{"id":756,"date":"2022-09-25T03:06:39","date_gmt":"2022-09-25T03:06:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/attacktheroad.com\/atrblog\/?p=756"},"modified":"2022-09-25T23:01:33","modified_gmt":"2022-09-25T23:01:33","slug":"ride-report-eom-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/attacktheroad.com\/atrblog\/ride-report-eom-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Ride Report – EOM 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FJR1300 Eastern Owners Meet (EOM) 2022 – Flatwoods, West Virginia.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year has had some peaks and valleys for us.  As I\u2019ve shared in other posts, lots of family milestones with our youngest  – Harleigh; high school graduation, 4H horse shows and fair as well as earning the honor of representing the county at the state 4H horse show.  We had a scare with Hurricane Dolly the wonder pony being lame just before fair but recovering and then the crushing blow of losing JWilly in May.  Being in Marietta for the Ramble was a double edged sword \u2013 being with a portion of that extended family was a blessing, but sharing that news was difficult.  Leveraging the forum as a conduit to keep the latest information available for the group was a much needed distraction, forcing focus towards not what was lost, but how to embrace being better humans to each other and to those we encounter in our day to day.  Witnessing and being a part of the gathering and celebration of life in Woodstock did not fill the void, but rather soothed and subdued the hurt we were all feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have looked forward to the EOM event each September for many reasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this activity through the and summer has been for family \u2013 the time off used while is technically \u201cvacation\u201d by my employer\u2019s definition, it is not the type of time away from work responsibilities that fuels and recharges the soul, mind or body.  The time to accomplish those things for me is EOM.  It is my time, per say, to recharge and remind myself why all the other things are needed, so that this time for me is possible.   I look forward to it, crave it even.  Time on 2 wheels working down a technical section of twisty road is a form of therapy that few comprehend.  For those who do, the experience is our utophia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the weeks leading up to EOM, the checklist slowly shrank as tasks were completed.  New tires were levered on & balanced, brake pads checked and rotated, fluids changed and topped off, shake down ride confirming all systems were green lighted.  Mrs. Clocklaw was working her magic with solicitating companies for door prize donations even though her and the Mister would not be able to attend.  That\u2019s dedication to the group and event!  As the fruits of her labors materialized in the form of boxes and envelopes, I realized that riding to EOM would not be reasonable.  There are various upsides to driving & trailering to EOM for us and the group.  Two primary and key elements that I\u2019ll point out include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailering benefit 1 \u2013 weather.  In previous years, we have endured some truly horrible riding conditions at points of our journey to the EOM venue.  One particular memorable one was traversing US421 while the remnants of a hurricane dumped buckets of rain on us.  By putting the bike on the trailer,  it all but guaranteed pristine weather for the duration of the event.  My sacrifice to the weather gods was recognized, rewarded and enjoyed by all who joined us in Flatwoods. You\u2019re welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailering benefit #2 \u2013 I mentioned that new tires were spooned on and a shake down ride was completed prior to our departure.  The feeling of fresh tires when we rolled up the hill from the hotel and made the left on WV15 the first day and the resulting release of endorphins is simply the closest a two wheel enthusiast will get to heaven on this earth.  Vader 2 quickly forgave me for the trailer confinement and rewarded me with the willingness of a familiar and willing dance partner through the first few curves.   But I\u2019m getting ahead of myself.  We\u2019ve got to get there first\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, the FJR prep was completed well before the weekend and days before we departed for Flatwoods.  In typical fashion, my work schedule was packed on the Monday and Tuesday.  My work day ended around 8:30p Tuesday evening, at which time was tossed everything that had been staged in the garage \u2013 riding gear and EOM related materials \u2013 at the car and trailer.  We left right at 6:30am Wednesday for Flatwoods \u2013 beating the Detroit rush hour crawl as we made our way south.  There\u2019s no more enjoyable task than navigating that traffic when it turns \u2018stop-n-go\u2019 and you\u2019re in a manual transmission equipped tow vehicle.  The GTI handles the bike and trailer well \u2013 you only know its back there by looking in the mirror or checking the MPG.  We arrived in Flatwoods in the early afternoon and I promptly unloaded the bike \u2013 no witnesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thursday \u2013 Spklbuk Special.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turns out, there were a couple of other early arrivals at the hotel Wednesday evening.  We spend some time catching up with the \u201cHuron52\u2019s\u201d and had to pleasure of meeting GDSfjr and \u201cBuy-me-a-drink\u201d.  VFRFJR and DanCooper joined in as well.  On Thursday morning, after sharing our plan to ride the Spklbuk Special loop, VFRFJR and DanCooper made the decision to join us.  Not sure why, because I\u2019ve rode less this year and explained it would be a painful process of me finding my \u2018sea legs\u2019 so to speak \u2013 meaning the pace would be boring, if not aweful.  They joined anyways, but were forewarned.  Set expectations low, and when you delivery even marginal results, you\u2019re the hero \u2013 good plan, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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