Raleigh NC

When you guys do come over this way give me a shout - I need excuses to get out of the shop - Or pop by. Always a fridge full of bottled water and something to look at.

I'm in the Winston Salem NC area. I had recently bought an FZ10 at the end of August and just got back from Gatlinburg weekend at the end of September. If you pass through the area let me know, if I'm free wouldn't mind tagging along.

Pics from the Sunday afternoon ride with the meetup group yesterday - www.meetup.com/epicrides/

Was Keith’s (group organizer) first ride since he hit a deer on his FJ-09 a while back.
He didn’t go down though, managed to keep the bike upright, but did mess up his wrist a bit, along with the needed front end repairs.
He’s still missing some plastic on the front end that are on back order.

Had a few other guys show up after I took the bike pics - Z1000, GSXR1000, K1200.
Guy that owns the Diavel also has an S1000XR he usually rides, and his wife was on the Scrambler. Must be nice, a little jealous, lol.
Not everyone was able to stick around after the ride when we stopped for dinner.
Usually have 5-8 people per ride, but he’ll usually cap it once 10 sign up just to be able to keep the group together easier.

I’ve actually never been to the NC/TN mtns or heading towards VA north of you on a bike.
But from what I’ve seen/heard, the roads are not going to be as good as those areas.
I’m self employed and just haven’t been able to make it on their trips either.

There are some good curvy roads (and Keith knows them well and has good routes), but the biggest difference is probably the population around/on them.
They are in the “country” but are not nearly as secluded as mountain roads, in that there are more incoming roads, driveways and in some spots neighborhoods.
So probably have to be more cognizant of that then some of the secluded roads you are likely used to, and they probably have more traffic.
Keith does know his routes and the roads pretty well though, so it definitely makes it easier to go faster on roads you aren’t familiar with while he is leading.

They do like to ride spirited.
Seems like even rides they say will be relaxed end up with the pace being picked up.
The group generally does a good job of sorting it self out during the first part of the ride.
If someone sees you want to go faster than them they usually wave you on by until it is all situated in order of what/how people are comfortable riding.
This ride I started near the back but ended up positioned as the 3rd bike.

The one thing he does do is stop at turns (off to the side of the roads) if needed to allow everyone to catch up and not miss the turn or get lost.
It allows those that are going slower to not feel pressured to ride above their skills.

They pass cars as soon as it is open, and don’t wait for the whole group to be able to pass.
If you can’t make it then you hit the next opening, but everyone will always be able to catch/group back up at the next turn if they can’t get around or fall a bit behind.