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NEWS
MOWOG NEWS is currently being sent to members via pdf. Look for the link to the web version to come in the future.
by Matt Strus
April 26, Wednesday;
saved most of my packing for the last minute, like I usually do. I put the camping gear in the TR yesterday. Packed the clothes late afternoon and got everything else in the car. The “boot”/trunk is full, the front passenger floor and seat is full with more stuff behind the seats. The amazing thing is ALL this stuff fits on my BMW K1200GT motorcycle when I do some extended traveling and camping. Difference being, I use a smaller tent that takes up about ½ the space and my m/c camping cot uses about 1/3 the space otherwise it’s pretty much the same load. Still very concerned as to whether the car will make the trip without breaking down along the way. Dave, from D&J, keeps assuring me “it will be fine”. Dave has seen the Blue 74 TR6 quite often over the years and I hope has a good idea what it can and cannot do. To ease my worries I have decided to head to Front Royal, VA by way of the Delaware River Gap. That gives me about 135 miles of highway driving to see if anything will fail on the car and still be close enough for a AAA tow/flatbed home if needed followed by some slower speed back roads and back on the highway if I’m more confident in the car.
April 27, Thursday;
a restless nights sleep. Finally got up and started my day at 7am, been tossing and turning since 5:30am. Brought out the last of whatever to the car and waited to leave until after rush hour traffic passed. I had taped a note to my door, “call forwarding”, a last minute thing I needed to do. *72 then enter my cell number, done. A few minutes later a neighbor calls my house phone to wish me a safe trip and the house phone rang, it didn’t forward. *72 punch in the cell number and it still didn’t forward. For the next 45 minutes I’m on the phone with Frontier trying to get it straightened out. I had been paying for the availability of call forwarding BUT it had never been “switched on” at Frontier and I had never used it before. I had been hoping to leave about 9am, got out at 9:30.
The roads are wet, a light mist in the air, doesn’t qualify as raining but the top is up and the windows are rolled up. The TR burns a little oil, burns quite a bit more over 3,000 RPM so I’m traveling down the right lane at about 60-62 mph, top speed. The wipers on my car are pretty sad, but the RAIN-EX works great. Gotta open the windows a little, the smell of oil and whatever burning off the motor is irritating my sinuses. At my first stop in Port Jervis/Milford PA, 125 miles out, I check the oil. Looks good, still clean and hardly went down on the stick. Starting to feel a little more confident in the car now. Down to I78, to I81 to Harrisburg to Hagerstown, MD thru West Virginia to a REALLY NICE CLEAN AND OPEN rest area just over the Virginia line. Uneventful trip until on I81 until just north of the PA/MD state line a car pulls into traffic from a dead stop from the breakdown lane in front of me. The brakes on the TR6 are NOT at all like new car brakes. I ended up passing her on the right side in the breakdown lane between the guardrail and her passenger door. I think she was surprised to see me in front of her coming from where she just was. It’s after 6pm but Front Royal, the town where Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive actually start is about ½ hour away. Gonna go for it. Found a “mom & pop” motel walking distance from food and groceries. Done for the night.
April 28, Friday;
Hostess Cupcake and water for breakfast, on the road by 10am. The entrance to Shenandoah Nat Park was about 3-5 miles away. When I left home, I couldn’t find my “senior National Park pass” so I had to buy another at the park entrance for $10, otherwise the fee into the park was $20 for me and my car. I put the top down after I got some sun block in the park store. Must be early in the season for unlike past experience there was no long lines of slow moving motor homes or packed roads. 95% of my travels thru the park, I had no one in front of me. It is easier sharing the road with A LOT of bicycles rather than cars, hardly anyone coming the opposite way so just give them a wide berth and pass them. Putting along at 35mph listening to Nilsson’s “The Point” makes for a great day. The Kinks “Muswell Hillbillies”, Queens “Greatest Hits” plus some other cd’s and the scenery make for a nice day in the park. Upper 80’s and sunny. A lot of standing dead trees, looks like a forest fire happened some years ago, I remember the news mentioning an ice storm damaging a lot of the trees in the park a number of years ago as well. About a 120 mile drive today, some scenic overlooks faced East, some faced West, depending on which side of the mountain crest the road was on at the moment.
For the 2nd time in my travels ever, my motel room had a hot tub/Jacuzzi in it. The jets felt good on my old bones and muscles. AND the call forwarding from home worked. And I saw a BRG MGBGT as well as a white/pearl TR8 during my travels today.
April 29, Saturday;
I allotted too much time for the trip, so I guess I can poke along and stop more often along the way. Blue Ridge Parkway is several hundred miles shorter than I figured from Map quest. Having planned an average of 35mph, the speed on Skyline Dr and enforced by Federal Park Police, it turns out the Blue Ridge speed limit is 45mph and some 300 miles shorter than I figured. I still find myself doing 35-40 mph anyway, hey, there is little to no traffic and I’m not in a hurry. I remember barreling down these roads on my m/c at some 55-75 mph, but I was in a rush to be somewhere at a certain day/time. I found the roads a lot rougher today, as in I was dodging potholes along some stretches of roadway. They were only an inch or so deep, but they still rattled what little suspension I have in the TR. Most of the suspension is the air in the tires. Felt bad for the bicyclists riding on those skinny tires if they hit one. At one of the overlooks a couple of guys on bicycles rolled in behind me after I had passed them. I struck up a conversation about their ride. They were from VA and were riding the length of the Parkway from Front Royal, VA to Cherokee, NC. 2 saddlebags mounted on the front wheel and 2 more attached to the rear wheel with even more stuff loaded on a luggage rack behind the seat and planning to complete the trip in under 2 weeks. They figured they were each carrying about 100 pounds of tent, sleeping bags, clothes, food and water, lots of water. At least 4 bottles of water that I could see was strapped to each bike. They were talking about taking turns “drafting” behind on another to ease the pedaling and taking lots of breaks on the long uphills. They left before me and I passed them a few miles down the road sitting under a shade tree on a long uphill grade enjoying their view, they waved as I passed. Many of the Visitor Centers were closed, too early for the season so I just meandered along enjoying the scenery. One of the reasons for just “putzing” along was some stretches of road were right along the crest of the mountain, with a view on both the left side AND the right side at the same time with no place to pull off and park. Knocked off for the day in Roanoke, VA just before rush hour started but I got caught in it looking for dinner after checking in at the Colony House Motor Lodge. Top was down, sunny warm day, wonder long this will last? 141 miles today.
April 30, Sunday;
It was almost 11 am before I left due to a great conservation with the motel manager about our travels. He was from Michigan and we traded stories about some of the places we had seen and visited. Next time I go to Nova Scotia I have to find the ships anchor that was found many years later, miles inland when there was a housing development being built, from an explosion in Halifax Harbor during WW2 that he told me about. Overcast, but comfortable so the top was down again. It surprised me that so many of the Visitors Centers were still closed for the season. I mean the ones on the park map in REALLY BIG BOLD TYPE. Clouds and a cold front came in early afternoon, had to stop and put a sweatshirt on. A really nice day for a drive, the 6 just purring along at 40 mph, beautiful scenery flowing past, smooth roads and some music. What more could you ask for? Turns out I’m a little ahead of schedule, so I booked 2 nights at a Quality Inn in Asheville for Mon and Tues nights, the Biltmore, Asheville Zip line Canopy Adventures and the Botanical Gardens of NC are there for the 2nd day. Got a little nervous when a cop pulled in behind me and followed me for a bit because I found when I loaded the trunk/boot, I knocked the light fixtures out of their holes, thus losing the ground and not having brake or tail lights. Saw a car from the teens or twenties on the road today. 135 miles today.
May 1, Monday;
My luck couldn’t hold out forever with the weather. Severe storms came thru the area last night and during the day today. My fix for the large gap where the top shrunk over the years (plastic & Velcro) worked quite well. Windshield still leaked with water dribbling down the wooden dash. With the top up, there is a slight bow in the metal framework on the driver’s side creating a low spot in the middle above the driver’s door where the water can run off. It runs off on the inside of the window onto my left sleeve BUT if the window is open to just the right height and the car is moving at just the right speed, the air movement carries the drops to the outside of the window pane, BUT now if there is a gust of wind from the storm (and there was a lot of those) my neck and face are hit by a burst of rain drops. Sometimes you can’t win. Still, I’m better off than all the motorcycles out there. Spent a good part of the day at 25-35 mph peering thru the heavy fog in the mountains, they’re not called the Great Smoky without reason. I literally encountered less than 10 vehicles on the Parkway going the same direction as I along the 150 miles covered today. The high winds took down a lot of branches, not limbs or trees but branches, along the roadway that I and others had to dodge. Wind, dense fog and driving rain on the South side of the mountains with some fog and heavy rain on the North side. Finally saw some wildlife along the road, wild turkeys. The GPS unit was quite handy in the thick fog, it gave you an idea when the turns were coming up and just how sharp they were going to be. Total, I saw less than 50 cars all day on the Parkway; the locals apparently heed the “AVOID THE PARKWAY IN SNOW, FOG & RAIN” signs. Many of the information centers were still closed, however I found one open that had a wood burning stove with rocking chairs set in front of it, spent some time warming up with some other brave/foolish park visitors in front of the fire. I turned around in a semi-paved parking lot after I passed the motel, when my front wheels hit the puddle, I knew I screwed up, it was about 3’x5’, 6-10 deep with a soft mud bottom, I WAS REALLY thinking AAA was going to have to pull me out of it. Between the momentum and some tire spin I made it out the other side, so now the whole back of the car, fenders, bumper etc is covered in mud. Did I mention, it stopped raining so I can’t even continue driving around to rinse the muck off, yeah, I’m done traveling for the day and the sun comes out. Another quart of oil today. 169 miles today
May 2, Tuesday;
Attending a dinner meeting with the British Car Club of Western North Carolina this evening, but what to do for the day is the question. 30 min drive and I can go Zip lining, 45 min drive to the NC Arboretum with miles of walking trails (too much walking) or about a 90 min drive to some caverns. Zip line sounds best, HOWEVER there is a 250 lb weight limit and I hover just above that. Wouldn’t want to drive out there only to be sent away. Back up on the Parkway to the Folk Art Center I go. Spent a few hours then it’s back to the inn for a nap. I go to put the car in reverse to head to the meeting, GRINDING, won’t go in, pump the clutch and I’m good to go. The clutch is ALL the way to the floor before it grabs, that’s not good. My 68 Roadrunner’s clutch did the same thing in reverse each time just before it self destructed. Got to the meeting about 12-15 miles away and met some of the members and they diagnosed the problem. Yup, the hydraulic fluid reservoir is dry. Members are searching their trunk/boots for brake fluid; one member who lives close by went home to get some for me. Just prior to his return, another member arrives for the meeting in his 67 Jag, “yes, I have some brake fluid in the trunk you can have”. I topped off the reservoir, pumped the clutch and its back. Relief in nor spelled ROLAIDS it’s spelt DOT4BRAKE FLUID. There is air in the line, so I do have to pump the clutch, but I have a clutch. Keep in mind, I’m still on my way out, won’t headed back North until Sunday. The CTMG shop rags were a big hit for the MG owners. For a club with 80 something members I was quite impressed that the room contained over 50 people. It is a pretty active group with a lot going on. There WAS an impromptu car show happening in the restaurant parking lot with all the members’ cars there. Kicked tires, told tales and thanked them again for curing the TR. 32 miles today.
May 3, Wednesday;
Was on the road 9:30 or so, finish the last 125 miles or so of the Blue Ridge and then off to Mary “Who’s” house. I arrived early-mid afternoon, Mary was a bit under the weather so we visited for a bit then napped until about 4 pm. “As the crow flies” it is 28 miles to Tail of the Dragon AKA Deals Gap, about 74 miles by road. Mary and I have both ridden motorcycles thru the “Gap” over the years, a little more comfortable this time by car. She wasn’t feeling 100% but off to the “318 turns in 11 miles” we went. I had forgotten just how sharp those turns were, for short distances some had more than a 30* bank, one turn after another after another we were like rag dolls in the seats. As Mary was feeling more ill, we slowed down to 15-20 mph, even at those speeds, the hard right into a even harder steep banked left came up awfully fast. We got back after dark, husband Mike returned home from 2nd shift and we chatted and chatted into the wee hours. 292 miles today
May 4, Thursday;
Heavy rain and wind, some flooding in the area, hope the Rally campground is ok. Only left the house for a quick trip to the supermarket. Catching up on naptime and rest. 5 miles today
May 5, Friday;
After saying my good-byes, I made it to the rally site in less than 45 minutes. It was raining on and off all day, did I mention COLD. Unimproved camping sites were included in the rally fee; I however wanted electricity for the phone and computer, a couple more bucks. Chili, while it lasted for supper was available. The wind picked up and the pitter patter on the metal roof got louder, it was a DRIVING rain. There was a seminar about start, a British couple cashed in everything they owned and started a motorcycle trip around the world. That was over 14 years ago. It was a GREAT presentation, included stories about people, places, food, paperwork at borders, accidents, shootings and much more. Friendliest people, Mongolia; safest place, Japan; best roads, US were just places and subjects spoken of. A bridge collapse under his R1200GS, in Bolivia, broke his neck in 2 places leaving him partly paralyzed on the left side as well as losing sight in the left eye. While 3 days away from medical help they rode with a tow strap between the motorcycles explaining that was the only time he was prepared to give up, lie down and die. The talk ran over 40 minutes too long but no one wanted to head out into the rain just yet. Rumor had it temps were in the upper 30’s and lower 40’s that night, I believe it. I was in a sleeping bag, in a second sleeping bag, on an air mattress, on a cot in a tent; it was cold until the body heat warmed the bags up a little. 32 miles today
May 6, Saturday;
Awoke to a light rain and chill in the air. Took a drive off site to Huddle House for breakfast when the sun came out. Still chilly most of the day, but the sun hit the tent, it warmed up nicely until the pitter patter of rain on the tent roof at which time it got cold again, really quickly. Didn’t win any door prizes but the steak dinner was excellent. One chooses a raw steak on a plate, goes to one of 2 3’X15’ barbeque pits and cooks their own steak to their liking, then gathers up the sides of the meal to enjoy. Again, the steak WAS cooked to perfection all the food was excellent. Oh yeah, a small tree blew down during the night but missed a tent close by. 6 miles today
May 7, Sunday;
Wasn’t raining, but damp upon awaking. Had to pack the tent wet and dry it out later at Justin’s. Sun finally came out but really didn’t get warmer until much later in the day. After some 5-6 hour drive, I arrived to a barbeque at the end of the driveway. Burgers and dogs hit the spot. Set the tent up in the back yard to dry, will repack it Monday. 250+ miles
May 8, Monday;
Justin was out on the road early. Virginia was working 2nd shift today so we spent the AM together then out to lunch. Nice and sunny today, set the tent up in the backyard to dry for the repack. With Virginia off to work, I headed off to see Orville and Tina, I was best man at their wedding some 40+ years ago, and they were only some 5-7 miles away. Sunny day, visit with friends and a home cooked meal, what more could one ask for? Gotta mention “Shiny”, my new old friend, met her as a pup several years ago, she is an 80+ pound pit bull with such a happy and friendly disposition, so loveable.
May 9, Tuesday;
Everyone had gone to work early, Justin to drive wherever, Virginia to open at work and Matthew off to school, leaving me and my dog Arrow, s’cuse me, their dog Shiny, all alone in the pointless forest to prepare for the next part of the journey, the trip to Helen and Robs. I got on the road about 10:30 with a little over 100 miles to get there with a soft rain failing and the wipers still working. Most of the drive was a two lane road, when a tractor trailer passed in the other direction I was grateful for the Rain-Ex I had applied. With as many breaks as I took, it was some 4 hours to cover 111.6 miles to my destination point. I was listening to Nilsson’s “The Point”, can you tell?
May 10, Wednesday;
A relaxing day, just visiting and catching up with family with a family dinner that evening. Before I left I had contacted our cousins in Warsaw via e-mail that I would be at my sister’s home on or about the 8th or 9th and set up a Skype call time, 9pm for them and 3pm for us. Saw my niece, who is in her last year of residency to be a doctor, where they were going on their next “Holiday”, sailing in Greece with friends and they were hoping to visit CT in late summer/early fall. The video call lasted over 3 hours with only 3-4 disconnects, GREAT AFTERNOON.
May 11, Thursday;
Up early, 10:30 or so, found a “Auto Zone” got an oil filter and oil, went to my nephews Jiffy Lube and had an oil change, almost 2,000 miles since my last change. Topped the engine off with 3 quarts so far on this trip.
May 12, Friday;
Rob and I went to the Telkes for dinner and conversation, Helen had to work. When I was there last, they had just moved to NC and we were all walking around boxes yet to be unpacked. Beautiful home, nicely decorated with friendly folks living there. Some talk about the Triumph Club back home, the British Car club they belonged to and how it’s too hot to drive the TVR in the summer down there. A lot of glass in that car. The Triumph Renown was nearing its final stages of restoration and looked like a brand new vehicle, just days away from starting the motor for the first time in some ?0 years. Replace the steering wheel, finish the interior and done. I remember having seen the car years ago stripped down and in boxes and now it’s so near completion. Narrow, dark, unfamiliar roads, light rain, headlights reflecting off everything didn’t help my night vision driving. There was a light rain happening for the drive back to Rob’s and for the first time since I owned the 74, the brakes locked up going into a turn. Put a pucker in both our butts for a moment. Another 20 feet of skid and we may have made contact with a car waiting to pull out of the street I was trying to pull into, took my foot of the brakes and the car turned. Time to start packing for the trip home.
May 13, Saturday;
It was mid morning by the time I got on the road, topped of with fuel next door to the Jiffy Lube where my nephew works and said another last “good-bye”. I hoped to make it to the Hagerstown, MD area before quitting for the day. Got caught up in heavy traffic after leaving I95 along state road 17 heading to I66 and finally to I81. Called it a day in Martinsburg, WV. For the first time ever I ate at a Popeye’s, fried chicken was pretty good. 383 miles (note the mileage)
May 14, Sunday;
I was off to a pretty early start, GPS said I would be home a little after 2 pm. The weather was overcast and cool, but not raining so at my first stop I rolled down the windows and unzipped the rear plastic window. In the area of the I287 & I87 junction at the NY, NJ boarder the skies started to spritz rain and opened up in earnest when one had to be in the middle lane of 5 lanes to catch the first left exit of the exit one is trying to take. It WAS several miles before I could safely pull off the highway to roll up all the windows. As slow as my wiper are, the Rain-Ex worked really well keeping the windshield free of water drops. This is where I remember why I dislike driving in NYC area, stop & go traffic for miles before getting on the Tappan Zee Bridge thereby pushing my arrival time at home back even more. There has been A LOT of construction on the East side of the bridge, didn’t recognize where I was and ended up on I87 towards NYC, a toll road and I took the 1st exit I came to, just past the toll so when I reentered the highway I had to pay the toll again. I wanted to get on the Merritt Pkwy then to rt8 then to I84 to go home, BUT I learned my lesson and followed the GPS instructions. I found myself on the Saw Mill River Pkwy, did you know there are 4 traffic lights on the Pkwy? Neither did I or the person who caused the miles long traffic jam when he came upon traffic sitting at a red light, curled the trunk of a car into the back seat and pushed that car into 4 more vehicles, would have been more, but there was only four cars in the line in front of the car he hit. It would appear he was traveling at highway speeds when he came around the bend with stopped traffic in front of him. This pushed my arrival time home even further back. At least traffic was light going thru Waterbury. Knowing there was little to no food in the house, I was craving a Blackie’s hot dog. They were closed, according to the hours on the door, they should have been open, but it was Mothers Day. My Subaru is blocking the garage so I just leave the TR in front of my trailer and unload it. Home at last, in the first 12 years I owned the 74 TR6 I put 8,000 miles on it, now in less than 3 weeks, I put 2,611 miles on it, more than 1/3 of the miles I put on the car since I’ve owned the 74 TR. 383 miles today. (2 day in a row 383 miles)
PS, Monday evening when I went to start the TR to attend a CTR meeting, gauge showed “0” oil pressure so I shut it down quickly, the seal at the top of my oil filter let go pumping the oil out. The “pressed” 1” nut on the K&N filter was useless, a 1” wrench wouldn’t grab it, the 1” socket (6 sided) I went out and purchased wouldn’t grab it, I had to use vice grips and destroyed it trying to get it off. Then, the 1” socket couldn’t get the NEW K&N filter tight enough not to leak oil at the top. Tossed the new K&N and used a Fram filter and filter wrench to snug it up, NO LEAK. The Subaru and the TR use the same Fram filter so I had one on hand.
On Monday July 17, 2016
(Weather Permitting)
Rain Date is Monday, July 24th
Check out their website for the latest updates on weather/cancellations.
www.markscruisenight.com
Directions: From Interstate 91, take exit 40 (Route 20). Turn right onto East St. then right onto Russell Rd. The address is 22 Russell Rd, East Granby, CT.
We will meet at 5:30PM at Gio’s Pizza located on Route 20 (3 Turkey Hill Rd. East Granby) so that we can drive in and park together. We will head over at 5:45. If you arrive later, head right on over and look for your fellow LBC’s and check out some great cars. It’s a great night out. If this event is cancelled due to weather, we WILL NOT hold our monthly membership meeting at Oasis Restaurant in Forestville.
At little more about Mark’s:
2017 is the 22nd year of the cruise, and it has grown into the largest weekly cruise night in New England.
The cruise is located on 25 acres of land in East Granby, Connecticut. This family friendly cruise is dedicated to perpetuating the memory of antique, classic and special interest vehicles.
Marks Classic Cruise is an OPEN cruise night; which means anyone is welcome to attend regardless of year, make, and model driven. Vehicles must be clean. The cruise runs every Monday night (unless inclement weather or saturated field conditions.) from 5pm to 9pm between May and September (excluding holidays).
The 21st Annual Show of Dreams benefits High Hopes Foundation of NH and the NH Food Bank. Featured Marques: Austin Healey Sprite, MG Midget, Triumph Spitfire. 27+ classes of Antique & Classic British Cars, car related vendors, local craft vendors, activities, DJ entertainment, BCNH Raffle and Silent Auction, Great Food and fun for all. Car Registration: Pre-Reg. $25.00; Day of Show Reg. $35.00; Additional Car same owner--$10.00 Spectators: Free--Donation to the charities at the gate appreciated. Contact: Diana Stanley . Phone: 603-568-9795. Email: dstan1950@gmail.com. Show site: 211 Derry Road, Hudson, NH. (Route 102).
Charity Highlights2017 "Rallye for a Cure" |
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