Today's Ride - Interesting Day

Well, my racquetball tournament ended early for me so I turned that bad news into a good day-ride.  I stayed in Columbia and went straight to the meeting place at about 12:15 .  The chapter ride started at Food Lion at 11:15 .  No one showed up to join Dave so he rode over by himself.  He took 378 to Shop Rd all the way to Hwy 1 which takes you to Hwy 6 and there was the meeting spot.  

At Bucket’s Restaurant we meet with Cricket ( Charlotte ) and two of her members, Lil’ John ( Columbia ) and two of his members, and Sandy ( Charleston ) and two of her members.  Lil’ John’s members rode up with Mark who lives in Sumter .  Mark came to our dinner meeting and promised to join up and ride with us soon.  We were also joined by a gentleman by the name of Jerry who lives in Irmo.  Hopefully, he’ll sign up and join Lil’ John’s chapter and we’ll see him again sometime.  

Also in attendance was our honorary member, Melody – all the way from just across the Georgia border over by Anderson somewhere.  Melody rode with Allan, Harry, Dana and I in Myrtle Beach .  

Speaking of Allan and Harry, they did not ride with us today, but Dave and I did see them courtesy of a road nail I picked up sometime today.  I think the nail was in the tire for a while and then flew out when I got up to Interstate speed.  After the nail left the tire lost pressure fast.  I pulled over right at mile marker three on I-77.  There Dave and I sat for about two hours while we were waiting for Allan and Harry to come rescue me with my truck and trailer.  I had one person and one DOT truck stop to help the whole two hours.

I really owe Dave thanks for staying with me.  It was almost sunset by the time we got the bike loaded and Dave had to ride back to Sumter alone with the temperature dropping.  Of course I owe Allan and Harry a thanks for coming to get me.  

Anyway, more about the ride.  We had 14 bikes parked at Buckets at one time, but unfortunately, due to time constraints the three from Charleston didn’t get to join us for the ride around the lake.  We left a little after 2:00 and followed Lil’ John around Lake Murray .  You can get an idea of the route from the map I posted on our website.  

http://www.sumterchapterscrc.com/pastrides.htm#Oct04

Eleven bikes made the ride around the lake and we all stayed together due in no small part to the awesome tail-gunner we had.  Okay, it was me and I loved doing it again.  I used to tail-gun a lot in my last chapter.  Total ride mileage for the day from Sumter was about 159 miles.  Dave’s bike is the only one that got the full day.  Charlotte , Charleston , and Melody had a little further ride.

I think a great time was had by all and I hope to see everyone again soon.