"F" It

[Cav47]

“F” It.

PMS is real, no not that one. They make Midol for that. For those of you that suffer through the Parked Moto Syndrome like us Northern folks, it can be miserable. That is where I am now and have been for a few weeks if not months. I have been waiting for a window of weather and opportunity and it has just not materialized. You Southern Riders can hush it, no one wants to hear from you and your endless riding opportunities without compiling a ride report. The only true friends from the south go on rides, take pictures, and share. The rest of you that just say “went for a ride” can pound sand because all you are doing is teasing us. Don’t get me started on the retired members who literally can’t remember what day it is because everyday is either a weekday or weekend……just depends on what they want to call it. Maybe that is just the envy in me coming out, but I have a critical case of PMS.

Some of it is work related. Sickness has been rampant here and it hits who and when it hits with complete disregard. Having to cover double digit staff members with subs on a staff of 40 some is untenable. I have been covering classes and trying to teach stuff with pathetic lesson plans because staff have been out for 3, 4, and 5 days in a row. My AP has also been out sick with either herself or her kids and running the whole ship is just crazy. Then right in the middle of this one of our teachers' kids ended his own life after a long battle with mental illness. I knew the kid well and coached him in track a few years back. I just can’t wrap my head and heart around what the family is going through. They are salt of the earth Christian people who are just devastated. It makes no sense. It makes me realize just how hypocritical I am for bitching about my pathetic 1st world problems. Here she is dealing with unfathomable grief and I am annoyed that some of my staff can’t come to work with a little cough, sore throat, and sniffles. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job and wouldn’t trade them for another staff, but damn, sometimes you gotta just show up. Another layer is that my work has a “use it or lose it” policy for 12 month employees. Basically if I don’t use my vacation day, I lose them. They do not roll over and I do not get them paid. I foolishly left a combined 35+ of them unused the first 2 years in this job and I need to burn 16 before July 1 or they vanish.

About 3 weeks ago, I came to the realization that my PMS was not going to cure itself, I was going to have to go for a ride. The next phase includes finding somewhere to ride. The usual suspects of Arkansas and North Georgia came into light. After seeing horrible forecasts, Pants suggested Mississippi as a possible destination. I looked there, but it is quite a bit further than the other options. As the weeks went by I watched the weather with the knowledge that MLB players, NBA three point shooters, and Weathermen have something in common. They can all keep their job being successful only hitting .333 at their target. I spotted a window of tolerable weather coinciding with a weekend in N. Georgia. As a disclaimer, in case this turns out to be shit show, Pants warned me about the Southern Appalacians. The likelihood of the weatherman now being right when I just called him out for being wrong 2/3rds of the time is not lost on me. My condition is highly advanced. Drastic times call for drastic measures. So BDRX on dirt is what it is gonna be.

The plan is to leave Thursday am and base camp out of TWO of Suches. And when I say “Plan” other than camping and riding, that is the extent of it. From there I will either ride to Elijay or Dillard. There are 3 legs with the longest being approximately 133 miles. That will give me plenty of time to loosely explore the triangle between Elijay, Suches, and Dillard. So if any of you are around those areas this weekend and want to grab lunch in any of the local towns, shoot me a text. If you don’t have my number, get it from OFace, he will either give you mine or a SE Asian sex worker he frequents…….proceed at your own peril.

The 450 is already packed for cold weather. I got a zero degree bag and tent and whatever I would need to survive in the Giant Loop. Tonight I supervise 3 Volleyball games, Wednesday I play cards, and Thursday am I am loading up to drive south in search adventure. Heck, maybe I won’t find any adventure but at this point, I would be good with sitting by a campfire knowing I don’t have to solve all the problems of the school tomorrow.

Report with pics and narrative to follow.

[Hppants]

That's a card-carrying case of PMS. I'd run over there and play with you, but my thin blood tells me it's gonna be a bit too chilly (and likely wet) for my comfort..

Hope you have a good time.

[gixxerjasen]

You Southern Riders can hush it, no one wants to hear from you and your endless riding opportunities without compiling a ride report. The only true friends from the south go on rides, take pictures, and share. The rest of you that just say “went for a ride” can pound sand because all you are doing is teasing us.

What about us Southern riders that can go for rides but don't? We just squander away our opportunities while you suffer up there. How bout that?

[Intech]

I won't tell you that I went out for about 160 miles today in 65+ degree temps. There is still a shit ton of sand on the roads. we need some good rain to clean it.

[wheatonFJR]

Iffen yer serious, I can drive over on Friday and meet you at the Waffle House in Clayton. Its south of Dillard. Send me a text if this is real. I am a bit nervous about meeting someone coming from the land of the sick, but I trust ya to cancel if need be.

I've had pms symptoms, its not fun...one of the reasons I moved down here. You obviously have much weightier issues confronting those around you as well, so my condolences for your co-workers and friends.

[Bugnatr]

I'm thrilled that you didn't bring up anything about riding all winter on the west coast Cav.


Mighty sorry to hear of the suicide, I lost a good nephew that way to mental illness that he hid well.

Go for a ride, talk to strangers and enjoy living! This could be the makings of a great RR.


Oh BTW watch out for ticks!

[SkooterG]

Sorry, I can't feel your pain. It hit 93 degrees on the ride home from La La Land today. Testing out the relatively 'new to me' '09 FJR at Max Q just might have seen a gps speed of 150mph and no doubt all wildlife within a half mile heard the sound of 'wwwwwwhhhhhhhheeeeeee' emanating from my helmet...............

[raYzerman]

Josh, sorry about the workplace issues, it certainly doesn't help PMS. As for those southern folks, they get PMS anywhere from May to September when it's so f-in hot and humid in them parts. I wouldn't trade them..... I got lotsa hobbies and to do lists to keep me busy in northern PMS times. In any event, wishing you a successful adventure trip and getting some fresh air. All the best. Hope you find these helpful, lol.

[Toter]

Josh, sorry for the pain in that family. On the other hand, some of us spent over 30 years working and dealing with the PITA of having people work for us. Just chalk it up to, you're still on the treadmill with a job, and family. Suck it up buttercup, that's why you make the big bucks! I've always said, Illinois is a great place to be from! Seriously, enjoy your weekend escape, and bundle up, it's cold at night in them thar hills.

[El Toro Joe]

Josh,
Be safe and enjoy...I haven't ridden since early December, so I feel your pain.

[Cav47]

Drove down in the Tacoma with the 450 in the back. For those that understand how stupid Chattanooga traffic is, you understand, for those of you that do not know, you should avoid it at all costs. I was stuck on the interstate for about 35 minutes, didn’t move Then spent another 45 minutes crawling in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Arrived at Two Wheel of Suches about 830. The campground is empty. I have it all to myself. I am plenty warm in my sleeping bag right now listening to the creek right outside my tent. Just gonna watch a little bit of YouTube and fall off to sleep. Heading to Dillard tomorrow.

[Cav47]

Iffen yer serious, I can drive over on Friday and meet you at the Waffle House in Clayton. Its south of Dillard. Send me a text if this is real. I am a bit nervous about meeting someone coming from the land of the sick, but I trust ya to cancel if need be.

I've had pms symptoms, its not fun...one of the reasons I moved down here. You obviously have much weightier issues confronting those around you as well, so my condolences for your co-workers and friends.

I will send you a text in the morning. Maybe we can coordinate a lunch spot tomorrow.

[bigjohnsd]

Josh,
Be safe and enjoy...I haven't ridden since early December, so I feel your pain.

Let me tell you about my one ride in January,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Ride safe Josh! Don't make the retired guy buy lunch!

[Cav47]

Camped up in Black Rock Mountain State Park. It’s north of Clayton about 2 miles. Riding was epic. Campfire is going just right. Tomorrow I make my way over to Ellijay. Pictures will have to wait. I did my best Lumberg impression minus the whiskey for dinner.

[fontanaman]

Given Cav47 is in Georgia this came to mind:

[Cav47]

Camped outside of Ellijay, Georgia. Found a campground called diamond lure campground. It’s not the best, but there’s not very many people here. Just hoping to stay out of the cold and wind for tonight. They’re predicting a low in the 20s.

The riding was really good again today. Unfortunately there were a couple small areas that were closed with a gate across the road. Some of them were the really really tight harder sections.I ran into a couple other guys that I saw on day one who were riding section 2, and we rode section 3 today. They’re in a hotel in Ellijay. Our plan is to meet up in the morning.

[Bounce]

mid 70s yesterday and today.

[Cav47]

As I am sitting here warming up by the fire I made this morning, I went to get my water for tea and the spigot would only open, but no water. I had to walk to the bath house to get water. Maybe the predicted low of 26 degrees was true. I was not cold in the tent.

No matter, this has been a great trip. One more day of riding. Elijay to Suches. Camping again at Two tonight.

[SkooterG]

26 degrees??? F*** that!!!!

[raYzerman]

Hope you're enjoying the adventure, Josh!!