Packed up all my stuff into just the expanded tank bag. Thought I was
doing okay packing wise, but the fully expanded bag is bigger than I’m
comfortable with. Plus, I had forgot to include the leather chaps[1]
in the stuff I needed.

So spent some time at work not working, but attempting to strategical
pack. Ended up using the full tank bag, but strapping the small portion
to the pillion[2] area on the bike and securing it with a bungee net.
Oh and one other small problem with the tank bag: it’s not quite big
enough to fit the 15″ powerbook in it. I end up having one corner of the
laptop kind of sticking out of the bag.

I over packed, as usual. But I’m slowly getting better and better about
that. I can mostly avoid “The Jerk” style packing (All I need is this
pair of pants… and this chair… and that park bench…)

Suited up, and headed down the road. At about 4pm today, it was
pretty hot out. I was fine as long as I was moving, but some of the
long stop lights get a bit sweaty.

Headed out 64 to Asheboro, and then took 49 towards Gastonia. I decided
the end of stage1 would be in Gastonia since it’s a little more than
halfway into the mountains, and because I lived there for a few years when
I was young (roughly grades 2-5, a long time for me…) and was curious
how it had changed.

Somewhere outside of Asheboro on 49, I stopped and got gas and a beverage.
The guy in line ahead of me asked about the bike and we had a fairly long
conversation about motorcycles. He commented that he liked the bike a lot,
and once owned a Bonneville (this is a recurring theme…) and was glad
to see someone buy something other than a Harley. “They cost too much and
they’ve got too much money already”. He apparently rides a Honda Shadow, and
was getting ready to drive up to PA next weekend. Apparently as sort of
a trial run for a Iron Butt Saddle Sore 1000 he wants to try for. This
is a endurance context and the “Saddle Sore 1000” is sort of the low
end entry point. To get it, you have to document a 1000 mile solo ride
in a 24 time period. Interesting, I’ve just days ago finished reading two
books about the Iron Butt Rally, an insane motorcycle endurance trial that
tends to consist of about 12,000 miles in about 11 days. Crisscrossing the
country.

The guy also heartily and repeatedly recommended something call BOM. Apparently
some sort of uber polish/wax. I’ll have to look it and find it.

Made it to Charlotte next, where I was going to try to go though Charlotte,
then catch highway 74 into Gastonia. Except just as I got to Charlotte the
sky fail down. I had some good timing and spotted a gas station with a
awning and pulled in just before it starting pouring. Another guy got stuck under
the awning as well, and didn’t seem any more eager than me to venture out into
the downpour. I’m partially okay with riding in rain, but not lightning. Especially
not rain and lightning in Charlotte. There was pretty close lighting hits that
were very convincing. I took the time to pull out the rain jacket and the
chaps[1] and put them on, and to pull the cover over the tank bag. Since the
storm cell seemed to be pretty much just sitting on top of the area (UNCC
area), I didn’t try driving out of it.

By the time it calmed down to a light drizzle, and some sun could be seen
in the distance, I got back on the road. It was still raining, but not
for long. I barely made it to 85 before it stopped. Since it was
raining I decided it might be faster/better to take 85 instead of
74, and since I hadn’t been down 85 that way in a while, would be
interesting to see what I remember.

Made it to Belmont, when I recognized the exit, and knew it connected
to 74. My parents used to bowl[3] there. Headed down 74, remembering
lots of places as I went. The pipe supply store that used to
sponsor my parents league bowling team[3]. The skating rink I
used to skate at. A lot. The putt-putt, what used to be the
Gastonia dirt mall, etc.

Noticed a lot of motorcycles going in/out an intersection and
looped back to check it out. Apparently every Thursday there is a pretty
large biker (aka, mostly Harley) gathering at a steakhouse there.
Across the street is Carolina Harley, which was already closed, but
looks to be about the biggest Harley Dealership I’ve ever seen.
Stuck around a bit, then realized I had parked just over a median
from a vintage Bonneville, the only other Triumph there. Owner
wasn’t around, so didn’t get to talk to them.

Saw a Harley electroglide with an animated lighted American
flag on each side of it. Now that says “I am an America Freakshow”

Even though I intended to get to Gastonia, find a hotel and crash,
and wander around my old stomping grounds in the morning, I couldn’t
resist wandering around a bit. It’s amazing how much I recognize and
can remember even in the dark. Some things change, some stay the same.

Particular things I noticed:

Hospital area is huge now.
They destroyed the elementary school I went to and put up offices.
The “Ridgeway” is now a target.
The McDonald’s we ate at way too much is still there.
The Shoney’s we ate at way too much is gone
The mall looks almost exactly the same, aside for it’s onetime trademark
blue overhangs outside of Belks.
The two ice cream places I ate at are still there.
The church I went to[4] is still there and looks exactly the same.

Rode just about 200 miles.

[1] And I look damn sexy in them
[2] where the passenger would sit if there were a seat there, which there
isn’t anymore
[3] Have I ever mentioned I’m white trash?
[4] Things I remember about that church… being asked to “stop questioning”
and getting in fights every Sunday.