From: ranck@joesbar.cc.vt.edu (Wm. L. Ranck)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: Re: First Annual DoD Right Coast Ride - Thanks to Ed and Sandy.
Date: 28 Jul 92 00:09:30 GMT
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4

cervi@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Mark Cervi) writes:
: Many thanks to Ed and Sandy Green for excellent planning and execution.
: Ed - Tell your boss you deserve a raise.

I agree, well, except for the raise part. :-)

Well, I've waited and I haven't seen the story of the DoD vs Park Ranger
so I guess I'll give you folks a quick trip report.
On Friday I was planning on leaving work around 2 or 2:30 to go pick up
my gear and get over to the Blue Ridge Parkway by 4 to meet up with
Mark, Cliff, Sean, and Dave.  It was pouring rain at 2 so I waited till
2:30 and the rain let up.  I got my stuff and headed out.  I made it
to the BRP at about 4:05.  I needed gas, but I waited and met the 
group first.  By about 4:35 or so I had gotten gas and we all took off
together.  
   We made a quick run down to Fancy Gap and stopped there to see if
some other Denizens were there.  It was 5:20 and they had planned to
meet us at 5:00, so when we didn't see them we figured they had left.
just as we were getting ready to leave Jim Small showed up and joined
us.
   I had topped off the tank again and we headed onto the BRP to make
the run to the campground.  Sean and Dave took the lead on the Katanas
Mark was third on the Guzzi and I was fourth.  Cliff and Jim brought
up the rear.  This changed shortly because I had trouble keeping up 
on the hills.  Jim passed me and paired up with Mark.  Cliff stayed with
me as the group spread out.  The Katanas were out of sight  and Mark
and Jim were opening up their lead on us.  That is the setup. . .
   What happened next is from direct observation and other pieces of
the story told to me later.  The two leaders blazed around some corners
and right past a park ranger who was travelling in the opposite direction.
The ranger immediately hit his brakes and pulled over to make a turn
and give chase.  Mark and Jime passed him while he was still pulled over to the side.  
   When Cliff and I came around the corner Mr. Ranger was sideways in 
the road completely blocking both lanes!!  Ack!  I grabbed the brakes
and started looking for a way out.  I heard a wheel lock up, but it
wasn't mine so I just kept on looking for *someplace* to go other
than right between the words "park" and "ranger" on the front fender
of that Caprice.  At the last second the ranger backed up clearing
about half of our lane and I ducked by him.  I was slowly coasting down the side 
when the ranger roared past me.  I stopped and looked back.  Cliff was
still upright but looking somewhat stunned by the side of the road.
I went back to him and he got off his bike.  He walked off the skid
mark he left. . . 63ft.  But he kept it upright.
   Meanwhile Mr. Ranger blasted past Mark and Jim in a corner with 
oncoming traffic.  He finally caught up to the Katanas and pulled them over.
He then proceeded to tell Sean and Dave that the BRP is a dangerous
road [especially with *him* on it].  Fortunately for us he didn't
have radar.  No speeding tickets were issued.  He didn't even speak
to Cliff or me.
   We proceeded to the Right Coast Ride with the Guzzi in the lead.
I had to stop for gas once more before we got there, sigh.
I'll let the others fill in details as they feel appropriate.
My appologies in advance for any errors in my memory of what or
who.

Bill Ranck
DoD #496