Ride With Tank

Monday morning, originally uploaded by Tank Mobile.

We has another great day today.

I got my sunrise ride in and saw the sunrise regulars at the overlook. It has been quite a while since I saw them last so it was great to see them again.

I returned to the room after I drank my coffee and Skidplate was up so we decided to head back up to check out the drained lake. I wanted to see it from Calderwood but for some reason they blocked off the road that runs along the lake.

We continued to Tabcat bridge and it was very interesting as you can see in the picture above. That is the original Tabcat bridge that has been under water for about 70 years. There were also several cars that had been thrown in the lake, and barrels that had contained who knows what.

The THP was on the Gap before I was this morning, but I guess the reason was there was a car wreck this morning. There were a bunch at the lake this morning and it looked like they were going to make their presence felt, but then they all left.

Back at Deals Gap!, originally uploaded by Tank Mobile.

Normally I am watching the weather to try to figure out when it is going to rain so I can work around it. This week it does not appear that I need to pay any attention to the weather because every day in the forecast is exactly the same: sunny and 81-85 degrees!

We had a great day today. We arrived at the Gap around 11:00. Not too busy today, but enough people to keep it interesting.

There was only one crash that I am aware of today and it happened this evening at two square. I don’t really know any details, but that can be one of the trickiest turns – northbound people tend to start the turn too soon and tend to go wide in the turn.

Cuz is here with a couple of his friends and we had a nice time this evening at the fire ring drinking beer and eating peanuts. A few others joined us at the fire but I don’t remember their names right now. All I can remember for sure is one guy is from Wisconsin.

There have been some changes since I was last here that I will be talking about.

Saturday MotoGP wrapup, originally uploaded by Tank Mobile.

We had dinner this evening with some folks from East Tennessee Riders. It was a German place and they had great food.

It was great to see some good folks who I have not seen in a while. I have to say that Brad from the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort is one heck of a classy guy.

I just cannot put into words how much fun I am having. Seeing these guys race in person for the first time in my life has just been awesome. The riding skill I witnessed today was incredible. Never in my life have I seen anything like this. Qualifying was unbelieveable.

Yesterday in the rain Anthony West was like a machine. The guy was just unreal. Today, in perfect conditions he qualified 19th. Dead last. Hopkins came in at 16th. I wish somebody could explain to me why these Kawasaki’s are so awesome in the rain and so pitiful when it is dry.

Tomorrow looks like it will be in the rain so that is going to mix things up a bit. I am going with 1. Rossi 2. West and 3 Spies. Stoner will crash.

MotoGP qualifying is over., originally uploaded by Tank Mobile.

I can’t believe it but I picked the top 4 qualifiers! It was Rossi first, Stoner second, Lorenzo third, and Hayden fourth.

Lorenzo and Hayden looked like they were working pretty hard, Stoner and Rossi were smooth.

0913081308.jpg, originally uploaded by Tank Mobile.

125 qualifying is underway right now, but the crowd is building for MotoGP qualifying in about an hour.

Yesterday was Anthony Wests day. He obviously had the rain figured out. Nicky Hayden had a pretty ho hum day. His first practice session was not terrible, but the second was just sad.

Today is a brand new day and Nicky is on his game.

Rossi and Stoner did pretty well both days.

It looks like we could have a wet race tomorrow. If that is the case I think West, Stoner. and Rossi will be the riders to watch.

If it is dry I see another epic battle between Stoner and Rossi with a third place for Hayden.

We will see how my predictions hold out tomorrow!