The Mystery Ride

[caeman]

A Mystery Destination Ride This past Saturday the 16th, Erin and I met up with a new group of riders. I had met one of them online via the Concours Owners Group. This ride would have to do since I could not attend the gathering down in TN. The destination was a secret. The only clue was that total ride miles would be about 200. The weather for the day looked to be maybe rainy, but as long as there was no lightning, I was riding. As seems traditional for bikers, we met up with the new folks at a restaurant for breakfast.

After eggs and pancakes, it was time to make preparations to leave.

We then proceeded to follow the leader to somewhere unknown! To where would this adventure lead? I didn't really care, I was just enjoying the ride. Paul Uhlman, the leader, found us some fun, twisty roads. The pace was brisk, but not excessive.

We made a stop a short time later because the sun had come out and some of the folks wanted to put in their shades.

And then we were off again.

And then we arrived at the mystery destination. The Augusta Ferry. This hill scared me. A lot. I don't like gravel, at all. Gravel on a steep incline is not an improvement. So, I began to make my way down the hill and boom! The Connie fell over. The only thing harmed in the process was my ego. The folks picked my bike back up while I made sure Erin was okay. The benefit to a full fairing has become obvious to me.

This would be my first ever ferry ride, without or without a motorcycle. I don't know how to swim, so I am weary of water deeper than I can walk in, but, all went well.

We stopped for lunch. Again with the bikers and their food!

And then official group photo

We topped off the tanks and proceeded to make our way back toward Dayton-ish direction. But not before the weather got its last laugh in and POURED on us for about 15 minutes straight.

It was not a horrible day to be out. The folks I rode with were friendly and welcoming of the new guy. The weather mostly was good. And the roads were downright pleasant to ride on. Some of the roads we traveled were: Rt-123, Rt-63, Rt-123, Rt-132, Rt-133 and Rt-52. : 38k miles

 

[colinp386]

Nice job on the report Chad! Sounds like ya'll had a fun time! Colin Prior COG Webmaster Lake Forest Park WA COG#7767 AMA#1081764 ROK#20000617

 

[caeman]

It was, indeed, right up until the rain hit. Between the amount of rain and wind, no amount of speed would have kept me dry. I had removed the liner from my jacket, thus I ended up cold and wet. : 38k miles

 

[ghabel]

Chad, Make your way over to the Connie Droppers Anonymouse section and I'll award you a CDA number. Nice pictures and trip. I hate gravel too! Greg H from Mass, Connie Droppers Anonymous Awards Dude COG# 7010,a Tracey CDA 120 (2.0) 99 Connie "Herrin Christabelle", 05 Ninja 250

 

[billhook]

Chad, Great ride report! I've ridden that ferry a coule of times and that gravel approach can be scary. I'm sorry to hear you fell victim to it. They really need to pave it, but I believe they are a low budget operation and needed help from the city/state a couple years ago to stay in business. If you liked those roads, there are many more in that area, in both OH and KY, that are even better, if you like twisties, or even if you prefer the not-so-twisties. There are 2 rides in that area this year that I am aware of. Steve Thompson is planning on hosting another Camp and Ride based at the campground he stays at, just up US 52 from the ferry, but no date has been established yet. Then, Jim Brown hosts his Ohio River Rally (http://home.fuse.net/ORR/) based in Maysville, KY, again, just up the road from Augusta the weekend of September 19th. Last year we rode, and I believe it will be the same this year, mostly in KY towards Lexington and rode the ferry into Ohio for a little riding there.