That could be interesting on a naked bike...

Hmmm. Just over two weeks from now we leave. The cicadas have not yet emerged ...

Ah, a hail storm makes for good motorcycling memories.  It also makes you wish you had bought those gloves with the armored knuckles.  God forbid you have an open-face helmet...Yermo, remember riding up to the top of Mt. Mitchell with Tom?  I think it was in the 30's.

Ian, I remember the oppressive fog. It was in the lower 30's if memory serves. Not the coldest we've ridden in, but certainly cold.

For the record, that was in late May in North Carolina.  Granted, Mt. Mitchell has some elevation, but always take your cold weather gear on the May Deal's Gap trip.  If you don't have to use it, consider yourself lucky.

I used to camp at the top of Mt. Mitchell. I remember that the highest recorded temperature at the top ever was 71 degrees and they've seen snow in every month of the year.  The first time I camped there we left SC at over 100 degrees and froze our asses off at the summit. We went to get relief from the heat and boy did we!

Last year I never touched my heated vest at DG.  Here's hoping...

Can now see weather projection to the 14th. Robbinsville shows 75/51 for temps. Maryville 77/57. 

13 days until we ride out..

Current AccuWeather long-term forecast:







Sat5/18/2013
77°
47°
0.1 in
0 in

Some sun, a couple of showers
76°
50°


Sun5/19/2013
77°
47°
0.2 in
0 in

Mostly sunny
76°
51°


Mon5/20/2013
77°
47°
0 in
0 in

Plenty of clouds
76°
51°


Tue5/21/2013
70°
50°
0 in
0 in

Partial sunshine
76°
51°


Wed5/22/2013
71°
51°
0.1 in
0 in

Clouds, a t-storm in spots
77°
52°


Thu5/23/2013
70°
51°
0.1 in
0 in

Overcast with a few showers
77°
52°


Fri5/24/2013
69°
51°
0.4 in
0 in

Rain in the afternoon
77°
52°


Sat5/25/2013
71°
50°
0 in
0 in

Mostly cloudy, a little rain
77°
52°

Which city is that for?

jpcfjr it's for Robbinsville

The Ninja has new shoes, ready for the Gap. I'm already liking these S20's and the move to 55s versus the 50s. The added sidewall height and softer compound give a much nicer ride, the taller profile (very similar profile to a 180/55 - just bigger) gives sharper turn in as expected, and these even felt good with 0 miles on them. Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S20 in 190/55-17. These are 3mm wider (197mm) treadwidth, and 16mm taller (649mm) than the 190/50 BT-016s they replace.

I ordered tires for both bikes. Revzilla still had Pilot Power 2CT's in stock for a good price so I went with those for the 'S. Pilot Road 3's are going on the old oil burner.

Nice! Cant go wrong with pilots.

Weather is looking schweeeeeet!

It looks like I have some work to do:

You know how to make the old tires easier to take off........  

Ok, T-1.

Tires = Done
Brakes = Done
Oil = Done
Filters = Done
Front-to-Back inspection = Done
Rain Gear = Done
Packing = TBD at T-12hours

Also, thinking about taking my RF-1000 on this trip versus the RF-1100. The 1k is actually a little more comfortable even though the 1100 has better venting. I recently sent it in to Shoei for inspection and got a nice letter back along with the helmet that said  "***form letter stuff***...Upon inspection, it appears that your helmet has not sustained damage to the shell integrity or compression damage to the EPS liner, and is safe for continued use." So that may be a game time decision.

Not going to be able to make it this time. We have a daycare issue in June that I will need the vacation time for. I regret any inconvenience this may cause. Have fun and ride safe!

Bummer. I'm sorry to hear that, Jay. I was looking forward to riding with you.

buffalo, bruce Breakfast at the College Park Ihop on Saturday? 09:30? 
I'll be sure to have the bikes gassed up so we won't have to stop on the way out. I'm figuring that we'll just Superslab it down just like last year.
As usual, we can make a first Starbucks stop in Front Royal.
Wytheville is 319 miles from College Park. 

Well, that completely sucked. I haven't been doing very well at all this week and what should have taken part of a day has now taken three, but at least the job is finally done.

Yun Lung Yang kindly got oil and brake fluid for the bikes. 

Oil/filter and brake fluid change, both bikes.

Tires: 

I'm running Michelin Pilot Road 3's on the K100RS and Pilot Power 2CTs on the R1100S. I got a pretty good deal on them since the Pilot Power 3's have come out.



Throttle bodies on the 'S have been synced. 

Soon.

Hmm, breakfast at 9:30? Sounds frightfully civilized. I think I could go for that.

9:30. Ihop. Check.

Cool. Now if I could just get all my electronics to play nicely with one another before that....