GS500 America Relay - Official Thread

[steezin_and_wheezin]

Sorry been out of town on business.. Killer photos Slack!!

The 20th is a no go for me unfortunately, I'll be in Atlanta that weekend. No worries on missing it this round. I'll definitely be good and ready to grab it and head south with it though!!

[Worm]

First leg complete. Epic day!

Started in Indy at 7am  Drove to Danville IL to meet BockinBBoy.

Then took some great back roads to Louisville and headed to WV.

Met Slack on the border of WV/KY for the handoff.

Here are some pics.

Monument Circle, Indianapolis IN

...

I'll be in Indy for the Red Bull MotoGP in the middle of August and on Friday night, that monument will be the meeting place for thousands of motorcyclists! It's a blast! They barricade off two blocks in all four directions from the monument and it's motorcycle parking only! I can't wait!

Great pics and progress so far! I'm bummed I couldn't join for at least a little off the start but we headed out for vacation the day before the relay started! Great job Jester for getting this organized and started. Now just keep it stoked and let's see that baton make it all the way!   

[Drastik]

Slack, does this map look correct for your ride?

[Slack]

Slack, does this map look correct for your ride?

Almost, I'm not going to ride through Galax, I'll be South on the Parkway.  map
So, your planning on meeting me on 58 south west of Fairy Stone State park?

[Drastik]

I was thinking I'd just meet up with you in Roanoke in the morning and ride out with ya if that works.  It'll be the first long ride for me on this GS. Since it's been back on the road, I've put a few hundred solid miles on her.  My only concern is wrist fatigue.  The bike has vortex clip-ons, so I'm leaning forward quite a bit, and while in the marine corps, I broke my hand in 1999 and it didn't heal back properly (long story), so it's possible my right wrist MAY bug me after a while.  I've done 100 miles straight without any problems, so hopefully a longer trip won't be much different.  I guess I'll find out this coming weekend.

Don't let this discourage you.  Worst case scenario - I'll just turn back before you do.  No worries.

[Slack]

Ok, sounds good.  In that case, there won't be a trip to Danville, like the previous maps.

Here is the new map
You can't turn around early, the ride will build up with the best part being 3/4 of the way though before jetting back real quick on the interstate.  We'll take plenty of breaks and do some stretching to make sure you make it the distance 

[Drastik]

Works for me.  I PM'd you my contact info.

[jestercinti]

Was there a ride on the 20th?

[Drastik]

Yes there was. Slack and I covered many miles. He will probably be posting pics soon. I left my house at 6:00am and got home after 11:00 pm. Long day, but it was fun, and I learned quite a bit about riding from Slack. Here are a few shots from my phone.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Drastik]

Few more

EDIT: Not sure why some are showing as rotated 90 degrees.  They do not appear that way on my cell.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Drastik]

I have the banner now and my understanding is that it needs to go north now before coming back down south. So who's interested in meeting up for the next hand-off? I'm in Lynchburg, Va.

[Watevaman]

 Where's that stone bridge at?

And Drastik, if anyone else doesn't take it, I'm planning on going into Bath county for some family camping the 9th through 11th and pass through Harrisonburg on my way down. I'm normally in Manassas, but I'd be in Blacksburg for school starting August 23rd or so, so I'd have to hand it off fast if I did get it.

[jestercinti]

Be sure to list the states visited so I can keep the OP updated.

[Drastik]

As for states, we did not get into NC as we originally planned, but we did get TN (and we're in VA now).

The rock bridge is actually the shortest tunnel in the world.  It's in Johnson County, TN (8 miles from the snake).  The tunnel is called Backbone Rock.  Slack posted a link to it previously in this thread, I believe.  I'm going to try and contact him to see if he is ok.  I know for a fact he was planning on posting the pics he took (more than I took) because we were talking about it on the ride back to Roanoke from TN.  Hope everything's ok with him.

I'd like to apologize for not being around here much lately myself.  There have been some unexpected issues going on to include a friend's unexpected surgery and my own pulled hamstring.  The pulled hammy is keeping me off the GS for a while, so I leave it up to you all to decide the best action to take.  I don't want to hold up the relay any longer than I already have.

I can ship the banner to someone in a state that it has already been (so it won't really be cheating by skipping states) or a GS rider can get it from me.  I'm certainly open to suggestions, and again - I apologize for this unplanned bump in the road. 

Let me know your thoughts please.

[jestercinti]

No worries. Life happens, and mine is no exception. I need to sell my GS soon.

I'm sure someone in VA or on the east coast can help. If not, I may be a le to assist.

[steezin_and_wheezin]

Whoaa.. Missed quite a bit on this! I'll have to get the google map of the baton's latest travel updated later. Definitely hope Slack's OK, let me know if you hear back from him Drastik. Hate to hear that Jester, hoping for the best for ya

Whatchu talkin bout shippin the 'ton?? Haha just messing.. I'm nearing 100% tuned on the project. I feel confident enough to ride up to Lynchburg and get the baton from ya Drastik. I sent you a pm.

Judging from the map I could get it from Drastik and take it to Huff1371. Maybe in one trek, maybe no. Then most likely from Huff to Oz353, and on up the East coast. I've sent pm's to you both to get the gears moving.

[Drastik]

Good news - Slack is ok.  He's just been a bit busy and away from technology for a bit. 

Steezin - I replied to your PM.  I'm very happy to hear that the relay can continue quickly!

[steezin_and_wheezin]

Awesome to hear!

Got a meet setup to grab the baton from Drastik this Sunday. Lets keep this thing on the move!

[oz353]

Sweet! lets get it moving!   I am usually free all weekend my work week ends on thursday  so i can have a friday saturday and sunday for a grab and go to the next rider. let me know whats up!

[jestercinti]

Lets have the baton to FL before Winter. Then, it can slowly move west and head north again in the spring.

Just a thought. Glad things are working out!  VA GS'ers are the best!