I left RI around 8am or so to head to NJ to meet up with Paul. The Blast was loaded up with the ugly saddlebags that came with the bike and a day pack strapped to the seat. I had to represent:
The ride to NJ was actually pretty nice, even though it took a little longer than expected. When I got there, I got to meet this handsome fellow, Tank:
He and I hit it off immediately; he played with me a lot, then took a nap under my feet. Paul and I got some kickass pizza for lunch, then chilled a bit while we waited for Adam.
Adam, Seth and his girl (sorry, can't remember her name...Amber?) met up with us at Paul's around 4pm, so we geared up and headed out. Then the problems began. Seth's trailer had too much tongue weight on his lowered WRX, so it was causing one (both?) of the back tires to rub on the inner fender well. So, no sooner than we got on the highway, we were pulled over on the side of the road. After doing a little work, the guys got the trailer hooked up to Adam's truck instead, and we went out in search of a tire store that was still open (by this time it was after 5pm). I have to admit, it was nice to chill out in the air conditioned lobby of the tire shop for a while, since it was hot as hell out on the road.
My "Buell Mule" at the tire store. It's like the Spruce Goose in that both people who thought they had a good idea were crazy:
But, eventually, the tires were mounted up on Seth's car and we were good to go. Or were we? Paul's bike wouldn't start. So, they bumped it, it ran for a bit, then died. Paul was ready to give up and go home at that point, but Seth generously offered up his bike to ride, so they swapped out Seth's bike from the trailer and put Paul's bike on it. Then we were good to go, for real this time.
Swapping out the bikes:
I don't know what time it was when we got to the resort, but we were tired, hot, and bug-covered. Or at least Paul and I were, anyway. I believe the first thing I did after I took my gear off was grab a beer and made with the introductions. Fister gave me an awesome present of a Michelin Man keychain and puzzle. Thanks Fister! You're awesome
Got to see the charity bike for the first time:
Truck and Scraps then hacked into the swinger brace:
And this was just Thursday... (to be continued)
The ride to NJ was actually pretty nice, even though it took a little longer than expected. When I got there, I got to meet this handsome fellow, Tank:
He and I hit it off immediately; he played with me a lot, then took a nap under my feet. Paul and I got some kickass pizza for lunch, then chilled a bit while we waited for Adam.
Adam, Seth and his girl (sorry, can't remember her name...Amber?) met up with us at Paul's around 4pm, so we geared up and headed out. Then the problems began. Seth's trailer had too much tongue weight on his lowered WRX, so it was causing one (both?) of the back tires to rub on the inner fender well. So, no sooner than we got on the highway, we were pulled over on the side of the road. After doing a little work, the guys got the trailer hooked up to Adam's truck instead, and we went out in search of a tire store that was still open (by this time it was after 5pm). I have to admit, it was nice to chill out in the air conditioned lobby of the tire shop for a while, since it was hot as hell out on the road.
My "Buell Mule" at the tire store. It's like the Spruce Goose in that both people who thought they had a good idea were crazy:
But, eventually, the tires were mounted up on Seth's car and we were good to go. Or were we? Paul's bike wouldn't start. So, they bumped it, it ran for a bit, then died. Paul was ready to give up and go home at that point, but Seth generously offered up his bike to ride, so they swapped out Seth's bike from the trailer and put Paul's bike on it. Then we were good to go, for real this time.
Swapping out the bikes:
I don't know what time it was when we got to the resort, but we were tired, hot, and bug-covered. Or at least Paul and I were, anyway. I believe the first thing I did after I took my gear off was grab a beer and made with the introductions. Fister gave me an awesome present of a Michelin Man keychain and puzzle. Thanks Fister! You're awesome
Got to see the charity bike for the first time:
Truck and Scraps then hacked into the swinger brace:
And this was just Thursday... (to be continued)