Spring 2006 Guns 'n Hoses Ride

[Top Gun]

Over the Holidays, and particularly at the 2nd annual "Greatest Christmas Party of the Season", the topic of the Spring Ride came up. Most of us who are regulars on the trip are agreed that we've enjoyed The Outer Banks and Ocean City the most and would like to go back there and, more or less, use them as our bases for day rides.

We're 30 May 2006 09:00:00 away from our departure and we still have a lot of planning to do, including finalizing our itinerary. We talked about fitting a Professional Baseball game into the mix and the only one that seems to fit, right now, is Philadelphia v Washington on 5/30 at PHILA. From there, we could go down the Jersey Shore to the Cape May Ferry, cross the Delaware Bay and head south down the Eastern Shore, making The Outer Banks our next stop for a couple/few days and then head back up the shore to OC.

I'm posting this to get some suggestions for our itinerary from all of you. Historically, we've looked for a long first day, just to get out of Dodge. We've thought that 400-450 miles on day one was allright. I'm attaching a Streets and Trips map file that shows the 450 and 900 mile radius from Syracuse.

Recently, we've had some spirited debates (or is it debates fueled by spirits?), which included discussion of a return to Nashville, Memphis, St. Louis and, yes, even Asseville. Prior to our first riders meeting, which is 22 Jan at Turners, let's get some ideas flowing for discussion.



I'm not sure if the map will paste, but we'll try.

Put your thinking caps on and let's hear your ideas. Happy New Year!!

[Red Bull]

Well Top, it is exciting even concerning ourselves with a ride south at this time of year. In my humble opinion, I think we would all enjoy a ride down the east coastline to the outer banks, passing all inland points of un-interest. As I communicated to you previous, riding somewhere to pile up mileage e.g.Columbus Oh. is not appealing to me. There are certainly enough quaint little towns along the coastline to peak our interest and enjoyment. As you point out, we can always take some day rides from our night's lodging base. As far as taking in a ball game, I like baseball, but to take time to attend a game between two teams I don't follow is not my cup of tea. However,if the team votes to do it, I certainly won't watch the game on TV from some air conditioned, cold beer serving,Oasis. Red Bull

[JJ4535]

Boss Man;Lets discuss the different options at our first meeting.Anything the group votes on is ok with me,even though I d prefer going via Columbus. J.J

[Top Gun]

That's the reason I started this thread. To get some ideas from the group. Stu, Mike and I talked over some options and thought it would be good to get everyone's ideas.

I started with a 450 mile ring around Syracuse, which has been our goal for the first day in recent rides. I was hoping for a ball game, not really even putting that much importance on the team, just getting to a MLB game (I'm sure that not everyone likes the same teams anyway!), football is boring. The Phillies play Washington at Phil on our first night. I kicked around the idea of taking in the game, it would give us an easy 250 miles the first day. We could take the Jersey Shore to Cape May, hop the Ferry and then hit the Eastern shore of MD/VA for a run to the Outer Banks for three days and then back north through Ocean City for 3 nights or for 2 nights and then a final night in Annapolis if Billy Wilson promises to stay awake! That run is under 1300 miles.

My other thought on the map I sent out, was to try for Cinci, but its 570 miles. His Royal Chromeness would need surgical removal from his steed! The lesser of the evils seemed to be Columbus, adventurous explorer that he was!

We've really had some interesting discussions about the ride, including looking at a ship and fly option to the Gulf Coast to bring some tourism dollars down there. We think, though, that would drive the cost up too high for some.

Keep those ideas coming!

[garyallnut]

As always the more miles the better for me. I kinda feel the same way about the baseball game as T . No matter what we do or were ever we go I'm sure we"ll have a great time as always. Looking forward to the meetings.

[Stu]

Someday when I am old, I probably would like the ship and sit trip. Since, like Gary,I am still young and hansome I say bring them miles on! The columbus loop looks ok by me.

[Top Gun]

Someday when I am old, I probably would like the ship and sit trip. Since, like Gary,I am still young and hansome I say bring them miles on! The columbus loop looks ok by me.

Stu,
Sure you got your t's and p's in the right place??

[fire8off]

Personally I had enough of those ferries in assville….I’m in for the long haul, as long as the Honda holds up.

Mike D.
Happy New Year

[Stu]

Now that you have the BIG one back, up and running you could always pack the little one as a spare in case any of us breakdown, fall down or lose an oil cap!

5 months to go!

[Top Gun]

Now that you have the BIG one back, up and running you could always pack the little one as a spare in case any of us breakdown, fall down or lose an oil cap!

5 months to go!

I don't think the oil cap was ever lost. . . preparing for a breakdown is good advice tho. Love those shifting assemblies!~ Or is it the oil lines? Maybe it's the air shocks. No, it must be the headlamp. OK Igive, even I lost a headlamp!