| Author | Message | ||
     Jb2 |
Hey all, it's that time of year again and only four short weeks until Big Jim's Ride in Franklin, NC(May 29th). Hard to believe it's been 8 years this May since my pop passed on but he would be proud of the legacy he's left behind. What originally begun as a memorial ride in his honor has now become a gathering of enthusiastic motorcyclists and a celebration of life. We take a few moments to remember all of those who've gone before us and carry their torch into the future with the ride. We have an open ride on Friday that heads down to Bob's Place in South Carolina and passes by many waterfalls. We'll gather that evening at a friend's place for cookout. Saturday we'll have several rides to choose from with everyone meeting back at the Franklin Motel by 4:30pm. The Memorial Ride leaves at 5:00pm and heads out to Lost Bridge. We hang out for an hour or so swapping stories, reconnecting and meeting new riding friends. After our ride to Lost Bridge we return to Franklin to gather at Mike and Sue Breedlove's for vittles and libations. Lou "Mystic" Usher provides the entertainment. The ride is open to all who hang here. It is not brand specific although Buells seem to outnumber all others. Lodging for the gathering is at The Franklin Motel (800-433-5507). Rooms are going fast. Food and entertainment for the Saturday gathering is provided. BYOB & coolers. Sunday we say our well wishes and good-byes then part late morning for home. This year there's a group of us headed for Hillbilly Ed's to wrap up the weekend in the hills of Kentucky. We've been blessed with several new faces every year and many, many repeats. It has become a family unto its own. Please join us. Ride Safe, JB2 (Message edited by JB2 on April 30, 2010) | ||
| Reepicheep |
Made my reservations last week, and Shelly is coming this year. I'm really looking forward to it. | ||
| Prior |
JB2, I'm there! The Uly is ready for a road trip, I am ready for a road trip, and Heather maybe coming too. Looking forward to another great weekend with the family. Alex | ||
| Jb2 |
Reep, can't wait to meet Shelly and for you guys to meet Kim. Alex, Mikey follows BadWeB and agreed that if you weren't coming he'd cancel. He said to tell you Butcher confirmed he was coming.  | ||
| Nevrenuf |
jim, sorry i didn't get up there last year and being unemployed right now doesn't help matters much but i'm a last minute kinda person and can only hope that we can do it again. | ||
| Ulywife |
Wish we could make it as well. The kids have school on Memorial Day to make up for a "snow day". Maybe next year will be better all the way around for us. | ||
| Jb2 |
Neil and Kristi, You folks are always welcome. If not this year, then next or the next after that.  JB2 | ||
| Jb2 |
Kristi, BTW, Thanks for the bold font and relocation of the thread. I'm betting that came from your unique admin powers? JB2 (Message edited by JB2 on April 30, 2010) | ||
| Ulywife |
You're welcome! Gotta make sure this event gets seen and people who are interested in coming don't miss it. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
i know one day i hope to move up to tennessee just so i can stay closer to all the great stuff that happens up that way opposed to down here in florida. | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Hey all, hopefully I'll be in attendance depending on my report date to Pensacola. Thanks FB for the heads up! | ||
| Jb2 |
CB, Hey looking forward. Our little gathering has been the root cause of many new friendships and adventures. JB2 | ||
| Prior |
5 more days!!! | ||
| Jb2 |
I'm ready brother! Mike and Sue have literally worked their butts off for three weeks getting ready. The local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans M/C is joining us this year. Brian Huffman is bringing his guitar to play with Lou. Mike's got a friend who is a harmonica player that's sitting in with them. BBQ'd pork butts, smoked turkeys, mountain moonshine, music, motorcycles and good friends... sounds like a good time's a comin'! | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Looks like I'm going to make it...I can't wait to meet ya'll either! Charles | ||
| Prior |
Fantastic! Sent you an email... | ||
| Reepicheep |
Fixing my poor drowned Saab and the neighbors trailer all weekend in preparation | ||
| Prior |
Drowned Saab? | ||
| Dulcimerbob |
What time will the ride start on Fri ? I am a newcomer and I live in the area. Would like to attend. Thanks | ||
| Jb2 |
Hey Dulcimerbob. The ride leaves from the Franklin Motel in Franklin, NC at 5:00 PM on Saturday. We ride out to Lost Bridge and back then gather at a friend's home. Your handle says that music may be important to you? We have several musicians who are playing this year. Bring your dulcimer? There are several informal rides going on Friday. We usually have several groups going different directions. If you show up at the Franklin Motel anytime Friday there'll be a group going somewhere. The only formal group ride is Saturday afternoon. Hope to see you there! JB2 | ||
| Prior |
Jim and friends, Thanks for another fantastic weekend in Franklin. What a great party and fantastic group of people to hang with every year. I superslabbed it home, somewhat uneventful other than making a frisbee out of one of my case lids that I did not latch! Got home about 1130, which is record time for me, put the bike away and headed to the pool for another party! Hope you see you all before next Memorial Day weekend, but Heather and I will both see you in the mountains for NC for next year's event! Alex | ||
| Jb2 |
I need to send a big thanks to everyone who attended. The weekend seems a blur at the moment especially since we are soo covered up at work. It was really good to see all the new faces. It was especially good to have my wife Kim and Reep's wife Shelly there for the first time. Alex introduced Charlieboy to our group and suffice to say he was very well received. Charlie told some great stories and had the attention of all the veterans in attendance. For all the crap going on in this country it's nice to know we have people like him defending us. We are blessed to live in this country. Words fail but Kim and I, Mike and Sue Breedlove and the good people of Franklin(mayor included) all thank the community of riders here for their annual trek to the mountains. Ulys out numbered every other bike there so not only did we carry the torch for people gone before us but Buell too. THANKS!!! | ||
| Reepicheep |
I'm trying to catch up on work also, hopefully I'll get to it by this weekend. Great people and a great ride, and great memories old and new. Thanks Jim and Mike and everyone else. | ||
| Court |
And a big thanks to you from a group of folks who were with you in spirit and who had their life changed for the better by BIG JIM just knowing his legend. Few folks leave such a legend and such large footprints. Thanks from more of us than you can possibly imagine. Court | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Still thinking fondly of last weekend... Gonna add more pics today. Wish I was still in the wind and not doing homework every night here at school ha!   Drunken picture taking = fuzzy pictures... | ||
| Jb2 |
Charlieboy, It was a great gathering and good to have you there. I've been covered up myself here at work. I have pictures posted on Facebook but haven't had the time to get anything up on BadWeB. Here's the link to the album on Facebook... <http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=51661&id=161 4500673&l=16fd47e80c> We're already talking about next year. Hope to see you there! JB2 |
