2011 Autumn In Dixie Victory Ride — Dover, TN

The plan was to meet Pam & David, Tim & Carol and Slone & Joel at Hardees leaving out somewhere between 9:00 and 9:30. We would pick up Roy and Jeanie and a couple of others at the Shell station in Athens. The other pack met at Mark & Cheryl’s with a 7:30 departure from Fayetteville. With a biscuit breakfast out of the way and a short stop in Athens we hit I65 somewhere around 10:00 with the next scheduled stop at exit 37 to Columbia.

 

It was misting rain off and on going up I65 and about 20 miles before exit 37 Tim and Carol pull up along side of me giving me hand signals. At first, as he pointed to his lower back,  I was thinking what the hell is he saying. Apparently he realized my confusion and

pointed toward his crotch. Oh! Bathroom break, I get it. We hadn’t gone more than 30 miles. When we hit the closest station the ribbing began. David was all over him and I told him his bladder was smaller than Pam’s. While he was inside the station David bought a siphon hose and presented it to him when he rejoined the group. He told him we were going to run it down the side of his bike and make him ride in the back. I thought Carol was going to bust a gut laughing at David riding him like a borrowed mule. It was all in good fun and within a few minutes the all too familiar “Load Up!” rang out and we were back on I65 heading north.

 

While mapping out the trip a few days earlier I decided we might want to bypass Nashville and take the scenic route. So when we hit exit 37 to Columbia we left the superslab behind and followed TN 7.  Misty rain was still dogging us but all in all it wasn’t bad enough to spoil the ride. It was a little cool

By - Wendell Rogers - Aka: Rocketcitymadman, Photography by Slone & Wendell

Look at that smile!

but nothing an extra layer didn’t take care of.  I missed the turn in Columbia but a quick trip through a gas station had us back on track.  Not long after we left Columbia we came upon a detour that had us riding in the hollows of Santa Fe, TN. For the next 10 or so miles we rolled up and down the hills and enjoyed the scenery. Shortly after we made the turn onto TN 46 the sun started playing peek-a-boo

with us. By the time we hit Dickson it was out in full force and we never saw a drop again. When we stopped for gas the group decided we were hungry and a Waffle House sat next to the station just calling our names.

 

The rest of the trip up there was pretty much uneventful except for a little mishap with the GPS. At one point it had me going in circles. With a little help from a local we quickly found our way and about 4:30 we were climbing the hill to the Dover Inn. We were greeted by the others that, as it turned out, hadn’t arrived more than 30 minutes before us. Rain had delayed their departure which put us right on track with each other.

 

With just enough time for us to get settled in we were back on the bikes heading to supper. Marvin and Cathy took the lead of course and led us on a 20 mile ride through the back roads to a little out-of-the-way Mom and Pop place called Southern Aire where we all enjoyed a buffet that had just about anything you could want. I heard a few raving about the banana pudding. By the time it was all said and done the moaning and groaning and could be heard echoing off the hillside.

 

With everybody back at home base the chairs came out and we all gathered around our cabin to unwind. For the next couple of hours we did nothing but sit and talk, telling stories of past rides, a few mishaps and do you remember when's.  It wasn’t long before the days activities started to take it’s toll and the crowd started to thin out. With tomorrows breakfast plans decided and the last holdouts calling it quits, Karen and I hit the bed looking forward to what tomorrow would bring.

Easing into the morning!

Ride to eat, eat to ride!

Hidden Treasures!

By 9:00 most of us were gathered around the table at a place Brian and Kerri had mention the night before called the Dover Café, I believe it was. The way he went on about the red-eye gravy sealed the deal. With breakfast out of the way we headed back to home base for the 10:00 ride departure. We were about three fourths of the way back and it hit me. “You left your camera on the table!”.  I dropped Karen back at the cabin and made a bee-line back. Of course it was still sitting there. They hadn’t even started cleaning off the table. It did  make us a little late getting started, sorry Marvin.

 

 

Watching over his flock!

So many hugs, so little time!

 

 

 

 

What a fine group of young men!

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He was gonna strap it to his bike!

I was up at 5:30 which is a little late for me but considering the late hour the night before not too bad. First things first, coffee! With a short walk to the store I had a nice tall cup in one hand and a new can of Maxwell house in the other. I had no more than sat down from a refill run and I see Russell’s head appear around the corner of the cabin separating ours from theirs. In a few minutes Mark joined us and then David surfaced. Gradually one by one all the cabin dwellers were gathered around and sipping on a cup and easing into the morning. I love this time of day and especially when I can share it with you guys. I love all the sleepy eyes, the yawns, the soft quiet giggles from the women over what happened the day and night before, trying not to be too loud as to wake up anybody still sleeping.

 

All aboard!

Love this picture!

Good Idea on the Ferry ride guys!

Victory's in one place before!” The first ride was shorter than the second. Yes, we rode two! I like to have lost the bike when we hit that slippery ramp. The front tire slipped just a fraction but was enough to cause me to instinctively react. If Karen hadn’t reacted the way she did and counter lean to the opposite side, we would have hit the deck. Tell me the passenger doesn’t have anything to do with the operation of the bike! I was able to get back upright and up the ramp without incident. My girl was paying attention. Thank you sweetie!

 

The first ferry took us across the river and after another run through the back roads we were pulling up to the load site of the second.

good ride Captain my man!.

 

Take a good look around people. What we have here is infectious and its spreading! It amazes me that all of this started because of a simple thing as a motorcycle. When others find out about us and join in they like it and they want it. Its not the ride or the motorcycle but the wonderful people we have and the friendship that we share. I look back over the last 4 years and think buying that bike was a blessing. Karen and I have really enjoyed our time with each and everyone of you and look forward to many more. This years riding season is winding down but it wont be long and we’ll do it all over again with wonderful destinations on the horizon and a cozy fire to sit around. Keep passing out those cards and our family will continue to grow. Till next time!

A Titanic moment!

The ferry had just left port and wasn’t maybe 40 yards out. Everybody started meandering, removing helmets, reaching for those ciggs and taking their first swig off a cold drink, expecting this the be a long wait. Which, as far as I’m concerned is not a problem in the least. Just means another session of laughing our butts off and having a good time before we have to saddle back up and have some more fun! I noticed when we pulled up that the ferry only had two, maybe three passengers and they were bikes. By the time everybody was off the bike and starting to talk I turned around and noticed that the ferry was coming back. Tell me there’s no bond between riders. That group had the Captain come back for us.

 

This time we crossed the Tennessee and it was a longer ride. Once on the other side we gathered just off the ramp until all was in tow.

Get your hands off my man, woman!

Not a half a mile down the road we stopped for fuel, drinks and snacks!

 

The rest of the afternoon we made our way through the back roads of Stewart County Tennessee. We road by Marvin and Cathy house. I figured it was their place when she pointed to a nice period home with two red barns flanking each side as we passed. I can’t remember what time it was when we pulled into a local Park for our last stop before home base. Time just isn’t relevant when you’re enjoying yourself so much. That is of course, unless you’ve been riding about 50 or 60 miles and you hear that old familiar voice just over your right shoulder whispering softly in your ear “I NEED TO GET OFF THIS BIKE NOW!” All joking aside it’s not quite that bad

Desert!

Now when I’ve not been able to find a good place to stop and a few more miles have passed, then the voice level starts to rise. But, not without good reason. I don’t know about you guys but it’s a site to see when they peel off that back seat.

 

Our last stop was the park (can’t remember the name) because a Boss Hoss rally was being held there. We pulled in to a small parking lot to discuss what lay ahead. I guess it was around 3:00 when we got there and the plan for the evening was to meet up for a 4:30 departure. With this in mind Karen and I decided to get back to the cabin to get cleaned up and refreshed for the dinner ride. The split was about 50/50 when the group parted.

Didn’t ya’ll do this last year?

The closer we got to the departure time the more I started thinking about the dinner ride. We would be leaving somewhere between 4:30 and 5:00, it’s about 50 miles one way, a hour if we’re lucky for diner, another 50 miles   back in the dark, on the twisties; you get where I’m going with this. Plus my lovely wife’s backside, back and shoulder are singing in three part harmony, and my whole body wants to make it a quartet. Not being able to see good at night didn’t help either. We opted to sit this one out and get things ready for the evening gathering. We were joined by a few others and when the group left we rested for a little while, grabbed a quick bite and got things ready for the nights festivities. So I can’t tell you how the dinner ride was but from all the talk I definitely wished I

I don’t think it will fit you Russell!

could have been there.

 

David and I went down to the office and asked if we could get some firewood and build a fire. They were so accommodating and right before we started out for our dinner they drove up in a utility vehicle with a good size load in the back. They even brought us a good pile of stones to make the circle. When we got back the circle was set up and the firewood stacked and ready to go. It was no time and we had a roaring fire waiting for the group to find a seat.

 

By 10:00 we were all gathered round the campfire, the girls in blankets, and the guys moving about from conversation to conversation. THIS is what I enjoy the most. I like the ride, the places we see along the way, all of it, but none of that compares to the time we spend together like this; the one on one time when we are reminded why we started this little group in the first place.

 

A few of us were able to get some of our great dealers, venders and local businesses to donate a few goodies for the occasion.

So for the next hour we drew names from a box and passed them all around. There were a few cigars consumed, some shirts and accessories distributed along with things I can’t remember. By the time it was all over everybody had to find more room in the bags for the return trip the next day.

Guys, I had a blast; thanks!

Congratulations!

We had a few guests join us for this years ride. Mark, a guy Roy met through work, and his wife Kim, Brian, Kerri and Jose from the NashVegas chapter, and Steve who drove all the way from North Carolina. It’s always good to have our neighbors drop by and see how we do things here in the Heart of Dixie. Brian and Kerri, earlier in the day, let the group know that they were getting married in the next few weeks and come to find out it was Steve’s birthday.  The girls brought out a few snack cakes with candles (we couldn’t find a cake) and we celebrated with them. Nice touch girls!

 

The full day started to catch up with us and a few sprinkles started to fall, signaling the end was near. We said our good nights and got

Happy Birthday Steve!

some much needed rest for the next days ride back home.

 

With packing and breakfast out of the way, we gathered back at the cabins on the hill for the group picture. It about wore me out running from the porch to my place in the group before the shutter fired but we got a couple of good shots. The return trip had the group pretty much split into two separate rides. Several had to be back by a certain time and with the goodbyes and hugs (love them hugs) out of the way they left the rest of us to stick a fork in this years AIDVR.

 

The rest of us, with no particular time schedule, decided to make our way to the Loveless Café at the start of the Natchez Trace and then ride the Trace most of the way back. Once  we got back to Dickson, Brian took the point. He had the GPS sighted in on the Loveless and with a short trip east on I40 we were there before we knew it. We had every intention of eating at the Café but an hour and fifteen minute wait took the wind out of those sails and we opted to just look around a bit and hit the road. I hear the best part of the Trace is the part that runs from just outside of Nashville down through Florence and Tuscumbia. We enjoyed every mile. From the arch bridge to Lewis Merriwether park we made one stop for a rest. Brian and Kerri left us at Leaper Fork and we waved at Roy, Jeannie, Mark and Kim as we left Lewis Merriwether Park.. We were getting off the Trace and heading over to Lawrenceburg which was just down the

Ok, you can blame me for getting you in this mess!

road. We stopped in Lawrenceburg to give the girls a butt break and then one more at the Ardmore exit on I65. Slone and Joel were taking 65 to Priceville to avoid Huntsville and Madison. Pam and David were taking A53 and Karen and I were making a stop in Ardmore to eat and spend a few minutes with her sister in town. It was close to 8:30 by the time I plopped my butt on the loveseat and not long after that the bed started calling my name. Well, there you have it. Another Autumn in Dixie Victory Ride, and a good one I might add, in the books. This years ride had something for everybody. A big thank you needs to go out to Marvin and
Cathy. It’s not easy planning these things and I for one appreciate their efforts. You make a

 

 

It was between 10:30 and 11:00 when we left the base camp with Marvin and Cathy taking the point, towing a line of 14 bikes following along behind. I can’t begin to tell you what roads we took. That’s the beauty of being

What can I say that this photo hasn’t?

anywhere but out front. You just get to enjoy. All morning long the skies looked like they could spoil the day at any moment but I don’t remember any time when the rain got above a few sprinkles.

 

Our first stop was a ferry crossing. When we pulled up the ferry was on its way back from the other side and one car was in front of us in line and behind us. We decided to let those two take the next ride and we’d wait for the following. Of course you know me I got out my camera  and made good use of the opportunity. I had help this trip though.

Two of our newest members Joel and Slone West  got to come and she’s just as bad as I am when it comes to the photobug. Between the both of us I think we got somewhere around 800 photos. I told Karen when we got home Sunday night and I was downloading Slone’s files, that she took 550 pictures. Karen said, “God, she is you!”

 

I had never ridden on a ferry with the bike. Let me tell you it was a blast! Seeing all those bikes and nothing else on that ferry was a site! The Captain was shooting pictures from his perch while the rest of us were walking the deck firing away. Somebody told me the Captain said, “never seen this many