I'm ready bummed you guys canceled because of weather and that a few others seemed to have followed your lead. I had to travel the same route pretty much as you in the same storm and I was on the Spyder not in a truck and it honestly was no big deal. We did see flooded areas but none of them effected our travel. We got rained on for about 150 miles or so but I've been in rain that you couldn't see the car ahead of you before and it was nothing like that. Trust me I was just as concerned about the weather as any and if you watch the weather channel long enough you'll think the whole country is being wiped out. I learned a long time ago that what you see on the weather channel is not always what the real world situation is.
Believe me Lamont, you cannot possibly be bummed any more than I am about us cancelling our trip. The biggest problem is I would not have driven through the same storms as you did. Due to my work schedule we were going to leave the house at 2:00 this morning, and that would have put us driving through GA, TN, and KY, during the harshest part of the second front that was rolling through. Google Maps stated it was almost a 15 hour trip one way, and I was hoping to roll into Cuba by 6:00 PM this evening. I don't usually pay attention to The Weather Channel, but was checking the radar frequently today while at work and it wasn't looking good for those areas at all. I am also hoping that everything is fine at your house right now, along with anyone else that lives in central to east TN.
It may be hard to see all of the Watch and Warning boxes, but this is what my radar picture looked like at 3:00 PM today:
I will say even though there have been some cancellations because of weather and partly because of your post pushing people over the edge that were on the fence there are way more folks here on a Tuesday than anyone expected. They had planned for 50 folks for dinner last night and we had well over 100 on Tuesday night. There were 47 Spyders in the parking lot at one count and they were rolling in and out all night. Most of these folks rode their Spyders in on Tuesday through the very same weather front you were concerned about.
I was not trying to sway anyone else's decision by posting this thread, and honestly don't think I have anything resembling a fan base here that would ever follow my lead on a decision like this.
The reason I posted it is because we had appointments with a few people to do lighting installs on their Spyders. Reggy was bringing the TricLED products and we were going to assist by providing the labor. I also know there were several others who were interested in the TricLED products that wanted to check things out first and not commit to an appointment. Since we decided to not attend this event it was only right to let all of those people know we would not be there, instead of just being a no show.
I am glad that more Spyders were there than you expected, and hope the rest of them continue to roll in safely as well. :thumbup:
I'm truly sorry you guys didn't make it but after meeting
murphybrown from Washington state and hearing about her trip on her Spyder in all sorts of weather and the fact that she's 70 years old and rode by herself I told the folks here that I was going to give you a hard time for canceling your trip in your truck because of a little storm.
I hope the rest of you folks that are on the fence will come on out, it's going to be a great time.:thumbup:
I have truly enjoyed reading about Murphy Brown's adventures in making it to Cuba for Spyderfest. I also liked hearing about Carousel from Firefly as that is another very courageous Spyder Ryder. My hat is definitely off to them.
I totally understand you giving me a hard time, and as I posted and you quoted I was ready for it. There comes a time when decisions need to be made based on what is most valuable to the person making that decision. In this case my decision was based on the safety of my family and my responsibility to them as a husband and a father. They are my priority and as much as I really want to be at Spyderfest right now, I am comfortable with my decision.
I also hope that anyone that was on the fence decides to attend the event. As far as I know the 2 rooms we had booked at Motel 6 might still be available and each one had 2 queen beds so any last minute ryders may be able to get some shelter there. I truly wish everyone the best of times while there, and a safe journey back home as well.
There will not be another Spyderfest 2011, but there will be other events for me to attend. :thumbup: