T.W.O. Closing 1982 -2011

After 29 years, Two Wheels Only Campground (aka T.W.O. to thousands of motorcyclist) is closing. According to their website they have lost the lease to the property on which the business resides in Suches Georgia, and the owners do not want to sell it. I was introduced to T.W.O. soon after it opened, and while I never camped there or spent the night in their lodging, I supported them enthusiastically with the purchase of their great food. (Often to the point that the ride home was quite a bit slower than the  ride down!)
TWO is surrounded by some of the best roads in the south, and you can get there and back in a day from not only Knoxville, but also from Atlanta. I was never there when I didn't see some kind of exotic sportbike in the parking lot, and since you had to make an effort to get there, the crowd was always composed of real riders. No posers in the lot. It was just a cool place to take a break hang out.
Let's hope that they can find a new location close by, and re-open soon, though I have no idea if that is in their plan. If they do re-open, I'll let you know.

Dream Rangers - What do you live for?

I have never posted any type of You Tube stuff before, but this link is a commercial / mini-movie that is just,... well it's just great!  It is about 5 elderly Taiwanese men, avg age 81, all near the end, who decide to make a trip. I'm not sure if its more about re-living youth or celebrating life. It is sub-titled, but you don't need to read the words to know what it is about. It is truly an exceptional piece of work, and a true story. After you see this, I guarantee you that you will remember why you ride. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vksdBSVAM6g&feature=email

REAL Adventure Riders from Knoxville - http://fairtanker.blogspot.com

The term 'Adventure Rider" is pretty common these days, but there are two real adventure riders from Knoxville who are, as you read this, somewhere in Central America with no GPS, no $1,000 riding suits, no trip itinerary, and to top it off are riding early 70"s XL Honda's (a 250 and and 350).

Mike and Tank left Knoxville on January 14th heading for somewhere in South America. I wasn't able to meet up with Mike before they left, so I don't know what the exact plan is, or even if there is an exact plan. (If you guys see this, send me some details!) These guys are part of the now famous 555 Club, who rode across the country on old Hondas a while back, so they are not new to adventure, or pushing their luck. Honestly, I have no desire to make the kind of trip they are making.  I can only admire that they are intrepid enough to go into Mexico, Guatemala, and wherever else south of the border they are going next, armed with nothing more than a good tool kit and an adventuresome spirit.

 I have no idea how they are able to update their blog, or how often, but if you can appreciate some real reality travels, you need to check their blog out. The address is http://fairtanker.blogspot.com They have posted some incredible pictures, and even some on bike videos. (The pics you see here are from their blog) Be sure to go back to the "older post" so you can track their adventure from the beginning. When I think about what these guys are doing it makes any ride I have ever done seem like child's play. I can say that in all my years of riding I have never had to sleep in an abandoned hotel, take apart my engine in a hotel room, or had machine guns pointed at me while I went down the road. Hopefully they won't have to  experience that again on this trip.

Mike and Tank, if you can see this, all of your friends in Knoxville are thinking about you. God bless and look over you both!  I'll buy you a beer when you get back!