Sparta Motorcycle Reunion (SMR) lives on

The Sparta Motorcycle Reunion (SMR) is a great event that keeps on getting better each time!  Meet the crew at it’s fullest from left to right:

• David, Mr. I’ve got one ASV lever installed until I can go back and use the coupon to buy the other side
• JP, sporting blonde dreads that were formerly red then blue at one point
• Mark, our fearless leader who says double yellows are merely a “suggested” boundary
• me, the Antirider Rider who once again, rode pillion
• Jason who says, “I ride the pants off my girls bike.”
• Claudia with a bike with disappearing gas indicator bars
• Kevin, owner of Wicked Thunder, a great motorcycle accessories shop in Lenoir
• John and Mandy who are scraping Jesse bags left and right
• Matt and Joanne who must be hard core if they can work 75 days straight (I can barely work one!)
• Kevin who keeps Triumph’s apparel division in business 

Claudia and Jason met on the south side and made a pit stop for me on my side of town.

 

After slabbing it up, we arrive to see Mark, Matt, and Joanne slaving over bonfire wood with the chainsaw.

 

The timing was perfect as David and Kevin roll in just minutes after us.

 

Mark has a new unusual family pet that enjoys eating grapes.

Mark even made us custom kickstand pads to keep his garage floor purty.

All of the essentials were in place.  Chips – check.  Wine and mixers – check.  Beer – check.  Party time!

Kevin calls on his engineer to use the fancy bottle opener.

As usual, Baa was stealing the show.

JP arrives with his nice new ride and a matching Husky in the bed.

We pile in the truck and the cool kids sit in the back of the bus.  The middle row seats a comfy four wide.

We must have hit the lottery by catching the Scott Austin & BBW Country Jazz Band.  

Since David wouldn’t smile, Claudia helped add a little smile to his face and added some matching bows and tiara’s for Jason too.

Three veggies plate for a few dollars.  Mashed potatoes.  Baked apples.  Fried squash.  Knowing that your friend is married to a cardiologist.  Priceless.

Only Kevin would eat ribs with a knife and fork and not get a single finger dirty!

The children are restless when the parents leave them unattended.

1.  David unrolls the sleeping pad.
2.  He uses the bag as an airpump (instead of the real compressor beside him)
3. I test it out.

The festivities start in the kitchen.

Mark tends the bar.  Cheers!

The bonfire starts.  Baa’s new best friend is either Kevin or the empty cardboard beer box.

 

The next morning folks stirred around.  Baa has graciously eaten last night’s bonfire ashes.

  

If you know Claudia, you know what’s she’s doing.

We think Mark is part owner of this place as we return for breakfast.  JP is still asleep.

The bikes are starting to roll out.

The girls of this SMR

The founder of SMR, Mark

Jason found him a nice new toy

David is seeking shade and I’m right there too

 

We have two SMR virgins: Casey and Kevin with matching Wicked Thunder decals

 

Claudia and Kevin decided to take their own tour on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Thank goodness for the special BMW edition Zumo.

 

We pose for a few pics before rolling out.

Time to gear up and roll out.

Admittedly, it was nice having a few cages in the bunch.

 

While Kevin and Claudia were logging the extra miles, we waited… 

 

… while Jason got comfortable and waited…

… then we posed for some more photos and waited…

… then sent out Jason, JP, and Mark for the search and rescue and then waited some more.

Eventually we made our way along to Damascus and took a group shot sans Kevin and Claudia.

David stumbled upon a pretty fancy coffee place with froo froo smoothies.

Look who finally decided to join us!  So while some dined on brightly colored smoothies, the rest enjoyed Jared’s favorite eating place.

 

We all gassed up and JP showed off his guns.

 

Kevin became the designated visor cleaner.

We pulled over for a scenic view.  There was a path that led you up the mountain and across a bridge.  We all opted to just sit on our bikes.

After some tight hairpins and switchbacks through Shady Valley, Jason totally forgot he wasn’t wearing knee pucks.  Ooopsie!  Another pair of textile pants bite the dust and maybe one step closer to the bin.

We have a mystery to solve – Claudia’s disappearing bars on her gas indicator.  Her fuel range was a mystery to all of us.

 

We had a short break as a local Townie decided to detain our group.  Fortunately, he did us right and just gave us a verbal warning as we weren’t speeding when we passed him.  Evidently some of the locals called in about a group of bikes passing on the double yellow.  What kind of riff raff passes on the double yellow? 

We took a really nice break to enjoy the view at the top of Jefferson Mountain.

This was the full time Sparta crew that enjoyed the entire weekend in the mountains.

The Ducati badge wall.

Mark enjoys some time with the family.

 

Mark’s dad never stops auctioneering.  It’s so awesome!

Mike and Lisa enjoy some quiet time.

Marshall loves his ticker ticker.

 

Go kart rides for all!

 

David hitched a ride on the back of the go kart although it appears as if he’s competing with Baa to mow the grass.

Jason and I had a fun time riding back on the 1098.  Some things never change.

No SMR is complete without the famous cheese dip.  As always, David is drooling over it. 

James and Al join us once again.  I think James has grown a foot since last time.  I’m looking forward to a mandolin concert soon!

The go kart came out and it was big fun on four wheels.

I was James’ co pilot although all I did was scream as he let the back end break loose.  David ran out as our pit crew.  Now that’s service!

David took a turn and we created a new SMR game – throw the tennis ball at the go kart.  This is much harder than it sounds but led to good entertainment.

As it got dark, the bonfire was started up again.

James and Mark made custom s’more stakes.

 

Jason was Peter Cottontail or like Al said, J had his own pu pu platter.

David carefully inspects the Jaeger then goes for a swig and around the circle it goes.

It didn’t take long before the fireworks made their way out.

Then other things started making their way into the fire.  Several aluminum cans were sacrificed during this SMR and one travel sized can of WD-40.  Boys will be boys.

Kevin has made permanent claim to the cot.  He and the raccoon had a little run in at 3:06am.

The next morning, everyone was enjoying the lovely weather.

Even the animals were out to play.

 

It was nature hike time and all the farm joined us.  Mandy has the pet goat by her side.

The pooches went for a swim in the pond as we walked along looking at fish.

John and Mandy enjoy a nice moment on the dock.

Mark’s dad stopped by and left us a little friend.

 

Sugar Shack time!  Mark checks out the root cellar.  He “opens” the fence with one swift motion.  David says in Charlotte, we use hinges : )

This Mark also has an outhouse.

Mark took us by the toothbrush tree and we all got a minty smell.

Marshall peeks out from the big ride as he waves goodbye to our group.

Everyone starts packing up. 

 

David secures his Crocs to his bag and probably to air them out too.  We had quite the discussion about life expectancy of flip flops and projected annual costs.

David tightens up the steering and Mark takes the go kart for one last test ride.

 

We made a pit stop at the famous Station’s Inn.  We witnessed some pretty interesting sights.

Jail and Wedding Chapel.  Enough said.

Mandy and John enjoyed their first SMR and Jason and Mark have a bonding moment.

Now this is hot – chaps over jeans and no shirt.

David shows us that he never travels without his Cotteonelle wipes.  This man is prepared for anything… well anything where baby wipes can help.

 

How funny!  David lent his FJR out for the weekend and then he finds his bike in the parking lot.  What a coinkidink!

We took a little gravel detour at Karen’s and Buddy’s beautiful home.

Once again, thanks to Mark for hosting another fabulous Sparta Motorcycle Reunion (SMR).  As expected, I was overdue for a tip over and the SV and parking lot became close friends once again.  All that was claimed was a bent shifter but nothing a crescent wrench couldn’t fix.  Great friends, great riding, great times, and memories that will never fade (with the help of these photos).  It was a most wonderful way to spend the weekend!