9 riders had ENUFF of Hurricane Dorian and needed to get some two-wheel therapy on this gorgeous September day! Road Queen, Professor, Preacher, Slingshot, the GodFather, Ditch, Dr. Joe & Linda were ready to RIDE!
After a pre-ride and a prayer, we set off to do some back roads before ultimately arriving at Brodee Dogs in Leland NC. The plan was to get 100 miles in and we did that plus a few extra.
We headed out of the Circle K and headed out N. Kerr into Wrightsboro and hung a right. Thru Castle Hayne, left at Paul's Hot Dogs and down to 421. The pack headed toward Moores Creek and made a left on Canetuck. I signaled "One Up" and let's rock n' roll! It felt good to throttle up a bit and get into some long sweepers. Canetuck dropped us out on 11 and we made a left. Over to the intersection of 87 and we kept on 11 and got down to 74/76. So far , so good.
Next we headed toward Bolton/Lake Waccamaw. Arriving in Bolton, we already had 55 miles on the klicker. Heading left up 211 thru Green Swamp and up to intersection of US 17 in Supply. Time for a comfort stop!
We got drinks , gas, and enjoyed some AC as the day was heating up nicely. As soon as the Cru had done what they needed to do, we saddled up and continued on 211 toward Southport. I signaled for a left on 906 by the new Lowe's food and we pointed the bikes toward Bolivia and US 17 N.
We turned it up a notch and got into Leland and Brodee Dog! It was about 12:20 and we had covered a little over 100 miles so far. The place was a bit busy, but we enjoyed the AC and scanned the menu! A table opened up outside, so some went out and some stayed in to eat. The dogs were great and plenty of soda and tea on tap! We chatted and I wrote on the wall with chalk. Preacher wanted Ice Cream, so everyone was up for extending the ride over to Eagle Island for ice cream. Everyone was ready to roll, but .... HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM. Slingshot's bike is D. E. D.! crrrrap!
He had no dash lights, nothing! Just a faint flicker... that sucker is done! So off the bikes and let's take a look at this. Slingshot was sure that it was the battery, but we confirmed that it was not the key fob. So, out come the tools and let's get that battery out of there and go across the street to Advanced Auto and get a new one. The battery was 5 years old and Slingshot was ready for a new one. We got the old battery out and I thru it in my trunk. Ditch offered for Slingshot to use the Can Am, so he gave him a quick lesson on how to start it and we headed out of the parking lot and over to Advanced Auto.
When we turned the corner of the parking lot , there was a Napa Auto Parts right in the same shopping center, so Slingshot points to left and we go over and park. As we get to the door, we realize that the store is kinda dark.... yup... the closed at 1pm. So back on the bikes to head across the street. Well... no. Slingshot pulled head first into a spot in front of Napa and when he got the Can Am started, he could not figure out how to get the damn thing into REVERSE. I gave him a minute to figure it out, and then decided to go over and help him. In my haste.... I did not take the bike out of gear when I got off and it lurched forward, folded up the kickstand and started to go down. I did my best to cushion that landing , but not sure I did much. NICE! Here we are with a Vision laying in the middle of the parking lot and Slingshot on the Can Am that he can't back up , swearing at it with the stereo blasting. It was a cluster. The only other thing that could have went wrong was if a Cop gave us a ticket for being in the handicapped parking spot!!
I called for reinforcements, but Travis didn't realize that we just went about 50 yards around the corner of Food Lion, so he headed out on the main road over to the Advanced Auto. We redirected him back to our pathetic little circus in front of the Napa. Travis and Slingshot helped me get my bike off the ground and Slingshot gave me his credit card to go get the battery as he and Travis called Ditch to see HOW THE HELL YOU GET A CAN AM IN REVERSE!!!!
I got the battery and headed back to the Hot Dog Shop and there was the Can Am. I guess they figured it out. Slingshot and I got to work on getting the battery in. IT was hotter than Hades, but we did not pass out and managed to get the battery in. I told Slingshot to try to start it and....VROOOM! IT'S ALLLLIIIIIIVE!!! We buttoned it all back up and it was ICE CREAM TIME MISTER!!
The group headed over to Eagle Island - except for Dr. Joe & Linda who headed for home during the battery debacle. Several had ice cream and others had drinks. We sat outside and finished our refreshments and called it a ride!
115 klicks on the klock today! Thanks to Travis for tailgunning and all the joined us today. Thanks for following me... and waiting for us to install a new battery!!
'Til the Next Ride....
rePete
First Officer
SCRC PC 162