The AMCA Southern Meet, Denton NC

The AMCA Southern National Meet in Denton NC at the Farm Park was a hit October 16th & 17th, 2020. The vendor field was more than usual and the shopper crowd was pretty good too considering the state of the world! We had eight SMC members in attendance. A rain front moved in during the early morning hours of Friday bringing cooler temps for the day. This made the evening meal of a pot of chili, provided by Roy and Pam, a warming treat. A special thanks goes out to our buddy Tommy (not in attendance) for providing the Budweiser for the liquid flavoring addition to the chili pot! Thanks Tommy! Saturday evening Roy and Pam roasted a delicious turkey that was warming as well! Hope to see everyone there next year! Check out the pics!

American Flat Track Display // Dixie Speedway

Well, we had a pretty good turnout for the Atlanta Flat Track display and races Friday and Saturday. We had ten bikes each day for our display. The public turnout for Friday was a bit light with a bigger day on Saturday. A good time was had by all who were able to make. Checkout the pics!

Hiawassee GA Camp/Cookout and Ride

August 13-16 2020

This year’s SMC Annual Camp/Cookout and Ride was located in Hiawassee Georgia. The event began on a Thursday and went through Sunday. Our home base was the Bald Mountain Campground and RV resort. Dorsey, John, Roy, Pam, Eric, Tommy and Mike were the first to make it in. Dinner was uptown in Hiawassee at Cancun Mexican restaurant.

Friday mornings ride departed at 11:30 with “Big C” making it in before the departure time.

Friday lunch stop at Hofer’s German cafe in Helen GA.

After lunch we stopped at the Nora Mill Granary grist mill and country store. Dorsey decided to do a little parking lot brake adjustment on the ‘31VL.

After Nora Mill we headed to Anna Ruby Falls for a short hike to see the falls.

Then more beautiful curvy riding roads lead us to a refreshment stop at LaPrade’s Marina on Lake Burton.

A great day of riding Friday found us back at camp for camaraderie, refreshments and some tall tails to be told! A few more SMCer’s  arrived, Billy, Allison, Joe, Keith, Debbie, Kendall, Doug, Kent and Jamie (Kent’s buddy from Metter Ga.). Dinner was at Hiawassee Seafood Bar and Grill in Hiawassee.

Saturday morning began wet from the all night rain. The plan was to roll out at 9:30 am. The rain had stopped and was forecast to begin again about midday and continue for the rest of the afternoon rather heavily. We suited up and rolled out to see what the day offered.

The route was cut a bit short as Roy lead us directly to Brasstown Bald (highest point in Ga.) on rain slick roads to wait for Dorsey, Joe, Billy and Allison. Dorsey’s VL was being cantankerous…guess it did not want to get wet so they went back to the campground to get Dorsey’s backup bike, a 350 “Honder”. Go Dorsey!

They rest of us arrived to a cloudy Brasstown Bald parking lot to wait. Eric, BigC, Jamie and Mike decide to do the hike up to the top to be more intimate with the clouds. On a clear day you can see Atlanta 84 miles away. Today’s visibility was about 100 feet. This was a very arduous hike, with us having to stop several times along the way.

On the way down from the top it began to rain. By the time we got to the shelter at the parking lot it was raining pretty hard. The lot was shrouded in clouds as we could not see anybody or the bikes…maybe they left us! Then we began to see one or two get under a small information shelter. Then several guys came up to where we were to get out of the rain. Eric and I said we wished we had our rain gear and Dorsey volunteered to go get our gear. Man it is true, “You Meet The Nicest People On A Honder”!!!

The rain subsided a bit and we headed out with our destination being TWO (Two Wheels Only) for lunch and a reprieve from the rain. On the way the rain was heavy at times and slick. It was still a nice ride though!

Doug’s ’29 Indian Scout proclaimed, “me no likeum rain kemosabe” by not wanting to run, so some roadside diagnosing was in order. Doug coaxed the scout into making it about a mile and a half to TWO.

Our bellies got fueled up and a bit of relaxing took place while waiting for the rain to pass. A bit more scout surgery took place in TWO’s parking lot.

We gassed up the bikes and headed on as the rain looked like it was gone for some more fun on curvy roads.

After a great day of riding and hanging with friends, we convened back at the Ponderosa encampment for a cookout! Hamburgers, hotdogs, cucumber/tomato salad, chips, potato salad and Debbie’s world famous cowboy beans were consumed along with various refreshments. Later that evening a bit of star and satellite gazing took place first with identifying the two planets of Saturn and Jupiter. What a great weekend!!! A big “THANK YOU” to everyone who was able to make it happen!

July 4th Ride for Watermelon

Below are pics from this past Saturday the 4th of July, where a few of SMCCarrollton members took a ride to member Tommy Harper’s property for some delicious, cold, tasty watermelon! This hit the spot to cool the hot muggy day! The melon carving, paper towels and salt were provided by SMCC members Danny and Beth Eubanks. Thanks guys it was a fun outing!

Smoky Mountain Ride Week May 29th and 30th

Erik decided working from home was not as fun as working from a tent in the mountains.  So, he issued an invite to all members and friends to come for a camp and ride.  It was truly a great time spent on some of the most hallowed roads of the Smoky Mountain Chapter area.  Dorsey, Kent and Kent’s long-time friend Jamie Calloway arrived on Thursday to meet Erik who had been there all week.  As Erik would have to work on Friday; Dorsey, Jamie and Kent formed a ride plan for the next day with Dorsey as Road Captain.  Looking at the map of the entire area with many documented rides to choose from, we came up with a hybrid that would take us south and then west and save most of the Blue Ridge Parkway riding for Saturday. 

So, bright and early we left the campground, turned left and headed south past Looking Glass falls.  When I say past, I mean at about 50 mph.  With Dorsey leading you don’t often get to stop.  So, this picture is from a brochure.  

Then it was on to Brevard and Highlands via the Moonshine28 route (beautiful winding mountain roads) and on to Deals Gap for the Tail of the Dragon.  During lunch we noticed some Japanese modified sports cars head up. A few minutes later, when we started up, on the first turn, we saw one of these cars, a Toyota Supra, had slid off and down the embankment.

On the way back to the camp, we took the parkway North and stopped for a picture at the highest peak on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 6,053 feet above sea level.

On Saturday Erik joined the ride and headed North on the Parkway for some beautiful scenery and fun riding.

Along the way we rode to the top of Mt. Mitchell which is the tallest peak East of the Mississippi River.  Next, it was on the Little Switzerland for lunch.  Dorsey told us that all motorcycle riders eat for free there, but I’m pretty sure he paid everyone’s bill.  Thanks Dorsey.

Weather started looking cloudy and Erik, on his blue ’48, decided to head back for camp while the rest of us motored on to see the Viaduct.

During lunch, Jamie had noticed a sticker for the Devil’s S’s, which I think is also known as the Devil’s Whip.  On the way back to camp we took this road, Highway 80 South from the parkway toward Marion, NC.  It turned out to be better than the Tail of the Dragon and the highlight of the trip for me.  On the very first turn, I heard tires squealing and Jamie saw the Tri-Glide come up on two wheels, evidence we were all having a great time.  While writing this up and looking at the map, it appears this same road going North, down from the parkway elevation may also be some great riding.

This is a great campground for motorcycles only, Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground, which is in my opinion under-utilized.  It features an open area for tents, cabins, showers, Breakfast and Dinner offered at a centrally located covered kitchen and dining area, and a common living room with couches, TV, WIFI, tables, local maps, etc.  Any motorcycle enthusiast would very much enjoy staying here and taking the many surrounding routes of mountain riding.

2019 SMC Christmas Party. Rome, GA

We had a great turnout for our annual SMC Christmas Party in Rome with members from all associate chapters, SMCBirmingham, SMCCarrollton, SMCCHattanooga,  SMCHuntsville and SMCMarietta, attending! A “HUGE THANKS” to Roy and Pam Chapman for hosting the pre-dinner gathering at their home Saturday afternoon before dinner!! It was fun hanging out with friends, a fire, finger foods, beverages, a ballgame, show and tell and a mini version of a tech day with Erik’s ’47 knuckle head. If you were not able to make it, here are some pictures that will provide a glimpse into the festivities!

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A discussion on the best approach to repairing a loose intake nipple on Erik’s rear head ensued.

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Merry fun with a tall tail or two!

Downtown Rome for dinner at El Zarape restaurant. Good food, good fun and even a surprise give away drawing to the lucky winner Big C (Cecil Frost)!! Joe Morris donated an AMCA logo that he made with his plasma cutter for the drawing. Nice job Joe! Big C even got another “special” surprise from Joe for being the winner!!!

An after dinner stop at Rome City Brewing Co. led to more fun and games!

At the hotel during a bit of “lounging”, another surprise gift was given by Erik Bahl and the recipient was Danny Eubanks! Danny was most qualified for the “multi purpose tool”, after a brief survey was taken, when it was discovered that he plays the banjo and was in need of a clutch hub retaining tool to remove the hub nut from his Harley transmissions.

SMC Carrollton Monthly Gathering

SMC Carrollton Monthly Gathering at Knucklehead Café in Rockmart Ga. Ali, Billy, Larry, Roy, Pam, Dorsey, John, Kent, Tommy and Mike. Dorsey and John joined us from SMCHuntsville

LAKE GUNTERSVILLE CAMP/COOKOUT AND RIDE

Lake Guntersville Camp/Cookout and Ride

June 28, 2019

Another great weekend is in the books. Thanks to all who organized this awesome event. The campground was packed with vacationers and as soon as a bike was parked on a campsite, we had a steady stream of admirers asking questions about our machines. We had a good turnout of SMC members. It got a little warm during the day but if we kept the bikes moving it was comfortable.

Kent and Mike were riding Friday morning to Lake Guntersville State Park when it was interrupted with a flat on the rear of Mike’s bike just south of Cedartown Ga. Tube was torn at valve stem.

Wheel back on at The Farmers Store on Hwy 27 after a trip to Easy Living Yamaha in Rome Ga. for a new tube.

Thanks to the emergency road crew, fellow SMC members Joe Morris, Kent Bennett and Billy Russell (not pictured as he was at work) a couple of hours later Kent and Mike were rolling again.

SMC members discussing Dorsey’s cylinder (sitting on table). Roy re-sleeved it and dropped it off at the meeting so Dorsey can continue assembly of his project bike. Later that night I setup my antique coil tester from the 1920’s to give a demonstration of spark direction in the single point single coil Harley system like that in a Knucklehead.

Roy and Dorsey planned out the routes ridden on Saturday and Sunday. They even had turn by turn directions in case the group was separated. Two highlights were Cathedral Caverns and High Falls in DeKalb County.

Mike and Kent enjoying the view from the Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge after breakfast. The campground we stayed at was below on the shore of the lake.

In typical fashion we almost made it out of the State Park for the first ride on Saturday. When you have old bikes, you have to plan extra time for the rides as there are always problems.

Roy arranged a group tour of Cathedral Caverns. It was fantastic. The temperature inside stays at a constant 60F. This was great as the outside temperature was climbing over 90!

Pam and Roy exiting the Cave.

Sunday morning ride to High Falls.

ALLEGHENY ROAD RUN

Allegheny Road Run and SMC Informal meeting

June 17, 2019

If you don’t attend AMCA road run’s my heart bleeds for you. The Allegheny Road Run in Ligonier PA is one I will always remember. Curvy roads, up and down hills, and lots of history. With all the help of the chapter members over the past year in getting my 1947/8 Harley road ready, it worked out that the road run was to be the proving ground for “Achilles” as named by Roy Chapman. She made three days of riding which was a bit south of 500 miles with no problems. Dorsey was a key figure in the shake down ride as he guided us through the route. 

Within thirty minutes of ending the last days ride the email went out and I am now participating in the Cross Country Chase this September (https://themotorcyclechase.com/). I might make it ten miles or all the way…

We stopped at the Flight 93 memorial which was heart wrenching…

After the road run ended, Dorsey and I made our way to the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground outside of Waynesville NC (Wheels Through Time Museum).  Kent and Dorsey shopping outside the Harley Shop. Some high dollar bikes there….

Kent met us that weekend and we held an informal SMC meeting near a bubbling stream at which we determine all members not present should be given a hardship award for missing these killer roads and weather!

See everyone in Guntersville!

PS – The Canadian contingency Mike P. was present, and he tried to pass off that Canadian monopoly money any time he could. 

SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER AMCA DISPLAY

SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER AMCA DISPLAY

March 23, 2019

We had big fun and a great turnout for the American Flat Track display this past Saturday at the Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, GA. There were 16 members who attended with 15 bikes on display plus a couple of guests who displayed their bikes as well. The weather was great, the fellowship flowing and the racing was exciting. Thank you for your support to all who attended.