(4/13/2014) I managed to get only my second day ride of the year in yesterday; and while the weather cooperated, my engine gave me trouble. On our way south earlier in the day, screamin' down I40 with its 70 mph speed limit, the engine seemed fine. It got progessively worse as the day wore on. Fortunately, I made it home OK. (I suspect my new ThunderMax ECM needs tuning.)
Mike Russo and I planned to have lunch at Buddy's Crab House at the end of NC210, right on the beach. We've eaten there before a couple of times before and love the view.
My engine began acting up so badly as we approached Topsail Island that we decided to turn around just before crossing the Topsail Island Bridge.
Another incentive to turn around was the traffic: the line onto the island was bumper-to-bumper for more than a mile, which shouldn't have surprised us given how great the weather and after such a long winter.
We decided to take US17 north through Jacksonville to New Bern. Mike said he wanted barbecue for lunch, so when we reached Moore's Bar-B-Que on US17 on the south side of New Bern, we pulled over.
We were not disappointed. A very friendly staff served us a huge plate full of ribs and other good eating for only a little over $10 each. We got the Saturday special: baby back ribs.
We forgot to put on sun screen and got a little burned. But after a little more than 300 miles, we felt like we had a good ride for the weekend.
Tomorrow (Monday), I'm taking my sick machine to the bike hospital: Jockey's Cycle in Morrisville. We'll soon see whether or not I'm going to be a happy camper this year.
Keep the shiny side up!
-The Long Rider