THE RUMBLINGS         

Next month on the 19th of August we are going to be meeting at a new location in an attempt to accommodate some of our members on the south side of town.  We will be meeting at Eric's San Jose Restaurant on Garners Ferry Road (AKA Sumter Highway).   Make sure you let your friends know where we are meeting next month, or just bring them with you.

Michael Smathers has the below itinerary scheduled for our trip to Blowing Rock in September.  He has all the rooms reserved for the trip but everyone that wants to go needs to call him and confirm the room.  Please give him a call at home 783-1022 or his cell phone 413-4455.

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY RIDE

September 12th thru September 15th 

Hotel:  High Country Inn, Highway 105 South, Boone, NC 28607     828-264-1000  Rate: $59 night  Website:  www.highcountryinn.com 

Reservations:   Jerry, July 7^th, 6 smoking, 11 non-smoking, guaranteed under “Starriders” 

Thursday, September 12th  Depart Columbia at 10am.  Meet at the “Flying J Truck Stop”, exit 70 on I-20 (Highway 321).  First stop for gas at the “Time Gas Station” in York (72 miles).  Continue through Gastonia (traffic heavy……if we get separated, will stop and meet at the Citgo Station on 321 north, just past the I-85 overpass on the right.  Four lanes, highway speed until Lenoir.  We’ll stop for lunch at a fast food place in Hickory.  Approximate drive time: 3.2 hours.

Proposed schedule.  (two groups, divided according to riding preference).

September 13th 

Iron Butt Run (led by Lowell Thomas).  Take Blue Ridge Parkway East to Virginia and back. 

Pillow Butt Run (led by Rev. Michael).  Take Blue Ridge West to Moss Cone Park, continue to Linville Falls (place where the movie “Last of the Mohicans” was filmed…..requires a 2 to 3 mile hike to waterfalls), continue West to Spruce Pine, North up Hwy 19 East, to Hwy 194 East to Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, Hwy 194 north around Boone, then to Blowing Rock Lookout (about $5 to get in).  Back to Hotel.  Dinner at 7pm at Sagebrush Steak House next to motel. 

September 14th 

Iron Butt Run (led by Lowell Thomas).  Take Blue Ridge Parkway West to Cherokee, NC and back. 

Pillow Butt Run (led by Rev. Michael).  Ride 221 South to Grandfather Mountain (highest elevation on the Blue Ridge).  Cost approximately $5 each.  Take Blue Ridge back to Blowing Rock to eat on the deck/overlook at Canyons Restaurant, take Blue Ridge East toward Virginia or ride to Boone for shopping (your choice). Dinner together at 7pm at Makoto Japanese Steak & Seafood 264-7976

September 15th

Depart to Columbia back down 321 South.  (alternate: 221 South through Spartanburg, Woodruff, Laurens.  Take 76 back into Irmo/Columbia.  Will decide based on group preference).

Local Dealerships:

Blue Ridge Yamaha, Marion (48 miles south) 828-652-9403

Brushy Mountain Yamaha, Wilkesboro (40 miles east) 336-973-3325

CrossRoads HD, Wilkesboro (40 miles east on 421) 336-667-1003

Check on web:           www.theblowingrock.com www.mastgeneralstore.com www.mysteryhill@boone,net www.grandfather.com

The trip is going to be really exciting, so make you plans to attend.  

Columbia Power Sports is having an auction on the 20th of July to clear over 200 different units from their floor to make way for the 2003's coming in.  The auction prices will start at 10% below dealers cost, so there will be some really GREAT deals to be had.  Make sure you are there early to register for the auction.  

If anyone would like one of the extra T-Shirts, contact Gerri Wood @ 749-4449.  The cost for the T-shirts is $12 for Short Sleeve and $20 for Long Sleeve.  

The monthly 50/50 drawing the club uses in lieu of creating club dues was won this month by Ron Sheppard.  We have been saying to all the first time visitors that odds of winning on your first night with us are substantially increased.  I think we have another new member, and he can definitely afford the dues.   The 50/50 share this month was $95.00.   Just as luck has it again this month, another prospective new member and he wins the 50/50.

Our monthly ride will always be the Saturday following our monthly meeting.  This next Saturday is the 20th and the ride is going to be led by Johnny Frick.  The ride will meet at Lizards Thicket on Airport Highway, which is Hwy 302 and just up the hill from I-26.  We will be meeting at 9:00 and leaving at 9:30.   The ride route will be to Blackville where we will stop and have lunch at Millers where they have some good ole country cooking.  Johnny might even stop at the Springfield Flea Market for Betty to go shopping.  LOL  

Don't forget, if you would like to sponsor a ride contact Lowell Thomas to let him know you want a turn to lead us on your favorite roads, or a great route you have traveled.   Remember all rides will use the 50/50 rule. In other words, > 50 degrees and < 50% chance of rain.   Please use The Weather Channel as your guide. (SAFETY FIRST)

CLUB MEMBERS SHOULD NOT BE THE ONLY PEOPLE ALLOWED TO HAVE FUN—So, please join us at our next monthly meeting held at Eric's San Jose Restaurant - Garners Ferry Road on August 19th, 2002.  It will start promptly at 7pm.   In the meantime, if you wish to learn more about our club and become a member please contact Jim Wood @ 782-4449 or Terry Jones @ 356-9883.  Stop by to learn more about our great club and join in on the FUN.