2008 - Year in Review

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The dawn of the new year opened new chapters in not only my life, but that of my family as well. The first was the possibility of a new job at another motorcycle dealership. Another was the introduction of long distance motorcycle touring to Bryan and Jordan as they joined Julie and I on a week long adventure to Florida and back.
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In January a long time friend, racer and race promoter, Mike Allen, contacted me with the possibility of going to work with him at a dealership he was considering buying. By the end of March everything fell into place and it wasn't long before I found myself at Forsyth Motosports in Winston Salem, NC.
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This was a great opportunity for me in many respects because not only was I going to be working with Mike at a truly great dealership, he had also hired another long time friend and former co-worker Allen Evans too. For the first time since what Allen and I refer to as the "Glory Days" of Piedmont Honda, the shop where we got our start in the motorcycle industry, we would be not only working together again, but we'd be with a man as driven and passionate about the sport and industry as we are.
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Thanks Mike.
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Forsyth Motosports - Winston Salem, NC

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Mike Allen

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Allen Evans

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For our first 'official' ride of 2008 we planned a trip down to Clewiston, Florida to visit my Dad and take in the sights. We planned to go during the kids spring break in early March, which we thought would provide us with moderate temperatures and good weather for the whole trip.

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We thought.

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The FZ6 and the Nomad in full tour mode

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We left on a beautiful spring North Carolina day and were greeted with frost on our first morning on the road. The rest of the trip down to the town I grew up in we were treated to more wonderful days and nights, but the trip back was another story. We rode in rain for the better part of one day, and ran into snow the next. After holding up in a dumpy motel the rest of that day and night we rode over 300 miles in some of the coldest (but dry!) temperatures we've ever ridden in. It was miserable to say the least.

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But the rest of the trip was most definitely a memory maker and one I'm oh so glad that we made. You can find a complete trip report with photos in another section of the blog.

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Bryan, Jordan, Julie and I at the Georgia Welcome Center on US Hwy 301

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Bryan became a full fledged street rider/tourer in 2008. He not only went on his first real long distance ride but also spent a lot of time riding in the mountains and foot hills of the Carolina's. He and Jordan as well as his pal Josh and a few others made many day trips from Charlotte into the western Carolina mountains. On several occasions he also graced his parents with his company and we went on several day trips too.

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Josh's GSXR600 and Bryan's FZ6 on the BRP

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Off Road riding will always be special and enjoyable to Bryan and I, but I think we've both found that we enjoy seeking out twisty mountain roads and long days in the saddle of a street bike too.

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For 2008 Julie and I found ourselves on the tail end of a little mileage game we play with Bryan. We, well actually his mother and he, began razzing each other about who would end up with the most miles ridden in 2008. Momma rules applied and she was given credit for all miles accumulated on the Nomad whether she was on board or not.

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Even after making two trips to Florida and back as well as a few long week-end rides and several day trips Bryan officially kicked our butts. He logged over 9,000 miles where Julie and I brought up the rear at just under 8,000.

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Harrumph. We'll get you next year big boy.

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In search of twisty mountain roads...

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We all reached another milestone in life as Bryan turned 21 years old in 2008. It was liberating for him and traumatizing for us as Julie and I had to deal with two realities. Our son is growing up and we're getting old. *sigh*

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Bryan shares a birthday candle with Tippi

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We went on several trips with our pals Teddy and Tim, a couple of which found us going across "The Snake", a section of US 421 outside of Mountain City, Tennessee that ends up in a little place called Shady Valley, Tennessee. There is so much good riding in that area that we didn't mind going a few times so that we could explore roads and areas we hadn't previously seen.

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"The Country Store", Shady Valley, Tennessee

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We continued another family tradition of going riding on Fathers Day. Hey, who am I to complain? This year we rode the BRP south to Linville Falls, then wound our way off the mountain to Lake Lure and took the long way back home. It was the best Fathers Day so far, but not by much because they're all great! Can't wait until 2009!

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Two generations of J.B. McCrary's. Is the world ready for it?

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Momma and her boy

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Another absolutely great ride was the forth of July week-end trip we took to Helen, Georgia. Jordan and Bryan accompanied Julie and I on this one and a great time was had by all. Helen is a trip in itself and a great destination, but the riding and scenery of the north Georgia mountains has to be experienced to be believed too.

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There are lots of photos and a complete ride report on this trip too elsewhere in the blog.

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The interesting buildings in Helen, Georgia

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Bryan, Tim, Teddy and Julie yuk it up in a Waffle House parking lot where we gathered up for another trip into the Tennessee mountains

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For our 25th wedding anniversary Julie and I did what we love to do most. Go on a road trip. We spent three days exploring West Virginia and riding roads and seeing sights we've never seen before. It was great! A full trip report is also included in the blog. Be sure and check out the GBT.

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How that woman has put up with me for 25 years and still manages to smile is beyond me

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Bryan and I caught our first motorcycle road race in 2008. We went to the "Big Kahuna" AMA national in Danville, Virginia. To say we were amazed and impressed is an understatement!

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The team Jordan Suzuki's lead the first lap at Virginia International Raceway

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We also made it to the very first drag race held at the new "Z-Max Dragway" outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. Bryan and I are big time fans of pro drag racing and nitro junkies of the highest order. It's great to finally have national event this close and we plan on being regulars to the race.

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The Z-Max Dragway is a world class facility that all other dragstrips will be measured against from now on

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The last trip of the year was our annual 'leaf peeping' trip to the mountains in the fall. Bryan, Teddy, Tim, Julie and I got together and rode into the northern North Carolina mountains and then down to Grandfather mountain near Boone, North Carolina.

The colors varied widely as the cold temperatures hadn't really set in and the water tables varied from area to area. Still it was a beautiful ride all in all and a good time was had by all.

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Bryan, Julie, Tim and Teddy taking in the fall colors near the Linville Falls Viaduct outside of Boone, North Carolina

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I hope you all enjoy seeing the pictures and reading the reports of our trips in 2008. We had a ball and enjoy sharing them with you.

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Here's looking forward to many more in 2009!

Bruce

Leaf Peepin' In The North Carolina Mountains - October 12th, 2008

One of our yearly traditions is to plan and make at least one trip into a specific area of the mountains to see the fall colors at their peak. This can be harder than you might think. Local television stations give updates on dates and locations, but it's pretty much a guessing game. Then there is the timing issue. Sometimes the colors hit their peak during the week so being week-end warriors that can mean we hit an area just before or just after that magical time.

Usually we'll try to make at least two if not three trips to various spots along the Smokey's increasing our odds a bit. This year things weren't working out that way and we ended up with one week-end where our buds Teddy & Tim, Bryan and Julie & I could all get together and go for a day ride.

We decided to go up Hwy 16 and the northern North Carolina mountains. Our first stop was near Jefferson, North Carolina at the Mount Jefferson State Natural Area. Teddy & Tim had been there before but Julie, Bryan and I had never seen it. Tim said there were some great views of the area at and near the top of the park, which would give us an idea of which direction to go from there.

Unusually warm temps for the mountains in the fall.

We pretty much had the place to ourselves the whole time we were there.

Various views of the mountains and valley.

Teddy and Julie with a case of the silly's.

From our vantage point on the mountain it appeared that the peak colors were still at the higher elevations so we left Mount Jefferson headed in the general direction of Boone. Initially we were on Hwy 88 for a while but Tim knows the area pretty well and took us 'off the beaten path' and into some of the most spectacular parts of the Smokey Mountains I've ever seen. Places that you might not normally find or see unless you were just out for a ride.

We turned down this skinny-bitty little road that looked to me like would either lead us to downtown No Whereville or dead end and I was close. It was as close to the middle of no where as I have ever been in the mountains and it was GREAT! We stopped in this little wide spot in the road whose name escapes me, but that held fascination to us all.

Todd's General Store and Resteraunt.

If you can't find what you need at Todd's, just walk up the street to the Mercantile store.

Shortly after leaving Todd's place we had one of those unique experiances that only seem to happen while we're riding. I have no idea what road we were on or really even exactly where we were, what I can tell you is that we were on a typical mountain road that wound and twisted its way along the peaks, valleys and foothills. We were easing along just enjoying the beautiful day and even more spectacular scenery when all of a sudden I got that feeling that something was behind us. At first I just scanned my mirrors and didn't see anything. Then about the same time that I noticed Bryan and Tim turning around to take a look behind them I heard a very strange sound. It was like a deep whining or maybe woshing noise. I turned around to take a peak and what I saw took my breath!

There was a giant military jet cargo plane apparently flying nap of the earth manuevers in the valley between us and the next peak over! If I'm not mistaken it was a C-17 Globemaster, and trust me when I tell you that it was not only barely off the ground, it was barely missing the mountain side! We all watched in amazment as it wound it's way around the foothills and peaks and was out of sight in a matter of moments. At that point I think we all were waiting to see a fireball in the distance, but thankfully and amazingly we didn't. The thing just vanished into the foothills...

Way cool.

As we wound our way through the mountains and foothills we found ourselves near Grandfather Mountain. The urge to stop hit me, but when we saw the crowds of people waiting to get in it quicky passed. We ended up on the Blue Ridge Parkway heading north and were just be-boping along when all of a sudden the colors just jumped out at us. For some reason this one particular area right around whats known as the Linn Cove Viaduct was bursting with fall colors. We found a place to stop and park at the Yonahloosee Overlook and grabbed our cameras.

There was plenty of 'Leaf Peepers' on the BRP.

The overlook was as crowed as I've ever seen it.

Teddy and Tim.

The mountainside just south and above the Linn Cove Viaduct.

The Linn Cove Viaduct.

The rugged hillside next to the Viaduct.

Looking out towards Boone, North Carolina.

The colors were breathtaking and these photos don't really do them justice.

Interesting rock faces at the Yonahlossee Overlook.

After taking several pictures and just hanging out for a while we got back on the bikes and started for home. It was a wonderful day and a great ride that was enjoyed by all. I've been slack about posting to the site and as I sit here remembering the trip I am amazed that this was almost 3 months ago! I can't remember the exact milage, seems like it was almost 350 though, but it really doesn't matter because as I said, it was a great ride.

Now we're just waiting on spring...

Bruce

The Big Kuhuna Road Race - Danville, Va. - August 17th, 2008

I got a phone call one afternoon at work from Brian Steele. Brian is our sales rep for Tucker Rocky Distributing but more than that, he is as a motorcycle nut, road racing enthusiast and all around nice guy. He called to ask if I was going to the Big Kahuna road race in Danville, Va. over the week-end. I told him that I knew it was going on, but hadn't really given it much thought because the tickets were a bit high.

He laughed and asked me if I would go if I had free tickets.

Well heck yeah!

My pal Brian (whom I'm blatantly patting on the back here) had a few guest passes furnished through his company and was being kind enough to give us the hook up for the race.

During our phone call he also asked me if we'd be riding up, I told him I really hadn't given that any thought and he told me that we really should. "They treat you special when you ride in."

Well OK then. Enough tickets came my way that Bryan was able to come, plus we invited Tim and Bryan's pal Kel from school.

Bryan nor I had ever been to a motorcycle road race, but as my young'un told his Granddaddy one time, "We have a passion for anything with two wheels." so we were both pretty excited to have the opportunity to be able to go. Especially to an AMA Pro National at that! Niether of us had ever been to VIR either and had both heard great things about it and were anxious to see it as well.

That Sunday Tim, Bryan and I left the house riding up I-85 to Greensboro, the took US 29 north. We stopped in Brown Summit so that we could meet up with Kel and another friend in Kel's car, and JP Wise a friend and co-worker who was riding his super sweet Ducati 1098. Once we all gathered up we headed out on 29 again, heading for Danville, Va. and VIR.

VIR, or the Virginia International Raceway, is located outside of Danville, just off hwy 158. We had directions, so it was easy to find. It wouldn't have been a problem if we hadn't had them though, all we would have had to do was follow all the motorcycles that were on 158!

As we rode up the driveway to the facility I couldn't help but be amazed, it was more like a country club than a race track. Freshly paved roads, cut and trimed grass along the side, natural wooded terrain on either side greated us and we hadn't even gotten to the ticket booth!

Once we did, there were a few cars and trucks in line ahead of us. I was about to pull up close to the truck in front of me when a couple of folks at the ticket booth walked out from the building, pointed at us and motioned us to get out of line and pull forward. I did, and the rest of the gang, except for Kel and his bud, rolled right up to the gate and after showing our passes, were motioned through ahead of everyone else!

Cool!

We rode for what seemed like a good ways down another beautifully landscaped area on a new road, at each intersection and turn were VIR workers who were waving and speaking to us as we rode past. I noticed a bridge ahead and what was obviously the facility on the other side of it as well as parking. Crossing the bridge I first noticed that we were going over the race track, then two bikes came flying by and passing directly under us! I keyed up the CB and asked Bryan if he had seen that and he told me he definately we did and that we needed to go park, fast!

Hot Damn! Racing!

As we crossed the bridge more workers were there and motioning for us to keep going. We kept going past where all the cars were being parked and kept getting closer to the race track and pits!

When we came to the vendors area there was a sign that said "Motorcycle Parking" but there was a barracade in the drive. A worker came out and told me to keep going, the lot was full, but they had a treat for us. Riding on, and being ushered by the workers, we rode right into the pit area!

As we entered the pits we were motioned over to an open area between paved roads. We were on a really nice hard packed sandy gravel surface that turned out to be unused pit stalls. They were parking the bikes in rows in this space and a worker motioned me up to where he was. As I got closer he spread his feet apart, but kept his heels together making a "V" and pointing at the ground.

"OK dude, if your brave enough..." I thought and put the Nomad's front wheel directly between his feet. "Hey! How ya doing?" he asked and then moved to put a kickstand pad benieth my kickstand before I even made a move for it.

How cool! Everyone else came in too quick for him to position like that, but he hurriedly went around to our group offering pads and welcoming us to VIR.

I was impressed, and I hadn't even gotten off the bike yet.

After taking afew minutes to change into some walking shoes, stow boots, jackets and helmets and get out camera and phones, we were ready to go.

Now, I'm not going to pretend to know anything at all about road racing or the players in AMA road racing. So I won't even try to give a race recap or report. You can visit the AMA website for that. Instead, I'm just going to share some of the photos we took and comment on them as we go.

Lets go racing!

The vendor area and motorcycle parking.

There were tons of bikes riden in with almost every brand and model represented.

The parking lot was a bike show in itself.

Overview of the pit area. We were parked in front of that yellow truck with the two EZ ups.

One of the spectator areas.

Jumbotrons showing the TV broadcast. This is between turns 3 and 4.

Looking over turn 4 towards turn 5 and the back 'straight'. Notice the condos in the background.

Looking back on the same spectator area.

This building housed the concession stands, restrooms and offices.

It was a 'typical' race in some respects. This is a privateer Super Sport racers pit area.

More or less stock bike raced out of the back of a van. You gotta love it.

These guys were pitted directly across from where we were parked.

Cool bikes and a nice pit set up.

They're from Wisconsin. Could you tell?

The Attack Kawasaki Super Stock pits.

More of the Attack team.

Factory Kawasaki semi.

Kawaski works bikes in the garage area.

Team Yamaha's garage stall.

Factory Honda semi.

Honda works bikes in the garage area.

Ducati's team truck and pit area.

"Da'yaaammmnn"

RedBull/KTM Rookie Challenge pits.

At one point as we cruised the pits I looke over at Bryan and apologized for getting him into off road racing instead of road racing. He looked at me kinda funny and I explained that I had no idea motorcycle racing could be so... clean.

There was the usual (we understand) gathering of pit tootsies, race queens and umbrella girls.

Trophy Girl.

A local motorcycle shop co-sponsored the event and used this Kawasaki Mule to transport VIP's around.

Interesting place to keep a cell phone.

Yes, we really did see some motorcycle racing. Some impressive motorcycle racing. We had no idea what to expect really, and had a ball taking it all in.

Bryan and I both shot a ton of photos and I shot a lot of video too. In the end we both got some good shots I think, but we also shot a bunch of misses too! It was really hard trying to stay with them in spots trying to get a clean picture.

The photos below are some of the ones that I took and thought were worth posting.

As you can tell, we had a ball. I now have even more respect for road racing and road racers. The bikes bristeled with trickness, the speeds were eye wateringly fast, the lean angles in the turns insane, and the talent these riders posess amazing. I'd go to another in a heartbeat.

Bryan mentioned on the way out that he wouldn't mind doing a track day if he had full leathers and other protective equipment, but he didn't think he'd care to actually road race.

I'll have to agree, but can't imagine that they make a one piece racing suit in size triple fat, so I don't imagine I'll see that any time soon. ;)

In the mean time, we'll just keep riding and having a ball.

The End.

Bruce