Ride Report - Charlotte on Charlotte

[malibu_dan]

My Spyder's name is Charlotte. Yes, it's a literary reference--and a movie we all cried at (admit it, it will make you feel better to be honest). However, she can't read. So, she wanted to visit the town that's her namesake.

Okay, that's not true. The trip is to go pick up a new (to me) used trailer from a bloke named Jerry, yes over in Charlotte. It all kind of happened quickly, first a buddy asked if I wanted to go to a Rally in Maggie Valley. Room was already paid for, and his wife bailed on him (foreshadowing). Speaking of domestic disturbances, see below... more on that later.

But the tale really revolved around me finding a trailer to pull behind Charlotte used... in Charlotte. Seemed like fate. Rally in NC. Trailer in NC. Charlotte... you get the idea. Feels like kismet. So, let's tear the Spyder apart and rewire stuff, and I don't know. It just seems every time a trip is on the horizon, the bike has to look like this a few days ahead of time!

...to be continued...

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: Is ther going to be a web involved in this story? :dontknow:



I can't wait to see what happens next! :bbq::bbq::bbq:

 

[pegasus1300]

Since my Spyder goes by the same name(from the same source) I have to see how this is going to turn out. Don't keep us waiting too long.

 

[malibu_dan]

Thanks for riding along folks!

Bob, spider webs would be a different story, back to a time about a week after bringing the F3-S home--and part of the impetus for her name. Let's just say the black widow painted on the saddle bag is in memorial to the first time I had to tear all the tupperware off the body (glad I didn't buy a RT).

 

[BoilerAnimal]

After years of listening to Paul Harvey, I'm waiting for "The Rest of the Story"!

 

[pegasus1300]

Thanks for riding along folks!

Bob, spider webs would be a different story, back to a time about a week after bringing the F3-S home--and part of the impetus for her name. Let's just say the black widow painted on the saddle bag is in memorial to the first time I had to tear all the tupperware off the body (glad I didn't buy a RT).

that sucker is HUGE

 

[malibu_dan]

Well, about 3 days before heading out, my buddy calls me up. "Hey, have you looked at the weather forecast for next weekend?"

Me, "No, why?"

"Well, they're showing rain all weekend for Maggie Valley," said my buddy. "Last year, it rained and that was no fun. I don't like riding in the rain. Why are you hard-core, would you go anyways?"

"I took the time off work, of course I'm going. Plus I have to pick up the trailer in Charlotte. With Charlotte," I replied.

"I'm not going to go, sorry." Foreshadowing fulfilled.

So, my daughter asked if she could go since it was no longer a 'guys' weekend. I enjoy spending time with my daughter, so out with the loser buddy, in with the baby-girl!

Up at the crack of before dawn, try to beat the rush-hour traffic out of town, first stop is breakfast in Gainsville!

"Huddle House, throw everything together and put it on a biscuit, please!"

...to be continued...

 

[pegasus1300]

(To be continued).............today....................soon :2excited:

 

[Bob Denman]

:clap: It's getting pretty good!
(What happens next? )

 

[BoilerAnimal]

I can't hold my breath much longer!

 

[malibu_dan]

Next? Miles and smyles! Myles and smiles! Can't decide which looks better.

Got a new action cam to try out on the trip. The new Sony with the built in image stabilization, not just digital IS like the GoPro--we'll see if we get enough good footage to splice together at the end.

Saw this at one of the 'pauses' during the day. Made me wonder if I picked the right mode of transportation as the heat index was pushing a hundred. Someone sure has a case of two-foot-itis...

To give some insight into my baby-girl's wonderful, slightly twisted mind, at this same stop we indulged in some fruity snacks (with 8% REAL juice). She started calling out,

"Diseased lungs... tainted liver... mad-cow brain..." to describe the oddly colored little snack morsels.

...to be continued...

 

[malibu_dan]

But the main event, the highlight of the day, the pièce de résistance was a stop that my daughter had requested. She had found a map of the United States that had the most curious named towns, one for each state. And for South Carolina, it was Sugar Tit. Sugar Tit, SC. Yup. Not much remains of this little unincorporated little cross road, except a race track, and a Moonshine Distillery. We chose the distillery.

I don't recall the name of our hostess, please don't tell her I forgot if you decide to stop by for your own tasting of what I now believe to be some of the best moonshine you'll ever have. Straight up 100 proof, or flavored with their own sweet fruit infusions. At one time the first and only moonshine made with a 6 window flute distiller in South Carolina. Or so I was told.

Well, you can see all 6 windows behind us as my daughter does her best "Vanna" pose.

This is their 'redneck cooling recirculator" made with a Coleman cooler and a window air conditioner! If they'd used a Yeti, I might have had to borrow it for my (hopefully my) new used, but new to me, trailer.

Mission accomplished! We visited Sugar Tit. Baby-girl gots a t-shirt to prove it, so she's happy. Miles are getting long now, so not so many smiles. How much further to Charlotte?

...to be continued...

 

[malibu_dan]

One of the non-fuel stopportunities along the way that grabbed my daughter's attention was the town of Cowpens, SC. Named for Cowpens National Battlefield, the location of a pivotal battle for independence against the regular British army. Daniel Morgan led the troops, and used a classic military tactic, known as a double envelopment--it was one of only a few in history, and the only successful time this particular flanking maneuver was used in the American Revolution. You can read more about it here >> https://www.nps.gov/cowp/learn/historyculture/the-battle-of-cowpens.htm

Our purpose was not to see history, well not in the above sense. We thought the name was curious and they had some quaint antique shops--a different slice of history.

See? The flag says it's "Historic"...

How about a selfie with baby-girl?

No, honey... we're riding a Spyder...

That's IT! :clap:

We spent the next hour perusing around the shops, looking at things that could never fit into the over-stuffed Spyder. "Maybe we can come back on the way home when we have the trailer, Dad!" We did meet a wonderful shop keeper, Cindy I believe was her name, at the Sweet Pea shop. She's a little camera shy, and ducked when she realized I was framing up a picture. Stop in and see her if you're ever in the area.

I know one of you wants this for your man cave...

...to be continued...

 

[malibu_dan]

We slabbed it into a traffic jam in Charlotte, NC to finish out day one. Well, not quite the finish.

Our home for the next couple of days...

Figured we better get some food, but when I walked out of the hotel I was greeted by this.

These nice officers wanted to speak to a Mr. Rodriquez. I don't know if they were able to convince him to refocus his efforts, because the next day there were 5 squad cars gracing our hotel.

Well some dinner, I believe, was in order.

...to be continued...

 

[BoilerAnimal]

Do you know what Mr. Rodriquez did?

 

[malibu_dan]

Our fine officers were tight lipped. I only gleaned our unfortunate friends name through stealth and eavesdropping. :shemademe_smilie:

 

[malibu_dan]

It is Friday. Friday is all about getting the trailer.

Meet Jerry. Jerry is a Goldwing owner who bought a tow-behind Aluma Trailer from a buddy 10 years ago. Jerry's only used the trailer 3 times in 10 years, so now I want to make it my trailer.

As we chatted and I crawled around under the trailer, Jerry confessed he was having some seller's remorse last night. I quickly hand the cash to his wife, and hook up the trailer. Just incase I have to make a quick exit.

The trailer will need a few things tweaked, but it looks to be in great shape.

I don't take time to hook up the plug, I just ran the wiring harness without terminating it on the bike--turns out my thought was true, Jerry had rewired the connector to match up to the harness on his Goldwing. We'll take care of it at the hotel.

...to be continued...

 

[malibu_dan]

Back at the hotel. Is there a glimpse of shade? Maybe around back. Seems Mr. Rodriquez has attracted a crowd today--5 squad cars. I thought we were in the good part of town...

To work!

Red wire, blue wire, brown wire, smoo wire. My baby-girl is smart. Let's put her to work.

Gave her the wiring schematic for the trailer. She cut into the harness to cross reference the cross-overs to the plug colors. Gave her the schematic for the wiring harness from our sponsor, Electrical Connections. She told me what to hook to which. I didn't second guess or double check. Her score? 100! A+! Perfect the first time! :bowdown:

...to be continued...

 

[Atxspyder]

That is a great story!!!
from another charlotte owner

 

[3 Wheel Rider]

in honor of :spyder: so far your story is...T-E-E-R-R-I-I-F-F-I-I-C-C