'08 Dogwood Ride Report

Hi Folks,
The following is a blow by blow report of the very
eventful Dogwood Ride to The "Wheels Through Time
Museum" in Maggie Valley NC.
Saturday morning we awoke to find it raining. Luckily
it stopped around 9am and by 11am the sun was out.
A quick poll found 14 bikes and riders (1 2 up)
wanting to go to Maggie Valley to the museum.
Now as much as I love these guys, and I do, anyone
that has done one of these rides know doing one of
these rides is a lot like herding cats!
We decided to split up into two groups of 7 bikes.
I started out leading the 1st group and Marty Hallburg
lead the 2nd.
We were gonna take the easy route straight up Hwy 19.
Between Suches and Blairsville Rick Millers Son Robert
lost a side cover off of his Kaw. It was recovered and
a short stop at The "Round About" and we were off
again.
Things went pretty well for some 80 miles till I
discovered our 7 bikes were down to 4. We stopped at
the Gas Station were Hwy 28 turns towards Highland,
NC.
Soon Rick, Robert and Herbert, showed up with a sick
Kaw. Seems the floats are sticking closed. A tap on
the bowls and fuel is flowing again. Rick and Robert
from the 1st group and Bob from the 2nd decide to turn
back to Suches, GA.
We take off to continue to Maggie Valley with me
leading. Somehow I miss a turn, Rod on his Goldwing
riding sweep realizes this about the same time as me
and comes up along me so I let him lead as he has a
GPS.
After a U-turn and a short detour on some great side
roads, we were back on Hwy19 East of Cherokee.
This put us at the Museum around 3pm!
The 2nd group decided to eat first.
The 1st group entered the museum to find Dale, covered
in grease as he was rebuilding a tranny for some old
HD.
He gave us a Group Rate and asked, "Where are you guys
from". I told him we rode up from Suches, Ga and TWO
as part of the XS650 Dogwood Rally". Dale
responds," you mean the old parallel twin"?
Mark Anthony says "Yeah, and I am the only one on
one"!
Dale Laughs and says, "You rode all the way on an old
XS"? I have something for You". He then gave Mark a
Hat AND a T-Shirt, then had his photographer take
several photos of mark and his XS!
Quite amazing. After about an hour checking out the
museum (not nearly enough time) we went to the Bears
Den to eat. (where the 2nd group was) The 2nd group
decided to head on back to TWO, with the exception of
Brent who went on to the museum while we ate.
While we ate it started to rain.;-(
About 5pm we suited up in rain gear for the ride back
to TWO. Just before leaving I get a Call from Marty
leading group 2 saying the road south on 19 was
blocked by a power line, and they are gonna detour
across the Blue ridge Pkwy. to 441 So.
We pull out the map and decide to go east to pick up
23/74 south to 441. Again beings Rod had the GPS I had
him lead. Now, a word about the 1800cc Gold Wings.
Damn that thing will go! And corner Too! Fun to watch
thinking "He can't do that"!.
Any way, the group made it back to TWO around 8pm.
Mark Blaise and myself split off to do Blood MT. and
2/3rds of the "Cooler Run".
Back at TWO we had a wonderful meal at the lodge, then
a great fire side party with lots of beer and wine
while Barry played and sang, (although the beer
affected his lyrical memory). All in all a great day.
Just very sorry Rick had his difficulty.
Sunday found many folk leaving.
But Mark, Marty Brent and I set off on a ride on the
"Aska Loop" Only to be joined by Larry on his
Aprilra. A great Ride although I had a 0mph fall over
on Scout in some deep gravel when we stopped for
lunch.
No big deal except this was my 2nd drop on gravel as I
had done the same Friday at TWO. The one on Friday put
a dent in my tank! Damn!
Anyway, Thanks to Al Cooper and his Friends, Blaise,
Tony, Rod and Herman.
Doug Grayden, Mark Anthony, Marty and Robin, Rick and
Robert, Brent, Bob, Barry and Maggie, Michael, John and
at least one other whose name I cannot remember, for a
great weekend.
And, most of all thanks to Britt & GT along with Meme
and the whole TWO staff for making the Dogwood a great
time.
Put it down now for '09, April 17-19 2009
Hope to see Y'all There!

Mike Davis