Kath
18th April 2005, 17:40
There's a forum on Delphi called the Motorcycle Tourer's Forum (MTF). My hubby and I check in there and see what stuff they are all up to pretty often, plus get some great tips for doing longer trips and such, as well as ideas for places to go.
Well, they have this little thing they do called the "Lunch Bunch." How it works is someone will just pipe in and say, lunch in Kansas (or whatever state) at so-and-so Diner at 12 Noon on such and such date. And, riders will just come from miles around, enjoy some scenic roads (or interstates) on the way, eat lunch with the group and jump on their bikes and head back to their respective homes.
So, Saturday they had a Lunch Bunch (RTE-ride to eat) in Hancock, MD. Since it was only about 80 miles from us, Joe and I decided we better join in or we'll look like wimps LOL
When we got there, we were amazed to see the 40 or so people and bikes parked and folks chatting. We all went in and had lunch and chatted some more. Guys came from as far away as Rhode Island, Texas, the Carolinas, etc. and as close as PA, VA, and WV. There were mostly Goldwings and ST1100's (like my hubby's) and ST1300's, plus some BMWs as well as a few Ultras and some other odd and end cruisers. I was the only Sporty and a few guys commented at how my Sporty was all decked out with "stuff" for touring and how it looked like a small Dyna ;)
The "farkle" (as they call it) some of these long distance riders had on their bikes was amazing. Everything from GPS's, XM radios, radar detectors, CB radios and various other communications gadgets (all on the same bike btw). It was amazing to talk to these guys. They were long distance pros and many of them had at least one if not multiple SS1K Iron Butts under their belts, plus there were those that had a lot of the even more involved Iron Butt certifications. And, they were just the friendliest people you'd ever want to meet!!
Joe and I were so inspired by them that we decided we need to branch out a little more with our riding, especially after one of the guys told me that a member of the forum had done a 5 day, 5,000 mile trip with them last year on a Sportster! Not something I would be ready for, but hey, why not on a Sportster ;)
As a little practice, Joe took me home from Hancock on the interstate almost the whole way. I did good and the Sporty, of course, handled it like I knew it would. I think I'm ready for some big league riding (well semi-big league maybe ;) lol)
Someone that we had lunch with at our table is planning another RTE on July 30th in the PA/NJ area and I'm already psyched to go! I got it all marked on the calendar! I'm ready to ride!!!! :)
Well, they have this little thing they do called the "Lunch Bunch." How it works is someone will just pipe in and say, lunch in Kansas (or whatever state) at so-and-so Diner at 12 Noon on such and such date. And, riders will just come from miles around, enjoy some scenic roads (or interstates) on the way, eat lunch with the group and jump on their bikes and head back to their respective homes.
So, Saturday they had a Lunch Bunch (RTE-ride to eat) in Hancock, MD. Since it was only about 80 miles from us, Joe and I decided we better join in or we'll look like wimps LOL
When we got there, we were amazed to see the 40 or so people and bikes parked and folks chatting. We all went in and had lunch and chatted some more. Guys came from as far away as Rhode Island, Texas, the Carolinas, etc. and as close as PA, VA, and WV. There were mostly Goldwings and ST1100's (like my hubby's) and ST1300's, plus some BMWs as well as a few Ultras and some other odd and end cruisers. I was the only Sporty and a few guys commented at how my Sporty was all decked out with "stuff" for touring and how it looked like a small Dyna ;)
The "farkle" (as they call it) some of these long distance riders had on their bikes was amazing. Everything from GPS's, XM radios, radar detectors, CB radios and various other communications gadgets (all on the same bike btw). It was amazing to talk to these guys. They were long distance pros and many of them had at least one if not multiple SS1K Iron Butts under their belts, plus there were those that had a lot of the even more involved Iron Butt certifications. And, they were just the friendliest people you'd ever want to meet!!
Joe and I were so inspired by them that we decided we need to branch out a little more with our riding, especially after one of the guys told me that a member of the forum had done a 5 day, 5,000 mile trip with them last year on a Sportster! Not something I would be ready for, but hey, why not on a Sportster ;)
As a little practice, Joe took me home from Hancock on the interstate almost the whole way. I did good and the Sporty, of course, handled it like I knew it would. I think I'm ready for some big league riding (well semi-big league maybe ;) lol)
Someone that we had lunch with at our table is planning another RTE on July 30th in the PA/NJ area and I'm already psyched to go! I got it all marked on the calendar! I'm ready to ride!!!! :)