Gettysburg ride today in perfect weather

Panzer · April 18, 2009, 07:08:29 PM

Just a report on a great ride to Gettysburg, Pa.

Gettysburg Harley Davidson staged a dyno shootout today 4/18/09.
The trip from S.E. Pa. to Battlefield HD was picture perfect, sunny and 75*.
To accompany me was my son on his 02' Fatboy, of which he put on the dyno.
The dyno usage charge was $25.00
There was no waiting line for the dyno testing and the interns for the testing were more then obliging and pleasent.
A video screen was provide in the waiting room to view what the dyno was saying in digital readout and a graph showed high hp and torque.
He had top HP at 114 for the first 8 bikes until on guy came in at 122.
After watching several bikes show there stuff on the dyno, son and I stepped outside so he could park his fatboy.

One gentleman walked up to my bike while my back was turned and I heard him say, "Panzer"?
I almost snapped my neck turning around, only to meet Sonny S. along with Mr. Mayor, both HTT members.
It was great seeing those two and putting faces with names that I see so much here on HTT.
Mayor asked me about knowing Mr. Specialx1, as if ever meeting him in person.
He said that the way we bust on each other, he thought we were the best of friends.
I told him no, we never met, and I don't think I want to either.

After the shaking of hands, son and I took a short tour of Gettysburg battlefield grounds.
If you only know a little history of the Gettysburg battle, your tour will almost bring tears to your eyes, knowing so many men died for the cause they believed in.
Many, trudging for days, weak from lack of food, dysentery etc. knew they were on the march to the death, sad, very sad.

Leaving the battlefield, we headed south for home.
The were so many bike on the road, everywhere, my arm was getting tired of waving to the riders going in the opposite direction.

On a fuel stop 30 miles south of the battlefield, I went in the store to pay.
In there was a little red haired boy about 7 years old that looked at me wearing my helmet at the counter.
I said, "Hi dude', well he never said a word & never took his eyes off of me.
His grand dad was at the door holding it open for me and the boy......looking back he was still at the counter still staring at me, like he was transfixed, I had to laugh.
He finally became unglued from the floor only after his grand dad said "lets go".
I told the grand dad, I think he's staring at me and he said yup it's you motorcycle helmet you're wearing. LOL LOL
This little guy went to the back seat of the car and never once took his eyes off of me while I walked to my bike.
That made my whole day thinking back to that little red haired tike.
The only regret was not having asked the grand father if I could show him my bike up close and personal.
Well, I drove away happy anyway.

The next stop was at Chesapeake Harley Davidson in Maryland, but this time for a ten minute rest, then to home.

Ending the journey, we covered 205 miles of pure enjoyment that God offered to this rider.
I have wind and sunburn on my face and chapped lip to boot.
I know I have asked others for pixs & in truth, pixs were taken of this ride (including Mayor and Sonny S) but I have yet to figure out how to attach them to a post like this.
Heaven knows, I have tried.

I like hearing stories of other riders trips and in a small way, I hope you like mine as well.
May you all have safe and trouble free miles ahead this year and all years, I know I will.

Panzer

Evo1 · April 18, 2009, 07:35:01 PM

Panzer, great story!

Sounds like you had one of those days that you'll never forget. Gettyburg is truly a special place. I could easily spend several days there and can't wait to get back. If you ever get a chance, look up the role of the 1st Minnesota at the Angle. It truly sums up the dedication, courage and sacrifice made by all from both sides.

Evo1

Sonny S. · April 18, 2009, 07:55:27 PM

Great post ! ...and good to meet you and your son Panzer

Panzer · April 18, 2009, 08:02:51 PM

Sonny, I'm Panzer, my son is Richard.
Get with the program......geeeze.

Sonny S. · April 18, 2009, 08:06:59 PM

well heck, I thought he was Panzer Jr.

mayor · April 18, 2009, 08:10:38 PM

here's a couple of HTT members:

here's proof where we was (riding shots):

one of our other HTT member's AC mounts didn't survive the dyno, so Sonny had an idea of how he can make it back home without buying another AC set up:

mayor · April 18, 2009, 08:12:19 PM

one of my favorites from the day:

Panzer · April 18, 2009, 08:25:00 PM

Great, now I'm getting tons of females calling me and one text message from Specialx1.

The answer is "N O" special, don't text me again.

Grumpy : ( · April 19, 2009, 03:56:16 AM

Cool pics, glad y'all got to meet. OK, besides Panzer who's in the pic, Sonny or Richard?

G : (

mayor · April 19, 2009, 04:01:47 AM

that's Sonny. here he is sporting his old school:

Blackbaggr · April 19, 2009, 04:45:32 AM

Is that Peter Fonda ?

Ape_do · April 19, 2009, 04:45:42 AM

'Great story, Panzer. My dad and I used to ride to Gettysburg back when we lived in Phoenixville. He doesn't ride anymore, and I sure do miss those times. Although I can't believe that I took all that grief about not posting a pic, from a guy who doesn't know how to post a pic

.

I'm gonna have to start choosing up sides with Mr. Specialx1

I was gonna ask how Sonny recognized you, but then I saw the lettering on your bike. My knuckles dragging across the floor tend to give me away in public (well, that and being purple and all)...

Sonny S. · April 19, 2009, 04:54:00 AM

Quote from: dsanchez on April 19, 2009, 04:45:32 AM
Is that Peter Fonda ?

<------------- he wished he was that cool

>>>I was gonna ask how Sonny recognized you, but then I saw the lettering on your bike<<<

The lettering would have worked .....but........
Panzer can tell ya the rest

good thing there was only 1 yellow Sportster

HV · April 19, 2009, 04:54:18 AM

Great work Panzer ..love these HTT ride pics... this is what makes HTT great ...added to the techy stuff....

MrClean · April 19, 2009, 04:57:28 AM

The story is great as are the pictures. A big thank you to all of you.

Reddog74usa · April 19, 2009, 05:14:49 AM

Great post

Snuff™ · April 19, 2009, 05:19:55 AM

It's good to be able to put faces/bikes to names.

Maybe this summer I'll get to Gettysburg. Been wanting to do that for years.

-Snuff

Sonny S. · April 19, 2009, 05:23:00 AM

>>>one of our other HTT member's AC mounts didn't survive the dyno, so Sonny had an idea of how he can make it back home without buying another AC set up:<<<

Mayor did the work..... I smelled BBQ and sorta split

mayor · April 19, 2009, 05:44:21 AM

Quote from: Sonny S. on April 19, 2009, 05:23:00 AM
>>>one of our other HTT member's AC mounts didn't survive the dyno, so Sonny had an idea of how he can make it back home without buying another AC set up:<<<

Mayor did the work..... I smelled BBQ and sorta split

yep.

although, wire ties are in line with my wrench turning ability.

autoworker · April 19, 2009, 08:09:06 AM

Good that there were no cameras broken.

Jealous that I wasn't there.

specialx1 · April 19, 2009, 11:05:57 AM

Now i understand how your mind works (maybe) probally enjoyed scaring that little kid didnt ya,interesting way of finding your yellow sportster in a parking lot,do you really have to put PANZER on the windshield to find it??as far as those texts from the girls , you better check under the skirt to make sure what your dealin with :hyst:and seriously quit texting me my phone cant hold all those pics of risque type that you keep sending, and who did you get to type all those complete sentences for ya?

Mister Specialx1

Panzer · April 21, 2009, 06:08:27 AM

Yep, had to put my name on the shield so I could find my own bike.

Puter was down for two days, otherwise I would have responded sooner to all.
Thx for the comments all, it was a great day.
Would highly recommend Gettysburg, Pa. to all.

I know Mr. Ape_do.......me bad!
Don't do as I do, do as I say ...... as the saying goes.

Panzer

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