At Paris a few years ago the KLusteR decided we should take in the Mother of all vintage swap meets. We got back yesterday. Four KLRs and one turncoat T7.
Crossed in Buffalo and rode down to Butler OH last Wednesday. Thursday was a bit lazy and we rode down to the AMA Museum and Hall of Fame hit a few roads and back to camp. Friday we broke camp and road over to Mid-Ohio. Friday Sat and Sun were all spent at the event.
Watched lots of road racing, took in a trials demonstration, had rim side seats for the Wall of Death, checked out the Bike show, walked some of the massive swap meet, made a donation and did a couple History Laps on the track (This was a blast. The only rule don't pass the leader. I started far enough back that I had free reign), rode a Royal Enfield demo and were told to take as many T shirts as we could carry since they were expecting new stock and these were mostly odd sizes. We surprised to find the that for the older bikes and odd marques Paris has just as good if not a better presentation.
Lastly this show had one annoying trait. The entire venue was a buzz with people on the move. A constant, and I do mean constant, parade of mini bikes, older dirt bikes, quads and golf carts were on the move where ever you went. There was security at every intersection within the park trying to direct traffic. It was very as one fellow described it "a zoo with all the cage doors open"
Monday we headed south and got a site at Dillon Lake SP. Set up camp and headed off to ride the triple 5 and other great roads. The roads in south east Ohio are very good. Lots of roads with a mixture of sweepers and tight second gear switchbacks. Tuesday we broke camp planning to fish hook further south on the good roads before heading north and camping closer to home. Unfortunately that plan feel apart when the T7 got a flat. We used my adjustable stick to prop up the bike, a kickstand to break the bead and a then a small bicycle pump to pump up the fresh tube. ( Yesterday about 3 miles down the QEW after crossing he got another flat and I last saw him waiting for CAA). We ended up camping at Barkcamp SP Tuesday night and then booked it home Wednesday.
2500kms of riding spread over 5 days.
The Yanks were super friendly. First day we were buying food and beer before heading to the park. I was asking if anyone had room for some the 12 beer I was buying, and decided I to hold off and scoot back after unloading some gear. A fellow in the store says "buy your beer I'll bring it my car I'm going that way". And he did.
Once in the park our one nieghbour was plying us with bacon and bicuits and later BBQ'd deer meat. A second neighbour gave us weed. Every Harley I passed waved, even from across divided hiways. When ever we straggled into a 4 way stop people would wait and wave us through so we could stay together. This happened on a regular basis.
Once is enough for the VMD event but the roads in SE Ohio are calling us back......