[CBRVFR]

Ninerpilot, Red Rider, Baketech, Lateapex and others -

Sorry you missed the shindig. There was a lot of fun to be had and old acquaintences to renew.

I brought my bike to Richmond, IN Thursday night and set off with my friend Rich in the warm rain friday. We got rained on the entire way to Marietta, and the forecast was grim for Saturday. Dinner and drinks at Damon's - Met Nate, back from Iraq and bought him the promised drink.

Saturday was inexplicably beautiful. 80's, sunny. I rode with Richard, who was doing well, especially insofar as it was his first ride since he smashed his bike and his hand last summer, and Mike Z and his wife Rene who is a former racer. She had one of her vintage GSXR's, an '87 I think, and rode very well.

There were the usual number of blind decreasing radius double apex sphincter clenchers, lots of gravel, puddles, animals, paople unloading their trailers in the middle of the road after a blind corner. All in all, there were lots and lots of indications to take it easy, which we did for the most part.

The new Metzeler Z6 Roadtec tires were great.

Beilak crashed. He's unhurt but tore up his clutch cover and lots of plastic. "Badger", a guy with an Aprilia Futura, was riding behind him, target fixated, and fit most of the Aprilia under a parked pickup. He's OK, but the bike's very damaged. I still think it loks better than stock, though.

A red haired guy named Marc with a black '94 lowsided and got his ankle caught under the bike, breaking a bone.

More carnage than you'd expect for an aging group of overeducated sport tourers.. But everyone made it home out of more than 50 riders on some of the most challenging roads anywhere.

I think we should all read "The Pace" next time.

As I've said before, having access to the track has really curtailed my desire to hang it out on the street.

Saturday night we were treated to the sight of Lou picking up women who were attending a wedding at the hotel. It was pretty damned funny.

"Before this conversation goes any further, how old are you? I mean, I know we're close to West Virginia and all.."

Sunday the temp dropped to the low 40's and it rained most of the way back to Indiana. I guess now I know why people buy heated grips and vests. It sucked.

But I kept thinking of Bwhip's signature - every ride a gift. That was just a colder one than usual.


Wish you all could have come.

[NinerPilot]

Sounds like a typical COTU, but with more crashes than normal... It also sounds like Lou was in true form and being himself... Hopefully there will be some shenanagains to be had at WDGAH.
Chris

[Red Rider]

Glad to hear you made it home safely. The COTU events are always fun...especially watching the locals! Too bad about the carnage, including Marc Brinker. The WV roads are absolutely awesome...well worth the trip.

Sorry I missed all the fun. I did make up for it by hitting Grattan yesterday! Temps were cold but I did run a 1:29!