History of the “Tree Ride”

[Nash]

The tree ride has gone thru many phases since it first began. I believe the first official ride was in the summer of 1999. When it started it was a group of friends that knew each other well. In the beginning, we met up a Donaree Village Apts, but the popularity of the ride attracted several bikes but lots of noise. The noise forced the Apt manager to say no more! Soooo, Kenny, Jeff and few others decided to find a different meeting spot. The big oak “Tree” in the Sears parking lot was a perfect fit since that part of the mall was an empty parking lot with no cars, tents or restaurants.

When the big boom of sport bikes hit in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, all hell broke loose and that’s when we started having 25 to 30 bikes a ride. A little after this timeframe became the “stunting” days which lasted about two years. We would ride to a straight ass road, park off the side of the road, and watch stunting for two hours, then head home after all this crap having only ridden not more than 35 miles. This couple of years almost got me out of riding all together.

Then came the North Charleston boom. The economic boom in North Charleston attracted several new businesses in the area and the mall became hugely popular with the traffic becoming unbearable at times. With all this, the “tree ride” grew in popularity, I'm guessing partly because of the visibility. On many occasions I’ve been asked if I ride with the mall group because we’re seen by so many people during our meet up.

Over the past 3 or 4 years would be the “Barry years”. Barry mostly organized and lead the group ride. He helped start the pre-safety ride briefing, and stop a lot of the silly unorganized stuff. He let folks know what type ride we were going on and what to expect. If you showed up without gear, you weren’t welcome. Well, Barry is now in Atlanta and we’ve lost a very valuable part of our ride, but I’ve noticed his legacy lives on with safety concerns and most everyone wearing gear.

For the most part, the ride is still well organized and run at a safe pace. Accidents will happen and folks are going to get tickets. This comes with the territory, but we can try to make it as safe as possible without only riding boring poker runs or parking your bike at Bike nights. For some, it may be time for a mini-van!

[fasterthanyours]

Very nice write up. I agree with your history.

I remember the days of 30+ bikes.

[fasterthanyours]

Just noticed this at the end
For some, it may be time for a mini-van!

That's me baby!!!
http://www.jonathanandlindsey.com/img/baby/lindsey_honda_odyssey.jpg

*Also picture is my next ex-wife, not the current wife.

[jason 41]

:lol: You forgot about the years of "The Kang" I beleive you yourself even fell victom to his blazing speed! MMMMAAAAUUUUHHHH!:lol: Those were some of the most fun, and stupidest days of my life:lol:

[Kat_Mac]

Over the past 3 or 4 years would be the “Barry years”. Barry mostly organized and lead the group ride. He helped start the pre-safety ride briefing, and stop a lot of the silly unorganized stuff. He let folks know what type ride we were going on and what to expect. If you showed up without gear, you weren’t welcome. Well, Barry is now in Atlanta and we’ve lost a very valuable part of our ride, but I’ve noticed his legacy lives on with safety concerns and most everyone wearing gear.

Aww the Barry years. This is when I was introduced to the group. Sigh. Good memories.

[Nash]

I did forget the "kang" days. Pretty funny stuff! I guess you throw those into the "Barry days", also.:smilebig:

[fasterthanyours]

Kang? Who/what was that?

[Nash]

Kang? Who/what was that?

Who wasn't?

It was a friendly "who had the fastest bike" thang! Ya know, Kang of the Skreet!

[fasterthanyours]

Ok apparently I missed something by not riding up there very much.

[dumwinnie]

**disclaimer.....
there was king of the street, that included Alan C., Chris M., Randy F., Ritchie.
there is only one "kang," and that would be jason d.

[jason 41]

The Kang was the giant slayer, the man who rode a stock bike and dominated. The most electifying rider in the history Of The Tree!:lol:

[Nash]

The Kang was the giant slayer, the man who rode a stock bike and dominated. The most electifying rider in the history Of The Tree!:lol:

:lol::D:smilebig:

[iamnsxtc]

The Kang was the giant slayer, the man who rode a stock bike and dominated. The most electifying rider in the history Of The Tree!:lol:
Charles L. Hudson, Jr. the one who beat BARRY!! :hail::lol:=D>

[Mike]

Charles L. Hudson, Jr. the one who beat BARRY!! :hail::lol:=D>


< looks for a pic proving otherwise :D

[iamnsxtc]

< looks for a pic proving otherwise :D
DAMN your memory MIKE K!!!:lol: I was robbed.....Talking about the drag strip!!!

[fasterthanyours]

A dragstrip event would be great to do.

[Mike]

DAMN your memory MIKE K!!!:lol: I was robbed.....Talking about the drag strip!!!

:evillaugh:



...by the way, I have your CD ready... could you ask Keenan if he wants one too? Since he doesn't get on the forum much, if at all, I have no idea :shrug:

[jason 41]

We should do a drag strip Day!

[ItsDomino]

now that would be awesome

[Scootimus]

I would say I'm in but you guys plan all the fun stuff while I'm out of town. but I will check out the pics you post up of it.

[unfast1]

We should do a drag strip Day!

I'm down.
That's the one place I would race you.

[Mike]

I'm down.
That's the one place I would race you.

Jason might be faster on the straight than in the curves :evillaugh:

[fasterthanyours]

Sounds like a plan.

[iamnsxtc]

Jason might be faster on the straight than in the curves :evillaugh:
+1................

[mandingo]

The tree ride has gone thru many phases since it first began. I believe the first official ride was in the summer of 1999. When it started it was a group of friends that knew each other well. In the beginning, we met up a Donaree Village Apts, but the popularity of the ride attracted several bikes but lots of noise. The noise forced the Apt manager to say no more! Soooo, Kenny, Jeff and few others decided to find a different meeting spot. The big oak “Tree” in the Sears parking lot was a perfect fit since that part of the mall was an empty parking lot with no cars, tents or restaurants.

When the big boom of sport bikes hit in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, all hell broke loose and that’s when we started having 25 to 30 bikes a ride. A little after this timeframe became the “stunting” days which lasted about two years. We would ride to a straight ass road, park off the side of the road, and watch stunting for two hours, then head home after all this crap having only ridden not more than 35 miles. This couple of years almost got me out of riding all together.

Then came the North Charleston boom. The economic boom in North Charleston attracted several new businesses in the area and the mall became hugely popular with the traffic becoming unbearable at times. With all this, the “tree ride” grew in popularity, I'm guessing partly because of the visibility. On many occasions I’ve been asked if I ride with the mall group because we’re seen by so many people during our meet up.

Over the past 3 or 4 years would be the “Barry years”. Barry mostly organized and lead the group ride. He helped start the pre-safety ride briefing, and stop a lot of the silly unorganized stuff. He let folks know what type ride we were going on and what to expect. If you showed up without gear, you weren’t welcome. Well, Barry is now in Atlanta and we’ve lost a very valuable part of our ride, but I’ve noticed his legacy lives on with safety concerns and most everyone wearing gear.

For the most part, the ride is still well organized and run at a safe pace. Accidents will happen and folks are going to get tickets. This comes with the territory, but we can try to make it as safe as possible without only riding boring poker runs or parking your bike at Bike nights. For some, it may be time for a mini-van!
:alright:Brought a tear to my eye, Mark Willard would be proud. Good stuff.

[Nash]

:alright:Brought a tear to my eye, Mark Willard would be proud. Good stuff.

Yes, Mark was HUGE influence on the motorcycle seen in the Charleston area. Great guy and cool ass garage he had!

Also, the James Island guys had a pretty large influence on me and several others. People like Ty and Lance Sudano, DJ, and Jack Sundae. The JI guys might not have been involved with the N. Charleston tree rides much, but everyone knew these guys.

[mandingo]

Yes, Mark was HUGE influence on the motorcycle seen in the Charleston area. Great guy and cool ass garage he had!

Also, the James Island guys had a pretty large influence on me and several others. People like Ty and Lance Sudano, DJ, and Jack Sundae. The JI guys might not have been involved with the N. Charleston tree rides much, but everyone knew these guys.
Yeah the JI guys never made it to the tree much cause they were too busy chasing tail downtown in their flip flops and tank tops!!!!:lol: But you could not, COULD NOT, fuck with Ty on the James Island connector:hail:

I'll be at the tree this Sunday, get a hold of those guys. How bout a good ol fashion OLD SKOOL beat down?

[fasterthanyours]

Sounds like I might have to get up early and go get the bike from Moms.

[jason 41]

If the weather wasnt so bad we could go to the strip this weekend!

[iamnsxtc]

I will be there but not on the bike. I have a car thing to do at 10:45 till 1pm. I will try to drive by before you leave.

[Nash]

I will be there but not on the bike. I have a car thing to do at 10:45 till 1pm. I will try to drive by before you leave.

I'll be there on the BIKE! :smilebig:

[MrDude_1]

I will be there but not on the bike. I have a car thing to do at 10:45 till 1pm. I will try to drive by before you leave.

awe shit!!! a drive-by!!!! :eek:

[fasterthanyours]

:assault::camper:

[SUM650]

:alright:Brought a tear to my eye, Mark Willard would be proud. Good stuff.

Same here. :crap:

BTW Charles, I want a rematch at the strip!

[jason 41]

were are you gonna be at?:shrug:

[mandingo]

The Tree....................

[jason 41]

The Tree....................
OH..... My bad, what you gonna ride kenny?

[Nash]

I just heard that Mike Walker and Chris Vanhoy started the tree rides! That's funny!

[iamnsxtc]

Same here. :crap:

BTW Charles, I want a rematch at the strip!
Come get some. Aint scared:club::trophy::pimp:

[mandingo]

I just heard that Mike Walker and Chris Vanhoy started the tree rides! That's funny!You saw that:lol:

I wonder if they know:lmao:

[fasterthanyours]

Can't figure out if I knew chris or not, sounds familiar.

[Nash]

You saw that:lol:

I wonder if they know:lmao:

Maybe we should tell them!

Bikes have ALWAYS met at Northwoods Mall, but it wasn't the official weekly meeting spot until '99. Walker and VanHoy were still hanging with us with the James Island crowd.

I still remember meeting Mike and Chris for the first time. I met Mike when he was in still the AF and Jeremy Etesfold (sp?) introduced us shortly after Mike had bought his bike. When I met Chris he was riding, I think, Ken Burke's old yellow CBR. Chris had just sold his Buell and was still hangin' with the his buds from Walterboro.

Good times!

[Nash]

Can't figure out if I knew chris or not, sounds familiar.

Big guy, fireman downtown Charleston. He's had about 50 bikes since I've known him!:smilebig:

[iamnsxtc]

http://www.cornerjunkies.com/forum/showthread.php?t=381&highlight=crash007

Here's the old school thread about somebody we all remember. The infamous Jeff M. (AKA slim)
and "big nasty" (Ken Burke)

[Nash]

After reading that older thread I think Ken bought the CBR from Chris Vanhoy.

[Sweetruss]

http://www.cornerjunkies.com/forum/showthread.php?t=381&highlight=crash007

Here's the old school thread about somebody we all remember. The infamous Jeff M. (AKA slim)
and "big nasty" (Ken Burke)


Old school would be Casey does a stoppie, one foot short and takes down Charles on the IOP........Atleast you had those frame sliders....:yeah:

[fasterthanyours]

Wow that was an old thread. A goodie though.

[iamnsxtc]

Old school would be Casey does a stoppie, one foot short and takes down Charles on the IOP........Atleast you had those frame sliders....:yeah:
WOW was the Rob C. Still rode the whole day with less than half a brake lever. Great Honda commercial. I really "wanted to ride"

[iamnsxtc]

After reading that older thread I think Ken bought the CBR from Chris Vanhoy.
Like you said he had sooo many bikes anyway.

[Turbo speed]

**disclaimer.....
there was king of the street, that included Alan C., Chris M., Randy F., Ritchie.
there is only one "kang," and that would be jason d.


:lol: Ritchie was mcrutchens "secret wepon" He was going to take down the super 10! How many of you remember "hey Randy you want to touch his back seat? because thats as close as your going to get!" at the gas station I took my back seat off and walked it over to Richie and chris! :evillaugh:

[jason 41]

:lol: Ritchie was mcrutchens "secret wepon" He was going to take down the super 10! How many of you remember "hey Randy you want to touch his back seat? because thats as close as your going to get!" at the gas station I took my back seat off and walked it over to Richie and chris! :evillaugh:
And then My first time at the tree I waxed your ass on a stock bike.:lol:

[Turbo speed]

I'll never forget the rematch on that one either. to quote barry "Whoa folks dont bring no out the crate bike, welcome to prostock!"
:evillaugh:

I'd like to see this start up again so i could watch some instead of being in ALL OF THEM!

[dumwinnie]

I'd like to see this start up again so i could watch some instead of being in ALL OF THEM!

"what chu talkin' 'bout willis?" hell, you missed most of them........

[Turbo speed]

this will make jason miss some sleep tonight

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e19/sczx10r/avitar.jpg

[Booty Freak]

Tree Rides Sucked !!
That is why I only went once.
Drag Racing Motorcycles Sucks !!
If I wanted to run the 1/4 mile I'd
buy a top fuel funny car.

:sleepy:

[mandingo]

Tree Rides Sucked !!
That is why I only went once.
Drag Racing Motorcycles Sucks !!
If I wanted to run the 1/4 mile I'd
buy a top fuel funny car.

:sleepy:

I'll show you what the tree rides did for me on the 29th. Watch your back door squidy:smilebig:

[Nash]

I'll show you what the tree rides did for me on the 29th. Watch your back door squidy:smilebig:

:lmao:

Yeah, us "tree riders" have never been to the race track. How cool would that be to actually ride on real life race track?!

[Booty Freak]

I'll show you what the tree rides did for me on the 29th. Watch your back door squidy:smilebig:

Hey now, only girls are allowed thru my back door.

:eek:

[fasterthanyours]

And I know you left yourself wide open liek that on purpose.

[Mike]

Hey now, only girls are allowed thru my back door.

:eek:


Wait... what?! :doh:

[iamnsxtc]

Tree Rides Sucked !!
That is why I only went once.
Drag Racing Motorcycles Sucks !!
If I wanted to run the 1/4 mile I'd
buy a top fuel funny car.

:sleepy:

Jason, Barry, Burns, Kenny, PLEASE tell Mr. Booty what it is from the green flag to T1...wait a drag race.. :lol:...All that stuff helps your launch. on to the Strip

[jason 41]

Jason, Barry, Burns, Kenny, PLEASE tell Mr. Booty what it is from the green flag to T1...wait a drag race.. :lol:...All that stuff helps your launch. on to the Strip
True, you just have to remember to put the bike in first gear. :lol: I wouldn't pick on booty Freak to much, he just got his bike last year and is already a track junckie. Mr AMA racer ;)

[Mike]

True, you just have to remember to put the bike in first gear. :lol:

:lol: I forgot about that!

[mccutch2u]

:lol: Ritchie was mcrutchens "secret wepon" He was going to take down the super 10! How many of you remember "hey Randy you want to touch his back seat? because thats as close as your going to get!" at the gas station I took my back seat off and walked it over to Richie and chris! :evillaugh:


we all know what happend there

[Chris]

chris you got beat

[SUM650]

Jason, Barry, Burns, Kenny, PLEASE tell Mr. Booty what it is from the green flag to T1...wait a drag race.. :lol:...All that stuff helps your launch. on to the Strip

Charles is right. Every road race starts off with a drag race! Do you think that the guy's that are good don't practice there starts? Getting good starts aren't just a gift, practice makes perfect. As for me " I just live my life a 1/4 mile at a time."

I'm not even going to waste my time trying to justify why us old friends and new friends meet together to ride at the tree.

Some of you folks will find reasons not to ride, and some of you will find reasons to ride. Which one are you? For example Burns and Travis will ride come hell or high water. These people are called BIKERS!

[Mike]

To me the terminology is a little different - bikers spend their time cleaning their machines / talking about riding / socializing, and riders spend their time out on the road, with or without company. Having a shaftie makes it even easier to be a rider :o

[fasterthanyours]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) (http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna.html) - Cite This Source (http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=biker&ia=luna) - Share This (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/biker#sharethis) bik·er http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.png http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/speaker.gif (http://dictionary.reference.com/audio.html/lunaWAV/B03/B0324100) /ˈbaɪhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pngkər/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[bahy-ker] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.a person who rides a bicycle, motorcycle, or motorbike, esp. in competition or as a hobby.
2.Informal. a member of a motorcycle gang.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) (http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna.html) - Cite This Source (http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=rider&ia=luna) - Share This (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rider#sharethis) rid·er http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.png http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/speaker.gif (http://dictionary.reference.com/audio.html/lunaWAV/R03/R0306600) /ˈraɪhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pngdər/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[rahy-der] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.a person who rides a horse or other animal, a bicycle, etc.
2.something that rides.
3.an additional clause, usually unrelated to the main body, attached to a legislative bill in passing it.
4.an addition or amendment to a document, testament, etc.
5.any object or device that straddles, is mounted upon, or is attached to something else.
6.a rail or stake used to brace the corners in a snake fence.
7.Shipbuilding. any of various members following and reinforcing primary framing members, esp. a plate or timber running along the top of a keel.
8.Numismatics.
a.a former gold coin of Scotland, first issued by James III in 1475, whose obverse bears an equestrian figure of the king.
b.any of several gold or silver coins of the Netherlands bearing the figure of a horseman.

[Mike]

Sooo... SC Riders is really a website for people that ride horses, other animals :eek:, and/or bicycles? :chin:

:smilebig:

[dumwinnie]

Sooo... SC Riders is really a website for people that ride horses, other animals :eek:, and/or bicycles? :chin:

:smilebig:


therefore...
we have an insatiable craving for corners!!
or
we are an enthusiastic follower of corners.

junk·ie http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pnghttp://cache.lexico.com/g/d/speaker.gif (http://dictionary.reference.com/audio.html/lunaWAV/J01/J0116200)[juhng-kee] –noun Informal. 1.a drug addict, esp. one addicted to heroin. 2.a person with an insatiable craving for something: a chocolate junkie. 3.an enthusiastic follower; fan; devotee: a baseball junkie

[Mike]

Well it ain't 1/4 miles ;)

[L8Brakr155]

i loves it when peeps remember me....i may not talk much, but i miss all you guys and girls...:crying:

[Nash]

i loves it when peeps remember me....i may not talk much, but i miss all you guys and girls...:crying:

Ken, how's St. Louis treating you? You still come back this way?

[iamnsxtc]

i loves it when peeps remember me....i may not talk much, but i miss all you guys and girls...:crying:
Big Nasty what's happening

[L8Brakr155]

not much to tell the truth...im the senior service advisor at frieze harley davidson in o'fallon illinois...(i know, i know...harley davidson...hey it pays good)...i live in the metro east st.louis area...its nice i like it...sport bike scene is not the greatest...but there are some riders here...stunting is about the same...gateway international raceway(nascar oval) has a roadcourse and a drag strip...bikes are allowed to race there...plus im not to far from some others...i planned on meeting up w/ kenny in topeka..but i had some sick little girls to take care of...thats right for those of you that dont know i'm married now with two beautiful little girls...i didnt get to see alot of you when i was home for my wedding last summer...but we are planning a trip home soon...i admit i suck at keeping in touch, just ask my mom & dad !!!! but i'm try'in a little harder....but im always keepin up w/you all on cj....

Ken "Big Nasty" Burke

[the_MAC]

lest we forget about the infamous 'wheelie days'...