Hoot 2004

Chain · 05-05-2004, 10:58 AM

A handful of my moto-buddies and I are doing "Hoot Reloaded" - that is, a return to Rockytop!

I debated Grattan because I had genuine fun at my local trackday, but I had already made a loose commitment to go back to the Hoot as early as last fall. Since my schedule is now working out favorably for a June trip someplace, I've decided it'll be to ride Blue Ridge, Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway once again (how can anyone get sick of those roads?!).

Plus, Hoot '04 affords me an opportunity to diversify yet again relative to my motorcycle related accomplishments ... a SaddleSore 1000!

My itinerary includes leaving Omaha early on Monday, June 21st. I'll do about half the 915 miles to Knoxville on Travel Day 1, putting me someplace east of St. Louis, MO that afternoon. I'll finish the second leg on Tuesday, then spend Wed/Thur/Fri riding around the Smoky Mountains before heading for home bright and early on Saturday the 26th (that's when the SS1K will take place if it's going to take place at all).

I won't be registering for the Hoot proper as the organized group rides and vendor expo aren't activities that appeal that much. Planning and executing our own mini-trips and meal stops is more fun, but general details on the Hoot can be found here for those interested:

http://www.hondahoot.com/

Looks like it's a good think my Airhawk didn't sell after all, lol.

-Chain

Edit: Here's where I'll be staying (again). Clean, right on the slab, fairly affordable, free Continental Breakfast in the a.m. too.

Clarion - Knoxville

maxib · 05-05-2004, 5:05 PM

Somehow I just knew it wasn't going to happen.

How you are going to live with yourself after this, I just don't know? Just think about it...

Going to the HondaHoot with a Yamaha. (Irony at its best) Not even registering. No Honda stickers for you!

Compared with riding on a closed circuit track for three days, maybe even making more movies at Grattan! At least for certain there's going to be a famous pro photog there. And the Hoot has what...a few amateur photogs taking pics of the trikes? You don't stand a chance at stardom there. My bud Tom Cruise, just after making Top Gun said to me that you gotta keep in the public eye if you are going to be a star. He must have been right cuz he did okay. So just how are you going to do that if you don't go to Grattan? (Cruise is also a nice guy, he wouldn't let me pick up the tab for dinner that night!)

Let me remind you of something else. Sitting around the campfire, eating s'mores listening to abtech tell tall tales of racing, and listening to all the lies myself and the others are going to expound upon, cannot be found anywhere else but Grattan. Heyall, maybe someone even has a good ghost story to tell around the campfire! But you ain't gonna be there to hear them stories???

You think you'll get that at the Dragon??? All you'll get there is TRAFFIC. You want that??? In your case, that's called WORK. The purpose of a vacation is to AVOID WORK. There ain't no traffic on the track, or did you forget that already Mr. Hollywood? (BTW, can I have an autographed copy of your film please?) I admit, Cherohola is nice, but the Ridge is just too slow, and you already did the Dragon once.

So, your reason for skipping Grattan is what again???

(All the above was tongue in cheek friendly

Chain, look for a pm regarding longdistance riding later today or tomorrow. I have a request in to a friend who does just that, and can answer lots of questions for you. His latest ride was amazing, not for the distance, but for resourcefullness that ld riders need.)

I am officially done with convincing Chain to come to Grattan. It's up to the rest of you now.

HondaGalToo · 05-05-2004, 6:12 PM

Sigh. I did my best, but it didn't work

Chain, I'm sure you'll have fun at the Hoot. Personally, I want to get down there and ride the Gap, etc., but not during the Hoot. Too much traffic! My choice for that time of year is.....Grattan!! It'll be a blast. I'm personally bringing s'mores fixins.

You're not even registering for the Hoot and doing "Hoot activities". That says to me you and your buds could go anytime.

Too bad we all won't get to meet you. That's a bummer.

Chain · 05-05-2004, 7:42 PM

Max, I'm looking forward to the PM (and the break from the e-floggin'

you're givin' me ... boy you can type out them paragraphs with the best of 'em!

) J/K of course, and I know it's all good fun.

HGT, I appreciate the sentiments. I've met some FB'ers already and endeavor to meet more down the road.

Maybe next year Fireblades can do a rally of some sort in lieu of a trackday. My gut tells me there would be more participation.

But none of that has anything to do with why I'm Hoot bound again...

I could get some debate from a few listers who live in the TN/NC/GA area and have ridden alot of miles in the Smokies, but I honestly don't think the fear of "too much traffic, too many people" during the Honda Hoot is legit. I've been there once, and the guys I go with from Ohio have been to the Hoot for the last four or five years running.

We all agree, there are simply too many hundreds of miles of great roads to really get congested with a meager 20,000 motorcyclists who decend on Knoxville for the Hoot each June (compare that number to the group that chokes Sturgis annually). Plus, it's just plain fun to be able to meet up with so many like minded individuals, riders and enthusiasts from all over and on myriad kinds of bikes. Last year I met sportbikers from Germany, the UK, and all over the United States. Tres kewl.

Some riders might suggest the track is the "pinnacle of the riding experience." Well, I don't really accept that. If you've ever ridden a motorcycle through the Rockies or Smokies or down PCH, I think you'd agree there's nothing much to top those experiences. Spiritual almost. Different than the track, but life changing all the same. I loved the track and will do it again someday, but I love the street as well. What can I say?

[/editorial]

NinerPilot · 05-05-2004, 8:03 PM

Having ridden the Gap During the Hoot weekend, on regular weekends, and during the week, I can tell you that there is nothing better than having all 318 curves of the gap to yourself on a weekday morning. The downside is that if you pitch it off the side of the mountain, there wont be anyone to rescue you, but Ill take it deserted any day.

As far as the skyway goes, for me it is a been there done that kinda thing. For me the corners are begging to be taken at a higher rate of speed than is safe on the street. Plus the fact that Motorhomes love the skyway, makes it even more of a deterrent for me.

Also Chain, have you ridden a spirited ride on the street since your trackday? Dont be suprised if the guardrails and signs seem to jump out at you...

Chris

abtech · 05-05-2004, 8:42 PM

bwhip · 05-05-2004, 8:42 PM

Riding on beautiful roads is a spectacular, uplifting experience. I'm blessed to have some great roads here in Idaho that are incredible. But to me, nothing beats the adrenaline rush of screaming around a racetrack with other riders on sportbikes. The very best roads I've ever been on only give me about 70% of the pleasure of my time on the track. I wish you were going to Grattan (I wish I was too!), but I hope you have a great time at the Hoot nonetheless.

Diesel954 · 05-06-2004, 9:36 PM

Hey Chain, I'll be there again. This time on a , ahem, Yamaha Roadstar Warrior. Gonna get married the Monday before registration and ride all week with the new half. Going with another officer and his wife, they have a Hardley. Maybe I'll see you there.

Chain · 05-06-2004, 10:35 PM

That's cool Diesel, good for you! Married and riding with your better half on your honeymoon, that's pretty damn neat!

2OHOH2 · 05-06-2004, 10:49 PM

Heh heh, that would be funny. Diesel, riding a Yammie, Chain, riding a Yammie, and I, riding a Yammie, meeting at the Honda Hoot after making arrangements on a Honda Fireblade site

Chain · 05-06-2004, 10:51 PM

Heavy-Dee · 05-07-2004, 9:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2OHOH2954

Heh heh, that would be funny. Diesel, riding a Yammie, Chain, riding a Yammie, and I, riding a Yammie, meeting at the Honda Hoot after making arrangements on a Honda Fireblade site

Ya'll suck.

abtech · 05-07-2004, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heavy-Dee

Ya'll suck.

Big time . . .

Diesel954 · 05-07-2004, 1:08 PM

Thats not really the honeymoon. We are going to Cancun for a week when we get back. I told her about the Hoot last year and she wanted to go. She liked the 954 a lot but likes the Warrior even more for obvious reasons. Hell, she even told me to buy a new exhaust for the Warrior. I told her I would have to get a PC3 and a couple other things. She said whatever you need.