2019 Vintage Yamaha Rally

My plans got changed ( I hate when work interferes with fun). I had planned on being there this morning ( Friday) but I'm going to have to pull an all-nighter and leave when I get home.......that's going to put me coming in around 7am Saturday morning......just in time for breakfast. My only other option was to cancel....I REALLY didn't want to do that. SO........when I shake your hand Saturday morning just don't pay attention to anything I babble about. I'll be going on no sleep and struggling. Might get some rest and do the Sunday group ride instead of trying to push myself Saturday. 1975 Ratty XS650.......wheels up at 2am.......5-6 hour ride ( with coffee stops). You gota love it. What could go wrong.....right?????

See you fellows soon........safe travels Gordon in NC

Really looking forward to meeting you Gordon!

Pete
 
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Thank you everyone for the prayers for my buddy TJ! We did find out that he is having some heart issues! Nothing major,but then again all heart problems are major, he will be seeing his doc as soon as we get back! Again thank you very much! Other than this lil scare, this weekend has been a blast, especially the experience of going over the mountain on 28 in a thundering lighting rainstorm! HHHHOOOOWWWWLLLL have a great ride today everyone and for those that are leaving, have a safe trip home and hope to see ya next year!
 
Awesome rally and I cant wait to do it again next year..had to cut my day short..only did a 100 miles. Was feeling ill so i decided to pack up and head for home...
Made it home by 6:45 p.m.safe and sound..Bike is tucked away in the shed. I will need to get a new battery because the new battery that was in there was a dud...Thanks to Dan and Dave two brothers from Fla.with 4 XS650s at the rally..The loaned me a battery so that my rally wasnt a bust...I was sure to return it before i left even though evreryone was out riding...Will be heading to wally World tmrw for a battery...
 
View attachment 150478 Me and my Honda ridin bud are loaded up and ready to roll,getting an early start ,visiting my sister in Mooresville before heading up the mountain! View attachment 150476View attachment 150477 View attachment 150477
Was great to meet you all and ride with you yesterday... Wish the pack leader would have slowed down a bit more..but you all know how to ride your own ride regardless and that is the most important thing....Hope to see you next year...
 
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Well......I screwed up all around. I did get to leave a little earlier than expected so I rolled out Friday night a little after 10PM and arrived at the campground around 2:15AM. THAT was my first mistake. I actually made these reservations back in 2017. BUT........life has interfered with my XS habit and I haven't spent much time at all on the site. Checked in from time to time but that's about it. What I failed to do......was sign up for the rally????? Not sure what I was thinking and when I missed the meeting Friday night.......and only made it Saturday morning.....I was clueless. Tried to find out where lunch was for Saturday but that didn't work. I'm NOT a group riding person.......my riding buddies cured me of that. So..........I was on my own for Saturday and had a wonderful day which included the Dragon and the Skyway. Got lost a couple of times which just made for more excitement. I did get to meet some of you and for that I'm grateful but missed several of you. Hard to tell who's who since we mostly use screen names on here and there were no name tags. I didn't feel right sitting in on the get together Saturday evening and decided to head back Sunday morning. A little under 600 miles total....the 1975B looked ratty but didn't cause me any grief. I'll do better next time. I'll be sure to sign up EARLY AND get there on Friday......still won't do the group rides but maybe I can bring a riding buddy along who's slow like me.
 
View attachment 150797 Well......I screwed up all around. I did get to leave a little earlier than expected so I rolled out Friday night a little after 10PM and arrived at the campground around 2:15AM. THAT was my first mistake. I actually made these reservations back in 2017. BUT........life has interfered with my XS habit and I haven't spent much time at all on the site. Checked in from time to time but that's about it. What I failed to do......was sign up for the rally????? Not sure what I was thinking and when I missed the meeting Friday night.......and only made it Saturday morning.....I was clueless. Tried to find out where lunch was for Saturday but that didn't work. I'm NOT a group riding person.......my riding buddies cured me of that. So..........I was on my own for Saturday and had a wonderful day which included the Dragon and the Skyway. Got lost a couple of times which just made for more excitement. I did get to meet some of you and for that I'm grateful but missed several of you. Hard to tell who's who since we mostly use screen names on here and there were no name tags. I didn't feel right sitting in on the get together Saturday evening and decided to head back Sunday morning. A little under 600 miles total....the 1975B looked ratty but didn't cause me any grief. I'll do better next time. I'll be sure to sign up EARLY AND get there on Friday......still won't do the group rides but maybe I can bring a riding buddy along who's slow like me.

It was great to meet you Gordon and thanks again so much for helping me out with a fuel tank to complete Robin’s ‘78E Standard.

I’d ride with you anytime.

Pete
 
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Gordon. A bunch of us got to in spect and admire your bike! I am with you on difficulty of all the forum friends we can't recognise in person! Hope no one felt slighted cuz I enjoy talking to everyone even if I can't keep any names straight. :bike: o_O. Group ride size, has been an issue at every rally I've been too. IMHO about 4-5 riders is best in a group but hard to find enough leaders. Maybe "next time" I'll feel confident enough to lead a group....
 
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Gordon. A bunch of us got to in spect and admire your bike! I am with you on difficulty of all the forum friends we can't recognise in person! Hope no one felt slighted cuz I enjoy talking to everyone even if I can't keep any names straight. :bike: o_O. Group ride size, has been an issue at every rally I've been too. IMHO about 4-5 riders is best in a group but hard to find enough leaders. Maybe "next time" I'll feel confident enough to lead a group....
Gary.......you sir are one of those I didn't get to meet. I looked at EVERY card on the bikes and couldn't for the life of me figure out which was yours.......maybe that beautiful 1979 XS?????. But I'll do this differently next time. When I started seeing all those green rally shirts Saturday morning I knew where I'd gone wrong.

I pretty much follow the speed limit signs and enjoy the view. My riding buddies have NO CONCEPT of a speed limit and if they aren't 15 to 20 mph over it it's no fun for them. I finally got them to get used to leaving me alone. Heck, I was riding by myself anyway. I hosted a group ride for 15 years 30-40 riders on vintage iron. I drove the chase truck......I got to see all kinds of riders. I've witnessed some that should haven't been on the ride. Riding over their heads and asking for trouble. You cross the yellow lines around a blind corner on these mountain roads......you might end up with a surprise. Now a days it's "my race, my pace".........and I'm happier that way. I had hoped to have one of my 78 standards ready......maybe next year. I've given up on the Moto Giro for now and that is what was interfering with my XS Rally dates.

I was pretty anti social this time and for that I apologize.......I'm one of those kind of people that once you get me started......you'd kinda wish I'd go anti social again.

Safe travels........your friend in NC Gordon
 
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I rented a private room with bath. A bit pricey but man oh man was it nice. It overlooks "my spot" in the tent camping area and I'm going to have trouble adjusting next time I tent camp.....it's a perfect example of ignorance is/was bliss. I remembered the breakfast being better.....not that it was bad because it wasn't at all it's just that the cheese omelet at TWOS has a LOT going for it. The prime rib?????? Oh my. I've lost almost 80lbs in the last 14-15 months and that was the most meat I've eaten at one sitting in all that time. Good thing the room was right next door........I barely made it to the bed before my lights went out. THAT was a hell of a dinner.

I went ALL weekend without getting one drop of rain on me. I rode plenty of roads where it had "just" got through raining so I did get my pants legs misted but the rain gear never got unpacked.

I do believe there were a LOT more XS650's at this one......the other event I attended was 2015.

I'm going to do better next time.....and not stay away so long from the site this time around. I need to focus on my 78's and this site is the best way a man can keep up.

Take care......OH MaxPete.......yes sir I'd ride with you anytime too........just promise to wait for me at major turns.

Speed limits are an interesting concept...............................Gordon in NC who's BritBike nick name ( along with a couple of others) is Pokey.

PS......threw the photo in of me and the bike on the Skyway......if you look closely.....you might notice I'm wearing my XS650 Forum T-shirt.
 
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Gordy I'm more bummed more than ever our paths didn't cross. Madness was there, no green card but she had her name on her side covers . :cool: I'll push for better group match ups and size next rally I'm at. But you need to find out your leader's style, Chaves goes, it's who he is. No reason other types of riders can't go their own pace and enjoy also. Honestly 200 plus miles days on twisty roads back to back gets long for me too. Riding's fun but there's lots of good scenery walks to waterfalls etc. that are also good to do.
 
Gordy I'm more bummed more than ever our paths didn't cross. Madness was there, no green card but she had her name on her side covers . :cool: I'll push for better group match ups and size next rally I'm at. But you need to find out your leader's style, Chaves goes, it's who he is. No reason other types of riders can't go their own pace and enjoy also. Honestly 200 plus miles days on twisty roads back to back gets long for me too. Riding's fun but there's lots of good scenery walks to waterfalls etc. that are also good to do.

Totally agree with Gary on this matter.

My tripmeter shows more than 530 miles of VYR riding since last Thursday and every inch of it was fabulous - including blasting through the Dragon with Lakeview on Thursday to slowly following a huge trailer down the final hill of the Cherahola on Sunday with Kurt in the lead (holy cow did those electric trailer brakes stink up the woods).

John Chavez is an excellent leader - in fact, all of the leaders are terrific and we should all appreciate their efforts and the commitment of their time while they are on their holiday trip. It’s not their job to nursemaid any other rider or enforce artificial traffic rules for a group of bikers. It is our job (not to mention the law) to fit in with traffic - all traffic.

Now, each of the ride leaders certainly has their own style and pace. John sets a quicker pace and other leaders may set a somewhat slower one. It is entirely up to each individual rider to find out which leader sets a pace suitable for him / her and join that group.

To do other than that is dangerous.

Pete
 
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View attachment 150797 Well......I screwed up all around. I did get to leave a little earlier than expected so I rolled out Friday night a little after 10PM and arrived at the campground around 2:15AM. THAT was my first mistake. I actually made these reservations back in 2017. BUT........life has interfered with my XS habit and I haven't spent much time at all on the site. Checked in from time to time but that's about it. What I failed to do......was sign up for the rally????? Not sure what I was thinking and when I missed the meeting Friday night.......and only made it Saturday morning.....I was clueless. Tried to find out where lunch was for Saturday but that didn't work. I'm NOT a group riding person.......my riding buddies cured me of that. So..........I was on my own for Saturday and had a wonderful day which included the Dragon and the Skyway. Got lost a couple of times which just made for more excitement. I did get to meet some of you and for that I'm grateful but missed several of you. Hard to tell who's who since we mostly use screen names on here and there were no name tags. I didn't feel right sitting in on the get together Saturday evening and decided to head back Sunday morning. A little under 600 miles total....the 1975B looked ratty but didn't cause me any grief. I'll do better next time. I'll be sure to sign up EARLY AND get there on Friday......still won't do the group rides but maybe I can bring a riding buddy along who's slow like me.
Same here ,I’ll ride with ya anytime ,Gordon!
 
Got in safe and sound, had a great time even with the unexpected circumstances! Thanks again everyone with the help on that! Hope to get more ridin time with you guys next year,and actually try to meet everybody! Did discover a small oil leak when I got home I believe i know from where! But I was getting ready to do a top end tune up, seals,gaskets,rings and probably new pistons,cam bearings, check valves and springs, ect,ect,ect! So that’s my next project for the month! Looking forward to it,been a couple years since I been inside it! I’m making sure she is up for the ride next year! See y’all then! And like always a big HHHHHOOOOWWWWLLLL to everyone that makes the VYR possible!
 
Totally agree with Gary on this matter. My tripmeter shows more than 530 miles of VYR riding since last Thursday and every inch of it was fabulous - including blasting through the Dragon with Lakeview on Thursday to slowly following a huge trailer down the final hill of the Cherahola on Sunday with Kurt in the lead (holy cow did those electric trailer brakes stink up the woods).

John Chavez is an excellent leader - in fact, all of the leaders are terrific and we should all appreciate their efforts and the commitment of their time while they are on their holiday trip. It’s not their job to nursemaid any other rider or enforce artificial traffic rules for a group of bikers. It is our job (not to mention the law) to fit in with traffic - all traffic.

Now, each of the ride leaders certainly has their own style and pace. John sets a quicker pace and other leaders may set a somewhat slower one. It is entirely up to each individual rider to find out which leader sets a pace suitable for him / her and join that group - and at all times ride their own danged ride without complaint.

To do other than that is simply selfish and bloody dangerous.

Pete
I ride my own damn ride without complaint..i never rode with Chaves before..i havent ridden in a GD year..I am on a unknown bike.. I would have faired better by myself..and I am not complaining ..just telling my observations...I do appreciate all the efforts by ALL...so i resent the implications that I didnt......have a nice day...
 
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My mistake for thinking people I wanted to ride with the folks here..instaed of realizing that i needed to ride alone so that i could learn what my limits were before riding with a group...and also some folks on here who seemed friendly online were in fact not so friendly in person...at the VYR when i met "them"
I do feel like this was my last VYR rally...
 
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