"Don't Catch an sTD"

[snivek996]

I had a lot of fun! It was well worth the Monkey Ass and arm pump...great to ride with all of you.

Thanks for being a great guide Troy - you did an outstanding job. 

[Daren]

Hey in that picture on the covered bridge, did you guys put the yellow bike in front cause you felt sorry for it or did he just push it up there after everyone else turned theirs off? 

[Grifo]

he just push it up there after everyone else turned theirs off? 

He did...
this was the view from my room on Saturday morning

[ToasterTank]

Yeah we rode past on 465 while u Holligans were all tucked in nicely.

[Grifo]

Come on people post up the pics

[sTD]

OK, here's the quick and dirty trip report:




The Missus & I packed up the afternoon of 06.12 and blasted down to Indy Ducati to meet up with Hooligans that were tough enough to accept my challenge: Keep up with me on my setup-for-dirt Multistrada with wore-out 616s, a passenger, and saddlebags, over some of the twistiest roads in Indiana.  Mario (Grifo) on his S4RS, Bryan S (BryanS) on his M1000, Kevin W (screaminss) on his 1098, Kevin S (snivek) on his 996, Brian Z (Zubi) on his BMW R1100 were there by the time we arrived.  We checked into the hotel, then Matt & Bill Carr led us downtown to the Italian Festival going on: good beer, good food, and nice hardware.  We got to park next to a couple Ferraris & a Maserati that were already on display, in addition to the few bikes that showed up from Indy Desmo Club.

We adjourned to a bar until 3am, which meant we were all in great shape to go at the planned 0900 departure

Both Gilad (giladl) on his 800SS, and Drew (agaduc996) on his ST4 were waiting for us in the lobby by the time we bumped our way down into the lobby for breakfast.  I think we finally rolled at around 1030, after screaminss decided the thousand-liter rucksack he brought was just a little to large.  (Several of us joked he could probably carry Travis in there.)  Off to Indy Ducati to buy a much-more practical size backpack, and we're off. 

Oni (DucLeone) on his M800 was waiting to meet us at McCormick's State Park since about 1000, and we finally rolled in there around noon, after a trip down a tasty bit of 39 and a lot of slab.  We picked him up and wasted no time getting to 43 to drag some pegs.  From 43, we then roosted down 158, which ends at a Naval Weapons Center, complete with an ominous-looking gated guard outpost.  Of course, being Hooligans, we peed on the fence, and Zubi stuck a HH sticker on the (unmanned) guard shack window




Before the armed patrols showed up, we beat feet out of there, and stopped in Bedford for lunch.




While digesting, we saw this lady motoring up a four-lane highway... going who knows where?




Then we shredded up 450, which is a tasty little road, and ran across this cool covered bridge.  Zubi tried his best to burn it down, and we marked it with a HH sticker:





From there, it was back to Bedford to pick up 58 east, but not before I decided to try a backroad... after all, I hadn't heard nearly enough whining out of the group yet   Parts of it were not quite one-lane wide, with plenty of gravel patches thrown in... I had fun, but I got the moaning and groaning I was looking for   Get some real bikes already, chumps.

58 east out of Bedford is a cool road, then it was 135 north to 45, then back to Bloomington.  In all we covered about 320 miles of some of the best riding in Indiana, marked our territory in numerous locations, and slathered the beautiful countryside with hoohoo stickers.  Roughly 320 miles, and 11 hours.  No tickets.  No crashes.

Off to Lennie's for a late dinner and local brew, then we passed out.  In the morning, I gave out the First Annual Don't Catch an sTD Awards:

Biggest Whiner: Bryan S, with a serious case of sand in the shorts the night before
Biggest Hooligan: Mario, for nearly taking me out with a crummy wheelie
Biggest Lightweight: Zubi, since his punk-a$$ couldn't keep up on the Bimmer.

(Zubi has the pix of the awards!)


After breakfast, everybody jetted for home, and the Missus & I turned south again to go roost in the Hoosier National Forest.  I'll let one of the "lucky ones" tell the tale of their trip home...

We spent the next 4 or 5 hours shredding dirt roads and trails like this:




And this:




With dropoffs like this:




We came across a really cool bridge that was manufactured in 1892 by the "Lafayette Bridge Company":



'
And a 220 foot tall fire tower that you could climb:




Views from the top





And looking down (not for the vertigo-prone):




The lovely Missus:




The riding was awesome, and the scenery was spectacular... who knew in Indiana?





We stopped for a break at a creek and listened to the sounds of slience.  Ahhh.... The Missus posing:




And The Poser:




Around 1600, we decided to save the rest for another trip, popped into Nashville for a turkey and pheasant sammich, then rode on home.  811 Miles, 51.4mpg, and plenty of mud to clean off... nice.

[BryanS]

I've created a gallery album where we can all collectively upload and check out photos from the ride -

you can find it at --->  http://www.hoosierhooligans.org/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=123

[sTD]

Missus sTD took a vid of us roosting through the HNF.  Check it out:

[ToasterTank]

Nice ride wish I could of been there.  I would of preferred the second ride though.  Hey you roosted in the trees.  Excellent sleeping with the turkeys.  Liked the video.  awesome.

[DucLeone]

I've created a gallery album where we can all collectively upload and check out photos from the ride -

you can find it at --->  http://www.hoosierhooligans.org/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=123

No image available

[Grifo]

No image available

Yeah Bryan needs to upload some pics already....

[screaminss]

Kick-ass write up Troy. And thanks again for putting this all together. Cant wait tilll next year!!

[Grifo]

Kevin & I heading South on 31 on Friday.


Zubi testing the SF one at Indy Ducati


Hurry up Patrick, He's ready 


By the soddisfied look on his face, I think he liked it 

[Grifo]

The rest of the crew finally joined us Friday and Bill Carr lead the way to the Italian Street Festival on the Southside of Indy. Matt Carr rode along on a 1198S


Pretty bikes on display at the festival.


Pretty ladies too!

[Grifo]

Shenanigans later that evening, Yes we had a designated driver and Matt's pick up to haul our asses around.

[Grifo]

Our Italian queens getting put to good use.




About ready to take off for our 320 mile twisty ride on Saturday morning.




One of the many stops to check out the scenery

[Grifo]

One of the many stops for gas    and some hooliganism...






Awards presentation Sunday morning before heading home.
Bryan Zubi Can't keep up award 


Hooligan award
 

Whiner award (Bryans)