I would like to again extend my gratitude to each of you who rode back to assist Tom (TomSpdMstr) during the breakdown on the side of Lookout Mountain last Friday afternoon on the way to Eureka (turned out to be a 7 year old battery that finally decided to end it all). If the timing hadn't been EXACTLY perfect, we may not have had anywhere as nice a weekend among friends riding through the mountains and scenic twisties of this absolutely beautiful state. Although the weather really sucked (
), the opportunity to be among you guys made up for it.
Now, creeping down through the lonely, twisty Ozark mountain backroads for two hours on a cold, fall, pitch black moonless night with a tinted helmet shield, 20# low tire pressure in the front tire (come to find out...), on random stretches of blacktop with no center line, and deer and elk waiting to jump out in front trying to get back to the Rider's Rest made for a VERY interesting Halloween Eve.
I learned a few lessons from that night, for sure. Most of them about planning better...
Tom: "Hey, John. Are you taking your clear visor for the ride today?"
Me: "Naaaah! We'll be back before nightfall. I'll just take the tinted one."
(Tom wisely decided I was being overly optimistic.)
Anyway, we ALL made it back safely and soundly, and the time that night around the fire ring drinking brewskies made for some interesting conversation regarding E-Harmony/Match.com experiences from ******, mysterious boogers flying onto faces while riding, and problem pomeranians.
Paul, thanks for again coming up with commemorative rally shirts.
Troy, thanks for mapping out some outstanding ride routes. I'm sorry you had to cut things short, and I hope you're feeling better.
It's been a while since I had a more fun weekend.
