2008 Triple P to FriendSToc... [Archive]

ChipSTer

01-01-2008, 06:42 PM

Uncle Phil... I started this thread to talk about the Triple P trip to FriendSToc... (FriendSToc was the FIRST SToc event I attended)...
Anyway, I will add a link to the 'official' site when it is up and ready... just let me know...
How many people are you expecting on the Triple-P?
About how many miles are you expecting you cover on a daily basis?
Are you expecting to motel or camp?
How about stops for eating (the most important part)? :eat1:
I'm ready!!!! :04biker: Can you tell? :D
:cool:

sandman

01-01-2008, 06:56 PM

Hey John,

Dude, it's only about 600 miles what you need to sleep for?

:crackup :crackup :crackup

Uncle Phil

01-01-2008, 07:35 PM

CHIPSTER -
1. How many people? Whoever shows up at the Holler and along the way. As I tell folks, 'I'm going riding, you can follow if you want to'. Using the 'drop and sweep' method, the number of riders really doesn't matter. Everybody can ride their own ride and be comfortable. Some folks join us in the middle, some folks join us at the end, some folks do the whole deal. The main thing is that folks enjoy the ride - how ever much of it they can take in.

2. How many miles? I generally plan on around 300 miles a day (which on backroads can be a pretty big day!). The first time I did it I went for more miles - afraid that it would not be enough. But it like to have killed the group so I keep it to 300 or less. This year probably Day 1 - 296 (after breakfast) 6, Day 2 - 274, Day 3 - 280. I try to plan the first stop at around 100 miles (unload from breakfast ;)) , then lunch about halfway, then another stop about 100 miles out if we need to. Not much time for flowersniffing but enough for hydraulic breaks! One year I was accused of having IB (Infinite Bladder) so I try not to do that to folks now.

3. Do you motel or camp? We motel, but stay at Days Inn, Super 8s, Econolodges, etc. and folks generally split a room which makes the cost reasonable. Once I get the routes finalized, I post where I'll be staying so folks can stay there or find something else that suits them.

4. Stops for eating? I'm a big breakfast fan (pig meat and hen fruit), so I try to find a motel that has a breakfast place you can walk to, and a supper place you can walk to. After flinging an ST around all day, most folks don't want to suit up and mount up to get something to eat. Lunch is usually at a 'local' place that I've eaten at before.

There will be a Triple P site up which Reg S graciously hosts and manages - as soon as I get him some more information. Hope that covered it for you.

ChipSTer

01-01-2008, 09:44 PM

Hey John,

Dude, it's only about 600 miles what you need to sleep for?

:crackup :crackup :crackup
Phil was the one that said he was going to take three days.... :D
:cool:

ChipSTer

01-01-2008, 09:48 PM

Thanks for the feed-back, Phil... I am really hoping to make that trip this year (still have to clear it with the wife...)... I'm assuming that 'the hollar' is somewhere around Nashville.... You putting up folks for the night? Or is there a hotel nearby... since it is going to be mostly a 'motel' type of thing, I don't believe I'll be bringing my camping gear - especially since the handling is different with it fully loaded... :D
:cool:

Uncle Phil

01-02-2008, 06:38 AM

CHIPSTER - I stack as many folks as want to sleep on the floor in the Holler - but there is only 1 bathroom (unless you count the trees). The cats and dogs were here first so they get priority. ;) Most folks put in at a Super 8 that's 3 1/2 miles straight shot from the Holler (a Wally World and a Cracker Barrel are nearby). We go out to a close-by great BBQ place Monday evening (I usually pick everybody up in my pickup truck) then do the nickel drive-by tour of a bit of Nashville for those that want to go. Then we're up the next morning, leave the Holler for breakfast at the famous Loveless Cafe (killer biscuits and home-made preserves). After breakfast, we head down the Natchez Trace a bit then head sort of east/north and wander around on backroads for 3 days and find ourselves at FriendSToc.

ChipSTer

01-02-2008, 09:36 PM

You going to breeze through CampSToc on the way?
:cool:

Keith_UK

01-03-2008, 06:20 AM

ChipSTer - I shall be riding up from FL, GA, the Carolinas, VA & WV to the FriendSTOC V Meeting, and figured I would drop by and see the CampSTOC gang on the way through to Canaan Valley, WV.

I intend to arrive at the CampSTOC venue (at Meadows of Dan, Virginia) late on Thursday May-15; then spend Friday May-16 with the CampSTOCers.

On the morning of Saturday-17 I'll get an early start and ride up the BRP (and depending on progress, maybe mixed with some I-85) to Harrisonburg where I shall turn left for FriendSTOC. I have already reserved my accommodation for the night of Sat-17 at the Canaan Valley Resort.

It is a pity that the timing of these two STOC meetings clash; nevertheless I have made the best compromise that I can think of despite the conflicting dates. My further thoughts are that it is difficult to see how Unc Phil can work-in a visit to CampSTOC during his ride ... but I might be wrong about this.

Regarding Uncle Phil's PPP mini tour: Well I can tell you all that I have had the pleasure of riding thousands of miles - and sharing some accommodation* - with UP, mostly around England, Scotland & Ireland PLUS some further hundreds around his home state of Tennessee. Because of this I already know the PPP will be meticulously thought-through and very well planned indeed; it is bound to be a fantastic three-day event. I therefore highly recommend you go along for the ride.

Incidentally, for your breakfast at Loveless Cafe on the first morning of the Triple P - I also highly recommend the ham - as it's probably the finest cured meat in the whole of Tennessee .. :eat1:

*Contradiction in terms: I'm keeping quiet about his snoring habits BTW :D ... You have been warned!

;)

Uncle Phil

01-03-2008, 06:30 AM

CHIPSTER - As Keith said, a swing through CAMPSTOC would not be possible during the Triple P. However, we'll be at Canaan Valley Thursday night. Depending on the distance, a Friday run down and back might be possible.

KEITH - Snoring? What snoring? ;)

ChipSTer

01-03-2008, 10:14 AM

The distance is 250 miles - ONE WAY - I don't know many that would be willing to put in 500 miles of twisty mountain roads in one day!!! :22yikes:
Here's a LINK (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=4290844229537501816,38.379850,-79.869370%3B12541184191808362413,37.649390,-80.236240%3B2151207371930660213,37.395699,-80.318806&time=&date=&ttype=&saddr=Canaan+Valley+State+Park&daddr=WV-28%2FWV-92+%4038.379850,+-79.869370+to:VA-311+%4037.649390,+-80.236240+to:37.421435,-80.380096+to:meadows+of+dan,+va&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=3&sz=10&via=1,2,3&sll=37.388709,-80.281219&sspn=0.460455,0.933838&ie=UTF8&ll=37.970185,-80.123291&spn=3.654642,7.470703&z=7&om=1) to a direct but twisty route to CampSToc from FriendSToc...
:cool:

Reg_Siemens

01-03-2008, 10:24 AM

FWIW the PPP has always just been a sub-page off of www.friendstoc.org and the info I have on the PPP is already posted and online (link at the bottom). I'll expand things as UP provides details.

number9

01-03-2008, 10:27 AM

The distance is 250 miles - ONE WAY - I don't know many that would be willing to put in 500 miles of twisty mountain roads in one day!!! :22yikes:

500 miles of twisty mountain roads in one day is way better than 500 miles of slab in one day :mcrider: It'd be a long day.......but a fun day :D

..

gene

01-03-2008, 06:52 PM

Hey maybe we could meet somewhere for lunch half way for both groups :D

Mellow

01-03-2008, 06:52 PM

Hey maybe we could meet somewhere for lunch half way for both groups :D

That's a cool idea.....

ChipSTer

01-03-2008, 06:54 PM

FWIW the PPP has always just been a sub-page off of www.friendstoc.org and the info I have on the PPP is already posted and online (link at the bottom). I'll expand things as UP provides details.
Yeah, I know (Uncle Phil told me)... I'm not trying to subvert that information; just knocking around ideas around the PPP, CampSToc, and FriendSToc... Purely innocent... :grin:
:cool:

ChipSTer

01-03-2008, 06:58 PM

That's a cool idea.....
+1.... There are some AWESOME roads in that area... It might give some people some idea about some routes on Saturday... :D
:cool:

Uncle Phil

01-03-2008, 08:02 PM

If you figure split the difference - 125 out and 125 back, that makes for a very nice day for both groups. And in West Viriginia, you can't hardly go wrong on picking a back road. Would Friday work for lunch? I know a great restaurant in Union, WV just south of where hw 3 and hw 219 intersect. Or if anybody knows of a good one in Lewisburg, WV - it may be a little closer to halfway. Also there appears to be some diners in White Sulphur Springs, but I've never eaten over there. Just random thoughts ...

gene

01-03-2008, 09:43 PM

Sounds like a plan Uncle Phil, Kreis(h20rider) and I will make that our plan for friday lunch if all stays the same, maybe Keith will ride with us and we can hand him off to you guys to continue to FriendSTOC :D

Reg_Siemens

01-03-2008, 11:12 PM

Count me in for Friday lunch! That sounds like a great idea!

John - I didn't mean to give you a hard time. From posts earlier in this thread, I thought some might have been waiting for a separate PPP website and it ain't so...

ChipSTer

01-03-2008, 11:47 PM

...John - I didn't mean to give you a hard time. From posts earlier in this thread, I thought some might have been waiting for a separate PPP website and it ain't so...
Not a problem... feel free to scatter links to the web site throughout this thread!!! This is meant to be a supplement to the web site... And to knock around ideas... Like a meeting of the CampSToc and FriendSToc folks half way between on Friday (for lunch).... I suspect that Uncle Phil will want you to add it to the web site (if approved).... :D
:cool:

Keith_UK

01-04-2008, 05:29 AM

number9

01-04-2008, 05:51 AM

Hey Reg - add me to the list of Attendees for FriendSTOC this year. Just made my room reservations.

Don't know if I'll make the PPP, but am very much leaning toward it right now - prob 80%.

..

Uncle Phil

01-04-2008, 06:47 AM

GENE - I understand that part about wanting to 'hand Keith off ....' ;-)

Mellow

01-04-2008, 06:53 AM

WOOHOOO! a Friday halfway meet-up for lunch, sounds like a grand idea to me. Wow, talk about turning a negative (the conflicting STOC dates) into a BIG positive! AND it looks like I'll get to meet Kreis(h20rider) again, who looked after me so well when I was in his vicinity last summer. :)

So is this a definite plan then? because if it is then I'll need to also reserve Friday night's (May-16) accommodation at the Canaan Valley Resort.

I'm all up for this, great idea... When a location is picked that looks good just PM me or let me know so I don't miss it and I'll add it to the CampSTOC thread/agenda.

Kieth, the scheduling conflicts do happen and I'm usually not too worried about them simply because for those with real jobs and not just lollygagging around the country like you (yeah, I'm jealous) they can't always make a certain date.. So, for me, the more events the better. Just think if I'd changed my mind and moved the CampSTOC event 1 or 2 weeks forward or backwards you'd have to just make one, well okay, you'd probably still make them both.. LOL

I think I picked the CampSTOC dates pretty far in advance, I usually like to pick dates as soon as the previous years event is over. Given the proximity of these two events, we should have done something different, live and learn. However, looks like it will work out anyway which is cool. Maybe, this year's CampSTOC is just a remote-FriendSTOC, or something like that. :doh1:

Anyway, just some insight into the scheduling issues.

Uncle Phil

01-04-2008, 07:31 AM

Mellow

01-04-2008, 07:34 AM

JOE - I'm very familiar with Union and that restaurant (eaten there several times), but White Sulfur Springs may be a more 'central' location. I guess I'll just have to ride up there when the ice clears and see if they at least have a Dairy Queen ... ;-)

Thank you sir... I was starting to shake again.... I do that when someone doesn't mention DQ in at least a few posts... :nuts1:

Seems like FriendSTOC is truly that.. a collaboration of Friends and now events, gotta love it...

Hope that ice clears soon..

gene

01-04-2008, 07:35 AM

motomac

01-04-2008, 07:41 AM

Keith_UK

01-04-2008, 07:51 AM

GENE - I understand that part about wanting to 'hand Keith off ....' ;-)

I'm coming to gitcha Mr D! ;)

Now I'm pleading with ya booody: PLEASE just make sure that Miss-Ellen is always sat-up behind me before I pull away. You know what I'm trying to say here ... dontcha Bro?!

:D

Keith_UK

01-04-2008, 08:14 AM

Hey Phil, I heard enough about you and Keith from Kreis I figured I needed to meet you guys also :D Keith I remember that trip you and Kreis made over to Phil last summer I was recieving up dates as you guys traveled. This year will be great weather and no feeling ill :D :D

Gene - I guess Kreis must've told you about the thunderstorm we rode through [pic below of Kreis getting his wet weather gear on just before it hit us]. I was genuinely scared riding through that storm.

AND that I fell asleep at the gable end side of a gas station later that afternoon. Kreis let me sleep there [God Bless him] just like a baby, apparently for 20-30 minutes, with my helmet still on. Boy was I dog-tired for some reason. I was in real need of that power nap, before we took off again and hooked-up with Unc Phil just outside Nashville. After some dinner Kreis then rode all the way back to Knoxville in the complete darkness of nightfall.

He also serviced my ST13-Pan for me too in his garage workshop when I was with him. Just how can you thank guys like Kreis enough - I dunno? - especially when you're so far away from home. Priceless friendship.

http://keithooper.smugmug.com/photos/181231815-M.jpg

http://keithooper.smugmug.com/photos/181231514-M.jpg

Uncle Phil

01-04-2008, 09:21 AM

KEITH - But if I come after you down the mountain honking my horn, flashing my lights and waving my arms, please stop a little sooner ... ;)

Uncle Phil

01-04-2008, 09:22 AM

MAC - I reckon with a face like mine, it makes you remember everybody elses ... ;)

gene

01-04-2008, 09:26 AM

Yea I heard all about it, He called me while you were napping. Then he called me on his way home and talked to me the last 100 miles back to knoxville to help him stay awake he was wiped out also ! Looks like a little rte combined with two STOC events :D How cool is that ? And yes some of the frriendships that have came from those met here are truely priceless

Keith_UK

01-04-2008, 10:52 AM

Well I am assuming then that there will be a Friday lunchtime rendezvous somewhere equidistant between the two STOC venues. So Miss-Ellen and I will ride-up with the CampSTOCers and accompany the FriendSTOCers back to Canaan Valley WV.

I hope that this is indeed the case as I've just phoned the Canaan Valley Resort and reserved accommodation for the Friday night of May-16 (in addition to my already reserved Sat-17 reservation). I hope I'm not being premature about my assumptions here.

AND the Resort has already e-mailed me confirmation. That's oh-so efficient - I mean really it is.

Funny-but-nice to hear and talk back to an American accent again:

"Good morning" - and it's already dark here with the evening!

gene

01-04-2008, 11:18 AM

Ok Keith it's a done deal even if Lisa and I along with Kreis take you to WV then go back :D 500 miles of mountian WOOOHOOO is always fun !! Uphere we do 4-500 mile rte's quite offen here lately! We might just go to Canaan for dinner go then back

Keith_UK

01-04-2008, 11:26 AM

Uphere we do 4-500 mile rte's quite offen here lately! We might just go to Canaan for dinner go then back

So you're stark raving bonkers too then Gene? ;)

-------------
Thanks BTW

ChipSTer

01-04-2008, 06:50 PM

Well... dang it!!! I'm not going to be able to make any of these things... My favorite niece is graduating from high school that weekend and I have to be in attendance... :banghead: I'll catch you guys some other time... :banghead: Eat some for me!! :eat1:
:cool:

number9

01-08-2008, 05:18 AM

My ST hasn't seen much love in a while. Looking forward to this ride.......it's hard to beat spending a week on good roads with good friends.
:woo

Uncle Phil

01-08-2008, 06:35 AM

JASON - The routes are coming along nicely. Still got a big of 'polishing' to do since some folks don't like going on gravel roads. ;) Here's one of my favorite sections of the Triple P first day -

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=19445&d=1183324719

number9

01-08-2008, 10:10 AM

CURVES....................:drool1: :drool1: :clap2:

..

Lost Dutchman

02-02-2008, 06:04 AM

Uncle Phil,
I am thinking of doing the Triple P with you. I already have FriendSToc reservations made:D

If I stay at Goodlettsville on Monday is that close to you? I'm able to get a rate through work at the hotel we use there.

Let me know. If not, it's not a deal breaker, I was just wondering.

Uncle Phil

02-09-2008, 05:28 PM

I have finalized the route for Day 1 of the Triple P (always subject to my last minute changes ;-) ). We will end up at this motel for the evening of May 13 -

Days Inn Lake City
221 Colonial Lane
I-75 & 25W Exit 129
Lake City, TN 37769 US
Phone: 865-426-2816
Fax:865-426-4626

The rooms are a little pricier than I like, but I've stayed there before and it's nice. It's also the only decent game in town and within a short walk of a Cracker Barrel and a Kentucky Fried Chicken Buffet. So we will not have to suit up for supper after 300 miles of riding or before breakfast the next morning. Once again, we'll hit Loveless Cafe for breakfast and the ladies at Hubert's Country Cooking in Gainesboro have promised to take good care of us if we can get there before 2 PM for lunch. So plan on being at the Holler at 7 AM so we can blast off on time! For those that arrive on Monday afternoon, we'll hit the local BBQ place that everybody seems to like (I'll be hauling those that want to go in my pickup truck) and then do a quick nickel drive-by tour of Nashville. You are welcome to stay at the Holler, but be warned that most of the beds are already reserved and the cats and dogs were here before you. There's plenty of covered deck space and floor space (one bathroom though unless you count the trees). The closest motel to the Holler (and it is pretty decent as some folks have stayed there before) is -

Super 8 Motel - Nashville West
6924 Charlotte Pike
I-40 Exit 201
Nashville, TN, 37209

There's also a Microtel and a Hampton Inn at I40 exit 196 which are west of the Holler.

Directions to the Holler are simple -

Exit 199 I40, north about 600 yards to the traffic light at the intersection of Old Hickory Blvd and Charlotte Pike (US 70), left (west) 2 miles on Charlotte (when you top the big hill with a truck lane going up, start slowing down and turn on your blinker), first big concrete driveway to the right with a 4x4 post with 7872 on it and blue reflectors. Hope to see you in May if not before!

For the second night I am still checking out the route and the accomodations to be sure they are up to snuff. I prefer not to pick somewhere unless I've seen it with my own eyeballs and usually have stayed there myself.

Uncle Phil

02-09-2008, 05:31 PM

JOE - Just saw your post. The biggest problem with staying in Goodlettsville is you would spend about an hour at least getting to the Holler - unless you left around 4 AM to miss the morning traffic! If you don't mind sharing a room, there's usually several folks that come that do that every year. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Lost Dutchman

02-09-2008, 08:29 PM

UP;
Having driven though Nashville with the semi a few times I know about the traffic!! Staying on the south side sounds much better. :p:

Coming from the flat lands of northern Indiana I appreciate the work you are doing so that we can enjoy some of the less known roads down you're way.

Thanks again.

Reg_Siemens

03-06-2008, 08:52 PM

Friendstoc website at www.friendstoc.org now has both Streets & Trips file and Garmin file of the PPP Day 1 available for download.

number9

03-08-2008, 02:28 PM

Hey Reg - both the buttons under the S&T route pic are just red X's and not clickable. I tried it on 2 different pc's.

...

Uncle Phil

04-05-2008, 09:18 PM

For the second night (May 14th) of the Triple P, I will be staying at

Best Western Marion
1424 N Main Street
Marion, Virginia 24354-4316
Phone: 2767833193
Fax: 2767832971

Unfortunately, the room rates are $89.95, but it does include a 'cooked' breakfast buffet and has been recently renovated. There is also a Econo Lodge next door which is a little cheaper. I have not stayed at it so I do not know how nice/bad it is.

Econo Lodge
1420 N. Main Street
Marion, VA, US, 24354

There is a Mexican restaurant in walkable distance and the Best Western is supposed to have a full restaurant going by May. I would advise booking your room soon because if there is a race at Bristol that week, the rooms disappear quickly!

Lost Dutchman

04-12-2008, 06:10 AM

I have reserved rooms for the first two nights of the Triple P ride.

Monday night at Nashville at the Super 8.

Tuesday night at Lake City at the Days Inn.

These are 2 queen size bed in each room, and are both non-smoking. I enjoy my cigars but not indoors!

If any gentlemen would like to split the cost and share a room, I'm willing to do so.

I won't be staying with the group after Lake City as some health problems with my wife is causing me to shorten my trip.

Just PM if interested.