The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: ellis4538 on May 04, 2017, 04:30:12 PM
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Don't answer that!
As some of you know, my wife and I have a Can-Am Spyder motorcycle. We just got back from Spyderfest 2017 which is a gathering of 1000 + Spyders. Our trip started with 35 degree temps and 20 degrees or less wind chill ! We weren't able to shed any of our cold weather gear until about 80 miles away from our destination, Springfield Missouri but we did manage to ryde in shirtsleeves. That was the only time for that to happen on the entire trip. We did manage to get some fun organized rydes in but other times we were plagued with historic rain and thunder storms. We had to delay our return by a day so that the storms had a chance to move East. This gave us the opportunity to ryde back with 3 other Spyders from our club. With the heavy rains came flooding which closed the major route between Springfield and St. Louis in at least two places! The easiest route back was 1 1/2 to 2 hours longer than our planned route but at least we made it. Didn't have any rain to speak of during the 2 day trip back but we did have high winds both days. Not only was this stressful but it only added to the fatigue factor. Start to finish we covered 2350 + trouble free miles and added 4 states to our list of those visited on our Spyder. If we do it again, we will probable trailer the bike and only ryde there. We are getting too old for longer rydes but I will say we were by no means the oldest there!
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Glad you enjoyed your trip and got home safe.
RD
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My rig is a conventional trike with a VW engine powering it. Bunny and I are taking it up to North Carolina in about a month. There's a ride there called the Dragon's Tail (I think) that covers a good portion of mountain road and is a "must" for bikers.
Don't envy your ride in the coldest weather--even when you have a nice sled like the Spyder. I wouldn't attempt it on my bike (or at my age).
As they say, keep on keepin' on and keep the shiny side up.
Crusader Rabbit
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"Tail of the Dragon". Deals Gap.
Never had the pleasure! Always wanted to...
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CR, be very careful on the tail ! Lots of fools doing lots of stupid stuff . Bikes and /or parts thereof in the trees . Sport bikers dumping . Occasionally a semi will get on even though they aren't allowed and cause a big mess .
Richard
PS: I'm 70 and even on the Spyder it is tough ! Hands and arms took a beating in the wind !
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Glad you made it back okay. There are a lot of boneheads on the road and I wouldn't feel safe in anything smaller than a full-size pickup. With that many miles I would have saddle sores along with a bunch of aches and pains.
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Sounds lie fun.
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Yes, I did miss you. But be patient, my aim is getting better
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Arrggghhhh...that was funny Mike.
Ellis that rain was something...you weren't but a hop & a skip from Tulsa and we were drowning here. Did you trip on down to Branson?
I accidentally did the Tail of the Dragon coming back home from Cullowhee. I thought I'd like the scenery on a "little used and minor" road...as it appeared on the map. Wow. I did the thing in my F250 diesel...it tired me out going round and round. I bet it is a lot of fun on a bike...
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I took a quick look at a site that starts out: "Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap with 318 curves in 11 miles, is America’s number one motorcycle and sports car road." No thanks.
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More than one of the rice burning crotch rockets freaked seeing the F250 rolling down the hill in front of them....
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I took a quick look at a site that starts out: "Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap with 318 curves in 11 miles, is America’s number one motorcycle and sports car road." No thanks.
I've gotta admit, I'm giving the idea a little more thought.
Crusader (No Death Wish) Rabbit
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Rastus, we did get to Branson but didn't have much time to look around. Flooding and rain was a major issue. Our return route was I44 but it was closed in 2 places so we traveled North on 65 and picked up I 70 there. Very little rain after that but major winds. With the wind we got 6 MPG more than against the wind !
Richard
PS: Mike, the wind was blowing us all over the place. Doubt if Annie Oakley would have been able to hit us except maybe with a scattergun! LOL