Powerwashing the Bike (the hard way)

Finally got a ride in at home in North Carolina. It was a very ugly day; and the weekend of the Coca-Cola 600. I rode out to the track to see some of the stuff out there. You have to give Bruton Smith credit, he does put on a show. However, this year the weather did not go along with him at all. Anyhow, rode close to home...visited with a couple of friends, and enjoyed being out on the bike. That is it by the way on the left, waiting at a red night on NC29 in Concord. Anyhow, clouds got ever blacker, and finally the skies unloaded a few miles from home. It was a real downpour, and did a great job of powerwashing the bike, as well as my shirt, helmet, jeans and shoes. Got home (thankfully, have some good wet riding skills over the years) and changed clothes and dried the motorcycle off in the garage. Unfortunately, that was the last riding opportunity for the long weekend, which was a real wet time. In fact, it did shorten the Coca-Cola 600 as well.
Back in Richmond now, and am looking forward to the next big ride. I am somewhat concerned about the weather of late; been an exceptionally wet spring this year with many more days of rain than sun. Big event on June 6 (actually also happens on June 5, but I will be here in Richmond) is the Hog Happenin in Lincolnton, NC. As they say it joins the "animal with the mechanical" and is a bbq cookoff, bike rally and features a lot of live music as well. The town square is closed off to all vehicles but motorcycles, and they also have some special things (like a really great stunt show) and some vendors as well. The town is very welcoming, and it has always been a really great time. The event has been held since 2001, I have been going nearly as long. Hope to bring some friends along again this year, usually we have a good group that goes up. It's not a monster rally....usually draws from some 5000-7000 bikes in the course of the day, but its a great ride. Bonus is the roads to get there are nice, and we make an interesting "detour ride" on the way back which is fun.
The Atlantic Beach Rally in Myrtle Beach was this weekend. Like the Harley rally, crowds were way down. Estimates were some 175,000 came out (previous years up to 400,000) and vendors were down by half. Some of that may be due to the economy, but a lot is probably due to the pressure put on the rally (as well as the previous HD rally which apparently was also down) by the City of Myrtle Beach. Will be interesting to see what the future holds for the rallies next year, as well as the Fall HD rally this year.
Speaking of that last, some years ago went to the Fall Rally. It was during the first relocation, was a race weekend in Concord (no rooms available, and we were staying in Concord hotel rooms) so we did a weekend in Myrtle Beach; and it was during the rally. People were real nice and a lot of fun, did some partying with the bikers, and did not find them any more radical than any other groups I have spent time around. I am sure there was some craziness, but also would find that with football/hockey fans, college students on spring break, or a bunch of golfers hitting the town after a day on the links. Funny to have found a tourist town that does not want tourists especially in the case of the HD rally which went on for over 60 years. I think a little give and take on both sides could have gone a long way.
Anyhow, will be in Virginia for the next couple of weeks, looking forward to the next ride. Always ride safe!