Wednesday North Central ROMEO Lunch Ride for 11-21-12

[Richard]

Guys - Boy am I excited. I just confirmed next Wednesday's destination and it will be a good one. We've never been to this little town before....ever! In fact until somone handed me a note a month or so ago about it having a cafe, I wouldn't have even guesed it would have had a place to eat. With a whopping population of 36, who in their right mind would have even guessed that they would have.
I've been out and around the area they're in before but never took the time to explore the out of the way road they're on. They tell me it's paved though so it surprised me I hadn't found it.
It's another one that may be considered by some a bit far, but look at it this way.......this may be the last good day we will have to ride so let's do it right.
Joyce is out on her bicycle today in 60 degree weather with nary a bit of wind, while i'm sitting here writing this up, and I should be out on my scoot as well, putting on some miles so I can qualify for my final fall oil change, but I'll sacrifice it for the ride next Wednesday.
The weather guy says it will be just like today only about 5 degrees warmer. WOW! Now aren't you just looking forward to next week when you can enjoy a bit longer time in the saddle.
Population of 36....I can't get over it! It's just a few folks larger than St. Joseph which is still our record small place with only 21. I asked about gas and the lady said there's some available at the Co-op but it's not a regular station like you normally think of. If you may be running on fumes by the time you get there, you may want to rethink your options. If you have an empty bottle from Mo's in Beaver, you may want to bring it along and have it refilled as you pass by if you come from the East Just don't pop the top! Just a thought.


Here's the place.....................................Backroad Grill
510 N. Main
Galatia, Kansas 67565
620-935-4243
Maurice Yarmier, Owner


Here's the time........................................12:30 pm



As always......................................ride careful, ride safe and I'll see you in Galatia. Richard
http://tinyurl.com/Romeo-Rides-This-Week

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG5CSVvpbbM
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Guys - We had 23 that braved the winds today and showed up at this neat little place in Galatia. Joyce and I took off by ourselves and headed out on hwy 4. We hadnt gone but 30 miles and I had to stop at Geneseo to get a cuppa and let Joyce warm up a bit. I didn't check the fuse on the pigtail and I think it must have had a blown fuse because she complained about being cold. I figured if we slowed up a bit things would warm up on their own. It seemed to work because nothing was said about it thereafter.
I had scanned the map days ago and recalled a road that seemed to go straight across into Galatia but didn't know where it started so we meandered our way North off of hwy 4 as we neared Hoisington. We were about 10 to 12 miles East and we turned North on the first paved road I spotted. An elevator loomed on the horizon so we headed for it and wound up in the metropolis of Odin. At that point I had no idea where I was but it seemed entirely right to keep heading West so we found a paved road and set to. Off to the North were various elevators looming on the horizon so I had a fair idea we were on the road I spotted on the map the other day. We continued for miles and it's crazy how the mind plays tricks on you if you don't see a car for minutes on end. Finally off in the distance, I spotted a car whizzing by. It must be 281 I told myself and the closer I got to it I was certain. Then....there was a cycle went by. Had to be a ROMEO. I came to the intersection and sure enough, it was 281 and it looked like Delbert's Valkerie that flashed past. I turned the corner and took off after him. Then a headlight appeared heading my way and it turned at the same corner Delbert did and headed West so I had fumbled my way there in good time. We arrived at about 15 after noon. Still in good time.
Louie took some good shots today and I appreciate him posting them because my photos are not of high quality but I wish he had taken some shots from the seat of his bike that woud have showed the lean angle you had to ride today because of the heavy cross winds.
It wasn't until the return trip that I even thought about using my amazing sail deflector leg positioning trick that mitigates almost all cross wind turbulance. I must expand on this at some later time
because it really is just short of miraculous. It's sorta like tacking in sailing terminology. Oh shoot, I'll just go ahead and tell 'ya. If the wind comes from the side just stick out your leg (bended knee) opposite side of the bike from the direction of the wind. This mitigates any drift the wind has on the bikes direction. Not rocket science but most definitely a positive approach to wind management. Many years of wind research have gone into this little known factual analysis. The higher the wind speed, the better it works. I've always wanted to take a good live shot of this in appication but live action shots are no better than my still photography.
After lunch, ice cream or pie seemed to be looming on the horizon. Joyce had her mouth all watered for some kind of cream pie when someone said Wilson. We headed East toward Bunker Hill after we found the coop pumps not working. Say....that's quite a curvy little ride past Susank. It may be the twistiest road in all of West Kansas. I counted 10 curves. WOW! We gassed up at Bunker and headed to Wilson and I had no more than got a head of steam when I hit a frost heave joint and my magnestic tank bag lid flew open and picked up air and whoooosh, it was gone. Randy was behind me and ducked the hard part. I turned around and we spent some time picking up lose stuff from the side of the road. We thought we had it all but alas, at home, I lost a treasured vile of Marvel Mystery Oil and of course my favorite garage door opener. All the little junk was completely intact!
We twisted the throttle to catch up but as we arrived in Wilson.....everyone was gone. I spotted a bike off in the distance and signaled to Randy to follow. I knew where they may be heading. To Ellsworth Dairy Queen for ice cream.
Joyce had zipped my tank bag lid shut so I couldn't get into it but that was OK. I still had my coffee in my mug. I cleared my throat, took a big cough, lifted my shield, turned my head and spit. Only for an instant I thought but Joyce was pounding on my back. I looked up and I was running about 2 feet in the grass and dirt at the side of the pavement. Oh, that's why she was shaking me! I took it in stride and turned the throttle to keep the front wheel light as I scanned the road ahead to find a low spot to slip back onto pavement. And...just like that, we were back on solid asphault. Not that my heart wasn't beating a bit more than normal, but I will have to say it was a fun experience. One I had always wondered about. One of those what would happen if kind of thoughts. Not that I want to do it again real soon or anything.
We did arrive at Ellsworth just in time to see the rest of the guys take off. We were late again!
At home, I noticed my oil change was now due by 5 miles and since Joyce wasn't talking I dived right in. Oil change on this 950 took all of 30 minutes including locating my torque wrench. The oil changes on my old 1100 took right at 3 and a half hours. And that's when things went really well. The difference is 3 hours soaking in a hot tub! Wonderful!

Long distance rider today is Don Bastin ......again! One hundred sixty eight miles from Derby on his Gold Wing.

An event of epic proportions..........two, yes two Moto Guzzis on main street Galatia today. Probably has never happened before in history!

Ooops, I forgot to mention two of the most monumental events of the day. Nicknames were earned by Delbert and Little Jim. As all nicknames are these were well deserved and originated by the participants to whom they are rightfully attached. At lunch I overheard a commotion behind me and asked about what was going on. I seems that Delbert found somthing hard in his smashed potatoes when he crunched down on them. As he retrieved the article from his mouth, he was amazed to find a......(drum roll....) galvanized wing nut! It had somehow worked its way loose from the potato peeler and flipped into the bowl of soon to be mashed potatoes. He won the prize and as the kind fellow he is, promptly returned the valuable piece of mechanical hardware. We think therefore that henceforth for the duration in ROMEO history his new name should be Sir Wingnut of Canton. It's also fitting since he rides a Valkarie which as you all know is a hopped up Gold Wing. He thought of just putting it on a gold chain and hanging it around his neck but it was only a galvanized nut after all.
Next in line of the earned nicknames happened during my watch as we were heading for Bunker Hill for gas after lunch. As we were meandering the twisty section, a gust of wing picked up some tumbleweeds in the distance and I followed them with great interest. As we turned North for the final leg to Bunker, a 'GIANT' weed headed for, and proceeded to attack "Little Jim' directly in front of me. It became as fodder for 'Vaudville' watching him try to eradicate the GIANT weed from betwixt his frame, engine, seat and rear framework as he proceeded at speed. I liken it to fighting off a biting dog with only a left leg to work with. Actually, I think the road itself devoured it as sandpaper as we rode on. Fortunately, no injuries of any kind resulted from this athletic performance. All is well that ends well as I would a short time later discover.
So address Wingnut and Tumbleweed the next time you see 'em.

[Parkville Rider]

Bump Up

[Louie]

Here are a few pics at Galatia. Elward on his CVO Streetglide.... Reggie on his new 2013 Roadking.. It was a windy ride, but still a great day to be out.. OOOOOOH Its Joyce looking for Richard... what did he do now? Oh well someone has to pay the price for a great day, it might as well be Richard....
Louie

[Richard]

chrono adj.

[wil6831]

Dang, you guys are having too much fun, I'm coming home. Where we going next week?