We’ve had some crazy days recently.
We met Larry at the Wheels through Time in Maggie Valley, NC. We also ran into some friends! Buzz and Sandy, and Donnie and Angelyn! It was so wonderful to see them, and I am so mad at myself that I did not get a picture of all of us together. Mary usually does that. 🤣 We were so excited to see them, and for them to see the “cannonball” life. Because until you experience it, you really don’t understand. Some may argue that it takes a few consecutive days as well.
I personally “walked” through the museum and by golly it was so cool. There are so many bikes in there, I think I could spend 7 hours in there, maybe more.
We learned about a very scary tunnel that the bikers had to go through. Nothing was marked special about it, but as soon as you go in, it is pitch black. And you can’t see anything, your eyes didn’t have time to adjust and regardless it’s that dark. On these old motorcycles the headlights are crap. There were several accidents and luckily no one was overly hurt. Men who have been riding for 30+ years were saying they have never been so scared. You can’t see anything. One rider said that he felt himself hitting or nudging something but thought it was the bike of another rider, it turned out to be the reflectors on the wall. To top it off there was also a curve in the tunnel. Luckily, no one was severely injured 🙌🏼
We heard about “Butts on the Creek” restaurant. So naturally we sent the boys to work on motorcycles and we the ladies went to get BBQ at Butts on the Creek. We got more food then we needed and ended up sharing with others, this is a family.
As you guys know Mike’s bike had seized and then wouldn’t start.
They had tried and tried for multiple days to get it to work. As we got to back Cherokee, NC they worked until the wee hours of the morning. Although, maybe more like 1:40 am- however that’s late in Cannonball land.
We had gotten a lot of help from the Team “White Trash”. They worked on his pistons and likely some other things that I or mom cannot remember. 🤣 either way, we are overly grateful! As we started the next day in Cherokee Mikes bike did not start. So, mom had to deal with him again. Or he had to deal with her- however you want to look at it.
I, however, got to be the flag girl!! Break your leg- you get to fly the flag. It was very fun to see my fellow riders off and wish them a safe trip. Which leads to me to THAT ride.
So this was now Saturday September 18, we started in Cherokee and we were going to Mursfreesboro TN. It was going to be a wet ride. We hit so much rain as we drove to TN we just hoped the riders were surviving. Mike got a text saying they had had an emergency change of route directs so they needed to stop at a check point. This was as we were having lunch, I had one great chocolate shake. But then later as we continued our ride the support crew got a text that they need to pick up their riders because they were canceling the day due to flash flooding.
We are all connected on the app Life360 so Mom and Mike were in the Sprinter Van and were going to go pick up Larry. They saw where his last location was, which was about 60 minutes away. However, with that information you could also tell that his location hadn’t been updated for an hour or two (which is abnormal). Mike and mom get to his location and he’s not there! So we are calling him and calling him, no answer. Steve Mary and I went to Bumpus Harley Dealership to see if maybe he just kept riding and was there. Mom and Mike stayed at Larry’s previous location to make sure he had his phone because maybe he lost it and could tell them where it was.
We get to Bumpus and I rush to Larry and the first thing I say “Larry! Where is your phone??!!” Turns out that his phone got wet and turned off and so it captured his last location. So we quickly called mom and Mike and they were on their way back. So if you are riding in the rain- find a safe spot for your phone because it might get ruined like Larry’s. Of course we tried to save it, Mary asked the dealership for uncooked rice. Probably one of their weirdest requests I assume. But, still no luck. Luckily, his wife was flying in the next day and could help get him a new one.
The rain had finally stopped when we got to the hotel and we got to enjoy the company of other teams. We heard a huge accident right near the hotel so naturally I ran to it. Needless to say- my broken leg got mad at me and I was in some pain that night - but everyone seemed to be stable when we left the scene.
Sunday was our rest day. It was raining ALL day. And not like easy rain but pouring rain. The guys got to work on the bikes right away while Mary mom and I went to Nashville to pick up Cindy from the airport. We stopped to get Larry a new phone and on the way back talked about how wonderful it would be if when we got back if both bikes were running.
I KID YOU NOT, we pull up and Mike is on his bike driving it! HALLELUJAH!
Bill and Billy Page had come over and helped figure out the issue with Mikes bike. It ended up being that his valve timing was off and they needed to do a 180 degree turn. Oh man what a beautiful thing! Thank the Lord above for the Pages, we were having a hard time handling Mike. Hahahaha.
Monday morning the guys are some what excited to ride but the weather wasn’t going to be too pretty. They ended up canceling the day due to flash flood warnings and dangerous riding.. better safe than sorry. We rearranged some things, and off we went to Trussville, AL.
We stopped at Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum. It was the coolest thing! Motorcycles beyond motorcycles! And they have a race track in the back. I had been on one floor out of 5 and already wanted several motorcycles. But maaaan was it sweet. Definitely check that out if you are ever in Birmingham, AL.
Mom and I are going to get this to ride together 
Larry got a little anxious about it bike and wanted to look at it before Tuesday’s start (valid) and so we all put our heads together and took no time to give it a once over. I did encourage Mike to start his but his response was something on the lines of… if it doesn’t start now it won’t start tomorrow. Meaning he wouldn’t be able to figure it out.
Tuesday morning… it was a rush to get going. Getting prepared for rain and making sure the guys had everything they needed. Mike goes to start his bike and it doesn’t start. 😳😳. Luckily he changed the spark plugs and made it to the start line. So far we’ve been checking in (on Life360) and they are still moving. It’s only been two hours… but hey, that’s two hours.
Tunica, Mississippi here we come!
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