Sep 2007 - BMWMCON Home Page

THE BEEMER
SEPTEMBER 2007
BMW Hotline 595-6203
President Polly Wright – 794-4280
Vice President: Danny Wiley – 646-7801
Secretary: Rick Mathis – 714-7333
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Polly Wright
I’m going to defer this column this month, to Danny
Wiley, since he filled in as president for this last month’s
meeting. It sounds like you all had a good time and we
also had a fairly good group. I just wish we could have
let you know sooner that we were having a speaker.
Hopefully it wasn’t such a small crowd that Duke didn’t
feel like he was just talking to a couple of people. I’m
looking forward to bigger and better attendance in the
coming months.
Polly
Vice President’s Corner
Danny Wiley
Queen Polly was unable to attend the last meeting due to other
regal obligations, so she turned the podium over to me, and
she has “invited” me to write this month’s newsletter column.
August Club Meeting – If you were unable to attend the
August meeting you missed a real treat. Duke Dunsford
shared with us his tales of participating in the 2005 Iron Butt
Rally. We have quite a few Iron Butt riders in the club, and I
know they were thoroughly entertained. Even those who
don’t quite get the lunacy of long distance riding found the
program interesting.
Duke rode the rally on a Ninja 250 – yes, I said a Ninja 250.
It was very cool that he rode that bike to the meeting!! People
looked it over and marveled at all his “farkles.” He also
brought his rally flag, lots of pictures, etc. There was a whole
table full of momentos to view. We appreciate Duke taking
the time to share his experience with us, and we appreciate
Ron Brant arranging the program.
Duke’s stories inspired me to take an Iron Butt ride of my
own. You can check out that story elsewhere in this
newsletter.
Alphabet Tour – Have you finished? Have you started? The
Alphabet Tour is a great way to get out and ride with a
purpose. You still have time, so hit the road!! By the way,
Xenophon, TN is located at 36.49083, -83.32639 on your GPS
☺
Barbers!! – A small band of us are headed down to Barber
Motorsports Park for the WERA races on September 22-23.
We will ride down Saturday morning, watch races/visit the
museum Saturday night, grill out at my buddy’s house
Treasurer: Mark King -790-8038
Newsletter Editors: Polly Wright - 794-4280 & Mike Gillespie – 830-5033
Activities Dir: Ron Brant: - 631-2796
Saturday night, watch more racing Sunday morning, and head
home Sunday afternoon. If you are interested in participating,
email me, [email protected].
Club Rides – Ron has been putting together some great club
rides. In August we met just west of Columbia and had a
great breakfast at Macy Jo’s – an old country store that is now
a restaurant. Think Cracker Barrel or Loveless, but waaay
more country. We rode down to Lynchburg and enjoyed some
cold beverages as we explored town square. We ended in
Murfreesboro around noon. The route was awesome –Ron
kept us on shady, twisty backroads. Join us for the next club
ride on September 8.
NEXT MEETING – SEPTEMBER 4
BLOODWORTH MOTORSPORTS
WHITE BRIDGE ROAD
NASHVILLE, TN
TIME: 6:30 PM
WELCOME NEW MEMBER
Old new member: CURT HAGENAU
Happy Birthday To:
JEFF LANE
RAY INGRAM
ANDY VALENTINE
BOB MAIER
JEFF LANDERS
JERRY LAWSON
HARRY LEGAN
RICK LUNA
GREG SAMPLE
BARRETT CAMPBELL
9/2
9/3
9/4
9/6
9/6
9/11
9/16
9/17
9/24
9/25
BMW MOA 2008 International Rally
The BMW MOA is pleased to announce the
2008 'National in Gillette, WY, July 17 - 20,
2008.
1998 BMW R1200C. Beautiful like new maroon
color. No mechanical issues, runs perfect,
garage kept. Extras include Corbin seats w/
backrest, Hookijac pipes, run-n-lights, engine
guards, front lightbar, BMW hard bags and
windshield. Mileage at time of listing is
around 28.2K miles. I love this bike but
recently purchased a R1200RT and this bike
must go. $5,600. 615-650-3572 or
[email protected] for pics or other
information.
The Alphabet Challenge
The BMW Motorcycle Club of Nashville
Chairman Larry Dreaden
The objective of this Challenge is to visit Tennessee cities
(incorporated or unincorporated) whose name begins with
each letter of the alphabet. This is not a competition or race.
This is an individual endeavor with goals set by you.
The rules are simple! Just visit as many cities as you can
during the Challenge period. The Challenge ends two weeks
prior to the Club Christmas Dinner.
Documentation of your visit consists of a completed
Challenge worksheet and either a picture of you and your bike
OR a picture of your bike in front of an appropriate landmark
(city limit sign, post office, etc.). All documentation must be
received prior to the end of the Challenge. The Challenge is
open to members of BMWMCON.
Your successful completion of this Challenge will be
recognized at the Christmas Dinner.
Resources:
K1200LT Icon 2000 model Basalt grey 24.5K. Up to
date services done by dealers. AM/FM/Tape/CD
player, cruise control, electric windshield, heated
grips, RKA tank bag, Eurocom intercom, adjustable
pax pegs, Bushtec hitch receiver and electrics
installed by
Bushtec, Gel battery, low mileage front and rear
tires. Service CD and wiring diagram package. Pix
avail. Price: $9K OBO
Location: Columbia TN 5mi W of I-65 @ US412
Contact Ed Johnson at <[email protected]> or
931 5400110
http://www.mtas.utk.edu/public/web.nsf/Search/Citi
esName?opendocument
http://www.epodunk.com/communities_tn.html
There is a town, or community that has an X so
look for it or check with Larry about where to
find it.
KERMIT CHAIR COMPANY
Ride to Barber’s and Races
Call us toll-free at 1-(888)-729-9836
or visit us at www.kermitchair.com
I just got a response from WERA. On Saturday
(Sept 22) there will racing starting from 8:00 am
until 11:00 am. There will also be an afternoon
session after a lunch break.
Based on this, I suggest leaving Saturday
morning in time to arrive at Barber’s by around
12:30 – that is when the Saturday afternoon
races begin. With ten races Saturday
afternoon, and the museum, there should be
plenty of things to occupy the afternoon.
FOR SALE
Some have asked about the route we will take
down. As far as I am concerned, that is up to
you. Slab riding is not as much fun, but it does
let you get miles under your belt. If the group
prefers, we could take two-lanes down. This
would likely mean arriving a little later, but still
being able to see lots of racing. Also, if people
have different preferences, we could ride in two
small groups. Please let me know your
preference.
R1150RT, Black 2002, radio and hard bags. Will
consider trade. very low miles $8,800. call: 8864206. Pamela DeSoto
BMW: 2005 1150R GSA Adventure with 6,600
miles. ABS Brakes, Heated grips, BMW GPS
Navigation, Satellite Radio, Intercom system,
everything in pictures. Matching helmet that is
wired for radio and intercom. Many accessories not
listed come with the bike. Price is $16,000
Mike Selitsch
615 494-5226
http://nashville.craigslist.org/mcy/344170802.html
Danny Wiley
2
WEBSITES
BMW MOTORCYCLE CLUB CALENDER OF
EVENTS 2007
BMW Club email: [email protected]
ALABAMA CLUB: www.bmwmoal.org
BMW Motorrad USA
www.bmemotorcycles.com/home
www.bmwmoa.org
www.bmwmoga.info Georgia Mountain Rally
www.bmwrams.com – Rally
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za
www.bmwxplor.com/explor
www.thekickstandllc.com
http://www.wtv-zone.com/cal731
www.curvecowboyreunion.com
www.barbermuseum.org
www.amadirectlink.com
www.hondahoot.com
speedtv.com/index.php
www.bmwra.org
http://www.coloradobeemers.com
Bloodworth Motorsports: bloodmotor.com
Knoxville
http://tailofthedragon.com
www.bmwrok.org/rok_on_rally.htm
www.bmwclub.org
BMW Motorcycle USA
www.motorcycleevents.com
www.29Dreams.com
Helen Two Wheels Packing Systems
http://www.helen2wheels.com/
www.blueridgemotorcyclecamp.com
Carolina Beemers website change
www.carolinasbmwmoa.org
WWW.MUSICCITYPOWERSPORTS.COM
Aug. 28 – 31 Curve cowboy Reunion, Osage Beach, MO
Aug 31 – Sept 2 ROK Rally, Newport, TN
Aug 31 – Sept 3 Superbike Champ Series at Road
Atlanta
Sept 1 – Nashville Supermoto at Music City Motorplex
Sept 4 - Club Meeting – Bloodworth Motorcycles
Sept 8 – Club Ride
Sept 14 – Ed Bargey Track Day at Nash Speedway
Sept 15 – 16 WERA Regional Race, Nash. Speedway
Oct 2 – Club Meeting – Pucketts in Franklin
Oct 6 – Club Ride (Date May change)
Oct 5-7 Return to Shiloh
Oct 6 – Nashville Oktoberfest
Oct 6-7 Sport Bike Track Time –Nash Speedway
Oct 12 -14 Falling Leaf Rally, Potosi, MO
Oct 13 – The Millie Challenge Track Day
Oct 19-21 AHRMA Historic Racing & Barber Vintage
Festival
Nov 6 – Club Meeting – Pie In The Sky Pizza
Nov 10 – Club Ride
Nov 10 – Black & Blue Ball to benefit Muscular
Dystrophy
Nov 23 – After Turkey Day Ride – meet at Bloodworths
Dec 4 – Christmas Party – Pig & Pie
Jan 1, 2008 - Polar Bear Ride
www.tdot.state.tn.us/tdotsmartway
OTHER EVENTS
http://www.kymotorcycle.com
http://www.amadirectlink.com/amrace/2006/mx/
0inde,
Aug 16-19 Dan'l Boone Rally, Boone, NC
Aug 18 -19 Sport Bike Track Time - Nashville
Super speedway
Aug 28-31 Curve Cowboy Reunion - Osage Beach,
Missouri
www.southernwoodsrider.com/x.asp
http://www.mxsports.com
Aug 31–Sept 2 ROK Rally Newport, Tennessee
Web Sites on Motorcycle Camping
Aug 31–Sept 3 Superbike Championship Series at Road
Atlanta
Sept 1 – Nashville Supermoto at Music City Motorplex
Sept 14 - Ed Bargey Track Day at the Nashville
Super speedway
Sept 15-16 WERA Regional Race, Nashville
Super speedway, Nashville, TN
Oct 5 -7 Return to Shiloh Rally
Oct 6 – Nashville Oktoberfest
Oct 6-7 Sport Bike Track Time – Nashville
Super speedway
October 12-14 Falling Leaf Rally, Potosi, Missouri
Oct 19 – 21 AHRMA Historic Racing & Barber Vintage
Festival
Nov 10 – Black & Blue Ball to benefit Muscular
Dystorphy Association
Nov 23 – After Turkey Day Ride – meet at Bloodworth’s
http://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_camping.asp
http://www.ridemyown.com/links/camping.shtml
http://www.wetleather.com/pages/camping.html
Web Sites on Motorcycle Travel
http://www.byways.org/
http://www.motorcycleroads.us/index.html
http://iwebwonder.com/Backroads/index2.html
http://www.travelingbikers.com/
3
Some of the attendees at the meeting
This is the bike that Duke rode for the Iron Butt ride.
Duke Dunsford as he presents his program
Bob Maier, Steve Page and
Bob was the winner of the drawing for the money
this month.
These are some of the photos and his tee shirt he
brought for you to see.
Hack Tidman, Ray & Bonnie Ingram,
4
and
Bloodworth Motorcycles
PRESENT
Motorcycle Track Days at the Nashville
Superspeedway
GET ON THE RIGHT TRACK
WITH SPORTBIKE TRACK TIME
A Sportbike Track Time Event will be an
unforgettable experience.... we guarantee it !! The
STT event format is designed to give each and
every rider maximum on-track time. We offer
weekend and weekday events. A typical 3-group
standard day will find you enjoying 140 - 160 miles
of track time. Riders at a Limited Endurance Day LED (2-groups & 30-minute sessions) regularly log
200 – 260 miles of track time. Riders at standard
events are split into three groups - Novice,
Intermediate and Advanced whereas LED's use a
two-group system. Participation is strictly limited to
ensure a quality experience. 96% of our events
sold
out
in
2006
The Saturday Ride starting at Macy Jo’s
Events are open to riders of all skill levels.
Kay Brant,
and Jordan Brant
Personalized instruction is provided and encouraged. All
Novice group participants receive "Class-Time" and ontrack instruction with qualified instructors at no additional
costs. Personal instruction is available for the
intermediate and advanced riders by the STT staff. At
day's end you will have a new found sense of confidence
in yourself and your machine.
Larry Dreaden, Ron Brant
Your Track Day Includes:
· Maximum On-Track Time
· AM snacks -fresh fruit, sweet buns, donuts
· On Track & Classroom Instruction
· Picnic Style Lunch (except where noted)
· Water and sports-drinks throughout the day
· Photographer at most events
· On-site EMS and professional corner staff
· At track tire sales & service
October 6 & 7
Event Price; 1 Day $135 or 2 Day $255
October 6 & 7
Event Price; 1 Day $135 or 2 Day $255
To book your Track Day for the Nashville
Superspeedway or any other Sport Bike Track
Time event, please go to
Larry Dreaden is back to riding on his newly
acquired bike. It’s good to see him back to
riding again.
http://www.sportbiketracktime.com/cart/
5
From the Bloodworth Service Department
2007 BMW ROK Classic Motorcycle
Rally
By Scott Esteran
In the category of “Bad stuff we see happening to
good things”.
Brakes, I think we all can agree are helpful and
fun to have. Unfortunately they are easy to take for
granted.
On bikes with integrated ABS (you hear the
pump when you use the brakes) the complete
system needs to be flushed every two years. We
are finding that waiting longer then that, and then
flushing the system can cause the pump to fail.
This is a very bad thing, and you would hate it, and
us.
We are also starting to see on older
bikes, where
the brakes
have
not
been
maintained, the front master cylinder failing. Does
your front brake return to the fully extended position
after use, or can you push it further forward by
hand? If it does not return, you have a problem. If
there is any moisture around the lever or reservoir,
you have a problem. You might as well address it
now in the comfort of your home or her in the shop
instead of on some road in Texas during a rain
storm, heat wave, locust invasion or the like.
Finally don't forget about your brake pads. If you
hear the sound of metal hitting metal it's too late. If
you are not sure how to check your pads, stop by
we'll be glad to show you.
Plan now to join the BMW Riders of Knoxville for our
ROK' On Rally 2007! Once again it will be held in
Newport, Tennessee, August 31 through September 2,
2007, at the Newport KOA. Come enjoy some of the
East's great motorcycling roads. Newport is within easy
riding distance of Deal's Gap and the world famous
Highway 129 - The Dragon, the Great Smokey
Mountains, the flowing Cherohala Skyway, and
hundreds of miles of great roads you have never even
heard about. If you just want to relax for a couple of
days then come sit around a campfire and share stories
of the road, enjoy a cold beverage, eat some of Dave's
famous White Chicken Chili, or hang around the Club
House and watch a great motorcycle related DVD or
video
with
friends
old
and
new.
BMW ROK always has a pot of Dave's Chili on the
stove, nacho's with hot cheese or salsa, fresh popped
corn, and plenty of cold water, lemonade, or tea. On
Saturday evenings BMW ROK whoops up a big pot of
Jambalaya and the night is toped off by the presentation
of door prizes. Last year BMW ROK gave away some
great prizes just for being our guests, including riding
gear, a motorcycle camping sleeping bag, and a power
washer to keep that road grim off your favorite ride.
The Club House is also your source for information of
all sorts. Beginning in 2005 BMW ROK members set up
a laptop computer with mapping software to customize
your own personal ride route, whether it was for one of a
kind day ride, or a maybe just a new route home. If there
isn't a laptop at this year's rally you can still bet there
will be plenty of maps and first hand knowledge to assist
you along your way. Club members also lay out a pretty
impressive array of motorcycle related books and
magazines for your reading pleasure. Top that off with a
fabulous assortment of hard to find or out of print
Motorcycle DVD's and videos. Who can resist seeing
On Any Sunday just one more time? So, if the day is
too hot or too wet for a ride, come on into the clubhouse
and enjoy a good book or a great movie while in the
company of great friends.
Brakes are you friend, be nice to them.
From the Bloodworth Parts & Accessory
Department
By Tim Weber
Next time you come in our store you simply can't miss
the new Olympia Hi-Viz Airglide jackets and vests.
The very versatile BMW Santiago outfit in the new color
khaki and honey has proven be popular with its tear-resistant
and highly robust Dynatec fabric.
Don't overlook the new kid on the block. With the advanced
"c_change" technology the Comfortshell jacket and
pants, which also happens to be waterproof, actually reacts to
exterior air temperature by adapting the size of its pores.
We are having a 15% off sale on
•
•
•
Arai helmets in stock only
Nolan helmets X-lite X1002 and the original
N102 pre N-comm models, in stock only
Specified Olympia Gloves in stock only
6
Return to Shiloh Rally
"Best Rally by A Dam Site"
Celebrating our 33rd Anniversary Rally
October 5-7, 2006
The Barber Vintage Festival held annually
in October is an event to remember!
Pickwick Dam, Tennessee
The Barber Vintage Festival was created to give
motorcycle enthusiasts an opportunity to gather and
enjoy all aspects of vintage motorcycling in a one
fantastic setting, the Barber Motorsports Park.
Located at the base of Pickwick Dam
(east bank of the Tennessee River)
Highway 128,
14 miles south of Savannah, Tennessee
Join the thousands of people who gather to share their
enthusiasm for vintage motorsports. Visitors will enjoy
participating in or watching various vintage road races in
which, participates are encouraged to dress in period
attire to make the event even more festive! Festival
guests can also take part in a swap meet and make bids
on vintage motor vehicles during the Annual Museum
Benefit Auction.
Registration includes:
Rally Pins (first 450 registrants), Door Prizes, Rider
Awards
Two nights primitive "Camping in the Pines" with heated
showers and flush toilets on site! (TVA Campground)
Visitors will want to take the opportunity to visit the
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum during their visit to
the Barber Motorsports Park. The museum houses a
collection of over 1100 motorcycles spanning over 100
years of production with over 700 bikes on display at any
given time. In addition, guests can view the collection of
40 plus cars, including the world’s most extensive
collection of Lotus racing and sport cars.
Hot Coffee, Cocoa and Lemonade
Friday Night BBQ Supper (until gone), Field Events,
Self-guided Tours
Registration Fee: $15.00 per person.
Contact Charlie Parsons for more information.
Join us for the 3rd Annual Barber Vintage Festival
October 19-21, 2007.
Riding for Miracles
On September 9th, all motorcyclists are welcome at
this Foresters sponsored fundraising event for our
local Children's Miracle Network Hospital. This ride
will take you through some beautiful countryside in
the Middle Tennessee area. This will be a marble
run. 100% of all funds benefit the Monroe Carell Jr.
Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. The ride will begin
and end at Honda of Cool Springs. Registration
begins at 8:00 a.m. and the first bike will be out by
9:30 a.m. We will start the event with Donuts and
coffee for breakfast. There will be door prizes, and
silent/live auction.
Each participant will receive a T-shirt, vest pin and
lunch. For more information or if you wish to
volunteer, call 615-902-0712
7
i.e. GPS, radar detector, iPod, etc. You will also need to
tape over any breakable lenses. Then go out and have
some fun and learn.
Bloodworth Motorcycles Fall Open
House
Details coming soon
Other Activities
Touring Laps—$25 per car
Participants drive their own car on the track behind
professional instructors. Passengers are allowed.
Warm Laps—$50 per person
Participants ride along with professional instructors on
the track for four flying laps. This is your opportunity to
ride in a high performance sports car with a race
instructor! One passenger only.
Bloodworth Motorcycles & the Minnie
Pearl Cancer Foundation at Nashville
Super speedway
Ride with Phil Wicks—$75 per person
Retired race car driver and driver of red Mini in original
“Italian Job” movie starring Michael Caine: Participants
ride along with Phil wicks in the North American MINI
Cooper Championship Race Car for four flying laps.
Bloodworth BMW Motorcycles is again working with the
Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation to put on the 2nd Annual
Minnie Challenge Track Day. The event will be held on
Saturday October 13th at the Nashville Super speedway.
This is all part of a big day to raise money for the Minnie
Pearl Cancer Foundation and will include a High
Performance Driving Course, Safe Driving Academy,
and Motorcycle On-Track Riders Education.
Souvenir photos are provided with all options listed
above.
Activities for the whole family!
Racing simulator running Playstation OS2/GT4 racing
simulator software, moon bounce, climbing wall, slide,
remote controlled car demonstrations, face-painting,
games, balloon animals and more!
All programs are presented by the Phil Wicks Driving
Academy.
The Motorcycle On-Track Riders Education is designed
for the sports-minded rider with little or no on-track
experience. Sessions alternate between classroom
instruction and on-track sessions. On-track sessions
begin with lead-follow highway speeds. Each following
session addresses more aggressive on-track driving.
Bloodworth Motorcycles Pre-owned
Motorcycles
Bloodworth Motorcycles is actively seeking used
BMW motorcycles to buy. If you or someone you
know would like to sell outright or even trade their
bike, please get in touch with the sales staff at the
dealership. If you know of something you would like to
inquire about, please call or come by and see Glenn
Hawkins or Steve Catania for further details.
Entry Fee: $125
7:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.
Open to Novice and Intermediate Drivers
Entry Fee includes:
Classroom and on-track instruction
Four 20-minute sessions on the road track (continued)
Continental Breakfast and Box Lunch
Souvenir Photos
Entertainment for the family
Rubbing elbows with pro-racers
Pre-owned BMWs:
2007 R1200R Silver 33mi
$15,175
2003 R1200CLC Silver 27,500mi
$10,490
2004 BMW R1150RS Blue Bags 71,992 mi $ 6,990
Pre-owned Ducati:
2006 MT620 Red 25mi $500 discount at
$7,995
2006 Sport 1000 Yellow 1,625mi
$10,990
2006 ST3 Red 3,800mi Red saddle bags
$10,990
2007 800SS Red 25mi
$8,495
2007 GT1000 Black/Crème 1200mi bags
$Call
Pre-registration is required and can be done by calling
David Bloodworth at 321-3311, emailing David at
[email protected] or going by Bloodworth
Motorcycles or going to www.bloodmotor.com and click
on Track Day.
NEW BIKES
3 - F650GS 1 in stock and 2 coming – that will be the
last of them!
2008 K1200LT Taking orders – very limited production
To attend a Track Day you will need proper riding attire,
which includes a Snell 95 helmet, leather or textile pants
and jacket, gloves, and boots. Before going on the track,
you will need to remove your tank bag, saddle bags, and
any electronic accessories,
For information on other pre-owned motorcycles, go
to our web site at www.bloodmotor.com
8
MUSIC CITY MOTORPLEX
Tennessee State Fairgrounds
See all the top pros battle the high banks with sparks
flying. Watch BIKES and ATV’s hit 100mph and fly off
the Parts Unlimited Urbancross. Extreme Street Stunts
show.
Dee Shoub and Tom Martin were married a small family
service on Saturday, August 11th, at the Belle Meade
United Methodist Church. They want to thank all their
friends in the Club for their kind thoughts. For now, Tom
and Dee will be living at her home in Antioch.
4 DAYS OF ACTION
**New for 2007** SUPERMOTO SCHOOL Thursday
AUG 3OTH Info and Registration www.nasmoto.com
Best wishes to both of you. We are very proud for you.
FRIDAY AUG 31, Open Practice and bike demo’s
Free Entry to Grandstands
Did you ride the Ducati’s hot new Hyper Motard?
Several members took advantage of the open house at
Bloodworth’s to check out this cool new machine.
Thanks, David and Virginia for a great event.
SATURDAY SEPT 1, AMA Supermoto and Extreme
Street Stunt Wars UNDER THE LIGHTS 6PM TO
10PM
SUNDAY SEPT 2, NASMOTO ATV GRAND
CHAMPIONSHIPS and AMATEUR Bike DAY
Extreme Street Stunt Wars, top riders perform tricks
and stunts in front of main grandstands
Vendor Row, purchase gear, parts and cool raceshirts from series teams and stunt riders
Sunday, Ride the same track as the pros’. New
Rider classes for Bikes/ATV’s. Tires and parts onsite all weekend.
AMA Supermoto Comes to Music City
3rd Annual Extreme Cycle Jam ’07
Spectators $15 (includes pit pass) available at
Bloodworth Motorcycles
$20 at the gate ( Pit Pass not included)
Kids 10 and under - free
Info Call 615-726-1818
A group will be leaving Bloodworth Motorcycles on
Saturday September 1st at 4pm and head over to the
Nashville Motorplex to special parking and to enjoy
the evenings events.
9
My Natchez Trace Iron Butt Ride
By Danny Wiley
The idea of doing an Iron Butt Association Saddlesore Ride - 1,000 miles in 24 hours - on the Natchez Trace Parkway first occurred to
me about a year ago. I have done other Saddlesore rides, but the routes were dominated by interstate highways where one can chew
up miles easily. I was looking for a new twist.
The scenery along the Natchez Trace would make the ride enjoyable. The heavily-enforced 50 mph speed limit would add a new
challenge. I adopted a self-imposed rule that earning one of those “performance awards” handed out by federal rangers on the Trace
would invalidate the ride.
Summer was slipping away, and it was beginning to look like the
ride would not happen, then fate intervened. The stories that
Duke shared at our August meeting gave new life to my plans,
then I got an unexpected free weekend. The ride was on!!
As with other long distance rides I have done, I started adjusting
my sleep cycle early in the week. I gradually got up a little
earlier each morning. Friday I was at my office shortly after 4:00
am. I put in a full work day, left around lunchtime, and then
went home for some sleep. At 6:00 pm I woke, dressed and did
the final check of bike and equipment.
At 6:30 I headed out, but not to start the ride. A local cigar shop
was having a cigar tasting event. Smoking a free cigar and
hanging out with a few buddies seemed like a good way to get in
the right frame of mind. I asked one of friends to sign my
witness form to start the ride, and one of the store owners said he
would be glad witness the end of my ride. I told him I would see
him the next day and hit the road. My official start time was 7:50
pm.
The Trace is “only” 441 miles long. Riding the entire length and
back would leave me short of the 1,000 miles needed. So, I
hopped on I-40 and rode 60 miles west. I got a gas receipt in
Hurricane Mills to document this leg of the trip. It was about 10:00 pm I got on the Trace headed for Natchez, Mississippi.
For the first hour or so I would occasionally see other vehicles. After midnight the traffic became nonexistent. At one stretch I went
over 2.5 hours without seeing another vehicle.
Animals, on the other hand were abundant. It seemed like about every twenty minutes or so a raccoon, armadillo, rabbit, opossum,
squirrel, fox or some other creature would raise the excitement level by darting into my path of travel. Even more nerve racking were
the deer. None of them ever jumped into the road, but the light reflecting out of their large, glassy eyes was a constant reminder that
they were abundant in the area.
Between Tupelo and Jackson I pulled over to stretch my legs. As I turned the key off I was amazed at the sense of overwhelming
darkness. The moon was no longer out and a small layer of wispy clouds obscured the starlight. The glow from my GPS unit stood
out like a fireball.
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NTP Sign, Natchez, MS – 7:30 AM
NTP Sign, Nashville, TN – 4:30 PM
While fueling up in Natchez a lady brought her young son over to look at my motorcycle. She asked where I was headed, and was
amazed when I told her I was riding up to Nashville. “In one day!?!” she asked. I did not tell her that she literally only knew half the
story.
About 70 miles north of Natchez I saw a couple of guys on cruisers, and it occurred to me that these were the first motorcycles I had
seen in over 500 miles. I guess that just proves that most riders are not as crazy as I am.
indianapolismotorspeedway.com
By Paul Kelly
Monday, July 16, 2007
The Atlanta Show will be held at Georgia World
Congress Center, January 18 – 20, 2008
Bloodworth Motorcycles will be putting together
another trip down to next years Atlanta event which
will include chartered bus travel, hotel reservations,
and special events. Additional details will be
coming in future months, so stay tuned.
Ticket orders are being accepted now for the inaugural
Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008,
the first motorcycle race at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway in nearly 100 years. The MotoGP race will
be the first motorcycle event at IMS since 1909, the
year the facility opened.
BMW Summer Sweepstakes
Orders can be placed either online at
www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com or by mailing an
order form to IMS. The order form is available at the
IMS Web site or by calling the IMS Ticket Office at
(800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or (317)
492-6700 locally. Ticket Office hours are 8 a.m.-5
p.m., Monday through Friday.
In 1983, we introduced a new liquid-cooled, four-cylinder
engine platform called the K series. Since then, these K
bikes have attained a loyal following due to their
amazing power output, smooth handling, and excellent
sport touring abilities. And now, thanks to the BMW
Summer Speedstakes, you can win any one of these
impressive machines, each of which boasts even more
horsepower and performance than ever before. Whether
it’s the smooth-shifting, aerodynamic K 1200 R Sport,
the ferocious K 1200 R, the surgically precise K 1200 S,
or the lightning-quick K 1200 GT, the thrill and joy you’ll
experience will be the same. Come by Bloodworth
Motorcycles and register to win in the BMW Summer
Sweepstakes. Contest ends September 30, 2007.
All tickets for this event are three-day tickets, with
both reserved and general admission seating available.
Anyone wanting reserved seats must request at least
four choices of their preferred seating area with their
order. All orders will be fulfilled at a later date.
Fans of all ages wishing to have a reserved seat must
purchase a ticket. Children age 5 and under will be
admitted free when they accompany a paid adult.
MotoGP fans are encouraged to order early, as tickets
for past inaugural events at IMS have sold quickly.
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PRESIDENTS CORNER:
Polly Wright & Danny Wiley
NEXT MEETING
BLOODWORTH MOTORSPORTS
Articles by: Mike Gillespie, Paul Kel,
Tim Weber, Danny Wiley, and
Scott Esteran
Calendar of Events
Meeting Dates
Classifieds
Websites
WHITE BRIDGE ROAD
NASHVILLE, TN
6:30 PM
BMW MCON
P O Box 158265
Nashville, TN 37215
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