I don’t often send family letters, so these are my reflections of this past year. 2009 has been a pretty year; we’ve been able to enjoy riding our Goldwing every month this year. I admit I haven’t got but one short ride in December, temp was only 38, probably find a few more days to ride, shirley doesn’t like to ride when it’s below 50.
One major ride this year took us in February to Florida for the Daytona Beach bike week, didn’t really get into the activities, although we met a friend down there who manufactures the ToyToter trailers for motorcycles and able to see some family and friends who have a winter home there. The trip down started with about 150 of rain and 40 degrees. We made it as far as Oneonta, AL so we found a Best Western to dry out and warm up. Our hopes were that we could get an early start tomorrow morning and be in Bronson Fl by late afternoon tomorrow, didn’t quite do it, we made it as Lamont, FL and finished our ride to Ocala the following morning. Had a great time with friends Ward & Diane and George & Grace, also got a chance to spend some time with our niece & husband before having to head back home. It was only two days’ riding and fair weather, of course we missed the nine inches of snow that came down at home while we were gone!
September had us headed for Myrtle Beach in the four wheeler for our Grand-daughter, Kelley’s wedding. We had a great time there visiting and enjoying our two great-grandsons, Austin & Logan. It was a beautiful wedding on the beach, so we gotten a chance to watch our Brady, Austin & Logan having a great time in the sand. Our Grand-daughter, Lisa was Maid-of-honor, we couldn’t have asked for a better day.
Until October we rode with friends to local attractions & the backroads around Shelbyville, TN, our home and several poker runs. The longer day trips took us to Center Hill Dam, Fall Creek Falls (was there three times), Nester Falls, Rutledge Falls near Manchester and several runs part way down the Natchez Trace Parkway. October found us with two other couples on their Goldwing Hannigan tri-cars for a trip Tellico Plains in the Smokies, what a great ride to there! Upon arriving we check-in to our cabins and then rode back to town for lunch, where we decided to ride the Cherohala Skyway, what great view and lots of twisting corners and mountains that will delight the crouch-rocket riders. After reach near the NC boarder we decided to cut across the Joyce Kilmer Forest and ride the Dragon’s Tail. It was nearing dusk when we arrived and after a brief stop there decided to challenge the eleven miles with 318 curves that make up the Dragon’s Trail, of course there were that may or more turn going the Joyce Kilmer Forest to get to Deal’s Gap. Needless to say we all survived the Dragon without a scratch, did see one bike about halfway through. Arriving at the end we rode west to Vonroe and found a great pizza place for supper. We ended up riding route 350, about 30 miles in the dark through the foot hills of the Cherokee National Forest back to our cabins, it was trying to say the least as it was now 10:30 Pm and we had been on the bikes since 6:00 AM. Would differently do it again, but split over two days. Next day we decided to work our way home across country (heavy rain was predicated for 2 days was coming our way) to McMinnville, was beautiful riding and temps were near 70 as we neared McMinnville, we head SW from there on 55, stopping in Morrison at Praters’ from some of the best ribs we’ve eve ate, differently worth the stop. I think we got home a bout half hour before the rain, I guess it was a good decision to leave early.
Of course the real highlight of October was on my birthday, October 7th was celebrating our Great-grandson, Blake's birthday who turned one on the 7th as well.
November we had some great riding weather, taking in the Hawgs for Dawgs poker Run and several rides with friends in the hills in and around Shelbyville. Our Son just left to return to Michigan after helping with several projects. Christmas is at our house this years, so were looking forward to that. This morning was a surprise as upon awakening to 22 degree we found we had two inches of snow, a lot of snow for this part of the country this early!
I’m sure there many other things I could have included, but would take two more pages. Visit our slide shows of our 2009 activities.
May God Bless you and Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Larry (Grumpy Old Man) & Shirley
Shelbyville, TN
Larry Brown takes a break at a gathering of fellow motorcycle enthusiasts.
(Submitted photo)
[Click to enlarge] |
Even though he's been retired for more than eight years now, Larry Brown has never been one to just sit around. Before moving to Tennessee from Michigan, he would spend his free time in the frozen north zipping across the landscape on his snowmobile. Now, he does it on his Honda Gold Wing 1500.
"I just got cabin fever," he said. "My cousin and her husband came to visit. They've been riding Gold Wings for 30 years. They were in Nashville for the 'Wing Ding' and rode down to see us."
Brown said he and his wife, Shirley, were impressed with how quiet and smooth the powerful motorcycles were.
"My wife said, 'I might consider one of those,'" said Brown.
It wasn't too long after that that "Goldie," their first motorcycle, was parked in the driveway. A Honda Gold Wing 1200, it was converted to a three-wheeler with a "Voyager" kit.
"All you have to do is unfasten two bolts and it's a two-wheeler again," he said. "I've thought about going two-wheeling, but don't think my wife would be too happy."
Others join adventure
Together, on the three-wheeler, they've been very happy. So much so, in fact, that they want to share the fun. Talking to members of their church and friends at the Lions' Club, they found other enthusiasts and began an informal riding club called The Tennessee Road Riders.
'Winnie,' Brown's new Gold Wing, is tricked out in running lights to increase visibility for night rides.
(Submitted photo) [Click to enlarge] |
"We enjoy riding with each other," said Brown, adding that he and Shirley have a two-way radio in their helmets so they can chat while he drives and she admires the landscape. "But it's always more fun to ride with others." He sees the Road Riders as more than an opportunity to take road trips with company, though.
"We want to project an image that not all motorcycle clubs are Hell's Angels or Devil's Disciples," he said. "We're all types, We come from all kinds of backgrounds, all kinds of professions."
While most of the members ride Gold Wings, Brown said that is by no means a requirement. His own daughter and son-in-law have Harleys and ride with them often. And while there may be some teasing at the motorcycle rallies and rides from Harley riders, he said "It's just friendly rivalry."
"We've never had a problem with other riders. Have you ever noticed that riders always wave at each other?" he asked. "They're a friendly bunch. They'll always stop and help if you need it."
Many motorcycle clubs sponsor charity events, such as toy drives and poker runs, event she would like to see the Road Riders take on as well.
Hitting the road
So far, he's taken some long trips -- one as far as Wisconsin. Last year, he rode in the Tennessee segment of the annual Trail of Tears ride and would like to go the whole way next year, finishing up in Oklahoma.
Seeing the country and meeting people are two of the benefits of his hobby.
"When you have a motorcycle, especially a three-wheeler, when you park it, eventually someone is going to come over and look at it and strike up a conversation," said Brown. "We've made a lot of friends."
One trip he's tried to complete several times and hasn't been able to is the Natchez Trace.
"It seems like the weather gets us every time," said Brown. "It's just not safe."
Keeping it safe
Even with the windscreen to keep the wind and some of the rain off, there are hazards.
"There's no windshield wiper," he said. "A rider's vision is obscured enough by the helmet."
Shirley Brown, and fellow riders Roy and Terry Vermuele take a break while cruising the Natchez Trace.
(Submitted photo)
[Click to enlarge] |
Safety is a key issue, both with Brown and with his fellow Road Riders. "I always wear a helmet," he said. "Even in the states that don't require them. A $200 helmet is easier to replace than your head.
"Our goal is to tell people this is a fun and safe hobby, if you exercise common sense and obey the rules of the road.".
He recommends anyone interested in motorcycles take the motorcycle safety course that is offered around the state.
"It teaches you the tricks of collision avoidance, how to look ahead, how to ride in staggered patterns."
One key to motorcycle safety is defensive driving, he said. Even when the rider is being careful, those in cars may not always see him.
On the other hand, the one on the motorcycle gets to see more than the driver.
"You see more, you hear more. There's nothing like it," he said.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
For more information about Road Riders, call (931) 205-6318, e-mail roadrider@tnroadriders.org or go to tnroadriders.org.
Here's some of the back roads we've beening riding on with some of our other riding friends, If you'd like to join the riding circle drop us an email. We'd like to get a bunch of rider together after the first of the year to plan some more backroad ride.