GPZ Trip Report

[Charles Scappaticci]

Hi All,

The list is pretty dead these days, but it doesn't mean there isn't any GPZ
riding going on.

I got back Monday from a ride to the east coast from Denver on the GPZ,
though we cheated and towed to Wichita Kansas to avoid 540 miles of the
windy, flat, I-70 drive.  It also helped keep our fresh rubber new for
riding the Smoky Mountains.  I went with my friend, Bruce who some of you
have met, he has ridden with me for many years, including my last trip to
Alaska and stayed with his sister, Lisa.

Saturday morning, we loaded up the bikes in a light fog and drizzle and
headed east on 421 then north in Missouri.  We had planned a route to keep
us off of the freeways and stayed true to that.  We went farther north than
we probably needed, but crossed the Mississippi at Cairo, IL then
immediately crossed the Ohio river and stopped for the evening in Paducah,
KY after having ridden 540 miles, mostly in cool temps with occasional
drizzle and frequently wet roads.  Glad I had my heated jacket liner and
grips!!

Sunday morning, we left Paducah in a heavy, wet fog but drove out of it in
about 1/2 hour and headed south through Kentucky.  The weather was cool and
cloudy, but dry and a little warmer so it was a much better ride than
Saturday.  We cut south through Nashville as we were both tired and worked
our way down to Tellico Plains where we met Bruce's son, Danny, who also
rode to Alaska with us.  We got a cabin at Hunts motorcycle campground,
unloaded and headed east around the Cherohala Skyway for a nice evening
ride.  I was feeling pretty rusty as I hadn't really ridden the GPZ since
August 2018 when I took it to Sturgis, not exactly a technical ride from
Denver.  I was doing out of state consulting work for a while and then last
summer was a bust with Covid and having to move after my ex screwed me out
of my house.  Anyway, it was a nice ride to help me get my timing back.
Rode 400 miles.

Monday morning, we had a light breakfast then headed down the Cherohala
Skyway once again then over to run the Tail of the Dragon.  I had run it
over Thanksgiving in 2018 on a rented Ducati Multistrada and had a great
time riding the roads there.  We went through and back with no accidents or
performance awards, took a few pictures then headed towards Maggie Valley
to see the Wheels Through Time motorcycle museum.  I highly recommend this
museum to anyone visiting the area, as it's first class all the way.
Afterwards, we worked our way back and headed back up the Skyway once again
but at a fast pace. Heading into a hard left corner by an overlook, I hit
the brakes only to find I had no back brake and almost piled it up before
getting it turned.  The rest of the ride back I avoided using the rear
brake, guessing correctly I had cooked the back brake fluid, a later
examination of my maintenance log indicated I hadn't changed the fluid in
13 years.  Oops...  Turns out Danny had done much the same to his FZ09's
front brakes.

Next morning, we said our goodbyes as they were headed to Auburn Alabama
where Danny lives and I headed out by myself towards Greensboro, NC where
my girlfriend, Mary, lives.  I got to ride the Skywaya once more then
mostly slabbed it to Greensboro as my back was (and is) killing me.  I had
accidentally hurt my back the night before we left trying to find my
cigarette adapter, which I didn't find, and it has had me in pain ever
since, though I think it's finally on the mend.  I got into Greensboro
around 5:00 and unpacked for the night.  Wednesday was a relaxing day to
try to get some rest.  After the trip there, it was obvious my old riding
gear needed to go to the dump.  I wore all my old gear and kept my newer
gear at home, but I've lost over 50lbs since I used to wear them, so they
were huge and wouldn't stay up.  Thursday, we went to Cycle Gear in
Greensboro and I bought a nice pair of armored cordura jeans with knee pads
which are very comfortable, then went back to the house and removed the
luggage racks on the GPZ plus I flushed the rear brake fluid which brought
that back to life.

Friday morning, I hopped on the bike and headed 200+ miles to Wilmington,
NC to see the Atlantic ocean.  I wanted a picture of the bike looking over
the Atlantic ocean as I have pics of it in Alaska looking over the Arctic
ocean, the Pacific Ocean and now the Atlantic.  I decided I'm going to do a
write up of all the major trips I have taken on the mighty GPZ over 24
years and 72K miles.  Did 460 miles round trip.  The bike never missed a
beat over the whole trip and I can't say enough good about the Michelin
Pilot Road 4 GT's I put on before the trip, really great tires.

Saturday, I washed the bike then borrowed a few tools to change the oil,
cleaned and oiled the chain, filled the tank with Sta-Bil treated
non-ethanol gas, drained the carburetors and hooked up a battery maintainer
before covering it up until I visit Greensboro once again.  I've got a 2014
Ducati Multistrada GT and a 2003 Vulcan 1600 Classic so I have bikes to
ride here in Denver.  One reason to leave it is that I'm looking to
relocate to Greensboro and this would be one less bike to have to move.  I
think the old girl still has a few more adventures left in her, maybe
Daytona next spring?

Sorry for the long post, but I hope to hear of some others and their rides
this summer.  I'm looking forward to the warm weather!

Charles S.
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