Check back here to see what "The Boss" has been up to. Thanks for taking the ride with us---
Down Time
08/19/2011
It has been a while since my last entry here. I probably have not use this resource to it's full potential.
As many know I put my bike down Friday, May 27th. I was simply changing lanes, hit some gravel and bam, I was down.
Fortunately the bike experienced very little damage other than the left highway peg being twisted around the engine guard and some skinning on the bottom of the left "leather-like" saddle bag.
Me on the hand!! I was extremely fortunate, they say God watches out for fools and little children, to only sustain a broken left tibia which was a result of the force of the 900 lb VTX 1800 falling. It could have been much worse.
I had surgery at the Birmingham, AL VA hospital. I cannot say enough good about the staff there. They took great care of me. I entered the hospital June 6th, surgery on the 7th and discharged on the 10th.
The surgeon repaired the broken tip of the tibia by adhering the broken pieces back to the main bone. Then placing an L-shaped plate and 8 screws to keep that together and keep two hairline fractures from getting worse.
After discharge I have been pretty much house bound as I am not allowed to put any weight on the left leg until the October timeframe, provided it is healing correctly. I have been following the Dr's orders to the "T". This much time in the house is tough on my gypsy soul which has always been able to get out and ride when the notion struck me.
I have been provided in home PT which has done wonders for me. Last appointment the Dr wanted my leg at a 90 deg bend and I was able to reach a 115 deg bend. So range of motion is good, pain level very minimal, so life is good.
While there is still 6 weeks or so to good, God has been gracious to me.
I have to add in that my wife, Jan, has taken wonderful care of me during this time. She has bore the burden of a full time job, taking care of the house and me all without complaint. She has been amazing and I love her for it.
Many ask IF I will ride again, certainly, as soon as the Dr gives me permission. I will not live my life in fear, there is a beautiful country out to still see, kids and grand-kids to visit. So I will be on the road as soon as possible.
Hope to see you there, safe travels, "Maps"
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Wedding
02/22/2011
I know I have been remiss in putting rides on line. However, I have been getting ready for my wedding this past Sat (2/19), which went off wonderfully. Now back to maps!!!
We are looking at expanding our line up this year and so we are staying extremely busy and that is a good thing.
More blogs to follow--Safe travels, Dennis "Maps"
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Another Trip South NC, SC, GA, TN And Back To NC
09/21/2010
I left NC last Thursday, Sept 16th and did a hard ride from Vass to Birmingham, AL in about 9 hours in nearly 100 degree heat. While there isn't much to write about on this part of the trip I did have a good ride down Rt 119 from I-20 east just east of Birmingham and run southwest over to I-65 south.
Saturday I was able to make it up to Albertville on Sand Mountain to meet up with some folks from SCRC 41 to ride to Florence, AL to catch the end of the Trail of Tears ride. Don took us on some back roads off of Rt 75 that were wonderful.
Needless to say watching the thousands of riders come into McFarlin Park was amazing-kind of like watching the line of bikes leaving the Pentagon parking lot for the Ride to the Wall on Memorial Day.
After the Trail of Tears event I headed back down Rt 13 back to Birmingham. Nice to see the west side of the state.
Monday was time to leave 'Bama and head back to NC via the mountains. While still hot the ride up 59 to Chattanooga was nice with little traffic.
I head east on Rt 64 back into NC which is always a great ride. I stop in Murphy to visit with Cathy and David at Backstreet Iron just before you get into Murphy. There is always a smiling face greeting you when you walk in. David works on them all, from tires to oil changes.
I am sadden to say that the entire trip leaves were turning color from lack of rain vs the normal fall foliage change.
64 is a wonder ride, even though you are south of the normal popular riding areas of NC. Don't over look this beautiful part of the Tar Heel state.
Safe travels, Dennis
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Map Distribution
09/05/2010
Had a great two day drive around the west end of NC delivering maps to the Welcome Centers. First, the response was so much better than I even anticipated. Folks at the Welcome Centers as well as the many riders I handed maps too said the maps were a much welcome, much needed item for the riding community.
I drove Rt 21 northwest from I-77 to the Blue Ridge Pkwy. This would be a good ride route, ranging from straight to curvy road.
I stopped by to see Cara and Scott at Blue Ridge Bed and Breakfast, They have a beautiful spot just off of the Blue Ridge on Mountain View Road.
http://www.blueridgebandb.net/
On the way south I stayed over in Maggie Valley with Elaine and Jim at Smoky Mountain Lodge. Wonderful hosts, in a beautiful town with lots of great ride routes all around them.
http://Thesmokymountainlodge.com
I rounded the southside of the state, dropping maps at the last three Welcome Centers-about 6,000 maps put out in two days.
I made a lunch stop in Wingate, NC at the Shooter's Corner Grill run by Buddy Parker--as always, good food, good company.
http://shooterscornergrill.com/
Then back home to the "Honey do" list !! But guarantee I will be riding today.
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