Slept in..

After getting to the hostel around 0330 and finally passing out at 0400, I felt it was ok to sleep till 0815. The overall stay was great, safe and comfortable. I would highly recommend this hostel and really any hostel for solo motorcycle traveling.

Change of Plans

After the burger to end all burgers, in search of a bar we went. After walking an unknown number of blocks. We started seeing lots of Marines in dress uniforms, after the sharing a few war stories Chris and Dave got us an invite to see the parade at the Marine Corp Barracks.
The performance was incredible, the use of three 40mm guns for the finale was a surprising ending.
The rest of the night was spent at a bar that not only embodied the 90s but was was open till 0300!

A Burger So Good......

That Katie the vegetarian was so taken with the smell that I would bottle, when I started to offer her a bite she grabbed it from my hand took a nibble followed by a bite even Dahmer would cringe at!

I am considering a road trip ASAP just to get another burger. The Britt's had been here just three days and found this gem. I was and are forever grateful that I was able to eat something so amazing, as far as I'm concerned if its not one of these burgers might as well be a Gilly's burger.

http://www.goodstuffeatery.com/

BRGDS-

Noah Blanchard

Less like Hostel the movie, but similar to the musical

Arriving at the Downtown Hostel DC, I may have turned a few heads. It could have been the bugs all over me (650 mi day) or my motorcycle gear and vest but mostly until I changed and got a shower in, they kept their distance.
I got my room and proceeded to wash the layers of filth off. With cleanish cloths on and less of a biker funk about me I proceeded to relax/mingle in the lounge.
Met a Kiwi and quickly picked his brain about Burt Monroe, then a Britt walked in gave my Union Jack t shirt a thumbs up and asked what I was doing, having no plans I decided to follow this group to places unknown. Dave and Chris are Britsish special forces on holiday, Katie is a seminary student from Atlanta up for a German exam of sorts and the Kiwi headed to Ohio.

Now For Something Completely Different

Made it to DC last night around 1730, missed the window to visit the Masonic memorial. I was just amazing to view from the outside!
The remainder of my night was as far from boring as possible. It involved two British Special forces guys, Katie the Seminary student, a Kiwi and a bar full of Marines! I will bit by bit recall and write the events that led me to pass out around 0400 in a Downtown Hostel in DC.

Great backroads to DC

Not sure if I'll make 1530 in DC but the riding is great.

Can't wait to find boiled peanuts!

In North Carolina, making good time. 400 miles to go till DC. If the directions don't keep throwing me on weird detours I may be all right.

South Carolina before 0800

I was able to get my butt off the couch this morning and out the door before 0600. Little colder the Texas but I'd rather have it that way for riding, pushed till SC border before a quick coffee and gas break.
Thanks again to Allen for dinner and a couch for the night.
I'm not sure if I'll make DC by 1500 but I'm going to try

BRGDS-

Noah Blanchard

Stage One Complete

After 5 states and 800 miles doorstep to doorstep I made it to Atlanta, or just north there of. I met up with Allen at his restaurant in a town just north of Atlanta, he treated me to a beer and blackened alligator. This is become a tradition after a long ride (Key West last year)
After a tall drink I'm passing out on Allen's couch. The plan is to make DC by 1500, I'm not sure if I will but the Masonic Memorial closes at 1600 and I'm not waiting till 1000 Saturday when it opens.
All and all a great day of riding, my saddle is a bit sore but after the first 500 miles you just forget. I'd like to push the Tiger to over 200 miles between fill ups, bringing her to the empty light I only put in 4 gal of a 5.2 gal tank.
She likes 5,500-6,000 rpm's, seems to get 45-50 mpg when trucking along at 85-90mph.
If I get up by 0500 tomorrow it will be a miracle but here goes.

Almost out of Mississippi

Making good time on I-10, about to head into Alabama. Getting about 45mpg using regular gas, If it keeps up no need to pay more for fuel.
380 miles to go till I reach today goal. Not much to look at yet, hoping for some scenery on the route north to Atlanta.

BRGDS-

Noah Blanchard

Baton Rouge

Well after a 150 mile swamp ride, I couldn't see. Time to clear the helmet of bugs! I-12 here I come.

Nice first leg

Leaving before 0700 the first leg was a nice backgrounds route to Port Author TX, 125 miles was a good start. After a quick coffee and fill up I'll be on the east bound side of I-10. The WX is fantastic, could not ask for a better first day.

BRGDS-

Noah Blanchard

North by North East

Underway before 0700, headed for Atlanta, GA.

24 Hour Stand Down

In an effort to perfect the art of preparing for long motorcycle trip, iv delayed my departure until early Thursday morning.
There was a nasty storm cell sitting over the northeast, this would have most likely given me a full day of riding in the rain. If my calculations (weather bug and a calendar) are correct I should have little to no rain.
It was also nice to have an extra day to test the bike, bring her up to speed. The addition of bungee straps to my seat cover are working nicely, thanks mom. It's hard to want to leave this 85 degree weather, I think I'll manage though.

The Forgotten One

Waking up to a 75 degree day at 0730 while having one of your favorite motorcycles waiting for you is a great feeling. Could not ask for a better day to prep the Tiger for her trip home. Barring some unforeseen issue with her after a few test runs and tlc I should be heading north east within 24hrs.

Underway Making Way

Flying to Texas to get the neglected child. Found a British pub to keep me busy during a layover, but no Boddingtons on Draught! The Curry chips better be amazing. Tomorrow will be a day of visiting the family and prepping Leia (the tiger) for her trip north. Reports of snow in PA are not promising, iv increased my tolerance to cold this winter however.

Ride to Brother Neihart's Lakeside Retreat

After regrouping at Morrison Lodge in Northwood, we headed to Tough
Times (5 min down the road) to congratulate Brother Bartoszak into the
Scythe of Time. From there Sean, Jr, Hagman and I headed to John's
Lake house in Northwood. The weather finally warmed up for the last
short leg and it could not have been better timing, Sitting outside
enjoying a few beers was a perfect summation to a great day of riding!
John and his wife were excellent hosts and we look forward to visiting
again soon.

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BRGDS: Noah Blanchard

Shortcut home

Due to a few cold riders we opted for the more direct route home. I
think everyone was surprised to find out that Goody Cole's is only 20
min from Northwood lodge.

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BRGDS: Noah Blanchard

NH, Maine Widows Sons & St. johns Worshipful Master Gib Palmer

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BRGDS: Noah Blanchard

Best BBQ North of the Mason Dixon

If you are going to ride over an hour in the cold you deserve a
reward. The Scythe of Time tradition has been Goody Cole's, a
surprisingly inexpensive BBQ joint. http://www.goodycoles.com/ worth
a stop no matter the weather. If you feel the need to spend over $8 be
ready to bring home leftovers! With a quick call an hour before we
planned to show up they were ready to feed 14 hungry bikers. I don't
think anyone had a chance to get utensils and crack open their moxie
before the plates of food started showing up on our tables.

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BRGDS: Noah Blanchard

Still not warming up

With temperatures in the lower 30's everyone was looking forward to a
hot meal. The ride was great, low traffic and great views. Its always
a good sight to see a group of Widows Sons together for charity
regardless of the weather. We were very happy to have a few guests
with us. Our Brothers from Maine who ride with us so frequently they
loose their guest status, and the Worshipful Master from St. Johns No.
1 in Portsmouth, NH was on the Royal Enfield for his first Widows Sons
ride.

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BRGDS: Noah Blanchard

Attempting to Warm up

With temperatures in the high 20's it was nice to have an hour to chow
down on a few doughnuts and go over the route for the day. The
destination was Goody Coles, a great BBQ joint in Brentwood, NH. Goody
Coles is only about 20 min as the crow flies, the Scythe of Time 100
is a twisty back roads hour long ride. The Ural would serve as the
Sargent at Arms vehicle for the day, carrying tools, extra gear and
leftovers would not be an issue.

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BRGDS: Noah Blanchard

The Tradition Lives On!

The 2nd annual Soggy Bottom Ride had a great turnout. 14 riders showed
up, despite the sub zero temperatures and snow. leaving Portsmouth
with Gib at 0915 and heading up to Morrison Lodge in Northwood, NH
gave the Ural and Royal Enfield a chance to warm up for a day of
riding. Morrison Lodge is the Charter Lodge of Scythe of Time. Sr. and
Jr. Tuttle showed up early with hot coffee and doughnuts. Riders came
from as far away as Portland, me for the charity Ride!

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BRGDS: Noah Blanchard