GeorgeInDallas and I rode our STs to Deals Gap to meet up with about 40 other Ducati owners from Ducati.ms forum. We spent the weekend having a blast. One Motard was totaled after only 3 curves. Off the trailer, 3 curves, bang, back on the trailer and home. I really felt sorry for the guy, but at least he wasn't physically hurt. Another ST ate a tree and probably totaled as well. Bent frame. Rider unhurt. Everyone else kept the shiny side up.
Great bunch of guys.
I posted my photos here if you want to see the group.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=osefcjk.8pyzjd58&x=0&h=1&y=-1rkuj6&localeid=en_US (http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=osefcjk.8pyzjd58&x=0&h=1&y=-1rkuj6&localeid=en_US)
Be sure and select full screen for best viewing.
8) Great shots - scenery and weather looked almost prettier than the Ducs! [beer]
Sounds like immediate carnage. Kinda scary. It always helps to know the folks you are riding with. Glad they didn't take you out too. [thumbsup] Besides that, hope y'all had fun. [moto]
By the way... really nice pictures! Wished I could have made that trip!!
Nice pics!
Man that looks like fun. There's a group of Ducs from Saturday on killboy.com. Was that y'all?
http://www.photoreflect.com/store/ThumbPage.aspx?e=6670734&g=04RK015F07 (http://www.photoreflect.com/store/ThumbPage.aspx?e=6670734&g=04RK015F07)
looks like a fun time...though i would probably need a couple days of riding it back and forth just to begin to be comfortable with it
The Ducatis on Killboy would be our group. We rode it Friday and Saturday.
Being old and slow I took the tailgunner position on the first ride and sure enough everyone took off like they were shot out of a cannon. The guy that crashed was in the 3rd position. I think he went into a right hander too hot for his skill level.
I pulled off to the right edge of the road and turned on my emergency flashers. Then a Harley rubbernecker came along and clipped me. He hit my left leg and knocked off my left mirror. I got off and went to talk to him. He was Harley geared up. (A tee shirt) and had a 8 inch length of his forearm bleeding from the scraping he took along my fairing. We decided to call it a draw and go our separate ways.
That area is fantastic for riding except for so many blind curves. Not knowing the road condition and what is coming around the corner made me extra cautious. There was a Porsche club and Miata club there and they are pushing their limits as well. You just don't know what will be coming around the corner (maybe in your lane) so you ride very tense.
I think I feel more comfortable riding spirited in Arkansas. You can see a little better there and the roads are just as good.
I hear ya. Blind corners scare me sh!tless.
Arkansas rocks! [thumbsup] [moto] And the road quality is awesome. I've said it before, we need to go up there and kidnap a couple of their paving crews from the highway department and bring them down here to teach our numbskulls how to pave and patch a road! [bang]
No wonder I got an email last week asking me where I'd been on the .ms board! Damn wish I'd known about this. Hat's off to you two for doing this. It's nice to see the 'seasoned' riders enjoying Deals Gap. Sorry to hear about your bike Rick, damn, what can you do huh? Just glad you're alright. So nice to see all those gorgeous STs together. Just wish I could have added mine.
Arkansas does sound good! Plan it and we'll come. [thumbsup] [moto]
... still more pix coming...