be out in the parking lot. I'll be there whichever way we decide to venture! :-) Fletch

That will work for me. That Sunday is my daughters actually birthdate but we will have a party and her friends over on Saturday. I need to help out in the am on Sunday since there will be a sleep over with the kids. Something tells me the wind noise will be a welcome relief!

[aceboxer]

So, 11 at cracker barrel in Garner? I'll be there, earlier of later let me know. Hopefully next Sunday's weather is better.

Mark

[NCVSTROM]

by 11am at the earliest.

[Rodney]

Sounds good guys. Lets plan to meet in the Cracker Barrel parking lot on hwy 42 (exit 312) at 11 a.m. its located next to Lowes so you can't miss it. My vote is not to eat there, instead lets just get on the road.

Next - lets vote on a route. Do we want to go down to Topsail (eat a late lunch at the beach front restuarant out on the ocean side deck (I'm sure the view will be pretty sweet :) OR do we want to stay more local and ride out hwy 42?

Cast your vote. I open for either route. Hopefully the weather will be nice - if it will be on the warmer side, I vote for the beach. Although the route down to Topsail isn't filled with twisties, it is a nice ride and it will give us a chance to put a few miles on the road together. Hwy 42 I feel offers more twisties but the beach "scenery" to me is a plus. Again either way I'm game. But if I had to pick one or the other I'd say lets hit the beach on this trip and maybe ride hwy 42 or another local road that you know of next time.

Don't forget to cast your vote and Oh - please include your first name so we all can know who's who...

I'm looking forward to the ride. Also, if any other local Strommers want to join us jump in and just let us know you are coming so we don't leave without you.

Rodney

[NCVSTROM]

route works for me.

[Fletchstrom]

Works for me. I'll plan on being there. :-) Michael Fletcher aka "Fletch"

[dropster]

Hi fellows,

I just found this thread and if you don't mind, I'd like to tag along. Sounds like a great ride and my wife says I can miss church. If it isn't raining, me and the wee will plan to be there at 11 but don't wait for me because I usually get places early. I'm Tim and I'll be coming from Hillsborough. Thanks.

[NCVSTROM]

Good to hear you are going. I am looking forward to meeting everyone and a nice ride.

[Rodney]

Hi fellows,

I just found this thread and if you don't mind, I'd like to tag along. Sounds like a great ride and my wife says I can miss church. If it isn't raining, me and the wee will plan to be there at 11 but don't wait for me because I usually get places early. I'm Tim and I'll be coming from Hillsborough. Thanks.

Hello Tim,

Glad to hear you can make it. Since you are the newest person to sign up for the ride that means you have to be the road captain and lead the group. LOL... Just kiddin'...

Okay - looks like everyone is up for going to the beach (Topsail Island), so that'll be the plan. Again we'll take off at 11 a.m. from the Cracker Barrel. I look forward to meeting those whom I haven't met yet. Lets just keep our fingers crossed that it doesn't rain or snow (this NC weather is crazy).

Rodney

[gwc]

That would be Corinth Rd...it connects NC 42 to Old US 1 a few miles to the west. It runs by all of the industrial plants near Moncure. Pretty flat but also very isolated. Lots of good roads out that way!

Once you pass the good twisties on 42 you'll turn left toward Sanford staying on 42, but you can continue straight (I don't know the road number or name and don't know where it heads to). It might be a good road to check out.

[Rodney]

GWC thanks for the info. I was curious to where that road led. I ride out that way often on 42, usually down to Sanford. The roads are nice and twisty plus the scenery is good. Once you get past Fuqua the landscape cleans up and is a great place to just ride and relax. I'll have to check out Corinth Rd the next time I'm out that way.


For the ride this Sunday the weather forecast looks awesome. High 70's with all sunshine!!!!

Rodney

[aceboxer]

Hey Everyone,

Sunday looks like it'll be a good day for the beach.

Corinth is pretty flat, and during the week there's a lot of truck traffic, especially logging trucks which shed there share of debris. Otherwise, it's a good way to avoid the traffic in Sanford, or a quick out to head back towards Raleigh if it's getting near the end of lunch...

See you Sunday at 11am

Mark

[NCVSTROM]

I just realized I forgot to post my name. See you all there.:)

[raypope]

Will be there at 11:00 or before, riding 07 blue. I'm about 15 minutes south of 42.

[Rodney]

Howdy Ray and Welcome.

Its Sunday morning and the weather is absolutely going to be great! I'll see everyone at 11:00.

"Bob" "Bob" (Your name) I imagined something exotic like Bond, James Bond.. :) LOL... Just picking at you.

See you'all in a few hours...

Rodney

[Fletchstrom]

Great ride guys! I enjoyed meeting everyone of you. :-) Send me an email if you want copies of the pictures. I will resize a few and post them in this thread. Hope you all have a wonderful week!

mfletcher1@nc.rr.com

[Rodney]

Great ride guys! I truly enjoyed meeting everyone. My email is rduke3@nc.rr.com we talked a little about putting together a local club (monthly rides/trips/events/fun times) if you would like to SERIOUSLY put together a local club email me and lets make it happen. We can call ourselves the "V-Strom Tribe"!!!!! :)

I really enjoyed riding with everyone! Man we had and awesome pace, great food and how about hwy 50 down at the coast?!

Oh - and overlook my craziness- I didn't take my meds today :) hahahaha

I'm so looking forward to our May mountains get together!!! Shoot me an email if you would like to set up a club. This could be the start of many great times.

Also email me if you want me to email you some copies of the pictures I took of our trip!

By the way for all of you who didn't make this trip is was a great 320 mile -Round Trip) ride, no problems, no accidents, only 2 people got lost, but they found their way back to us, the food was good (ocean front pub) and the company was great.

Rodney

[aceboxer]

Rodney, thanks for setting this up. I had a blast (a given when 'stromming) and it was great to ride with and meet everyone.

Anyone with pictures is welcome to send them to aceboxer@gmail.com.

I've mentioned to Bob and Rodney, that I'm taking the MSF Experienced Rider Course at Wake Tech on 5/5. This will be the second time I've taken this course, the last time was after I bought my last bike. If I get half as much out of the course this time, I'll be extremely pleased.

I have course information and registration materials as pdf's so let me know if you're interested and I'll send them along.

[dropster]

Thanks for a good ride. That was a lot of fun and I enjoyed having lunch on the beach. And thanks for the pics. I meant to bring my camera and completely forgot.

[NCVSTROM]

But I really enjoyed the company and the ride. Great to meet everyone! It turned out to be a 390 mile day for me. I think I have found the limits of the stock seat for me. Sorry about pulling off there at the end. I urgently needed the little strommers room at that rest stop! I hope we can put something together in the future. It is a great bunch to ride with.

[Rodney]

Don't forget gang. Lets make sure to stay in touch and plan our ride up together for the May V-Strom gathering. I can't wait to hit those mountain roads....

Rodney

[raypope]

Rodney,

Thanks for setting this up. I had a great time and learned a LOT!!!

1. Riding in a group is waaaayy different than by yourself
REMEMBER there are others behind you.
REMEMBER there are othere beside you.
2. Other Strommers a great folks with a common fondness for unique machines
3. Get everyones phone numbers before getting lost :)
4. Take your meds before leaving for the trip :(
5. The stock seat is crap after about 200 miles
6. Hawiaan shirts keep you out of the photos :)

raypope@raypope.com

[Rodney]

Rodney,

Thanks for setting this up. I had a great time and learned a LOT!!!

1. Riding in a group is waaaayy different than by yourself
REMEMBER there are others behind you.
REMEMBER there are othere beside you.
2. Other Strommers a great folks with a common fondness for unique machines
3. Get everyones phone numbers before getting lost :)
4. Take your meds before leaving for the trip :(
5. The stock seat is crap after about 200 miles
6. Hawiaan shirts keep you out of the photos :)

raypope@raypope.com

Hahahaha... I like this one : Hawiaan shirts keep you out of the photos :) But hey, he knew we were going to the beach :)

Okay, I'm gonna beat Mark to the punch here if you want to join our local V Strom Tribe go to http://groups.google.com/group/v-strom-tribe and join. Better join now while its still free :)

Damn Ray, you suprised and made me smile this morning with your count down!!! You were so quite on the ride especially when I invited the girls over... Just pickin at you....

Glad you had fun and yeah the seat sucks but Marks idea sounds like a winner!!!!

[NCVSTROM]

Hahahaha... I like this one : Hawiaan shirts keep you out of the photos :) But hey, he knew we were going to the beach :)

Okay, I'm gonna beat Mark to the punch here if you want to join our local V Strom Tribe go to http://groups.google.com/group/v-strom-tribe and join. Better join now while its still free :)

Damn Ray, you suprised and made me smile this morning with your count down!!! You were so quite on the ride especially when I invited the girls over... Just pickin at you....

Glad you had fun and yeah the seat sucks but Marks idea sounds like a winner!!!!

Ray I have one of you. How could we miss you with that shirt!