The "Keeping in touch" tour.

[tazio]

Took the mighty GRiSO on a 5 day trip from Atlanta,Georgia area to about 30 miles north of Buena Vista, Virginia where the plan was to meet an old work mate. I had gotten up on the Blue Ridge Parkway for some early morning riding and was forced down elevation from the heavy wet fog and dropping temps. Stopped on the BRP to ck on this bike but no rider, looks to have had gone down trying to make the bend. Must have gotten a ride into town..



My pal had came down from Goshen, Connecticut and it seemed like a nice halfway point for us to meet, 500 miles for each of us to get there... We proceeded to tear up some of the finest roads in Virginia and W.Virginia.
Nothing but pure riding adventure in the most beautiful of areas. Even my  rear tire puncture and one of his hard boxes falling off at speed couldn't dampen our spirits!
1,565 miles later I was home sweet home..
God, I love motorcycling!!

[bobrebos1]

Looks like fun was had and great pictures! 

[tazio]

Thanks Bob. The BRP can catch you off guard sometimes, seems to have its own weather system up there! High 80's when I left home, and by the next morning (outside Ashville,NC) the Parkway got down to 51 degrees and soaking wet from heavy fog, nearly clipped 2 bicyclists!
The Guzzi has been a rock solid companion from day one as has my friends Beemer.

[cliffrod]

Once you get far enough up into the mountains, things like weather radar only mean about so much.  Around this time of year, at least there’s not lots of slippery leaves to go with that wet fog on the brp or the dragon. 

Glad you had a safe & fun ride.  Nice to see the pics.

[Cam3512]

Nice ride.  I did the entire length of Skyline Drive in and out of thick fog.  I was leading two friends on their Harley baggers.  Most times I couldn’t see 30ft in front of me.  Helmet visor and glasses getting completely fogged.  Not many opportunities to exit either.  NOT enjoyable.

[twowheeladdict]

I really like that photo. Was it planned or took it when coming back from watering the bushes?

Glad you had a great ride!  I rode the BRP on the 19th of May, and crossed over it on the 26th heading west.

[PJPR01]

Nice pics!!

Just a question...how did you get the lowered toe pegs to fit, did you grind off a 1/16th of an inch so they would make it thru?  I've got the lowered Knight design pegs, but the toe pegs won't fit all the way thru.

Griso looking great as always!

[Vagrant]

Somehow I doubt ape hangers were meant for the parkway!
No matter what month I ride the parkway I have a good rain suit and the heated jacket liner. Never been sorry that way.

[tazio]

TWO, Lol, no bushes were harmed.
It was a few off trail steps to this point with tree.

 I looked back towards bikes and thought..take a pic! Location is extreme north end of BRP called "Ravens Roost Overlook".

[tazio]

PJ, no grinding required on mine..

Vagrant, you're a wiser man than I.
Yes, should have packed for Parkway weather..
AND I OWE YOU A CIGAR because I took a section of gravel road to "spice the ride up a little" for my pal on his ADV BMW. Getting back to pavement noticed rear tire slowly bleeding off pressure...Caught it around 22psi. Thru in a plug and some CO2 cartridges and thanked my lucky stars to have purchased the same TPMS that I had seen on YOUR bike a few years earlier!

[twowheeladdict]

 

[PJPR01]

PJ, no grinding required on mine..

Very interesting…will have to try again and see if it will fit with a bit more effort!  Thanks Tazio!

[tazio]

Very interesting…will have to try again and see if it will fit with a bit more effort!  Thanks Tazio!

Just so you know, that Corbin Gunfighter seat I got from you 6 years ago has been wonderful and still looks like new!!

[Vagrant]

PJ, no grinding required on mine..

Vagrant, you're a wiser man than I.
Yes, should have packed for Parkway weather..
AND I OWE YOU A CIGAR because I took a section of gravel road to "spice the ride up a little" for my pal on his ADV BMW. Getting back to pavement noticed rear tire slowly bleeding off pressure...Caught it around 22psi. Thru in a plug and some CO2 cartridges and thanked my lucky stars to have purchased the same TPMS that I had seen on YOUR bike a few years earlier!

I had to quit smoking and almost drinking. At first I was going to suggest a Hooker for a kind of substitute, but remembered I'm 75 and would prefer to ride a few more years.
So, glad to be of some help!

[PJPR01]

Just so you know, that Corbin Gunfighter seat I got from you 6 years ago has been wonderful and still looks like new!!

Hi Tazio!!!

I remember it well...it looks great on your Griso and I'm glad it worked out over the years!

I ended up a few years later getting another Corbin for my Griso when I bought it from a friend here in town a couple years later.

Here's a pic of your seat on my Scura a while back!!

[tazio]

Hi Tazio!!!

AND, a fellow unicyclist!! We got lots in common!!

[PJPR01]

AND, a fellow unicyclist!! We got lots in common!!

Nice coincidence!!  Indeed...have been riding for almost 47 years...still have my original Schwinn Giraffe!

[Scout63]

Great ride report and wonderful pictures Tazio.  I rode the Skyline many weekends when in college in Charlottesville in the early 80s. A Golden Eagle pass was $25 and speed patrols were nonexistent.