Blog of a biker

Blog of a biker http://trotterstravels.com/ Blog of a biker http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss en-us Matthew1471's BlogX / BlogX.co.uk Content © 2004 Jim Trotter Mon, 23 Nov 2008 19:14 GMT HOW TWO ISLE OF MAN TT FANS TURNED UP AT THE 2008 GREEN MOUNTAIN RALLY. Biking%20Memoirs http://trotterstravels.com/ViewItem.asp?Entry=14 http://trotterstravels.com/Comments.asp?Entry=14 HI MURIEL , really sorry we did,nt get together to hear about your Wyoming trip--is there anywhere I can read about it? Hope you can use the attached picture of Ted with the next story!!!!!!!!!! HOW TWO ISLE OF MAN TT FANS TURNED UP AT THE 2008 GREEN MOUNTAIN RALLY. It all started for me on Christmas day 2007,when Jean my wife and two daughters Rachel and Sally each gave me a £50(about $85 at that time)travel voucher and said "Go on--go for a bike ride with your friends in Vermont" So what could I do but GO!!!! As im a member of the MOV club and write silly Isle of Man TT Memories now and then,it was obvious I had to turn up for the annual rally. This would be my second rally.The first one was in 2005. So as you can see im not a very good club member and only manage a visit once every 3 years. But I have a good excuse--I live about 3400 miles away in England! So the Atlantic is a big problem on any kind of motorcycle even a BMW. So that was it-9th September flying from Heathrow to Boston,all alone (or so I thought until I met an old friend John Hopwood about 4 days before I was due to fly away) in the local supermarket.John and his family were on their way home to the Isle of Man after a 2/3 week holiday in France.Over a cup of tea(well we are British) I was bragging about going riding in Vermont and said "Why don't you come with me John".Expecting him to say No chance,but after a short--very short discussion with his wife Ann "Right your on--what flight and where from" That was not the reply I expected,so a very quick nervous E mail to The Heifermeister it was all ok Ted even had a bike for John.They had both met at the I.O.M. TT races in 2005 during Ted and Lynn,s visit to the U.K. Monday 8th September. I met Hoppy of the I.O.M. Ferry in Liverpool and we drove straight to London to stay overnight at my brother Andrews (VFR 750) and had a night in the pub with his motorcycle friends--once again bragging about our trip to the States. Tuesday 9thSept. Time to fly from Heathrow,but not until we had a 3 hr delay and also false fire alarm in the terminal. I was lucky and had a nice quite flight but poor Hoppy had a very active 7/8 yr old little girl to entertain for the 8 hr trip while her mother seemed to sleep most of the way. After a short bus ride from Boston Airport to Woburn bus station we were both relieved to see Ted and Lynn waiting for us.Imust say a slimmer Ted since i last saw him in 2005. They had even very thoughtfully brought along sandwiches and cool non alcoholic beer.So it was off to bed at Frost-Hill Road after about 24hrs since leaving home.Tired but great to be back in Vermont. Wednesday 10th Sept. Up bright and early(well early but I don't know if we were feeling too bright)time to go and see our bikes for the next 10days.Looking very smart under their matching black covers was Teds Fleet of 4 BMW,s --I looked hard for an ST1100 but could,nt find one,perhaps next time Ted. When the covers were pulled off we even had our names attached to the screens-mine said "SLASH" how cool is that for an old guy.I had the all black K100 WITH 7/8 gallon tank("should,nt run out of gas with that"--but oh yes I did!!!!! Ted was very kind and told all at the rally about it--thanks Ted) The K100 had 108,000 miles on the clock. I came to love that old BM over the next 850miles--it would start to growl as the speedo reached 90mph up those mountain roads, very comfortable and with that big screen I don't think I closed my helmet visor much over the 10days--MAGIC!! Hoppy was riding Teds K1100 and we spent the day riding around getting used to the bikes and also riding on the right hand side of the road. We ride on the left in the U.K. but I find on a motorcycle its seems easy to convert from left to right,but I always spend a little more time at road junctions-traffic lights-etc before manoeuvring or changing lanes.So we spent the day riding around Vermont in the sunshine,enjoying your wonderful part of America. We stopped for lunch at Bobs(chrome plated)Diner. Either Bob has a few diners in Vermont or we rode round in circles a few times!!!!!! What a great start to Hoppys first ride and visit to America. As we were making our way back to Ted and Lynn,s ,at the junction of the dirt road where it joins Frost-Hill Road--suddenly--there he was on a blue K1100 rear wheel spinning and fishtailing, his back tyre pebble dashing Teds tree,s and my helmet visor.He came to a tyre smoking halt in Teds garage and we were introduced to Peter Cracknell from Canada.Peter was a friend of Ted and Irene who had also come down from Canada.What great company they were and kept us laughing all weekend.Peter had the great ability to sit and listen to all our daft stories and then top them all with a great one line remark. Thursday 11thSept. Just after breakfast George Martinetti arrived on his MZ Scorpion looking "VERY COOL" all in black--black bike --black leathers--black helmet--shades--could this be the Mafia on two wheels!!!!! I had met Mississippi( as he is called in Florida) at the 2005 rally and we hit it off straight away--a great guy. Anyway the plan was that George would take us on a guided tour and end up at the rally at Camp Silver Towers later.Ted and Lynn had gone off with the Truck and trailer to sort things out at the camp. The rumour was that Ted was in charge of toilet rolls, because as we all know Teddy is full of--all together now--BULLS--T. Only joking Ted--we all know how much hard work you and Lynn put into the rally. Another reason Ted was,nt riding we all had his bikes--more thanks Ted. Time to take a ride with Mississippi George---sorry but Hoppy and I have no idea where we went--up valleys and mountain roads,the sun was shining again(not much sun in England this year but plenty of rain)and we had a great time.Only one slight problem--we lost Ted and Irene somewhere around Rutland? at some traffic lights.When we made it to the rally Irene made certain how she felt about being left behind--but always accompanied by that great infectious laugh of hers!!!!!!! Im full of admiration for Irene the way she made that BMW get forward up those Green Mountain Roads--she really is amazing for a woman approaching her 80s!!!! I can hear you laughing Irene as you read that last line!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its only fun honest. Sometime during the day Peter had found time to collect some beer--so it was a late night for Hoppy and I-- when we got back to our cabin it was all in darkness.Finding my bed in the dark and thinking I was whispering(remember the beer--so it was a beer WHISPER) "John there,s someone sleeping in my bed"(did,nt Goldilocks say that at some time to the three bears--only she was,nt full of Sidewinder beer) Just about now I can hear The Heifermeister and Mrs Heifermeister who I thought were asleep giggling in their little beds. Slowly I pulled back the covers and there she was--my own inflatable white--very,very white sheep,with bright red lipstick. What a kind thought of Ted and Lynn--I KNOW IT WAS YOU-IM AN EX COP--I KNOW WHO DID IT!!!!!!!!!! So that was Thursday over and Nancy(as I call my sheep) and I slept soundly thank you Friday 12th Sept. Dark--misty--very wet.(just like being at home)Not the sort of day for riding at all.But it turned out a great opportunity to meet lots of entertaining motorcyclists. I love riding,but its also a great way to meet like minded people. Hoppy and i never turned a wheel all day but Ted introduced us to lots of great story tellers as we moved around the dining room and camp all day.People even seemed pleased to meet two guys from England,and John kept everyone we met entertained with his tales of trips to Nordcap--Norway -Sweden--France--Spain--Morocco. Lots of his trips would include visits to race tracks to see Moto GPs and watch Rossi teach the rest of the world how to ride! But enough of Hoppy it was time for my 15mins of fame--as we sat down to have another beer,two guys we were sitting with said after our introductions"Not the famous Jim Trotter who writes the TT Memories in the MOV mag,we love your stuff keep it coming" All I can say is thanks guys --its nice to get some feed back--I often wondered what people thought of my efforts. Just as we were thinking it was time for another beer(thanks Peter) this big guy on a GS1200 cruised to a halt in front of us and said in a loud booming voice "Hi honey im home" Alec Motz had arrived from Canada--what an entrance,good company,very funny,always poking fun at himself,but a dangerous man to drink with as we found out later that night!!!! After a very good evening dinner--3 cheers for the kitchen staff--- it was time to mingle again and after a drink or two? we could see Motzeeee at the back of the room entertaining a group of his fans.He called us over and produced from one of his many pockets a bottle of something called "Yukon Jack" it was a bright yellow drink which I must admit looked radio-active to me.After the flames had gone out in my mouth and being speechless for a few minutes--it was Hoppy,s turn!! "Don't let it come down your nose John" my timing was spot on-- we all scattered in all directions as the Yukon Jack set fire to Hoppy,s mouth then his nose.We didn't want any of that iffy stuff on our clothes.Between us we managed to put the flames out with lots of cheap beer and laughter.So it was time for bed again--no riding ,but another great day. Saturday 13th Sept. The sun is shining--its warm and Charles Goodrich is waiting to take us riding.He was one of the people who said he enjoyed my TT stories --so of course I liked Charles!!!!! What another great day it was,where did we go--no idea but it was a blast. But I do remember some easy cruising down Smugglers Notch because of heavy traffic. But that gave us all chance to enjoy the high class hotels lining The Notch road. One very big ski hotel was holding a wedding reception with all the guests enjoying the sunshine and champagne as we cruised by. If we had been "Making Progress" as they say--I would have been too busy watching the road to enjoy the views!! Did I mention I LOVE VERMONT. Back at the rally it was time to eat again--like I said before, what a great job they do in the kitchen--some getting up at 4am to help. Because it was a warm dry evening Ted and Muriel were able to hold the prize giving etc outside on the decking and Hoppy and I were presented with an MOV certificate for" Furthest Distance Travelled--All Modes" thank you your very kind,even though John and I did most of our miles in a silver bird. Another great memorable day.Time for bed and see if Nancy the inflatable sheep was missing me. Sunday 14th Sept. Started out damp and dismal, but after a couple of hours helping to clean up,things looked a bit brighter.By the time we were back at Ted and Lynn,s place the sun was out again,and Ted decided it was time for us all to learn how to use his rifle collection and destroy a BMW pot cup sat on an old trailer at the bottom of his drive.We all hade a go with the small rifle--no luck! So out came what I called the elephant gun--well it made enough noise.Ted--Irene--Peter-Hoppy-Heifermeister,they all tried--but the pot had nothing to fear. My turn--I will show them--being a Honda ST100 rider i could,nt wait to blow that BMW cup to hell. Taking careful aim-resting the barrel on the top of the decking--I had the BMW badge dead centre-squeeze the trigger gentle and--POW the telescopic lens hit me in the eye!!!!!!!!!! After the loud endless laughter of my so called friends died down--that BMW pot was still there.By 7pm poor old Ted and a much younger Lynn had to give in and go to bed--it had been a long rally for them. Monday15th Sept. Soon after breakfast--which Ted had made(lets hear it for Ted)---there he was sitting on his BMW SLASH 6--"THE HEIFERMEISTER"--looking Colourful and Imposing in his red and yellow Aerostitch.There were only four of us today--and Ted was off --yes that's right I have no idea where we went--but it was another blast as they say-sorry for getting lost for a while Ted--I don't think I was listening to your directions properly. Maybe I was busy thinking to myself don't fall off today--the holiday is nearly over and im a long way from home--and the big H wont like it if I bend the K100. Today was the only day the BMW mis-behaved, but I think it was my fault really--it jumped out of gear as I crossed a railway line--a combination of speed with a big hole in the road,but if I had just lifted the clutch it wouldn't have jumped out of gear.It made Hoppy sit up as he was close behind,very interesting. Another great day,and more sunshine than we have had all year in England. Tuesday16th Sept. Last ride out today---we made our way over to Bob Emery,s place and we were joined by Bill Cobleigh on a beautiful old boxer twin that I tried hard to buy off him all day(he wouldn't take Teds old K100 in trade --I asked him-sorry Ted) I know where we went today because I took a picture of the place we stopped for lunch--Cambridge in New York State--plenty of time to see the sights today and enjoy the countryside as the roads were less affected by frost damage and didn't demand the same attention as riding the mountain roads of Vermont. Thanks Bob I enjoyed that,and you and Ted in your matching red and yellow Aerostitch outfits(WOW), made me wonder if I should have one--but I think im a bit old for anything but black leather. Wednesday 17th Sept. Up early to have a last ride around Belmont and take some pictures of the village and lake as the sun was coming up---what a stunning place this is--but I still have not seen The Fall--it came late in 2005,and this year im too early--never mind its a good excuse to come back again!!!!!!!!!!!!Would that be ok Ted and Lynn. Finally can I just say thank you to all you people in the MOV club that was a holiday to remember for a long,long time. Thanks TITO you almost made me believe we had met in a gay club in Burlington(I visited Burlington in 2005 with my wife) a great laugh!!! Thanks Tyler for your kind remarks in the November issue of the MOVer It was great meeting you too. Thanks Jeff Seymour for the T bags a kind thought.Nice place you have-- if Ted and Lynn say NO to my next visit--see you then!!! Finally To Ted and Lynn,once again its been a real pleasure to be in your company--thanks for the accommodation--the bike--great rides out--the certificate--the beer--the transport up and down the road to Boston when you should really have been in bed after all those early morning starts at the rally----oh yes and "NANCY THE INFLATABLE SHEEP BAAAAAAAAAAA". ps As we left Teds place for the airport that damned BMW pot was still there--but I will be back. Jim Trotter or SLASH as im known in Vermont Fri, 13 Apr 2008 19:01 GMT Ashes on the mountain Biking%20Memoirs http://trotterstravels.com/ViewItem.asp?Entry=13 http://trotterstravels.com/Comments.asp?Entry=13 TT MEMORIES 2007 Its 4.30am monday 11th February-- and I cant sleep. I'm thinking about Muriel Farrington--"NO WAIT I HAVE'NT FINISHED"--I'm thinking about Muriel's last e:mail saying "Come on Jim get your ass in gear I need a tt story for the MOVer mag" So here it is: Well that's another great TT week over (10 days this year) it was the 100th anniversary of the races and also my 41st visit since 1967. Will I ever get tired of the TT ? --NO CHANCE--Every year brings new friends and the chance to see old motorcycling friends, who we have'nt seen for 12 months--and after 10days you realize once a year is enough in some instances!!!!!! Bob Day and Angus Wing (what a great name) flew in from Texas--Bob lives in Plano, and Angus lives in Houston. Bob used my Honda ST1100 and I managed to get a CBR 600 for Angus, the bike belongs to John Hopwood an old friend who lives in Castletown on the Isle of Man.So everyone had some wheels and a great time was had by all--again!!! The weather was kind to us, but not as hot as the 2006 TT when Ted and Lynn Hall were over for their first TT visit--come back soon Heifermeister and bring that hot weather again--plus that drink I'm sure you still owe me !!!!!! The racing is over for this year and I'm sat on the memorial seat dedicated to Mike Hailwood at Hailwood Heights (top man on any bike you put him on). It's up on the mountain near the Brandywell Corner about 1/2 a mile along from The Bungalow another famous much photographed spot on the TT course. I have sat here at the end of TT week each year since 1992 and placed flowers at the side of the road in memory of my eldest daughter Gail. She passed away in 1991 at the age of 27yrs and over that 27yr period Gail and I have seen a lot of great TT MEN pass this spot--Hailwood,Agostini,Read, Ivy, and hundreds more. Plus all the top sidecar men--Enders, Schauzu, Auerbacher, Fath all mounted on BMW s.But Chris Vincent on a BSA sidecar outfit beat all the BMWs in 1962!! I hear you are rather keen on BMWs in Vermont!!Theyr'e ok for pulling a chair(sidecar) I suppose--only joking!!!!!!!!!!! It's a wonderful place to see the races, and Gail and I have walked miles along the mountain fields (since she was 4yrs old in 1968) while the top men have gone screaming by--in the days of the mighty Honda 6 cylinder works bikes you could hear the bikes miles away as Hailwood wrung their neck as he left Ramsey Hairpin 6 miles away. Our last time together at this spot was 1990 when we blasted past on the Honda. Sitting on Hailwood's seat you can see back down the course for about 4/5 miles on a sunny day--and on a bad day about 6 feet if you are lucky--anyway today was a sunny, warm clear day,just perfect for a fast lap of the course, and I'm sat here thinking about Gail and past TTs when I hear him coming.The 4 into 1 exhaust howling as he comes up The Mountain Mile-------long before he comes into sight around The Veranda and I can see his headlight blazing until he moves out of my sight again near the Les Graham Memorial and then he is into view again at The Bungalow. I can hear OUR HERO as he goes for every last rev in each gear--with the rev limiter cutting in and out (TT music) and sparks flying as the exhaust touches down on the right hand bend as he leaves the Bungalow. He is on a Honda Fireblade ,it's the 'must have' bike in 1992,and he's giving it PLENTY. When he's about 200yds away from me--with a loud bang and what appears to be a cloud of smoke--he's suddenly passed me. As he heads up the road to the highest point on the TT course at Brandywell I can see that there are 2 Heroes on the Blade, crouched low behind the fairing, and suddenly I can see the reason for the cloud of grey behind the bike. Its not the bike blowing up in a big way--no its the ashes of their mate being emptied out of an URN by the pillion onto the road. As the--" 3"-- of them hurtle out off sight towards Windy Corner with more ashes and sparks from the footrests and I'm stood there in my nice light grey leathers--they were black before i became covered in THE DECEASED'S ASHES--- There and then I decided when it's my turn to go in the Big Oven--I'd like the family to bring me back to the Island and scatter me at great speed right here where Hailwood's bench and Gail's flowers are. But let's hope that's a long way off! Another Magic "TT MEMORY" Altogether now "I THINK I WILL GO JUST ONE MORE TIME"