A HONDA HOOT VOLUNTEER
Submitted by Dick Scalpone
Illinois Chapter “H” Chapter Rep
Sunday, 20 June, I left my house by 0510 hours (5:10 am) to meet the rough riders of Chapter H at the Elgin-O’Hare expressway at Roselle road. All crewmembers were bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to proceed to Honda Hoot.
The rough riders consisted of jumpin Joe Hughes, sergeant Russ Prichard, ole country Joel Gyurneks, gentleman George Riebesehl, roven Robert Sample, lucky Larry Greco and of course yours truly.
We took off by 0530 hours (5:30 am) and met trusty Bruce Hirsch at the Hinsdale Oasis off of the Tri-State expressway (I-294). Bruce was riding his cage instead of his two-wheeler. Larry led the way, country Joel did the sweep. Due to the heavy construction on I-294 on the far east end near the Indiana-Illinois border, we departed the tri-state and proceeded to endure all of the back roads. We finally connected to I-65 just north of Indianapolis, at that point the rough riders and I departed company. They were taking the back roads to Knoxville, and I stayed on the interstate all the way there. The rough riders would arrive sometime on Monday early afternoon. I arrived on Sunday about 1700 hours (5:00 pm) and checked into the Knoxville Marriott where the headquarters for the Hoot was being held. This was a long day after many hours in the saddle riding our ponies.
On Monday, 21 June, I got up very early and ate breakfast and decided more smoky mountain riding would be necessary. I decided to do "Deals Gap". Route 129 out of Knoxville takes you right there. Because of the direction and mountain driving, it almost takes an hour just to get there. But this is where it is happening, 11 miles of twisting, bending and curving roads, in every which directions. The actual count is about 318 curves. It just does not get any better than this. On my way back, I took the southeastern route around the Smokies. At the end of Deals Gap, I cut off of route 28 and picked up route 19 and 24 through Dayson City and Cherokee and cut over on route 441 and headed north through the
Smokies. Then I took the old cut-off and headed into Townsend. This route eventually pointed me into the direction of Maryville, where I picked up route 129 and headed north into Knoxville.
My assigned job that day was to attend a mandatory meeting of our up and coming events and also help set up at the park where the festivities were being held.
Tuesday, 22 June. Got up very early and went for another long mountain ride. I took the scenic route and headed south on route 441 to Sevierville to route 411 and into Newport and proceeded south on route 321 through Pittman Center, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and continued on route 321 into Maryville, then headed north on route 129 into Knoxville.
About mid-afternoon on Tuesday, my duties were inside the headquarters hotel and liaison and direction pointer to the pre-registered Hoot attendees. After the registration was shut down, my assigned duties had me and many others load up the computers and registration packages and head for Chilhowee Park where all of the festivities were being held for the rest of the Hoot. This was a very long day. It ended about 2300 hours (11:00 pm). Nonetheless, totally enjoyable.
Wednesday, 23 June 04. Had no opportunity to go riding today. Most of my time was spent at Chilhowee Park, where I did work all day. That is where all the festivities were taking place. Actually, about 275 vendors where there. Some were in the air-conditioned "Jacobs Center", while the others were outside enjoying the hot sun and the miserable rain when it did arrive. Also, the demo rides where there, on the other side of the park. There were several manufacturers that represented themselves for the demos rides. My job that day was at the main gate entrance where the bikes would enter and proceed to the parking lot. Myself and another guy were assigned to direct traffic, between the bikes and cars, and we had to get them to go to the proper locations. This job took six hours of my time. After being relived, I spent the remainder of the day just visiting the vendors and shopping around. While I was in the "Jacobs Center", I had the pleasure of meeting the man who drove his motorcycle around the world. His name is "Emilio Scotto" from South America. He was driving a GL1100. He also has a web site, should anyone wish to check it out: www.emilioscotto.com
This is an excellent web site on what he did. The odometer on his speedo gauge read "735,000" total miles. The total miles he put on the bike when traveling around the world was 475,000. How about that!! It took him 10 years to complete his mission and in the process he managed to get married while doing this minor chore. While I was conversing with him, he had some real good stories to tell. He was very interesting to talk with, and informed me of many things that he did and what he accomplished.
Thursday, 24 June. My assignment for this day was parking and traffic control at the entrance, by the "Parkside Entrance" near the zoo, where they come in off of the I-40 interstate. I spent the entire morning there, until 1230 hours(12:30 pm), before being relieved of this job. The traffic of cars and bikes were tremendous. My feet were talking back to me after spending several hours standing on the hot pavement directing traffic. I could not wait until my shift finally did end. My afternoon was to myself. Actually, I decided to go to Maggie Valley, N.C., to visit the "Wheels Through Time Museum". The total distance from Knoxville was about 95 miles or so. The location was on the east end of the Smokies. This museum had very old motorcycles, vintage cars of yester-year from the turn of the century through the 70's, & 80's. There were some real antiques in full view. It was a trip worthwhile. By the time I was ready to depart, it had become very late in the afternoon. So I decided to take the mountain roads in return. I returned via route 19 into the Blue Ridge Parkway, which eventually led me into route 441 north, where it steered me into Pigeon Forge, where I picked up route 321 and headed west bound into Maryville, where I picked up route 129. Headed north into Knoxville and eventually back to the main headquarters hotel. End of the day!!
Friday, 25 June. I had to get a very early start today. My assignment was the main parking lot performing traffic management and control. Today, it did nothing but rain, rain, and more rain. It was really a monsoon. I, along with many of the other volunteers, had to don my rain gear to maintain my sanity and stay dry. This weather put a damper on everything. The vendors were irritated the most. A very small turn out. At best,
through out the day, there was possibly as many as 12-1300 people. About 0930 hours (9:30 am) that morning I spotted the 6 amigos, or is it the rough riders, from our Chapter. Jumpin Joe, sergeant Russ, gentleman George, lucky Larry, roven Robert, and ole country Joel parking their ponies in the corral, just pouring rain. It was great seeing the amigos, or rough riders. In fact, I had to help gentleman George remove his pants and shoes (rain gear). He could not do this himself. At his age, he needs all the help he can get. I used Larry's camera and took pictures of the 6 amigos standing next to their ponies in the parking lot at Chilhowee Park. How sweet it is!! My shift ended about 1400 hours (2:00 pm). My next assignment came about that same day at 1600 hours (4:00 pm) at the "Appalachia Park and Museum". My assignment was to control traffic and arrange to get all of the bikes in the park. The ground was mighty soft, due to the heavy rains. It did not take much for those big ole ponies to sink down and deep. At this place, Honda provided for all of those who attended the hoot, live entertain-ment of some good ole country and western music and some mighty great vittles. We had a good ole fashion cook out of Bar-B-Q, with all of the trimmings, with more sight seeing and shopping. Folks, it just does not get any better than this. The weatherman finally decided to cooperate with us by this time and it finally started to clear up. Yippee!! Hooray!!
Saturday, 26 June, the last and final day of the Hoot. I had a mid day assignment at Chilihowee Park where all of the vendors are located along with the demo rides. My day started about 1230 hours (12:30 pm). As the bikes and cars come into the park there is a split at the road that separates the Zoo from Chilihowee Park. That was my assignment point. To properly direct traffic -- either into the zoo or Chilihowee park where the bikes were heading. Also, to allow departing bikes to leave the park. This was the most hectic and fast pace job that I ever per-formed. It was totally non-stop, from beginning to end. My shift finally ended at 1730 hours (5:30 pm), when everything shut down. I could not wait to get out of there. Standing on one's feet in the hot sun was as tough as it can get. Lucky thing I am young and healthy and tough as nails. How-ever, my morning was the best ever. I got up very early, about 0540 hours (5:40 am) and proceeded to do some mighty fine mountain riding. I jumped on I-40 and headed eastbound into North Carolina on the far eastern end of the Smokes. I was informed that there was this mountain route that was to put "Deals Gap" to shame. Naturally, I had to take this one for a real test drive. Lucky Larry Greco informed me about this one. It was the route 209 in North Carolina. From Knoxville, it takes about 100 to 110 minutes to arrive there, and it was well worth the trip. One can pick up the 209 from I-40 and proceed north east bound into Hot Springs, N.C., which will then lead you into Newport. Eventually, you can take a short scoot onto I-40 and head back to Knoxville. This 209 route took me about 80-90minutes to complete. It had more twists, curves, ups and downs, dipsy-do's than 5 long slithering snakes combined. One could easily get sea sick or road sick driving this great one. But the traveling, distance and time spent doing this, in my opinion, was well worth it. The scenery was terrific and the roads were great.
That same evening, Honda provided us hoot volunteers with a farewell dinner and drinks. Great camaraderie, great socializing, and chitchatting was certainly not to be denied. In fact, trusty Bruce Hirsch, was asked to bring his guitar and sing us a song. Needless to say, the entertainment was the greatest ever.
FOLKS -- The previous article was strictly from my view as a volunteer for Honda Hoot. The names and places were changed to protect the innocent and punish the guilty.
See you all at Honda Hoot in 2005.
Yours truly
Dick