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Post by skuuter on Nov 2, 2007 10:42:57 GMT -5
I think the "old, feeble guy" shoulda' got to use the big-bore Ruckus. It would have "equaled" it up...... ...hard to try to keep up with all you younger "whipper-snappers". I'm thinking I might need a variator change, big bore, jetting, remove some weight, clean up the aerodynamics, better tires, before next time..................... .......oh yeah, I don't remember anyone offering to help the senior citizen walk up to or down from the lookout tower either.... .......well, all this typing has wore me out, better lay down and rest a while.........
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Post by chanito on Nov 4, 2007 19:42:01 GMT -5
Now i need to go back to the last day of the fall ride, but before i have to recognize the competitive nature of Skuuter who will totally refuse to let us beat him at anything, including the climb up to the look out, where he just walk it up as fast as he could in order to get up there before anyone of us ;D Skuuter you are my hero ;D The Sunday started early with the fun ride toward the gas station, where we would fill up our rides, as usual we have to wait for Kamino's brother to put on his gloves before leaving. We crossed the Smokies mountains national park into the city of Gatlinburg, were we had a delicious breakfast buffet courtesy of Kamino Yogurt, during the breakfast he managed to embarrass the cute waiter, and riverruckas saved the day by calming her down, with our bellies full we left and had a nice ride in the city streets and meet the downtown, and crossed a bunch of Harley riders who gave us the thumbs up. Then it was to the longest climb of the weekend to Climb mans dome (i hope i got it right), where finally i could put the extra power of Katrina to good use, as i managed to haul my extra 60 pounds ahead of the rest of the gang, because i discovered that if i did not let go of the gas, no matter how dangerous it looked, i could keep (barely) ahead of the pack, but if i even lift or worst, brake they will pass me, and then i will have a hard time passing them back, seeing Kamino dressed in black with a long jacket that looked like a cape, coming to pass me on my rear view mirrors looks like a scene from ghost rider, eventually the cold weather cough up with me and my fingers got numb, it was in the upper 50's when we left town, but up in the look out it was at least 20 degrees cooler, and i had to let go, so they pass me like i was standing still. The view from up there was out of this world, seeing the clouds roll over the mountains deserved an OOOH! once we got some rest, we did a smaller climb to the top of the mountain, and there, the little metro took the lead, those little wheels and the small rider rule hill climbing , her jacket will fill up with air and she would look like one of those Macy's Thanksgiving day balloons riding a scooter. There is a 3 mile hike to the top of the mountain, and it is worth it, as we get to get to watch from the highest point in the Smokies ;D Having Riverruckas husband to explain the view and the characteristic of the terrain is priceless, this guy is by far the best guide ever ;D ;D The down hill proved to be a lot of fun and we pass a Harley and a car, but i did it following our fearless leader Skuuter, however taking the downhill curves at full throttle is beyond my skill level, and a couple of time (more like a dozen times) i would take the corner at full speed only to discover it was too tight, and scare myself to almost death, i will then either let go of the throttle or worst, brake, poor old Kamino's brother will get the scare of his life and had to brake to avoid rear ending me, he will pass me and right after that i will use my extra power to pass him back, only to do the same all over again. next ride i will switch scooters with someone so i can ride at the back of the pack where i belong Anyway, i am happy to report that i finally got the speedometer needle to get bellow the red MPH letters, by bombing on one of those down hills, SO I AM OFFICIALLY IN THE 50MPH CLUB . On our way to the headquarters we stop by the park sign and manged to somehow put all the scooters together in front of it for the official group photo I hope Kamino will put the real photo soon So, in conclusion, it was a lot more fun than i expected, and i expected a lot The people where the nicest you would ever want for a group ride like this, the place is beyond your wildest dreams, even if i could not take the scooters and get to ride, the fall meet would have been a blast, so the fact that i could take the wife and the scooters and get to do all of this, have made this a memorable vacation, i certainly hope that in the future we would get a larger group, as some of the people we encounter would like to do it with us, and this place is within driving distance of a lot of people on this forum. I think we can get together on a date for next year, probably the end of October beginning of November is a great time for another fall ride. So are you guy up for it? I know my wife and i are up for it ;D And to all who where there :DThanks, amigos
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Post by Kami no Chiizu on Nov 4, 2007 22:12:30 GMT -5
To add to Chanito's story, after breakfast we rode to the Newfound Gap lookout where we regrouped and let the feeling come back in our hands, then rode up to Clingman's Dome, which is apparently the highest point in Tennessee.
But nice write up, Chanito. I'll get on the Kami no Yoguruto to get his pictures up, and try to get my videos wrapped up.
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Post by skuuter on Nov 5, 2007 1:48:07 GMT -5
More "verbal" coming soon............
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Post by skuuter on Nov 5, 2007 11:45:26 GMT -5
Chapter One / Thursday 10-25-07.....Me and Mrs.skuuter arrived a day early, unloaded the Rucks and headed for Gatlinburg along Little River Road. Fairly spirited pace because Mrs skuuter has become a pretty good rider over the last 4 years. We found one of the very few "free" parking spots along the river and locked up everything. We went walking and stopped at Fanny Farkles for 2 of their "famous-about-the-best-you-can-get" Polish Sausage cooked with onions and peppers. Got a sidewalk bench and devoured every last crumb. We bought a new Gold Wing before we left on the trip, so I was in the market for some different type riding boots than my Alpine Stars sport bike type. We looked in the stores, but found nothing that I really liked. Back to the Rucks for another "Spirited" run back to Townsend. Spent Thursday night BSing with our Docksmotel friends and helped get rid of some of the "Corona-Extra-Stock". These people are the finest hosts you could ever be around. Finally went to our cabin for some sleep before rising to next morning's "skuuter-time".................
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Post by skuuter on Nov 8, 2007 12:42:40 GMT -5
Chapter 2 / Friday 10 / 26 / 07 : Mrs skuuter and I awoke (I let her sleep in for a while) and headed out Little River Road to Gatlinburg. Turning right at traffic light #8 we stopped at the Log Cabin Pancake house for a great breakfast. After consuming too much (bad habit of mine) we continued on the same road to the Roaring Fork Nature Drive. This is a beautiful scenic one-way narrow road that follows a river through some of the most scenic woodlands in the area. A great picnic area and lots of scenic bridges to cross. A mama bear and her cubs had taken up residence here and had just been spotted. We stayed for a bit talking to the Ranger, but mama never surfaced again, so we continued on the ride. Fantastic....Mrs. skuuter loves this ride...slow and scenic... After finishing the ride we rode to the leather shop in Pigeon Forge to continue the "skuuter-riding-boots" search. "PAY DIRT".....we purchased a pair of Harley Davidson boots at about 1/2 price of the Harley shops. Put one in my underseat bag, and one in Mrs. skuuters(not much carrying space on Rucks) and headed for McDonalds so Mrs. skuuter could get a coke-with-ice. While we were drinking the free refill, I answered my cell phone which was attatched to Chanito on the other end. They had made it to Lenoir City and were on their way down Hwy.321 to Docks Motel in Townsend. We hopped back on the Rucks and headed to Docks. As we were getting off the scoots, The Chanitos came walking up from the stream. After introductions, I suggested we all ride back down Little River Road to the Sugarlands Visitors Center at the entrance to The Smokey Mountains National Park. We first helped Chanito unload his Ruckus and Mrs. Chanito's Metro. Chanito was having fun with the electric door remote that came with the rented mini-van.....a device he would be much better with before the weekend was up.... I decided to take it "slow-and-easy" on the way to the center. I knew having ridden motorcycles with friends from Florida that CURVES are not what they are used to. "Slow-and-easy" is also a "relative" term, depending on whose mouth it comes from. I watched very closely in my mirrors to see what level of "curve-adaptation" I was deal;ing with, while having Mrs. skuuter sweep the rear. Contrary to what they thought, they actually did real well... ;D I would slow up some if we "gapped" much and kept running the "correct" lines into and out of the curves for them to semi-copy. When we reached the crest at Laural Falls hiking trail it drops downhill all the way to the Center, so I decided to let-her-rip. About the 3rd curve down I meet a familiar sight.....the Explorer "sweep" vehicle from the Spring ride complete with Kami, his Bro, super-size trailer with Kami's Ruckus on board. I wave as a familiar arm extends out the window. Hey, hey, the gang's all here........ We all roll into the Center's parking lot. I climb off my Ruck to Mrs. Chanito's telling me I'm loco (not the first time I've been told this in my lifetime... )....Chanito also has a little "twinge" of nervousness in his eyes. Mrs. skuuter promptly starts telling Mrs. Chanito that her correct lean angle has improved drastically by the mile.....as I told Chanito they both looked good for their "initiation" ride. "You'll get better by the day" I told them. After checking out the Center, we headed back to Docks to meet the Kamino Boys. More introductions, and re-introductions. The question of supper (Dinner to you folks above the Mason-Dixon) came up and I promptly put in for Deadbeat Petes....a Southwestern Semi-Mexican restaurant. I love their steak fahitas. After everyone gets ready, we all climb into the bed of riveruckas and hubby's pick-up truck for the "hayride style" ride to "Petes". Kami's Bro got reacquainted with his "favorite" waitress from the Spring ride....re-unions are so warm............... After consuming lots of various dishes and some of riveruckas hubby's homemade wine, and homegrown peppers we loaded back up for the rest of the hayride. Next stop the Townsend swinging bridge. We all walked out onto the bridge to chat and got to see what apparently was a beaver swim upstream. Back into the truck for the ride back to Docks. After saying goodnights, we all headed to our cabins and rooms for some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day, beginning with an early rise. Tomorrow is Cades Cove, Parsons Branch gravel road, The Dragon, Foothills Parkway, and the twisty, narrow river road back to Townsend. Before I end this chapter, I just want to say Kami, his Bro, riveruckas and hubby, and the Chanitos are some of the finest, most fun people you could ever spend time with. Throw Ruckus scooters and great roads and scenery into the mix, and you have the makings of one fine vacation. Chapter 3 coming............................. ;D
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Post by chanito on Nov 14, 2007 19:43:44 GMT -5
Ok, i am still waiting for chapter 3 Also what happened to the official pic Anyway i finally got up to date with all the work i had back up, because of some rest to recover from two tooth extraction, Hopefully i can send the hot pepper seeds to the riverruckas, the Miami t-shirts to the Kamino brothers and a momento to the Scooters (el Loco and wife ) I would like to see if somobody is interested in attending this kind of meet next year, so we can plan for a big meet, I still shock that nobody has bother to add an opinion regarding this kind of meet
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Post by Kami no Chiizu on Nov 14, 2007 23:23:32 GMT -5
From left to right, RiverRuckus' husband, River Ruckus, Skuuter's wife, Skuuter, Chanito's esposa, Chanito, moi, and my brother.
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Post by skuuter on Nov 15, 2007 15:05:32 GMT -5
OK, my problem has been junk yard labor shortage so I've been having to help take off parts instead of being at the office computer, and I've had 3 motorcycle rides to lead.....last one will be this Sunday.......... .....Maybe I can do Chapter 3 tonight if I get in earlier than the other nights(looking possible). Great picture of some great looking folks.....even Kami's brother (heh, heh, heh).....Kami's brother and I have a great relationship...I insult him, he insults me, I one-line him, he one-lines me(you get the picture)....we actually really like each other, it just probably doesn't sound like it to someone passing by listening to us for the first time...... ....I'm with Chanito, this needs to be planned and responded to for a "Next Year Bigger Than Ever Event"..... ;D...The group you see in the photo represents some of the finest people you will ever meet and spend time with....PERIOD........ ....I've ridden motorcycles and scooters for 37+ years and ridden a lot of places. If you come to the area where we were for the Fall Event, it's easy to understand how it has become the Mecca for the motorcycle/ scooter world. More fun can't be had on a Ruckus scooter than in the Townsend, Gatlinburg, Smokey Mountains, Dragon area. Before next year, let's try to get a lot of Ruckus Central members on the program for a Smokey Mountain Ride 2008. I for one, would love to meet a lot more members and ride with them personally..... ...Maybe someone could loan an old guy a modified Ruckus for a little "shakedown cruise".....I'll treat it like it's mine......
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Post by chanito on Nov 15, 2007 16:31:44 GMT -5
I could not get over 7500 rpms after coming from the ride, so i started messing with the carb, until i finally decided to change the spark plug, and now it runs like a champ, so next time i will let you ride and you can abuse, i would love to know what Katrina can really do with a better rider on her
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Post by skuuter on Nov 15, 2007 17:47:17 GMT -5
I could not get over 7500 rpms after coming from the ride, so i started messing with the carb, until i finally decided to change the spark plug, and now it runs like a champ, so next time i will let you ride and you can abuse, i would love to know what Katrina can really do with a better rider on her ......the better rider thing might be arguable, but I'd be happy to peg her throttle through some corners and see what she runs like........ ...You do know unlike Kami, "I WILL HOLD YOU TO IT NOW BUDDY"................. ;D
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Post by skuuter on Nov 15, 2007 20:03:35 GMT -5
Chapter 3 / Saturday 10 / 27 / 07 Part 1: Mrs. skuuter awoke to the smell of skuuter's coffee at a very early time(life with skuuter starts extremely early). We went outside and got our Rucks warmed up and ready for the long, fun day ahead. Chanito came out to find the skuuters already sitting at the picnic table finishing the last of the coffee. One by one everyone arrived before daylight to start the ride. We all rolled out to the IGA / BP to fuel up in Townsend. Out of town we roared on Hwy. 73 turning right onto Little River Road toward Cades Cove(our first destination). Cades Cove is a scenic 11 mile motor loop of old original homes, churches, farm buildings with abundant wildlife roaming loose as nature intended. We've seen in the past, bear, deer, coyotes, racoon, turkey, owls, hawks, etc. on trips to The Cove. Today's trip would only produce a lot of deer sightings, and turkey. We putted along held up by lots of automobile traffic as they stopped to shoot pictures. Most exciting event on this road would be riveruckas slow-motion pine needle induced crash. Thankfully no injury to her. We finally made it to the Cove Visitors Center to leave them some recycled Docks Motel coffee, after which we headed out on a gravel road to get to Parsons Branch Road. Ah, Parsons Branch Road, about 10 miles of knarly gravel, sand, mud, and rocks with a semi-coating of slick pine needles just for some extra fun. In we went, with me, Kami, and Kami's Bro checking out to the forefront immediately. We were running a fairly ragged pace and having a lot of sparring back and forth, when Bro decided to completely cross up, save it and barely miss a tree.....FANTASTIC SAVE.... ;D We arrived at the top "parking lot" and waited on the others. One by one everyone re-grouped for the mostly downhill run to the end where we would intersect The Dragon (Hwy 129). Well, downhill gravel / mud seems to be one of the places skuuter seems to earn the "El Loco" title Mrs. Chanito hung on me(don't understand it... ). Away I went pegging the throttle, jumping short concrete bridges landing airborn on the other sides, Soon I had cleared my mirrors of the Kamino Boys. Reeled up a Ranger 4WD truck...no contest...on I went. Everything was going great until in the middle of a dry bridge, with right hand pegged just like the others, around I went into a about a full 3/4 circle. Kinda caught me by surprise it happened so quick. Would find out later that Bro finished the same bridge with a full 360 degree circle. The boy is starting to upstage me..... . My little "delay" let the Kaminos get back in sight as we pulled up to the asphalt known as The Dragon....318 curves in only 11 miles, while climbing and diving to new altitudes. This road has become the most legendary piece of asphalt in the motorcycle and scooter world. Almost a rite of passage to many. Today it would be slain by little Ruckus scooters.......stay tuned for Part 2.......
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Post by Kami no Chiizu on Nov 15, 2007 20:25:34 GMT -5
My brother learned a valuable lesson... you may pass Skuuter, but then you hafta stay ahead of him.
Seriously, Parsons Branch was awesome. That road was way too short.
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Post by chanito on Nov 15, 2007 20:30:08 GMT -5
I agree. Parsons Branch is a "lot of fun" And Skuuter is a great rider, and so are the Kami no ;D
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Post by Kami no Chiizu on Nov 15, 2007 22:53:01 GMT -5
I gotta say, my brother did pretty good, considering he'd had less time on 2 wheels than your wife.
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Post by skuuter on Nov 16, 2007 2:47:58 GMT -5
Kami's brother did do a fantastic job of riding all weekend, as did everyone. I was very impressed with the quality of riding by everyone, knowing their amount of experience, where they live, etc. This was a great group of riders and it was a priviledge to get to participate. I can't wait till the next one. It would be great if it were possible to do something like this one weekend every month....but....then there's reality. Another reason why we "NEED MORE RUCKDOOM MEMBERS TO ATTEND THE NEXT ONE".......Part 2 of Chapter 3 as soon as possible. I've gotta' lead a mountain twisties ride with "hardcore" motorcycle riders this Sunday. In the group are road racers, regular track dayers, and advanced MSF instructors........tough crowd to play to..............See Ya', skuuter................
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Post by skuuter on Mar 28, 2008 9:19:18 GMT -5
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Post by Kami no Chiizu on Mar 28, 2008 11:52:04 GMT -5
Guess I'll hafta mark the calendar.
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Post by skuuter on Mar 28, 2008 14:06:15 GMT -5
Guess I'll hafta mark the calendar. Yes you will.................
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Post by chanito on Mar 28, 2008 16:59:00 GMT -5
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