May 18th, 2010: Rolling out of bed, it was boot-tough not to notice the steely gray of the clouds blocking out the sun. The dips in the pavement filled with water from last night’s rain. Although, the party wasn't scheduled until 6:00 PM tonight, I was anxious to strap the bags to the fender and be gone. I decided a couple of weeks ago; I will be at Wicked Willy’s Pre-Gypsy Ride Party, done deal. It is the first biker party of the year for me. In fact, it’s been several years since I attended a party. I’m a wet party blanket… I just don’t normally go. But this party held the promise of something else, something different. I wanted to be on the scene.
I was on my packed bike heading east into North Carolina, looking for roads that I hadn’t traveled, to take me to Taylorsville, NC. OK, that’s almost impossible to do. While I never hit Taylorsville before, the general direction forced me to partake of several roads I traveled on last year. All the same, I managed to leave the state of Tennessee without getting very wet. Once I twisted over the mountain and into North Carolina, the clouds basically stopped or slowed to a crawl, held back by the low mountain peaks.
I meandered through North Carolina, slipping down the roadway and turning around when it ended in someone’s driveway: turning around to find another small two lane country road heading in a similar direction as me. I found the adventure stimulating. It's fun to explore, and I didn’t have to be anywhere for several hours. Eventually, I found my way into the driveway of Wicked Willy’s Choppers. I was the 1st to arrive, even though I had done my best to get lost several times.
Wayne (the proprietor of Wicked Willy’s) was working on a chopper when I arrived. I walked into the shop and introduced myself to the guys gathered about a busted chopper on a lift. It turned out; this party was also the un-veiling celebration for this very hot-looking Yamaha Chopper. Chris from Cycle Source was coming to photograph it for a layout in his magazine, so the builders were hot after a tight completion. I grabbed some fantastic photos of this bike, but I can’t show them until the bike premiers in Cycle Source. I promised…
I set my tent up in the yard where suggested, a dry spot under a full oak tree, just half of a football field from the bandstand. It was perfect. How strange though, to be standing in a chopper shop, while many folks came to visit, to party, and to congratulate the builder, while he attempted to finish the project. The crowd all rode different models and motorcycle brands. Everyone was comfortable at Wicked Willy’s! Below is the next “long distance” bike to rumble into the encampment. I fell in love with it, a classic. The owner (Wes) rode in from Missouri. I walked around it taking pictures; I really liked this Evo.
Long distance Evo.
Before long the parking lot filled up with locals, all there to help celebrate Wayne's newest Chopper.
Many scooter, either built by Wayne, or on the road because of Wayne’s help, rolled into the camp. For instance, there was this trike Wayne put together for a buddy. I wonder why I only got this much of the bike? Kick my ass sometimes.
Willy's built trike.
Trike owner and friends.
As the sun was setting, the grill was lit, the band fired up and the party was in full swing. Chris Callen, the Cycle Source Editor, and Michael Lichter arrived, and very soon, everyone was eating, drinking, and having a blast. Did I mention the police blocked off the road? It was a true block party. We had the full co-operation of the town and the police. The Bar-B-Q was so damn good. Amazing how hamburgers and hotdogs can be so tasty after a long ride, and good company with fantastic conversation. I was lying on my air mattress, cozy under my sleeping bag by midnight. I slept like a dead horse. I needed the rest. Ah, man it felt good.
The next morning found many of the guests rousing from sleeping under the stars. We stirred about the shop, rubbing sleep from our eyes, packing our tents and bags, preparing for the ride to Tilly’s Harley-Davidson. It was my understanding the shop was just 30 miles from Taylorsville. How come we rode 90 miles? HA! And we were late on arrival to Tilly’s too! It’s all good, I’m just glad my 2-gallon gas tank didn’t leave me high and dry before we rolled in. I immediately fueled up the tank. It took 1.8 gallons. Whew! So glad I got my carb fixed last year!
The group waiting outside Tilly's
When we rolled into Tilley’s, we had a contingent of about 30 riders. Pulling into the parking lot, there were somewhere around 45 or 50 more riders waiting for us! After a brief layover at Tilly’s, Michael Lichter gave us the lowdown on what he expected from us as we traveled with him and his cameras. I couldn’t believe I was getting the opportunity to watch Michael Lichter, the great photographer at work. I am an idol worshiper.
As I walked into the dealership for the “rest facilities,” I lock eyes with a woman who appeared to recognize me. I had to go…but when I came back out, JoAnn Bortles came up and introduced herself to me. I was so happy to meet her, at last. JoAnn is the owner of Crazy Horse Paint Shop. She's a fantastic painter of all things cool, beautiful, or artistic on your tins and fenders! She's an accomplished book author and journalist.
The Queen of Crazy Horse Paint Works.
Before we wound 'em up to depart Tilly’s parking lot, JoAnn was induced to lead the motley group of about 90 bikes through hills and dales, over mountains and through townies. She is also an accomplished rider. The group was so large, many broke up into splinter groups. We were able to catch up at gas stops. Chris loaded Michael, the rolling photog, facing backward on the bagger he was riding, and the two of them rode the inside lane, photographing the line as we charged up next to Chris and the bagger, following the hand signals given us by Michael (move forward, slip back, come closer left, move further right).
How do I explain how comfortable it was to ride beside the Rock of Gibraltar of motorcycle operators? Chris was dead steady through every turn, keeping his line true and predictable as we rode wheel to wheel: the bagger’s rear wheel equal with our front wheels. It was, and still is an experience unequal to any other I’ve experienced. Riding like this on two-lane mountain twisty roads rushing along between 30 and 55 miles an hour was an exploit that gave me the big time grins.
These roads, these speeds, these people with whom I was privileged to share the roads with, still make me smile with pure pleasure. Almost better than sex, oh hell, who am I kidding, I think its right up there with sex, and it lasts longer too.
Chris, Michael, and the bagger.
Eventually, as the sun was sitting low on the horizon our group pulled into The Wheels Through Time Museum. In the parking lot of WTT was a medium sized contingent of riders. I figure about 60 riders were waiting for us, as we pulled in. Our group arrived and discovered a terrific strip of cool, hard grass next to a babbling creek. Those of us who planned to camp unloaded our tents and equipment and set about our task of making a home for the evening.
My humble Sportster and tent.
We soon learned Matt and Dale Walksler had ordered a HUGE amount of pizzas to feed the horde. There were a few of us who were looking for something a bit… meatier. We were directed to a warm barbecue restaurant a bit down the road. It served rib eye, potatoes, and ahhh, it was so good at $10.00 a plate. Some customers filled their sizeable plates so high they couldn’t eat it all, Oh, decadent stuff.
Upon our return to Wheels Through Time, the party was in full swing. The Walksler’s decided to keep the museum open all night. Upstairs, in the lounge area movies of pioneering bikers flickered on the large TV. Outside, shadows of men and women danced around the open grounds and the outdoor fireplace pavilion.
Further from the building was a larger open fire pit where many more men and women were singing to a lone guitar player accompanied by someone on mini conga drums. The guys and gals were singing, imbibing, and enjoying the camaraderie of their brothers and sisters. I slept like a baby once more this night. Those of us who had left out of Slick Willy’s to travel the Gypsy Tour had almost 300 miles under our belts.
Dale's outdoor pavilion and fireplace. Here are a few of the bikes you will find inside the amazing Wheels Through Time Museum. You’ve got to stop for a tour of this fantastic collection, when you come to Maggie Valley!
In-line Henderson four.
Friends, this story is getting long. We still neet to get up in the morning, pull our growning group together and ride onto “THE DRAGON” at Deals Gap, then further up into the mountains riding the Cherohala Skyway from Robbinsville NC to Tellico Plains, TN. A mile high amazing route over the Smokey Mountain passes. This road offers spectacular views and a technical ride from North Carolina to Tennessee. Stay tuned for part II, where “THE GYPSY RIDE” MEETS BIG MOUNTAIN RUN IN TELLICO PLAINS, TENNESSEE!
