May 2008 Meeting and Ride to Bell Buckle

“Where’s my Pro Pad?”, Chick asked as we were getting ready to leave RCPS on our way to Mark’s.

 

“It’s on the bike,” I said. I had hooked it to the trunk supports this morning when I rolled the Kingpin out of the garage.

 

“No, it’s not,” she answered.

 

I turned around and sure enough, no pad. That’s when it hit me. I ran to get some gas and by the office to get the little camera while she was finishing getting ready earlier, and forgot I had hooked it on. Somewhere along the streets of Madison or US72 heading into Huntsville, lies a perfectly good $70.00 Pro

Pad. Of course these things never land where you can spot them from the road when you go back looking for them. Hopefully at least somebody found it and is getting good use out of it if she can’t. The good news out of this is she didn’t beat me too badly. I promised we'd grab one at Sloan’s when we got there.

 

When we left Madison, it was Jason, Susan, Jamie, Tom, Karen, and myself. We hit Mark’s driveway about 45 minutes later. Mark and Cheryl had us a pot of coffee, along  with some  doughnuts, pastries and bagels set up under the covered pavilion. You know it’s going to be a good one when you start the day out with a continental breakfast. Nice! Thanks guys, it really hit the spot.

By - Wendell Rogers - Aka: Rocketcitymadman, Photography by Karen and Wendell Rogers

Bell Buckle's Smothered Pork Chops, Madman’s Favorite!

Putting faces with names!

Click on any of the pictures to see more pictures from that day.

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Figuring we had about an hour & a half drive to Sloan’s we hit the road leaving Fayetteville around 9:30.

 

The traffic in Murfreesboro was no where near as bad as it was back in November.  Once we hit N. Broad Street, in no time we were crossing the median into the parking lot. We were greeted by a group of Vicsters that included Drew, Ken, his wife Terry, Bruce and his wife Rhonda. I checked the clock on my phone when I got off the bike, 11:02, right on time. I hadn’t no more got my helmet off and here comes Juan pulling up. He got held up and had been trying to catch up with us ever since we left Fayetteville. We had wondered if he was coming and Mark even

called him. I guess he was on the bike when he called.

 

We spent the next few minutes getting acquainted and looking over the new additions to the HoDVR stable. With the introductions out of the way we migrated inside to the Victory section of the store, spending a few minutes going through Sloan’s Victory toy box and straddling a few of the models they had on display.

 

Sloan’s had us a meeting room setup upstairs stocked with refreshments and snacks. In addition to that we were supplied with some door prizes that were awarded to a few lucky winners. A huge thank you goes out to the wonderful folks at Sloan’s Motorcycle / ATV for making us feel right at home and treating us so well.

 

The meeting lasted a little over an hour and we spent a little more time looking around the store before heading out on the ride. Chick and I hit the parts and apparel area looking for a ProPad only to strikeout. She did get her a nice set of sunglasses though. I guess we’ll be making yet another trip to Lynchburg Choppers in the near future.

Finally got to meet Mrs. Tigger (Susan)

Saddle up!

Hidden Treasures!

By the time we got out to the bikes the rest of the group was just about ready to take off. I got a few good shots of everybody and we mounted up and fell in line with the others.

 

With Drew and Ken taking the point we pulled out onto NW Broad St. leaving Sloan’s in the rearview and made a left onto TN-268. A few miles down the road we stopped to top off the tanks before getting on to TN-96. Once we got out of the city limits of Murfreesboro the ride really got good.

 

I don’t know about the rest of you but when I’m leading I don’t get to enjoy the ride as

much since I’m having to keep up with the route, and constantly making sure everyone is still in tow. So being about the sixth bike in the line I really got to relax and take it all in.  We were only a few miles into the ride and I’m already thinking this could be one of the best rides we’ve taken so far. The country side was magnificent with deep blue skies and excellent roads. Then we hit the good stuff.

 

 About twenty miles into the ride we took a sharp right onto TN-145 where we snaked our way through a small community called Auburntown. Once on the other side is when the fun really started. The road surface was excellent and the riding was a dream. We

Yep, still back there!

Let’s get this show on the road!

were in back country and the sights, sounds, and smells were pure heaven! I could hear the ooohs and aaawhs over the engine roar coming from the back seat as Chick snapped away with the camera. If I heard “Buy me that!” once, I know I heard it fifty times as we passed homestead after homestead. The ride between Auburntown and Woodbury was over way before I was ready for it to be. We stopped at a station in Woodbury for a midway rest and no sooner had the last engine shut off than everyone was a buzz about the last ten miles. I remember telling the group that if I had been riding that road by myself I would have never made it out. I would have stopped every 100 yards to snap a picture!

 

Fried Biscuits, yummm, yummm!

After about a 15 minutes break we left the station on US-70S heading west. A short 5 miles later with a left onto TN-64 and we’re back at it again. This stretch took us on a fifteen mile twistie through Culpepper, Curee, Bradyville, and Beech Grove as we crossed under I-24 and hit TN-82. The curves and hills were just challenging enough to be fun but not intimidating. You could dive in to a curve and leap out the other side with the pit of your stomach crawling with butterflies. Man, I love than sensation!

 

A little over five miles down TN-82 and we’re pulling into Bell Buckle. The only thing that made up for the ride being over

The ride was full of views such as this!

L-R: Tom, Rhonda, Bruce, Drew, Ken, Terry, Jamie, Karen, Wendell, Susan, and Jason

Not pictured - Juan, Mark, and Cheryl

Chick & I had a blast, you should have been there to!

was knowing a good meal awaited inside the Bell buckle Café.

 

Mark ,Cheryl and Juan opted out of the late lunch/early supper so they could get on back. With all the bikes parked and the gear stowed we bid goodbye to them and made our way over to the café. We grabbed a table just the right size located in the back where the bands usually play. As it turned out we just missed the live radio show. Oh well, maybe next time.

 

For the next hour our tongues and taste buds wallered around in the café food trough just having themselves a high old time. This time they had my favorite, smothered pork chops, and of course we had everybody’s favorite,

fried biscuits. A couple of orders of those biscuits just showed up out of nowhere.  Not sure who was responsible for that but I know I speak for all the tummies present when I say thanks!

 

Once we rolled out the door and got back on our feet, a few went this way, a few went that way, and a few just stood around cause they were too full to move. A little while later we gathered over by the gazebo for a group picture before we went our separate ways. I just wished we had done it before Mark, Cheryl and Juan left. It was to say the least a good day. A good day with a couple of firsts. It was the first time Susan (Mrs. Tigger) road with us as well as Mark’s wife Cheryl. Is it just me or was Tigger just a little tamer this trip? We also got to meet our new members Ken and Terry and Bruce and Rhonda.  Looks like they are gonna fit in just fine with this crazy bunch.  A big thanks to Drew and Ken for the fabulous ride route. I know you guys spent some time putting it together and it is so appreciated. It was one of the best rides yet.

 

I know I’ve said it before but this is what it’s all about people. Till next time, ride safe!