Big Red is Back - New England Rat Raid Report

[DHarvey]

Hey All: Perhaps the best news is I picked up Big Red last week and Pamela and I were able to participate in the New England Rat Raid held in scenic Stowe, Vermont this past weekend. 600 miles total riding and so far, no more 'clicking' out of the rear wheel. For those who've followed the saga, our mechanic actually reversed himself on his theory after discovering that the spacer in the rear wheel axle area was in fact 60/1000ths too long thus preventing two parts from 'mating' quite correctly. After grinding the spacer down, the sound went away so I pass this on for any other Captains who run into similar prob's.

The Raid went very well..rained all day long on Saturday but didn't stop us from doing a 200 plus mile ride thru Vermont and New Hampshire. The highlight of the trip was riding into this small town called Warren, New Hampshire.. a true one horse town, bout five houses, etc..but their claim to fame is one of the local town 'fathers' decided in 1972 to purchase a Redstone Rocket from some guvment space agency and place the Rocket in the middle of the town square...to boost economic development..as a result they went from one horse to two..and five houses from four..some local 'fixim dude' must raked in the dough on that one...

I got a pic of my Rocket in front of the Redstone Rocket which in a few minutes I will post to my photo album and perhaps some gracious techno=weeinie on this forum might help me by posting on this message. Thanks in advance.

The Redstone Rocket (not this one but the type) was used to launch Alan Shephard into Orbit in the 1960's..and I might add its called the REDstone Rocket, not the BLACKstone Rocket in case yuz was wunderin'...what with speed and all being important to git away from the earth's gravitational forces..but I digress..


The onnie prob with Vermont roads is the frost heaves are truly severe..and since they don't have the monetary tax base of New York (we're squeezed to death with taxes here in the Empire State) for the most part, the road cracks stay just where they lay.. but it does make for some spirited riding!!

All in all, a great time.. bout 60 people at the Raid, nearly double from last year..

take care.

David


[ This message was edited by: DHarvey on 2005-08-22 18:14 ]

[DHarvey]

As our 4 children have grown and flown the coop, each in their own good time have discovered that maybe we weren't as dumb as they thought..perhaps you're son is becoming wise to the world, no!? :-D

[Multibob]

Looking good David,
Glad you and Pamela had a good time and Big Red is OK.

:-D

[Daman_S]

Glad to hear the problem with the Big Red has been sorted out David and that you had good fun on the ride. Wish I could have joined but have been pretty busy of late. Planning a trip to Vermont the next weekend and doing some nice twisties. See you and Pam in PA next month

[BIKERDICK]

David,

Welcome back! Glad to see Pamela and you had a good time. Hope the rain didn't detract from the ride too much.

Now, take Big Red to your favorite place of worship (assuming you have one that is, if not, just pick one), and get the gosh darn Bike blessed for cripes sake!!!...Before anything else happens!

Would have loved to join you both, along with all the other RAT's. How many Rockets there?

One last sidebar question, did Multibob get his sissy bar bag?

I'll give you a call someday, need a few more details on the repair to give to my dealer.

Dick

[DHarvey]

Dick: There were 3 Rockets at the New ENgland Rat Raid, 2 REDS and 1 Black.

It rained most of the day on Saturday but we rode over 200 miles anyway through Vermont and New Hampshire..just can't keep Trumpeters down know whatImean? The group had a blast..a little tricky on roads like the Kangamangus Hwy what with all the twisties but we clicked right along, eatin up Harley's and other such thangs and generally demonstratin' some decent bike handling skills. Pamela rode 2 up all day and I'm mighty proud of her.. a lot of the spouses opted to hang out and do the massage at the hotel instead of riding so Pamela's quite the trooper for goin along under such conditions. (I know I'm braggin on her but jeez, she deserves it).

Yes, we mailed MultiBob's bag to him the week after Americade.

maybe you guys could join the rest of us in PA in late September.