The Queen City Park Tour - October 7, 2001
By Bill Berry By the numbers:
11 Bikes (1 Norton, 1 Yamaha)
13 Riders
31 degrees @ 9:00 am
50 miles of urban streets
mid 50's by mid-afternoon
0 Bikes lost
After a hearty breakfast at The Hitching Post, we took off around 10:00 for the sights of the city. Cruising through Hyde Park we saw the Observatory area, Ault Park, and Alms Park where we stopped at the overlook of Lunken Airport. From there we headed for Eden Park's overlook of the Ohio River, Krohn Conservatory, and Mirror Lake. Leaving Eden Park we wound our way through hospital alley(Clifton area) with no stops required, past the Dr.Suess building, down by the Zoo, and ending up at Mt. Storm Park. By this time mumblings of lunch started to surface, so off to Skyline in Clifton we went.
After everybody had their fill of coneys and -ways, we waddled back to the parking lot and managed to throw a leg over our bikes and proceed on our tour. A quick left turn into Burnet Woods allowed us to re-group and proceed down fraternity/sorority lane (Clifton Ave.). A left turn into Fairview Park gave everyone a seldom seen view of the Cincinnati skyline, from the north.
From Fairview, we headed towards Mt. Echo Park in Price Hill. On the way we passed by Findlay Market, the back of Music Hall, and Union Terminal. The view from Mt. Echo gave you a nice view of the landmarks and hills we had traveled earlier plus the river we would soon be traversing by boat. Oh yes, hard to have a Bill Berry tour without a ferry ride, so off to the Anderson ferry we went. They were waiting for us as we arrived, just as planned, and boarded immediately. A little extra excitement on this crossing since a barge had just past, everyone steadied their bikes from the motion of the ocean.
Rt.8 back towards Ludlow gave us a brief respite from the urban traffic. A right turn up under the railroad trestle and we were at our last destination of the day. We sneaked into Devou Park from the rear on a fun little lane & half wide road up the hill. The overlook provided our last perspective at the Cincinnati skyline and probably the most famous. At the edge of the overlook it seems as though the skyline is just a picture and some felt as though they could jump/fall into it.
A beautiful crisp day, the Cincinnati skyline from four perspectives (north, south, east, west), good food, and good comradery, all on two wheels. Atta-Boys to all for looking out for the guy behind you and losing no one.
Quotes you might have missed:
"How far did you have to drive to save $2.00 ?"
"Hey guys, it's warmer out here in the sun."
"So much fun, he must have gone back to do it again."
"Nothing quite like yuppies jogging/walking they're dogs."
"2-3 more mph and you can launch a passenger off those speed humps."
"Steve, what are we certifying today ?"
"Think that was a true padre ?...the ball cap threw me."
"Since when do padres' get Sunday mornings off ?"
"We might have to make you a 'Kentucky Boy'."
"Did anyone clip the kid on the scooter ?"
And the #1 quote of the day:
"Why is Randy always undressing on our rides ?"
By Mike LaBar
It happened over a year ago. I was asked by a friend to put a thousand miles on his K bike to make the odometer reading on his title match the actual odometer (1000 miles off). Being the good guy that I am, I helped my friend out and rode that 87 K100RS for a few weeks. I was swept away by the dark side. I made an offer and he wouldn’t refuse. That classic look, that aggressive position, that oh so smooth powerband, and of course that whine captivated me. The RT was collecting dust. I rode the RT when traveling longer distances and when I would let my Buddy Pete ride the RS. After a few outings, Pete too was bitten by the dark side. I started helping him look for a similar K bike. As I started searching, I started seeing bikes for sale that wetted my own appetite. I looked at K1100RS’s K75’s and even a few K1’s that looked very sharp. There was a K100RS turbo that claimed to be faster than a K1200RS. That’s just what I need. All these I found at the IBMWR Marketplace (www.IBMWR.org) As I looked, the more cool bikes I was finding. None of course close to home. Then Pete and I and the girls rode up to Hocking Hills to the BS Rally, and that weekend was his chance to really decide if this Kbike was truly the bike for him. I had already decided to sell my low mileage cream puff to Pete if he fell for the dark side like I fell a year ago. There were all kinds of bikes for sale at the marketplace. I felt confident about buying from IBMWR Presidents. It’s like selling to a friend in a group. You don’t dare try to pull anything, if you want to remain a president in good standing. Word would get out and you could be ostracized.
Still, no Kbikes close to home. I begin looking at the Oilheads in the Marketplace and find a 94 R1100RS for less than 5 grand, and it’s in Ohio. I emailed the owner and he sends a picture. It’s red and it looks like a new bike… Yet it has 91,000 mile on the odometer. We talk on the phone and I get all the details on the bike. New transmission, new rims, Russell Day Long seat, Reynolds backrest, New Ohlins shocks, oversized saddlebags, heated grips with GS hand guards… It all sounded so good. The next weekend I was on my way to Uniontown, OH with the ramps in back of the truck. Turns out I knew this Beemer rider. Steve Snyder and I drooled over this bike 2 years ago at GA Mtn. He was also one of the attendees of the Skyline rally in 2000… and a great guy to buy a bike from. You know the type, very organized and detail minded. All service records were recorded and up to date and in chronological order. Everything that ever happened to the bike was there in that inch thick stack of papers. If something went wrong with the bike, it got fixed.
As I rode my new Oilhead up the ramp and into the truck I knew I had made a good purchase. It wasn’t a K-whiner but I feel comfortable (like I could ride all day with that seat) in my purchase. Perhaps one day I will flirt with the dark side again… it was a blast. Ride safe for Pete’s sake!
For more info on how to buy a used Beemer, check out http://www.verrill.com/moto/kbikebuyingguide.htm
Chris and Anne Long’s Frozen Mt. Dew Ride
Marion VA.
Anne and I took our trip to Marion VA. this weekend. We left Friday morning about 8am. We took Rt35 to I-64 and got off of the highway at Rocky Gap, VA. It was very cold and Very Windy. Overcast most of the day but dry! Anne did not like the wind and I must admit it scared the heck out of me a few times. We got off of the highway in VA. and drove thru the most beautiful hill country to Tazewell and then took Rt.16 to Marion. Rt. 16 was as described, 24 miles of blind turns, no shoulders, big elevation changes and beautiful scenery. There did appear to be a fair amount of new guardrail installed although I don't think it would do you much good on a motorcycle! Marion VA. is the birthplace of Mountain Dew and Sat. the 27 was Mountain Dew Days! We got up and cruised through downtown. They were setting up for the festivities and as there were snow flurries we decided to hit the road. We again took Rt. 16 to Tazewell and even though there were flurries in the air, the road was OK. Rt. 16 was nicely paved and was well maintained, there was however a lot of gravel in the turns, couldn't go fast anyway. We returned to Ohio via Rt. 52, which we got to by way of several WV state roads that were very challenging and not as well maintained as Rt. 16 but very fun nonetheless. Rt. 52 in WV was a great discovery, although very populated there are few stops and parts of that road are really great. It bears no resemblance to 52 in OH. The snow flurries quit early in the day and we stopped in Portsmouth OH. Sunday morning we took Rt.73 all the way home. I had never been on the part of 73 south of Peebles and I found it to be a really nice road. Sunday was cold but sunny. We had a great ride (a little under 800 miles) and will definitely go back when it is a little warmer. Wish some of you could have gone along, maybe next time, I took a few photos and I have posted them on the yahoo site. Chris & Anne Long
The Prez Sez
With November hard upon us, plans for the Christmas party are well under way and we’ve begun to think about our annual pilgrimage to Hueston Woods in January. The subject of a New Year’s Day ride was also brought up at the last meeting. If you have a suggestion regarding a route or where folks could meet to warm up after the ride, let Greg know.
The colder months also mean the resumption of the Ohio RA brunches. The ones I’m aware of so far will be in Canton on 11/11, Dayton on 12/9, and Marietta on 1/13. The Dayton brunch is expected to be at the Old Country Buffet near the Dayton Mall. I went to last year’s Dayton event and got to meet the state director, Bob Wood, and other RA folks from various areas of the state. Plus I won the 50/50! I think it would be nice if the Greater Cincinnati club could make a decent showing for this event.
Now is also the time to get your “ending” numbers for the mileage contest to Jerry Cummins. My hunch is that Jerry and Jack Basham are going to have much higher numbers than the rest of us. But that’s no excuse to blow off turning in your ending numbers, so take a quick peek at your odometers and get those numbers in to Jerry.
One final note: I was quite surprised to hear one recent Sunday morning that the Oregonia hill climb had been cancelled. I guess the Devil’s Staircase was even too muddy for climbing, or more likely the surrounding grounds would have been turned into one giant “hog” sty by the traffic of all the attendees.
Bob
Motorcycle Safety Tidbits
FTWO – Tip of the Day
With fall just around the corner a new hazard for
motorcyclists looms, leaves. The leaves that fall from the trees onto the road
surface can be extremely slippery, especially when wet. Also, be especially
careful in the early morning before the sun has warmed the day up. The leaves on
the road, which are in the shade can have ice under them.
Thanks to Steve J. for today's tip.
BMW NEWS
BMW is setting sales records. Already
they are 20 percent above sales at this time last year.
Rider Magazine named the R1150GS Best Adventure Tourer for 2001.
The millionth motorcycle to come out of Berlin was auctioned off on October 11th. The Smoke colored R1150RT was won by Klaren Alexander from Kennesaw, USA with the high bid of $27,503.
BMW is committed to assisting in the relief efforts from the terrorist attack. BMW will donated $1 million in cash as well as 100 police motorcycles and 10 BMW X5 SUV’s to the Red Cross.
BURBANK, Calif. (AP)
- Jay Leno's celebrity-autographed Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a matching
truck drew a top bid of $360,200 on eBay, with proceeds going to the Twin Towers
Fund for victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The talk-show host will announce the name of the winning bidder on NBC's
"The Tonight Show" Friday night, after funds have been verified. The
online auction began Oct. 7 and ended Wednesday.
Leno asked celebrities from movies, television, music and sports who visited his
show to sign the limited edition Harley-Davidson FXDL Dyna Low Rider, which he
bought in July. The motorcycle, which has only 200 miles on it, features a
custom black-leather seat and custom paint.
Among the stars who signed it: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nicole Kidman, Pamela
Anderson, Mira Sorvino, Martina McBride, Earvin "Magic" Johnson,
Nicolas Cage, Cuba Gooding Jr., John Travolta, Sylvester Stallone, Denzel
Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Cruise, Michael Douglas, Ricky Martin, Billy
Bob Thornton, Angelina Jolie, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright,
Terry Bradshaw, James Woods, Ozzy Osbourne and Heather Locklear.
Also included in the deal is a 2001 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 SuperCrew, one of
a series of trucks the two companies created together. Frank Davis from New
Mexico made the winning bid and wants to show the bike off to raise more money
for the victims of the September 11th tragedy.
Internet Notes as of 10/24/01
GCBMWC.org hit stats 1975 Egroup messages 351 Egroup members 40
Return
to GCBMWC Home Page Where
We meet & Ride Board
Members Club Calendar
Join the
Club Rides
& Reports Favorite
Links Photo
Gallery
10/30/01