Author Topic: ESTO 2014 - Marietta, OH - August 22-24, 2014 (Read 58065 times)

Scratch · « **Reply #200 on:** August 23, 2014, 05:46:51 PM »

Damn. We're stuck waiting for laundry.

garry · « **Reply #201 on:** August 24, 2014, 02:57:26 PM »

I had a wonderful weekend. Stayed dry on Friday and discovered some great new-to-me roads. Had another awesome day of riding with lots more new-to-me roads with Jesse, Jimmy, and SWriverstone in the Hocking Hills. Big fun seeing everyone again for the party in the parking lot each night.

Today's ride home, not so much. My fuel pump started going bad Friday morning and I hoped it would survive the weekend. My luck ran out in Harrisville after hitting that too-good-for-words section of 16 north of 47. Jesse and I slabbed back to Pittsburgh (50, 79, 68, 43, 119) stopping to fill my tank every 60 miles so that gravity could keep the carbs full. Couldn't use more than 1/4 throttle or the gravity feed couldn't keep up, but it could cruise along with traffic. Just finished installing my spare fuel pump. Took a little less than an hour start to finish. I should have done it in the parking lot last night. Turn the key and I get all kinds of happy fuel pump noises again. Woot. Too bad it ruined our ride home on such a nice day.

maddjack · « **Reply #202 on:** August 24, 2014, 03:18:30 PM »

That sucks, but you still had 2 good days in so all was not lost.
I had a great time, lots of good, good riding and it was a blast at dinner every night and the party after. Weather was very good, no rain and even tho it was warm it wasn't a melter.

Cablebandit · « **Reply #203 on:** August 24, 2014, 03:45:53 PM »

We rolled in a few minutes ago. We had a great time and enjoyed seeing everyone again.

The weather was indeed pretty good. Friday we stayed dry. Saturday was a chamber of commerce type of day. I even got to use the grip heaters on the way home when temps dipped into the 50s going over the mountains.

Thanks to everyone who showed up and made the weekend a success.

Mustang · « **Reply #204 on:** August 24, 2014, 04:00:40 PM »

Just wanted to thank Frank for a fun route, I had a blast. Thanks to all the usual suspects for friendship! Just over 1,000 Miles Friday to today. Be well all see you next trip!

Skee · « **Reply #205 on:** August 24, 2014, 04:55:40 PM »

Home at 4:30. Had a blast. Great turnout. We'll have to do it again sometime.

Scratch · « **Reply #206 on:** August 24, 2014, 05:03:54 PM »

Got our laundry. Rode to Lexington. Tonight, beer.

smoker · « **Reply #207 on:** August 24, 2014, 05:27:47 PM »

Smokers are home, hit 40K miles in Harrisburg on the big pig.
Great time, good to see everyone, had fun riding with the Cablebandits, Mxvet and Mr. Awesome (appropriate screen name, he's awesome) on Saturday. Can't wait for the next one.

tpoppa · « **Reply #208 on:** August 24, 2014, 07:11:31 PM »

Never made it to Marietta, but rode about 500 miles today. I saw lots of bikes and groups on 83, 555, 800, etc.

tankhead · « **Reply #209 on:** August 24, 2014, 08:21:09 PM »

Great time. Incredible riding. Cool people. But like exactly a year ago, we broke down. This time it was my buddy's Ford dually pick up. Stuck in moorefied. Try and get a mechanic to check it out tomorrow.

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk

mxvet57 · « **Reply #210 on:** August 24, 2014, 08:41:43 PM »

Not home yet. Sitting at the super8 in Bellefontaine Oh. tonight. Went to Big Musky, Hocking hills, then to the AMA museum. Why we ride was playing in the lounge so i watched about half of it. I need to get it so i can see the rest of it. Tomorrow Coffee at the Junction coffee shop in Ubana then to Ohio Caverns Then it's home.

Yes it was a good weekend and after the storms early in the week the dry weather was nice. Thank you to the Cablebandits for leading the ride Saturday and to the Smokers and Mr. Awesome.

mr.awesome · « **Reply #211 on:** August 24, 2014, 09:23:14 PM »

Got home about 5. 1100 miles for the weekend and not a drop of rain.

Great time as always. Thanks to beth for setting this up and the tasty cookies. Mmmmm. Thanks to chris for leading a great ride on saturday, and to ed and shane for helping me out after i tried to see if a sprint can be used as an adv bike.

You meet the nicest people at sto meets.

Cablebandit · « **Reply #212 on:** August 25, 2014, 04:59:52 AM »

For anyone interested... The MSTA guy that wrecked Saturday had a broken collarbone and a few broken ribs. Apparently he's out of the hospital and home.

scott189 · « **Reply #213 on:** August 25, 2014, 06:58:11 AM »

Had great time. Beth thanks for setting it up I will be going back .Hope to see you all at the next ride

jimmy · « **Reply #214 on:** August 25, 2014, 08:30:07 AM »

Chilli and I rolled in the driveway last night.

1358 miles since Thursday.

Thanks to all for another great time!

Scratch · « **Reply #215 on:** August 25, 2014, 08:41:52 AM »

This Cracker Barrel is full of crackers.

Cablebandit · « **Reply #216 on:** August 25, 2014, 08:43:03 AM »

No barrels?

chornbe · « **Reply #217 on:** August 25, 2014, 09:32:07 AM »

It's a meta thing. The Cracker Barrel IS the barrel.

Keyf · « **Reply #218 on:** August 25, 2014, 11:21:06 AM »

Julie and I got back to NC at 7:45p Sunday after adding an extra 100 miles riding the backroads of WV. A quick 1000 mile 3 day weekend.

It was great to see everyone and we had a great time riding that area !

Charlie & Julie

Chili · « **Reply #219 on:** August 25, 2014, 03:10:43 PM »

I was excited to get on the road to ESTO.

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After a great weekend of hitting the twisties in Ohio, I'm now headed north to Canuckistan with Jimmy!

I hope to avoid the cavity search with this border crossing.

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maddjack · « **Reply #220 on:** August 25, 2014, 07:03:56 PM »

Watch out that Canookikan beer flows like water up there.

jimmy · « **Reply #221 on:** August 25, 2014, 07:40:04 PM »

During my border crossing, the officer saw Chili.

He asked if I was a Brony too!!

R Doug · « **Reply #222 on:** August 25, 2014, 08:13:04 PM »

That would have sent me to the moon. What an ass.

mxvet57 · « **Reply #223 on:** August 25, 2014, 09:16:50 PM »

I got home officially an hour ago. Just over 1500 miles in 4 days. Hit rain just north of Logansport In. on US 35. The bike got a Cablebandit wash job.

Where's Doug?

Max Wedge · « **Reply #224 on:** August 26, 2014, 06:44:45 AM »

Quote from: jimmy on August 25, 2014, 07:40:04 PM

During my border crossing, the officer saw Chili.

He asked if I was a Brony too!!

Got me on that one. Had to look it up.
http://whatisabrony.com/

SWriverstone · « **Reply #225 on:** August 26, 2014, 06:46:27 AM »

Had a FANTASTIC time at the meet! Many thanks to Mrs. Cablebandit for organizing. Work has kept me away from the past few STO meets, and I realized this weekend how much I missed them. If you'll not give me too much grief for being sappy for a minute...

Few things in life (at least my life) are long-lasting. Jobs come and go, money comes and goes, we move every few years...but I realized this weekend that all my riding friends are a lifelong constant. (I was amazed when I realized, at some point this weekend, that I've known many of you for the better part of a decade!) I'm grateful to all of you, and look forward to many more meets.

BIG thanks to Jimmy for graciously giving me one of the beds in his room, and BIG thanks to everyone at dinner for pitching in too much cash—to the point where I basically got free dinner. My wife Jamie is VERY appreciative of the weekend's low budget in these unemployed times. (As soon as I'm employed again I'll splurge on everyone!)

Had a great ride Friday w/Jimmy on the great roads NE of Marietta along the river (and thanks again Jimmy for tolerating my slowness—I'm sure you would have been happier riding 20mph faster than I led you!)

When I decided to join Garry and Jesse and Jimmy for the Saturday ride, I knew I'd be in for "drinking at the twisty firehose" all day—and I wasn't disappointed! 300+ fast, twisty miles on some amazing roads between Marietta and Hocking Hills State Park. The day started off pretty gloomy and foggy (and roads were damp)...but it cleared up after lunch, roads dried out, and it was glorious!

I swear that one stretch of 555 (the "Extreme Twisty Coaster" section) is one of my all-time fav moto roads ever!!!)

I seriously need to enshrine some of these routes permanently.

On one negative note (I told several people this over the weekend) I was SHOCKED at how much fracking and its related industry/construction support has effed up the Ohio countryside in the past year. I rode this area just one year ago, and the road surfaces were damn near perfect and the scenery was still 100% rural and beautiful.

This weekend, it seemed every few miles (all day long) I saw pipeline staging areas..."Trucks Entering" signs...fresh pipeline cuts over the hills...drilling platforms...new graveled access roads right through peoples' yards...and the roads were beat to hell with tar and asphalt patches everywhere. Seriously, it was depressing how quickly the area was impacted.

Someone suggested that it was all just a temporary phase while the construction was happening and that the area would recover. That may be true...but it was bad enough to reduce my motivation to go back to the area anytime soon. And it's worth noting that fracking wells don't typically produce for years and years—meaning as soon as one well is spent, they'll just keep drilling more. So I've got a feeling it'll be a long, long time before the area looks like it did a couple years ago.

By the way, I'm just referring to the area in the hills north of Marietta along the river—thankfully, I saw zero fracking-related construction to the west toward the Hocking Hills. (I suspect the Ohio state government realized they'd be in a world of tourism hurt if they effed up the Hocking Hills too—though I'm sure there are gas companies drooling over the area...)

Scott

SWriverstone · « **Reply #226 on:** August 26, 2014, 06:50:46 AM »

Quote from: Max Wedge on August 26, 2014, 06:44:45 AM

Quote from: jimmy on August 25, 2014, 07:40:04 PM
During my border crossing, the officer saw Chili.

He asked if I was a Brony too!!

Got me on that one. Had to look it up.
http://whatisabrony.com/

I'm still in shock over Beth's story about the guys at Knoebels wearing pony tails around their waists. I mean, I try to be open-minded...but...

Scott

bungie4 · « **Reply #227 on:** August 26, 2014, 07:36:13 AM »

I'll do up a more in depth report later. Just wanted to post up that we made it home at a near BBG pace after leaving the Microtel yesterday morning at 6:45.

Great putting faces to names but it seems I just never got a chance to meet enough of you.

When do we get to do it again!

Max Wedge · « **Reply #228 on:** August 26, 2014, 08:46:13 AM »

Did anyone take any pics?

jimmy · « **Reply #229 on:** August 26, 2014, 09:06:41 AM »

Quote from: jimmy on August 25, 2014, 07:40:04 PM

During my border crossing, the officer saw Chili.

He asked if I was a Brony too!!

My writing is vague.

The guard is a Brony. He wanted to know if I was as well! $:-\$

mxvet57 · « **Reply #230 on:** August 26, 2014, 09:06:52 AM »

Quote from: Max Wedge on August 26, 2014, 08:46:13 AM

Did anyone take any pics?

Yes but you can't see them.

mxvet57 · « **Reply #231 on:** August 26, 2014, 09:08:51 AM »

Quote from: jimmy on August 26, 2014, 09:06:41 AM

Quote from: jimmy on August 25, 2014, 07:40:04 PM
During my border crossing, the officer saw Chili.

He asked if I was a Brony too!!

My writing is vague.

The guard is a Brony. He wanted to know if I was as well! $:-\$

Sounds like this could turn into an awkward moment.

MrsCablebandit · « **Reply #232 on:** August 26, 2014, 09:12:46 AM »

Quote from: jimmy on August 26, 2014, 09:06:41 AM

Quote from: jimmy on August 25, 2014, 07:40:04 PM
During my border crossing, the officer saw Chili.

He asked if I was a Brony too!!

My writing is vague.

The guard is a Brony. He wanted to know if I was as well! $:-\$

We understood; we laughed! I said to Chris, "And we JUST had that whole brony conversation Saturday night!"

Quote from: Max Wedge on August 26, 2014, 08:46:13 AM

Did anyone take any pics?

I did. I just need to muster the energy (and find the time) to write up a ride report.

bungie4 · « **Reply #233 on:** August 26, 2014, 09:29:54 AM »

Chili was there and I missed him!?!

Guess I'll have to settle with meeting Ed.

Max Wedge · « **Reply #234 on:** August 26, 2014, 10:21:37 AM »

Quote from: bungie4 on August 26, 2014, 09:29:54 AM

Chili was there and I missed him!?!

Guess I'll have to settle with meeting Ed.

They are practically interchangeable.

mxvet57 · « **Reply #235 on:** August 26, 2014, 11:11:49 AM »

Quote from: Max Wedge on August 26, 2014, 10:21:37 AM

Quote from: bungie4 on August 26, 2014, 09:29:54 AM
Chili was there and I missed him!?!

Guess I'll have to settle with meeting Ed.

They are practically interchangeable.

I do like Mexican food.

chornbe · « **Reply #236 on:** August 26, 2014, 11:29:17 AM »

Happy fiesta, Ed.

bungie4 · « **Reply #237 on:** August 26, 2014, 12:08:00 PM »

A little ride report for the Northern Ontario contingent.

Left from work at 3pm on Thurs. Despite being sunny when we left, we managed to hit rain within about 10 minutes. Spent the night down in Burlington where we met up with Mark and Greg. Had dinner at the Stonehouse. Watched Mark eat a 12oz rib eye, a 5oz lobster tail along with veggies and baked potato, in about 5 minutes flat.

The next morning we stopped at the Duty Free at the Peace Bridge only to be greeted the worst line up I've ever seen going across the border. No kidding, we were feet down in the Duty Free parking lot! 2 hours later we finally crossed into Rochester.

A couple of gas stops we had a close call when a car carrier blew a tire directly in front of us near Wheeling. Great fun at 70mph when everybody heads for the opposite shoulder. Ya, I'm awake. Then, just before Caldwell, we almost got taken out by some crack heads. I've never had close calls like that in the U.S. before.

Anyway, we did the North East route on Saturday. 260, 565 and Stanleysville road were spectacular. Even Mark, who basically lives at the Dragon thought the riding was fantastic. Sure, 318 corners in 11 miles, or 7000 corners in 200 miles. Your call.

After a quick shower, we headed over to the Brew pub for a steak dinner (the steak there is really good!). The boys got into the wobbly pops (good thing we cabbed it) and, later continued by buying "Rye that tastes like a Mr. Freezie" at the Marathon. Big heads the next morning.

We headed out on the West loop on Sunday where my GPS aka:Retard, had us routing back to the hotel within about 15 miles. So we just winged it. I spied 555 and and that for a while then onto Jimbo's for lunch. Then back to the hotel about 350 miles on the day. But the hungover guys were feeling it.

Went to Las Trancas for dinner (again). Mark had 7 empty plates in front of him. Ya, you ride behind me tomorrow.

In bed early and then on the road for 6:45. Mark and Greg left about 20 minutes before Ed and I. After crossing the border (no prob coming back, but the line up heading into the U.S. was once again backed up past the duty free!) I lost Ed somewhere on the QEW. I stopped for a coffee in Parry Sound. Who shows up? Mark and Greg! How I managed to gain about an hour on them without ever seeing them... who knows. I cut out and apparently, Ed showed up there about 10 minutes after I left.

Anyway, Home in about 11 hours. I was wiped. Between the ride home, the heat (hey, I'mma frostback, I don't DO heat and humidity) and the spectacular riding, it didn't take me long to fall asleep. Back at work. Yeehaw.

Is it time for another meet?

mr.awesome · « **Reply #238 on:** August 26, 2014, 12:36:11 PM »

Quote from: SWriverstone on August 26, 2014, 06:46:27 AM

On one negative note (I told several people this over the weekend) I was SHOCKED at how much fracking and its related industry/construction support has effed up the Ohio countryside in the past year. I rode this area just one year ago, and the road surfaces were damn near perfect and the scenery was still 100% rural and beautiful.

This weekend, it seemed every few miles (all day long) I saw pipeline staging areas..."Trucks Entering" signs...fresh pipeline cuts over the hills...drilling platforms...new graveled access roads right through peoples' yards...and the roads were beat to hell with tar and asphalt patches everywhere. Seriously, it was depressing how quickly the area was impacted.

Someone suggested that it was all just a temporary phase while the construction was happening and that the area would recover. That may be true...but it was bad enough to reduce my motivation to go back to the area anytime soon. And it's worth noting that fracking wells don't typically produce for years and years—meaning as soon as one well is spent, they'll just keep drilling more. So I've got a feeling it'll be a long, long time before the area looks like it did a couple years ago.

By the way, I'm just referring to the area in the hills north of Marietta along the river—thankfully, I saw zero fracking-related construction to the west toward the Hocking Hills. (I suspect the Ohio state government realized they'd be in a world of tourism hurt if they effed up the Hocking Hills too—though I'm sure there are gas companies drooling over the area...)

Scott

When I got home Sunday, I was informed that the ET Rover mega pipe line that is bringing fracked gas from PA,WV and OH through MI to Canada has changed its routing. Now routed within 600 ft of my house. WTF. We are getting all the citizens of our area to fight it. The wife has been calling the township, state, local papers anybody we can get on our side to stop this BS. If the FERC approves it, then eminent domain becomes law and they can do what ever the F--k they want to.

chornbe · « **Reply #239 on:** August 26, 2014, 01:11:56 PM »

That's ass

Skee · « **Reply #240 on:** August 26, 2014, 05:43:19 PM »

Quote from: Max Wedge on August 26, 2014, 08:46:13 AM

Did anyone take any pics?

[EDIT]

It was mostly riding and BS throwing. One of the few - probably the best - that I took.

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That answer your question?

Mustang · « **Reply #241 on:** August 26, 2014, 06:27:02 PM »

, JJ was ready to go!

maddjack · « **Reply #242 on:** August 26, 2014, 07:02:41 PM »

In response to pictures, I only took maybe 8 or 10.I was more into riding socializing that my usual photograpy fest. I even opted for my rarely used pocket camera instead of my big one.I will post whats decent this weekend as I am on 12,s all week and too tired to do anything but Kindle the web.
Gary I hope you can stop them, thats bullshit.

Skee · « **Reply #243 on:** August 26, 2014, 09:30:01 PM »

That's 2 or 3 more than I took Jack. I'll post the rest if I get the time. Nothing much to look at. That one pretty much says it all for our group. Lucky I was able to retrieve the photos off the card from this trip.

I dropped my beloved Canon G9 unpacking my top case in the garage. Not a big loss; it was aging and had seen better days. [Kinda like me!] Camera was in a padded case. I think it might have survived a straight 2 or 3 foot drop if I hadn't tried to catch it and flipped it about 5 feet across the floor in the process. Popped the case open, ruined the lens mechanism, and the card reader no longer works. I'm going to miss it. Not the worst thing that could happen though, I just bought a new Olympus Stylus 1 a few weeks ago.

SWriverstone · « **Reply #244 on:** August 27, 2014, 07:34:40 AM »

Quote from: mr.awesome on August 26, 2014, 12:36:11 PM

Quote from: SWriverstone on August 26, 2014, 06:46:27 AM
On one negative note (I told several people this over the weekend) I was SHOCKED at how much fracking and its related industry/construction support has effed up the Ohio countryside in the past year. I rode this area just one year ago, and the road surfaces were damn near perfect and the scenery was still 100% rural and beautiful.

This weekend, it seemed every few miles (all day long) I saw pipeline staging areas..."Trucks Entering" signs...fresh pipeline cuts over the hills...drilling platforms...new graveled access roads right through peoples' yards...and the roads were beat to hell with tar and asphalt patches everywhere. Seriously, it was depressing how quickly the area was impacted.

Someone suggested that it was all just a temporary phase while the construction was happening and that the area would recover. That may be true...but it was bad enough to reduce my motivation to go back to the area anytime soon. And it's worth noting that fracking wells don't typically produce for years and years—meaning as soon as one well is spent, they'll just keep drilling more. So I've got a feeling it'll be a long, long time before the area looks like it did a couple years ago.

By the way, I'm just referring to the area in the hills north of Marietta along the river—thankfully, I saw zero fracking-related construction to the west toward the Hocking Hills. (I suspect the Ohio state government realized they'd be in a world of tourism hurt if they effed up the Hocking Hills too—though I'm sure there are gas companies drooling over the area...)

Scott

When I got home Sunday, I was informed that the ET Rover mega pipe line that is bringing fracked gas from PA,WV and OH through MI to Canada has changed its routing. Now routed within 600 ft of my house. WTF. We are getting all the citizens of our area to fight it. The wife has been calling the township, state, local papers anybody we can get on our side to stop this BS. If the FERC approves it, then eminent domain becomes law and they can do what ever the F--k they want to.

That sucks Gary. Wasn't there a recent SCOTUS decision that upheld towns' and municipalities' rights to ban fracking? I know this has happened in many places. I saw a great YouTube mini-documentary recently about a town that did this—they basically collected a huge number of signatures on a petition (like a third of the town's population) and took it to the town council meeting, and the council voted to ban it. It's happened (happening) in a lot of places. I hope you guys are able to do something.

Scott