Ah, what a wife...

[darthandy]

So, as my wife and I chatted the other night I mentioned that a buddy of mine wanted to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway (he's never been on it) and do another run on the Tail of the Dragon, hopefully next month. I mentioned that such a trip was on my bucket list and wouldn't be too expensive if done in September after school is in and motel prices drop a bit. To my surprise, she said, "Well why don't you call your friend and plan out this trip while you can still do it. I'd like to see you enjoy that." Whoa! I called my friend and let him know (His wife had OK'd such a trip for him too, but then he's also in better financial shape than we are, so that helps.) and asked what was a good date for him. We settled on a departure date of Sept. 7 and a return date of around a week to 10 days later. We're leaving things a bit flexible. So, at long last, while I can still ride, it looks as if I'll finally take a trip I have dreamt about for some time. I'll be doing some maintenance on the bike over the next little while to get it ready. Front brakes were just done, tires should be good for the trip and I'll spring for some new air filters and an oil and filter change. This has me pretty excited as there were days not so long ago when I wasn't sure I would have the chance to ride a bike again, let alone take a trip like this.

 

And it says a lot about the character of the little honey I'm married to that she would encourage me to do this. I will owe her a very special vacation when I get back! The Goldwing club I belong to is going in mid-October, but my friend and I decided that we would prefer to go before the weather has a chance to get too sloppy. It might be OK down there, but mid October around here can sometimes get a bit ugly. It would have been nice to be part of a bigger group (More noticeable on the roads) but then this way we get to travel at our own pace. Needless to say (But I'll say it anyway!) I'm really pumped up about this. I sent my friend a copy of the list of roads that appears in another recent thread, since some of them are either in the same area or on the way.

 

:cool10::cool10::cool10:

 

Andy

[cowpuc]

Yea, cudo's to that wife of yours!! Heres hoping you sieze the day and fully enjoy the adventure!! Lots and lots of endless beauty out there, especially from the seat of a motorcycle!!!

Ride safe and have fun!

Puc

[Hazenson]

So good to hear another also has an awesome wife, I belong to that lucky guy club too. I was just over there myself not that long ago. Not sure about the exact days but keep us informed, maybe if its on a weekend a couple of us can meet ya over there. Id even buy you 2 a meal to welcome ya to our great state!!

[pmelah]

Well im nolonger part of that club but I can ride where and when I want now ride safe and enjoy

[mini-muffin]

Enjoy your trip.

http://venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=80920&highlight=Asheville

 

Here's a link to a thread posted earlier about the BRP in North Carolina. Not sure if the road will still be in the same shape. The first post has the link to the website for the BRP with conditions listed.

Hope you have good weather as well. Should be really pretty during your trip, don't forget to take plenty of pics to show the wife.

 

Margaret

[darthandy]

Enjoy your trip.

http://venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=80920&highlight=Asheville

 

Here's a link to a thread posted earlier about the BRP in North Carolina. Not sure if the road will still be in the same shape. The first post has the link to the website for the BRP with conditions listed.

Hope you have good weather as well. Should be really pretty during your trip, don't forget to take plenty of pics to show the wife.

 

Margaret

 

Thanks for the link. Yes, I'll be taking lots of pictures (Don't you just love digital cameras!). I may even try to find a way to mount my Sony Camcorder to the bike (The digital one, not the old VHS version - that would require a trailer.) and see if I can get some movies for her as well.

 

Hazen, thanks for the invite. Not sure if we'll be there for the weekend, but i'll see if we can work in a "Hello!"

 

Andy

[Huggy]

If you figure out how to mount that Sony let us all know! I have one and would love to be able to mount it on my bike. Just cant justify buying a motion pro at this time. And have a pleasant and safe trip.

 

[Wade 2000]

That is awesome! You will have a blast! I kinda have the opposite problem. I can barely get the bike out of the driveway without the Wife on the back. If for some reason she can't get the time off work she doesn't begrudge me getting away as long as she gets some miles in over the course of the year. I prefer a small group also 3-5 any larger it seems you don't make very good time. Sounds like you got it pretty good!!

[darthandy]

That is awesome! You will have a blast! I kinda have the opposite problem. I can barely get the bike out of the driveway without the Wife on the back. If for some reason she can't get the time off work she doesn't begrudge me getting away as long as she gets some miles in over the course of the year. I prefer a small group also 3-5 any larger it seems you don't make very good time. Sounds like you got it pretty good!!

 

Actually, my wife was riding almost everywhere with me till last year. She has developed an inner ear problem that the doctor thinks is something called "Meuniere's Disease". It causes her to suddenly feel dizzy and as if she is about to fall. And that's if she's just sitting there. On the bike it becomes completely unbearable as we lean into turns. It doesn't hit her that often, but there is no way to know when it will start and when it does she just can't stand being on the bike. I'm not surprised ... feeling like you're going to fall is bad enough, but when you're leaning through a turn? Yikes. Some people would just whine and complain about their (bad) luck, but she has just learned to live with it as best she can. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for that at this time. It does make me feel guilty when I leave without her and I would certainly have understood if she had complained about me taking this trip. Instead she encouraged me to go ahead and do it. She has been my best buddy for 39 years (plus the 3 years we went out together) and I wouldn't trade her for anything.

 

Andy

[Wade 2000]

Actually, my wife was riding almost everywhere with me till last year. She has developed an inner ear problem that the doctor thinks is something called "Meuniere's Disease". It causes her to suddenly feel dizzy and as if she is about to fall. And that's if she's just sitting there. On the bike it becomes completely unbearable as we lean into turns. It doesn't hit her that often, but there is no way to know when it will start and when it does she just can't stand being on the bike. I'm not surprised ... feeling like you're going to fall is bad enough, but when you're leaning through a turn? Yikes. Some people would just whine and complain about their (bad) luck, but she has just learned to live with it as best she can. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for that at this time. It does make me feel guilty when I leave without her and I would certainly have understood if she had complained about me taking this trip. Instead she encouraged me to go ahead and do it. She has been my best buddy for 39 years (plus the 3 years we went out together) and I wouldn't trade her for anything.

 

Andy

 

Sorry to hear about your wife's condition. I hope they can figure out some kind of treatment for her. It sounds like you have a strong relationship and look out for each other. That will get you through most anything. I hope you can add many more years to your total!