Bennington Triumph Bash

Thanks again for another great Bash. The weather was excellent all week for me. Joe and I went kickstands up at 4 a.m. in order to beat the weather. We were successful aside from the first 14 miles being a little drizzly. As always it was great seeing everybody and catching up... I love sharing stories from past Bashes.... Embellished or not. I'm already looking forward to next year. I hope everyone arrives home safely. Scot

In Boston at my daughter's Special Olympics event. Out about 5:30 for a wet ride home. But at least no torrential downpours. Great seeing everyone again. Thanks to Mark, Allen, Jim, Jeff and all the others who help to put this together every year. See you next year for a decade of the BTB.

We drove down on account of the wife's last-minute knee injury and I can't say at the end of this day that I am sorry about it. At times over the border it was down to near-zero visibility.

Big wife points for not putting her through the carwash again this year.

That's the idea, anyway.

A pleasure to see everyone and do some catching up despite leaving the bikes at home.

left at 9:30 after breakfast & got home at 6:30. rained most of the way but nothing bad. still enjoyed the ride.

alan

Rained nearly all the way back home, and when I arrived I promptly dropped the Tiger in the barn when my soaked boot slipped on the concrete floor. No damage though.

Also discovered that my Aerostich Transit pants have sprung a leak in the crotch. Not pleased about that.

Great Bash as always despite the damp Sunday, and so much fun to see everyone again!

--mark

I peeled out Saturday afternoon as I know from experience that the long ride home to Philadelphia in the rain is no fun.

Still got tagged by a microburst at the NY/NJ border, but my raingear kept me mostly dry for the half hour the sky opened up. I was crawling past other bikers who had taken refuge under overpasses; when I started crawling by *cars* that were doing the same, I began to question my perseverance.

Pushed through anyhow and made it home around midnight Saturday, got a bonus day with my wife and kids as well as some great VT riding, all in one weekend.

Thanks to Dan for leading a great Saturday Central VT ride- highlights included Charles Bronson's gravesite and the world's longest covered bridge.

Thanks to Mark, Alan, Matt, Jim and all the rest who continue to make this the "must attend" event of the year, and thanks to everyone who shows up and makes it a fun time.

I have some pics I will post in a separate thread.

Mark Siry,

someone found an Ipod in the paradise parking lot. someone thought it might be yours. We gave it to Jim Hamlin since he said you had an appointment with him in a couple weeks.

alan

That is mine, thanks! Much appreciated, I thought I left it at McDonalds when I was hurriedly pulling on my raingear. I'll grab it when I go see Jim.

I split on Saturday afternoon to avoid the Rain. Still a great bash this year again. After getting the chance to ride on some dirt roads, I think I'm starting to understand the whole Adventure bike thing. I always though the adventure bikes were tall and top heavy, but the Tigers don't seem that way at all and the suspension is way better than my America

Home safe. No problems. Even stayed dry!
See you all next year.
KoF

gilligan wrote:I split on Saturday afternoon to avoid the Rain. Still a great bash this year again. After getting the chance to ride on some dirt roads, I think I'm starting to understand the whole Adventure bike thing. I always though the adventure bikes were tall and top heavy, but the Tigers don't seem that way at all and the suspension is way better than my America

Yes, good job Pat! And dont forget the "adventure" part of that ride when we got to the bridge that was "out" but they left us just enough room to jump the curb & squeeze by the barrier to ride across on the sidewalk:)

alan

I left this morning about 09:30. Beautiful day to ride home through the Berkshires. Got home at 14:30.

Thanks to everyone that contributed to another great event.

Gerry

marcsiry wrote:That is mine, thanks! Much appreciated, I thought I left it at McDonalds when I was hurriedly pulling on my raingear. I'll grab it when I go see Jim.

I was one who recognized it as belonging to "the guy on the new Thruxton 1200R". Now I can place a name to the face...and the bike. When you showed it to me earlier in the day I was wondering how it stayed on, thinking the cuff of your leather jacket might knock it off. Glad you know you're on here and are going to get it back.

Great having you along with the group that my good friend Dan had led around central Vermont, Marc. Perhaps you should have spent more time up near the front 3 during the day, as you flowed well with me & Dan on 9 once we got past the tanker truck. We kind of hoofed it back in a hurry from that point on because we figured everyone else in the group knew where they were by then, and where to go at whatever pace they chose.

Only Casey, the younger fellow on the black Thruxton 900 was found (by me) at the Saturday night dinner. He sat with me, Dan, the 50/50 winner Carl and we talked about the ride. He was so excited, saying he learned a lot just by watching Dan but wants more training. Dan & I gave him some pointers, and suggested a track day for confidence building....as I would any rider at any level.

Looking forward to next year already!

Ken M.
2011 Tiger 800 ABS

It was a perfect event and so great to build relationships, old and new.
Hey Mark, how about Rachel and the way she can ride? You sure had a grin on
your face at the end of the Tracy Rd. You guys were flying!
She left a lot of her boot on the twisty's, and you too, even on a Tiger! Damn!
Like everyone else, road through 3 1/2 hrs. of rain to Maine, it quit for the last hour.
Got a bit chilled, but made it. It was worth the price.
Thanks all for everything and I'll see you next year.
John

left at 8 Sunday morning and rode home in the rain.
I still took the long way around and was on the road for 5 hours+
my waterproof trousers and gloves gave up
the jacket and boots were damp inside
the tiger ran great on the ethanol free gas
see ya next year