the plot thickens. looks like a good group so far

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click the banners below:

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

All FLATLANDERS, NEW RIDERS,and those RECENTLY RETURNED TO RIDING and are planning on attending the New River Gorge Run this July please, please, please practice slow speed descending right and left turns over and over until you are ABSOLUTELY proficient with them.

The single arch New River Bridge (largest in the world) that carries US-19 across the gorge and hovers over 800 ft above the New River is the main attraction in the area.



But you can't get this view of the bridge unless you descend the gorge and cross the New River on this bridge.



But the descent involves several of these, both left and right. Take note there is not a single patch of level ground anywhere in this picture including where the bike is parked.



The first two turns are from a stop sign and are descending 180 degree right hand turns. If you mess up the first one you get to try again on the second one .

However much practice it takes the ride will be worth it as views of waterfalls cascading down the gorge and water level views of the New River are to be had for the accomplished adventurer. Besides this is the ride on the way to dinner!





Arrangements are being made and if they prove successful the sponsored dinner will be held at the Glen Ferris Inn, an establishment founded in 1836 and located directly on the banks of the Kanawha River.



View from the Glenn Ferris Inn.



So start practicing and get registered this gathering should be a great deal of fun for all!

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Dean Spalding
Raleigh, NC

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." - Albert Einstein

'82 Yellow GL1100
'81 Blue GL1100

My Gallery
My 1100 Build Thread

don't know if i should be excited....or scared. but it does look like a good place to have a lot of fun. i'll start practicing

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click the banners below:

gotta love those turns where you can check out your rear tire as you go around.... I can hanlde being on the lower bridge.... but ya aint geeting me on the high up one

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-Rodger-
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
78 wing we have had since.... well.... 78, been in nearly every state, 76 Ltd "cookies bike" up and running, still needs some work, 79 project, back in pieces while I move, '86 1200 (Beth's) with motrvation sidecar, 05 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's). I guess you can say we have MBS
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=27685
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=35846

I don't mind those descending turns when it is dry but if it is raining I get shivers up and down my spine!!! Always feels like the front end is about to slip out on me


Great pics as usual Dean!! Thanks so much for the recon

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"I prefer the abstract concept of incoherence in the face of great feeling to beautiful, full sentences that convey little emotion." DDL
1978/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

So, what technique does it call for? Ride Lleh out of your rear brake.? For sure give the guy in front of you plenty room.
Greg.

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75 GL1000

Plenty of room between the bikes and lots of engine braking while feathering the clutch. Being in the correct gear is critical.

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"I prefer the abstract concept of incoherence in the face of great feeling to beautiful, full sentences that convey little emotion." DDL
1978/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Looks great, can't wait. And agian thanks for the preview Dean.

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82 GL1100 Interstate-Oldewing
77 GL1000 Black and Hacked, Velorex car and a gem set.....
68 CB 350 Wifeys and oh so cool
25 percent stake in 898 project, *beverages consumed.

Sometimes I wrestle with my inner demons..........
Other times we just hug.......

Team 898

I think we should tie all the bikes together for the decent, much like mountain climbers do so they can catch each other should one slip. You know - all for one and one for for all.

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OhioBill

I now have GPS so I no longer get lost, just confused.

1975 Blue/ Green (Now Black) My main ride
1975 Red Gone to my son! (Burned Feb 2013, hope to rebuild if possible)
1979 Black (to be restored)
1979 Blue (Sold)
1978 Black (back in the fold)
1993 blue 1500 Sold

The technique is: First gear, you'll only find a couple spots in the gorge where you'll get to second. On the turns from the stop sign you'll be relying on brakes almost exclusively as the engine will be nearly at idle, gravity rules. Stay far, far away from the front brake, rear brake only and you'll need it. You touch the fronts and you'll be down. Make sure all brakes are working as designed. Keep your eyes up and on the road well in front of you and staring where you want to go, if you start looking just in front of your front tire or get distracted by the steep wash outs on the side of the road we'll be demonstrating the proper way to pick up a Goldwing, unless of course you run off the road then we'll be calling a wrecker. We'll have a little discussion just before we begin the descent while were in the visitor center parking lot where the ride down the gorge begins.

Its not that difficult once you know the technique but you have to know it and practice it. The ride up the gorge isn't nearly as challenging as the descent. Traffic is very light in the gorge and just past the curve pictured the road changes to one way so we won't have to worry about oncoming traffic. Its a lot of fun and if everyone likes it enough we can do it twice, we'll have enough time

_________________
Dean Spalding
Raleigh, NC

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." - Albert Einstein

'82 Yellow GL1100
'81 Blue GL1100

My Gallery
My 1100 Build Thread

and you can check out your rear tire as you go around the turn.... so cool!

_________________
-Rodger-
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
78 wing we have had since.... well.... 78, been in nearly every state, 76 Ltd "cookies bike" up and running, still needs some work, 79 project, back in pieces while I move, '86 1200 (Beth's) with motrvation sidecar, 05 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's). I guess you can say we have MBS
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=27685
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=35846

I'm paid! Will be there Monday afternoon sometime. Have a motel reserved. Not much for sleeping on the ground and the motel will keep me from having to pack sleeping bag, towels, etc. OK, so I'm soft.

Looking forward to seeing all the guys and gals there. Will also go to Oldewing's BBQ and the Mid-Ohio Classic Bike races.

Sounds like a great way to spend a week.

Bob (halfnaked)

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"Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey cage." - H. L. Mencken

Current: '82 GL1100(halfnaked), '79 GL1000(Fairing & leather bags), '97 TRX300FW(4X4),'96 TRX300FW(4X4)
Past: '77 GL1000, '78 GL1000, '79 GL1000, '82 GL1100I, '86 GL1200, '94 GL1500A
Future: Sulphur Yellow '76 GL1000??

Great job, as usual, Wiskerfish and Sagebrush.

_________________
"Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey cage." - H. L. Mencken

Current: '82 GL1100(halfnaked), '79 GL1000(Fairing & leather bags), '97 TRX300FW(4X4),'96 TRX300FW(4X4)
Past: '77 GL1000, '78 GL1000, '79 GL1000, '82 GL1100I, '86 GL1200, '94 GL1500A
Future: Sulphur Yellow '76 GL1000??

Wow, great pics, glad I am in.

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Proud member of the NGW Cartel
1977 GL1000 BAD DOG - Bring Along Deb, Decades Old Goldwing (April BOTM)
Motorcycle restoration is our hobby and we pay for that. But in the end of wrenching, the bikes are free!

I feel left out I need to get better at this paypal thing, seems like if you do not log into paypal twice then nothing happens.

_________________
Proud member of the NGW Cartel
1977 GL1000 BAD DOG - Bring Along Deb, Decades Old Goldwing (April BOTM)
Motorcycle restoration is our hobby and we pay for that. But in the end of wrenching, the bikes are free!