Moonshine 2008

[alan]

I made it to Moonshine on Saturday. Wet, windy and overcast, but there were a lot of bikes there considering the weather. My trip was a 728 mile round trip from Michigan and on the way west heading into a stiff headwind I averaged 38 MPG. On the way home with the nice tailwind now, I averaged 45 MPG. Both averages were with the ST1300 running at an indicated 75 to 80 MPH.

The first picture is at the Comfort Inn in Casey, IL and the last two are at the Moonshine store. A fantastic turnout for a 43 degree and wet day.

[DreamST-er]

Thanks for the pictures! For a guy that really wanted to go, but had other obligations, they are enjoyable. How about stories about adventures, other pictures, etc. At least those that didn't get to go can attend vicariously.

[dmulk]

Did everyone get a burger by noon?

<D>

[STill Fiddlin]

Sounds like the weather wasn't much different from last year (yuck). Hope everyone makes it home safe.

[Blrfl]

So as a neophyte, let me ask: how come it's done in April when the weather's still iffy? Or is that just part of the experience?

I'll bet it's awfully nice up there in June and July.

--Mark

[uptoblackwood]

Terry may be sitting in the saddle of a tractor later in the year. :-0

[alan]

How about stories about adventures, other pictures, etc.

Well, as I arrived at the Moonshine store, a red ST1300 was trying to leave the parking area and unfortunatly earned a Zippo award right in front of everyone. Ouch!:o:

[Blrfl]

Terry may be sitting in the saddle of a tractor later in the year. :-0

Ooh, I see an opportunity for demo rides! :D

--Mark

[Wheels of Fire]

Here are the photos I took from Friday at Coles County Airport and Saturday t the Moonshine Store. I noticed after the fact that I had smudge on my camera lens, hence the blurry spot on the right side of the pics.

Enjoy!

http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm302/tfwells/?start=all

[E the B]

Did everyone get a burger by noon?

<D>

I had burgers 612 and 613 at 12:40. I think I was the last ST'er to eat.

My, they are good!!

Eric

[Biddyman]

So as a neophyte, let me ask: how come it's done in April when the weather's still iffy? Or is that just part of the experience?

I'll bet it's awfully nice up there in June and July.

--Mark

We do go there in June and July. You can read why on the site FAQs.:D

[STeve1300]

I'm Home!!!! Wonderful experience as usual..... Kinda windy on the way down... felt like 60 MPH sustained crosswind blowing from the West .....we were literally riding at close to 45 degree angles to stay on the highway. Beautiful little snowflakes for the ride home (and this was at the Comfort Inn!!!) Pictures will follow eventually. 799 miles round trip....I can't wait till next year!!!

[NoBull]

Well, as I arrived at the Moonshine store, a red ST1300 was trying to leave the parking area and unfortunatly earned a Zippo award right in front of everyone. Ouch!:o:

Alan, I think we sat across from each other for lunch, it was great meeting you. We had a great visit...See you again one day..

[sirepair]

Woot!! We made it home! (OK, we had a "mommy intervention")

I could tell this a.m. at breakfast that the Munchkin Pillion was not gonna make the trip, so the call went out to Momma. The MRT (Munchkin Recovery Team) sprung into action... Momma and Grandma Lou met us on the other side of Indy (Greenfield) and after lunch, made the pickup.

Rain, snow, wind, more rain, 2 lil dots of sunshine and 320 miles or so later I pulled into the garage! Whew! Now THAT was an experience!

Breann and I had a BLAST! I REALLY enjoyed meeting may of you there. Bre has a special buddy now,,,Coop! I don't know which one is more ornery!!

Thanks for letting us come and play! Soo many new memories made, especially with today being Bre's 9th Birthday!

Looking forward to next year!

Now, gotta create a photobucket account...

[motomac]

After a 750 mile KLR day I made it to Columbia SC. I think it was somewhere east of Spartenburg SC I finally ran out from under the rain clouds! What an event. Alan, sorry we didn't meet. And it was definately an experience meeting Coop(finally) and Putt. What a pair to draw to. And I got to meet LD Mike and break bread with him. Good to finally meet him, also. I will do whatever it takes to make this one annually.

[bygdawg]

I'll post pictures later. It was another great year. The ride up on Friday was a breeze with sun all the way with a 10 minute exception just North of Jackson, TN. The weather Saturday left a little to be desired, but I didn't get wet going to Moonshine. :D So what if it snowed a little this morning. I still made it home okay. I got here at 5:10 with right at 1,000 miles on the bike round trip. Note to self:
Avoidances on a Garmin GPS...A minor road is the same thing as an "unpaved road." I found this out the hard way after about 20 miles on 2000th ST. E in IL. I finally made it onto IL 49 and removed minor roads as an option. I went through Olney (I think that was the name). Anyway, it was apparently home of the white squirrels, whatever those are. :crackup I also went through St. Marie and Salem. I ended up coming through Pickwick and onto Lexington, TN and Savannah, TN before rolling back into Vina, AL. Again, I'll post pics. later. I'm going to rest now. I just did 500 miles with only two gas stops. :capwin:

[Wheels of Fire]

I went through Olney (I think that was the name). Anyway, it was apparently home of the white squirrels, whatever those are. :crackup :capwin:

White squirrels are exactly what you would think they are...white squirrels.

[bygdawg]

I thought it might be their H.S. mascot or something.

[Biddyman]

I posted most of DR1954 pics on the website. Thanks for the pics Rick.

I can set up an FTP for anybody that has some photos to post on the website. I can't promise I will use all of them.

[Austin city limits]

:bigpop:

[Toaksy]

Well we made it home about 5PM today. Had a great trip even with the weather.:)
We headed out Friday in the rain and had rain on and off all the way to Decatur where we spent the night. Next morning had more rain on and off all the way to Casey. Checked in and the comfort inn and road to moon shine, made a wrong turn and the GPS on the phone took me a back way. I thought at first that it was just me and my dad but soon realized that I had a hole crew following me and my misguided GPS but after several turns and a stretch of gravel we all made it for moon burgers. :o: Sorry for the route if any of you followed me. Sunday we we left about 8 AM (after I locked us out of the room) ran in some snow till about Champaign and then rain and finally sun shine about Peoria With a low of about 36 and the high was about 46. Just a great ride.

We really had a great time and are very glad we made the decision to go. What a great group of folks. I would also like to thank Terry for all the work that he has done to set this up THANKS!!!!!

[gryzz1325]

:04biker: Made it home ,snow,rain,cold and all.............Moonshine was exactly what I expected.........crappy weather:wind1: ,good food:chef2: and great folks:wave1: . Let's all do it again next year;)

[Coop]

It certainly was nice meeting everyone and seeing all you old knuckleheads again. I made a new friend in Missouri who let me warm up in his warm police car while he checked to see if I was kin to Chris Mixon. I may need to get a Goldwing......LOL!!

PS. Pat, did she give you the look and make you say yes ma'am?

[sirepair]

PS. Pat, did she give you the look and make you say yes ma'am?

I'll never tell!! :D

[LDMike]

Well, let's see..

rain, snow, monster cross winds, cold, rain, cold, rain cross winds, etc.

Must be Moonshine....

Made it back to Wisconsin practically in record time (347.66437 mile in 5.253476 hours) and I can't thank Rich (forgetaboutit) for the patch cable. I couldn't have /wouldn't have made it without it. BTW, I didn't unplug it at all along the way!!!)

GREAT food, people,friends stories, memories...

Home safe. Motorcycle jones satisfied for a day or two at least

More later - after fingers and toes thaw

[gene]

We made it home at 11pm saturday night with a total of 1837 miles round trip !! Lisa had a great time and even wants to return next year no matter what the weather :D Guys I really want to commend everyone as a whole for the gentlemanly way everyone treated each other, truely a great bunch of folks to be considered friends and family friendly for wives and kids !!

[4INer]

Made it home Saturday evening by 7 PM. Thanks to all and especially Terry for a fun trip. Rain sleet snow and all............... We left the moonshine store around 1130 with a little sleet coming down. We were into rain by the time we got on I-70 west and I watched the outside air temp gauge make it's way from 40 to 35 by the time we made Vandalia. Any idea why Honda put an outside air temp gauge on a motorcycle? Guess so that I could confirm that I was cold............ We did find a really nice road on our way home. If your ever headed west on I-70 and get just west of Warrenton MO pick up B hwy and head south down to 94. What a road!! I actually forgot that I was cold.......... Again great trip. Hope to see you all agin next year.

[jdpfms]

I made it home on Sunday night. It rained much of the way and stayed about 39-43 degrees until I got past Knoxville. I'm glad you got the electrics working Mike. I met a lot of people but missed meeting others. I get to sit across from Coop and Toypro for Elephant Ears. Coop, you are a trip!! (in a good way).

Terry, :bow1: :bow1: Great Job. I hope the firefighters dinner was successful since I know the weather may have affected the numbers for it. I wish I could have made it for the breakfast to say farewell but maybe next year.

JDP

[alan]

Alan, I think we sat across from each other for lunch, it was great meeting you. We had a great visit...See you again one day..

I found this picture on Kim's Motocentral photos. Thanks Kim for catching us in the act of actually eating a real Moonshine burger. Even though the weather wasn't the best, I did enjoy the ride and meeting people.

[Putt]

I'll post pictures later. It was another great year. The ride up on Friday was a breeze with sun all the way with a 10 minute exception just North of Jackson, TN. The weather Saturday left a little to be desired, but I didn't get wet going to Moonshine. :D So what if it snowed a little this morning. I still made it home okay. I got here at 5:10 with right at 1,000 miles on the bike round trip. Note to self:
Avoidances on a Garmin GPS...A minor road is the same thing as an "unpaved road." I found this out the hard way after about 20 miles on 2000th ST. E in IL. I finally made it onto IL 49 and removed minor roads as an option. I went through Olney (I think that was the name). Anyway, it was apparently home of the white squirrels, whatever those are. :crackup I also went through St. Marie and Salem. I ended up coming through Pickwick and onto Lexington, TN and Savannah, TN before rolling back into Vina, AL. Again, I'll post pics. later. I'm going to rest now. I just did 500 miles with only two gas stops. :capwin:

Byg,

Don't ever ask at one of the local restaurants if they have fried squirrel..
(something "Galley") They just dont see the humor in that....

Putt...

[bygdawg]

I can see how a fella might get shot over something like that Putt. LOL

I still think saying that you are the "HOME" of the white squirrels is a bit of a big statement, considering there are white squirrels in other places. I have found out more about Olney and white squirrels than I ever wanted to know at the following links:

http://www.ci.olney.il.us/Visitors/WhiteSquirrel.htm#More%20Olney%20White%20Squirrel% 20information

http://www.olneychamber.com/


White squirrels...Hmmm...Just something not right about that. I guess all of that snow finally got to them. :crackup

[Skywriter]

MAAAA-AA-a-a-a-an......
What a GREAT trip!

After two years-plus back on the bike...
This was my first big distance/big event...

I left late Thursday -- rode well into the night -- stopped in Murfreesboro, TN.

Friday morning wind & rainy...
After a short-bit of second guessing all the storm warnings and local forecast

I cleared the fast-moving storm front in downtown Nashville at Friday-noon.
--surrounded by 250 of my closest 18-wheeling friends in bumper-to-bumper traffic...

BTW-
The other minor miracle was calling the hotel in Casey on Friday morning
At the perfect moment of someone else's cancellation...
HotelRoom - BINGO!

What a country!

Back on the road....
Into the warming sun by Clarksville northbound....
Then comes the cross-winds--

FYI--
I gave up professional flying for a heaven-sent ground-based second career as a pastor...
BUT--
I am glad I remembered the aerodynamics & physical geometry of crosswind landings...

Crossed the Wabash on US-50 into Lawrenceville, IL
North on IL-1 leaning 30-degrees left all the way...
Adding layers & gloves & a neck gaiter...

30-40 knots across the rest of the way into Casey...
Temps dropping -- Brrrr....
A good riding/learning experience --
NOT recommended for daily consumption.

Sadly a little too late for the dinner at Richard's Farm...
But I was just proud to be there at all!
Thankyeeewwww...

**********
Meeting so many of my STOC friends on Friday/Saturday was really great....

George, Both STeve's (STeve1300 & SteveST1300), Mark, Gene,
Terry-ACL, C-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O--OP, CrazyKZ, Brentster, Dan from CMA,

So many others in the moment-2-moment...

I know I missed as many or more than I was able to greet...

***********

I bugged out in the rain midday Saturday
Enjoyed some reunion time with extended family in northern KY...
With free room & board -- Oh yeah...

Pulled out of Henderson, KY Sunday morning...
In the wind & rain headed south...

FINALLY...
Cleared the showers & weather just south of Nashville...

Garmin works...
Bluetooth works...
FirstGear Torrent Jacket & Pants

My Caberg Justissimo
Fogged a little time-2-time
BUt -- not so noisy....

One more refueling and an excellent Sunday repast on top of Monteagle, TN.

Peeled a few layers off and decontaminated my windshield and helmet in North GA....
Safely home in the south-metro 'burbs by 7pm...

1185 miles round-trip...

Three states added to the signature map...

Sooo many thanks to everyone who worked hard to put this all together

Let's do it again....

[acara1796]

I found this picture on Kim's Motocentral photos. Thanks Kim for catching us in the act of actually eating a real Moonshine burger. Even though the weather wasn't the best, I did enjoy the ride and meeting people.

More then happy to have done so, Alan. :)

I wanted to make sure to catch DR1954 knowing he wouldn't take any of himself.
http://www.motocentral.com/moonshine08/fullsize/DSC_0088_fs.jpg

[SteveST1300]

GRN and I left at about 1145 after a great double bacon cheesburger. I split up from Greg (GRN at Columbus) And rode on untill about 7 PM. Finished the trip home at about 5 PM yesterday. Rode through some snow around Johnstown PA but no accumulation. I think the weather was better than last year, drier anyway. But man that wind. Oh yea and the rain on the ride in Thursday night was something too. Total miles about 1970 :03biker:

[mstgsaly269]

well I gotta say Moonshine, was very much fun, great people, Terry we can't thank you enough. We got home yesterday around 3:30 and of course I as sicker than a dog now, chill,hacking cough, body ache the whole works, BUT it was all well worth it and I hope to be there again next year.

[dr1954]

More then happy to have done so, Alan. :)

I wanted to make sure to catch DR1954 knowing he wouldn't take any of himself.
http://www.motocentral.com/moonshine08/fullsize/DSC_0088_fs.jpg

Kim, Thanks for the photo. Now I can prove to my wife that I was really at moonshine and not on the beach somewhere!

[Coop]

I finally got back to the land of sunshine today. Now I can put my Gerbings away for another year. I'm not sure how many miles I rode because somehow I managed to relocate to Europe. Darn kilometers!! LOL!!

[clmixon]

It certainly was nice meeting everyone and seeing all you old knuckleheads again. I made a new friend in Missouri who let me warm up in his warm police car while he checked to see if I was kin to Chris Mixon. I may need to get a Goldwing......LOL!!

PS. Pat, did she give you the look and make you say yes ma'am?

Did you get another warning? You have got to stop getting stopped in states that do not have a staute of limitations on "safely speeding"


Chris :06biker:

[st11ray]

Thank you Terry and everyone else who worked so hard to make this happen. We had a great time, even if the weather wasn't!
We got to Charlotte about 6:30 pm tonight (Monday). Cold and snow at the TN/NC line on I-40.
I stopped for gas and noticed that I only had 2 bars on the temp gauge when I got back on the interstate (~40 degrees outside temp). As I ran into rain and snow, it flickered to 1 and then none! It finally came back up to 2 bars as I made my way into warmer temps (52 degrees). I guess I'll be replacing my T-stat now!

[Austin city limits]

Can you imagine being a Cop,,, and having Coop in your car??? You might have to draw your side arm just to get him to get out of the car!!! :crackup

Probably how he got out of both tickets!!!

"Mr Cooper,,, if you will just exit the car at this time,,, no warrants will be issued... Please,,, stop turning on the siren"

[Austin city limits]

So,,, what waited for me the day after Moonshine??? Finishing my Mom's Estate Taxes... :(

Tomorrow I am getting prices to mail shirts,,, but after that,,, I am napping,,, I don't care if I need to get busy... I,,, AM,,, DEAD TIRED!!! :o:

[gene]

Thanks again Terry and to all those that helped, and I kinda like the wierd weather it really makes Moonshine special in a crazy sort a way, Lisa had a great time and is already planning for next year :D :D

[NoBull]

I got home Sunday about noon...Really enjoyed myself. The ride was indeed windy but I managed no rain or snow on the way there. Arriving Thursday night about 11. We left Moonshine about 11:30, made it to Junction City for the night. Home again by noon. I unplugged the tunes and GPS at our first gas stop, and just enjoyed the ride. I 50 thru Kansas is actually pretty scenic..See yall next year..

[GRN]

I got in this morning, icing the trip off nicely by getting off the highway for a few miles of CT river valley twisties up through MA, VT & NH :clap2:.
After 2K+ miles of slab, I was ready!!! :cool: There was this funny yellow ball in the sky today, had trouble relating after all of the howling winds, driving rain, sleet, hail, etc.

I had to bail on final approach to home last night due to freezing precipitation, so I stopped in to see Kempo... when I left this AM he was redecorating his bathroom using a spattering technique that redistributed the parts of the large bottle of red wine that his body didn't absorb... while singing 'too many puppies'... not pretty.

2625 total miles; more slab in 4 days than I have put on all my bikes put together in the last 10 years; and one heck of a way to get you saddle :butt1: in shape for the season in a hurry after 5 months with no saddle time at all... the first day was only 500 miles and it kicked me good, but the two 700 mile days since have been cake.

Terry... I've been very fortunate to meet many people in my life who I believe are truly exceptional... you raised that bar a little bit for me last weekend, thanks for everything :)

[BadgerMan]

I had the honor/horror of using this outhouse while at MoonShine. While it is a fully functional facility, it does not have the benefit of modern chemistry that modern day porta-potties enjoy…peeyou …..

[jdpfms]

Thank you Terry and everyone else who worked so hard to make this happen. We had a great time, even if the weather wasn't!
We got to Charlotte about 6:30 pm tonight (Monday). Cold and snow at the TN/NC line on I-40.
I stopped for gas and noticed that I only had 2 bars on the temp gauge when I got back on the interstate (~40 degrees outside temp). As I ran into rain and snow, it flickered to 1 and then none! It finally came back up to 2 bars as I made my way into warmer temps (52 degrees). I guess I'll be replacing my T-stat now!

I'm in Charlotte also. I got back on Sat. night after leaving Sat. morning. I was on my 07 V-Strom this trip instead of the ST. I have an 04 ST and had the thermostat replaced by the service guys at Team Charlotte on Freedom Dr. It is fine now. Mine is warrantied through mid 2011 so let them use the OEM part. It was stuck open as I told them it probably would be. It took a week due to waiting on the part. If mine goes again, I'll use Turbo Tom's replacement at that time.

JDP

[acara1796]

Kim, Thanks for the photo. Now I can prove to my wife that I was really at moonshine and not on the beach somewhere!

:D

DR, Thanks for catching my husband and I riding at the last corner before Moonshine.

You know you can see the riding position difference between stock risers and Helis.