2007 Dogwood Rally Report

Hi Folks,
I will try to give a "Blow by Blow" Rally report for the "6th Annual Georgia Mountain Dogwood Rally".
My Wife, Barbara and I arrived at TWO around Noon on Friday, under clear sky's and temps in the high 60s.
The DOT and Georgia Patrol were already in position to close the roads for The "Tour de Georgia" Bicycle race coming through around 2:00 to 2:30.
We checked in and unloaded into MH1, "Home Base". Quickly ate lunch and I manged to get onto Hwy 180 just before they closed it.
The sides of the road were lined with people, like some "Euro Rally Race".
The only good thing about the Tour de Ga. is the Dot has the roads swept clean witch is great for motorcycles.
I cont. up 180, across Wolf Pen Gap, down to Hwy 129, then down 129 to "Turners Corner", right onto Hwy 19, to "The Rock Pile" then Right onto Hwy 60 and back to TWO.
This is what is known as "The Cooler Run" and takes less than a hour to run.
When I pulled into TWO I found Marty Hallberg, Greg & Ryan Johnson. Ryan is only 14, but has an AL learners permit to ride his 250 Ninja. Ryan, Marty, Greg and I
Then took off up Hwy 60 No. now clear of all race spectators. (We did have a very high bicycle presence in the No Ga Mountains all weekend)
We rode about 30 miles North before turning around and going back to TWO.
Now it gets cloudy as to who arrives when, but before long we had Dave Burgess of Hot Wing Glass. Roger Anderson (with Coors Lite, two of witch I found in my cooler when I got home, Thanks Rog) Doug Grayden, Mike Knight, Mark Anthony and Rick Miller.
After hand shakes and hellos we left in two groups, Doug, Rick, Roger and Mike night in one left to do the "Cooler Run" clockwise, while Dave, Mark, Greg Ryan and I went counter clockwise. Great Fun.
We returned to find Barry Berrong and Maggie Oliver, Jack Higday and Eric Renneisen. We had a fine meal at The Lodge and put a Big dent in the beer cooler. We sat around a talked about bikes, beer roads late into the night.
Saturday morning we found temps had dipped into the 40s over night. But were climbing fast through the 50s.
After a fine breakfast at the TWO lodge, we suited up for the days ride.
We had 15 bikes and riders at the riders meeting.
Split into two groups. Doug Grayden led one group of, Mike Knight, Roger Anderson, Marty Hallberg, Jack Higday and Brent Hoovestol.

The 2nd group lead by Myself with Dave Burgess, Rick Miller, Ryan & Greg Johnson, Eric Renneisen, Mark Anthony & a fella named Frank that joined in as we left TWO. Barry and Maggy went off on they're on adventure.
The two big groups were off to find the Kangaroo ranch in Dawsonville. My group, after a couple mis-ques, meet up with Doug's at the Kangaroo ranch only to find that a Fee of $27.50 was needed to take a 1.5 hour tour!
We did spend a little time, and money in the gift shop.
Then we were off to eat lunch at the Taccoa River Restaurant. We were to meet up there at 1:00 pm.
the two groups crossed paths a couple times as we wondered about on some eXScallant roads.
Some of the members of out group thought this meant we were lost and stopped because we were going the wrong way!
Once we were all together again we cont. to Aska Road and the Taccoa river Rest. only to find it closed.
Luckily another Restaurant was near by, "The Taccoa River Outpost" and an eXScellant lunch was enjoyed.
After lunch Eric set off for Road Atlanta to be with some car club friends.
Dave and Frank set off to do a little Adventure Touring.
Our group was now down to 5. We set off No. to Blue Ridge and hwy 60 back to TWO. After a quick "Butt Rest"
I jumped on Scout and Dave, Mark, Rick and my self set off on yet another Cooler Run. This one had a quite brisk pace. We stopped on 180 to let some slower bikes move on, and Dave asked if I would like to ride his 650 V-Strom. I Loved It!
Back to Two for Hot Dogs and Hamburgers prepared by my loving wife Barbara.
After this wonderful meal we set around the campfire and listened to Barry Berrong and Steve Sosebee play some great Blue Grass and Old Country. They were later joined by Robert Brewer on Stand Up Bass!
Lots of Beer and Wine was consumed.
The festivities went on well into the night.
Sunday morning found many packing up for they're trek home. Barry, Marty, Rick and I set off for the "Danny Denhart Memorial Ride". We rode at a very leisurely pace (we were even passed by some Hogs!) out 180 to the Richard Russell Parkway to Hellen.
Then up 17/75 back to 180 and TWO.
After many goodbyes and another lunch a TWO Barbara and I packed up and drove home.
All and All a very nice weekend. And did I mention the great weather? Six years in a row we have been blessed with fantastic weather!
Can't wait for next year!
See Ya There!