2012 East Coast BTK Forum Ride

[Lattimer]

I guess not.

Ken the HD Guy and I are already discussing where we might ride next year. Charleston of course for seafood, maybe Baltimore for crabs, DelMarVa/Atlantic City, and he still wants to do Key West. So who knows, maybe someone will step up to the plate for the Kawi team and try to put something together. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in PA/NY this year. Hate you didn't make it, Big Man, we were all looking forward to seeing the new bike.

I wasn't very happy about it myself. My job has used and abused me badly this year. I only managed to ride 3500 miles the whole season, and probably 1000 of that was back and forth to work.

[rbentnail]

I wasn't very happy about it myself. My job has used and abused me badly this year. I only managed to ride 3500 miles the whole season, and probably 1000 of that was back and forth to work.

Damn dude! You sound like me! I rode about 2/3 of my "normal" this year and was feeling bad about it. But you've made me feel much better now, thanks!

I was at work here in NC for a grand total of 5 days for the entire month of November. Between travel and vacation I was just gone. I still have 3.5 days of vacation to use, and I'm out of town for another 9-10 days this month. Add in the holidays and I'll be gone more than half of December, too.


Northwest NC/Eastern TN is great riding country and I think for a change yoose guys should make it easier for Ken and me this year. 2100+ miles in 4 days for Wellsboro was a real adventure. Johnson City, TN is only about 4 hrs from our homes.

[skipsaxe]

Seeing as I'd be the farthest away, (781 miles to J.C., TN) let me be the first to say, that sounds good to me.

[Classic]

Sometime in June Lora and I are going to Maggie Valley for a few days but we haven't set anything definite. It's time for her to experience Deals Gap and all the usual attractions in that area. It's under 100 miles from Johnson City to Maggie so we might get to do both depending on the dates.

[skipsaxe]

Sometime in June Lora and I are going to Maggie Valley for a few days but we haven't set anything definite. It's time for her to experience Deals Gap and all the usual attractions in that area. It's under 100 miles from Johnson City to Maggie so we might get to do both depending on the dates.

Hey Steve- nice to see you still around these parts. Our trip is usually in August sooo...if you have the vacation time accrued, both seem doable

[Lattimer]

Damn dude! You sound like me! I rode about 2/3 of my "normal" this year and was feeling bad about it. But you've made me feel much better now, thanks!

I was at work here in NC for a grand total of 5 days for the entire month of November. Between travel and vacation I was just gone. I still have 3.5 days of vacation to use, and I'm out of town for another 9-10 days this month. Add in the holidays and I'll be gone more than half of December, too.


Northwest NC/Eastern TN is great riding country and I think for a change yoose guys should make it easier for Ken and me this year. 2100+ miles in 4 days for Wellsboro was a real adventure. Johnson City, TN is only about 4 hrs from our homes.

I'm on the road 8 days out of December so far, and I have 5 days of vacation left to fit in somewhere.



539 miles from me to J.C. TN. I can do that in a day.

[Always4Kawis]

Sorry I'm late to the party, boys and girls, but I thought I might throw a few ideas into the mix. Now, I've never been further North than upper Maryland, so you folks from further up may have to bear with me.
There are some great rides in the I-70 corridor West of Baltimore over to extreme Eastern WV. Some areas/attractions that are close by are Harper's Ferry and the Cumberland Narrows. Gettysburg is not far away if there is any interest in that. I think Winchester, VA (about 40 miles south of I-70 on I-81) would be a good base per the requirements, and still have quick access to these areas, and Baltimore is probably just a couple of hours away.
If you continue South/Southwest in that I-81 corridor (maybe US29 if you want to stay off the interstate?), it's roughly 140 miles to the I-77 junction, and that will let you go either South to Charlotte or Southeast to Greensboro if you have any interest in those areas.
Another possibility is to base in Roanoke, VA, and that puts you roughly 140 miles away from Bristol (that'd be fried bologna sandwiches and the 421 ride which is a blast!) and roughly 250 miles from Knoxville. Either way puts you close to Gatlinburg/Smokey Mountains Nat'l Park areas, which you may already know. There are literally dozens of fantastic rides all through that area.
I'll try to pay attention to this thread as you guys finalize your plans. I'd love to meet up with y'all somewhere and maybe enjoy a day or two of riding; maybe offer some guide services if you'd like.

[mkelley]

Since I brought it up, I'm in for a Johnson City trip. I sure missed being in Wellsboro last year.

[rbentnail]

I think we have a winner! Anyone object to Johnson City, TN for the 2012 BTK Get Together?

[pitchinguy]

Sounds like a hoot to me! Haven't been to Tn since the bride & me honeymooned in Nashville back before the war. Since I'd be coming down 81 I'd def have to take a little detour in Wytheville, Va down 21 to Independence, Va to Fox Creek Leather. That would be a def! Hope it works out!

[Lattimer]

I like it!!

[rbentnail]

Going once....

Now's the time to speak up. And start thinking about:

- When. I'm thinking 16-19 August 2012.
- Where to stay/eat. If you know anyone familiar with the area, now is the time to start asking.
- Ride planning. Southern Dozen is on the table. Got any more ideas? I'll bring the laptop again JIC .

[DebbieW]

Going once....

Now's the time to speak up. And start thinking about:

- When. I'm thinking 16-19 August 2012.
- Where to stay/eat. If you know anyone familiar with the area, now is the time to start asking.
- Ride planning. Southern Dozen is on the table. Got any more ideas? I'll bring the laptop again JIC .

I am really disappointed that I will probably not make it this year. However, I do have plenty of time to help plan it, if you like. And you never know, if I find a job soon, I may just be able to make it after all.

Just let me know if you want me to start looking into hotels etc.

[rbentnail]

I am really disappointed that I will probably not make it this year. However, I do have plenty of time to help plan it, if you like. And you never know, if I find a job soon, I may just be able to make it after all.

Just let me know if you want me to start looking into hotels etc.

Oh heck yeah! We'll take all the help we can get. Hopefully something will come your way soon.

[mkelley]

I hope we can get this scheduled back on the first weekend of August. Third weekend I'll probably be helping my daughter move to college.
I've got feelers out to a couple of VRA chapters for lodging ideas. We might do better getting out of downtown Johnson City proper and into a nearby smaller city/town.
Probably won't find the ambiance of Wellsboro, but it sure would be nice, especially if there's restaurants/bars within short waliking distance.

[skipsaxe]

I hope we can get this scheduled back on the first weekend of August. Third weekend I'll probably be helping my daughter move to college.
I've got feelers out to a couple of VRA chapters for lodging ideas. We might do better getting out of downtown Johnson City proper and into a nearby smaller city/town.
Probably won't find the ambiance of Wellsboro, but it sure would be nice, especially if there's restaurants/bars within short waliking distance.

I did a MapQuest search a couple of days ago and from what I saw North Johnson City had places from $57/night on up. As for the date, I'm flexible (no more kids in college-Yahoo) but if early August allows for more people to attend, I'm for that.

[rbentnail]

I'm good with early August. So let's shoot for Aug 2-5, 2012. I'm really liking the idea of having it farther south. Not just for me but hopefully more of our NC/SC/GA and maybe even FL folks can join in.

Going twice on Johnson City, TN. Speak now or forever hold your piece....

[DebbieW]

I'm good with early August. So let's shoot for Aug 2-5, 2012. I'm really liking the idea of having it farther south. Not just for me but hopefully more of our NC/SC/GA and maybe even FL folks can join in.

Going twice on Johnson City, TN. Speak now or forever hold your piece....

I pray I can make this one. Sounds awesome.

[Lattimer]

I prefer Aug 2-5 over later in the month. Definitely good with TN.

I agree we should probably look somewhat outside of town for a base camp. Anyone familiar with the area, or know someone who is?

[Lattimer]

For rides----I know zip about the area, but I like the sounds of some of the southern dozen: Southern Dozen ~ The Rides

In particular, I like the sounds of #1, #7, #8, and #9. We would need to figure out lunch accommodations on the rides, etc.

We could plan a longer ride in the morning, and for those who want more miles, one of the shorter rides afterwords. Hopefully me and rbentnail won't have to ride 200 miles round trip for a good steak.....but you now we will!!!!!