This weekend we decided to take a trip with Big Red to the mountains of NC. Slick and I planned this trip with the intent of just taking Big Red and the trailer. Then we started thinking that if we were going to the mountains for the week we need to have an alternate mode of transportation besides the bike. So, Slick drove her car so we could haul more stuff for the weeks stay. We are glad we did, because we did not check out the ride to the top of the mountain and how bad that was going to be for me on Big Red. More on that later.
As we left home on Saturday morning the weather was great. The whole 5 hr trip to the mountains was great. There was little traffic on I-40 and I-74. We found our way to Bryson City. We checked in to the rental office for the cabin. We got our map and directions and off we went to the cabin where the real fun started. (Fun is not the correct word)
I followed Slick because she had the directions to the cabin. As we got to the base of the mountain, we then entered Sky Cove (that should tell you how high the cabin was). I followed Slick for about 2 minutes up the mountain. The road was a one lane road. The road was paved and did have a little gravel and some pot holes. The fun part started when I approached my first hair pen turn to the right (a steep up hill turn). I didn't swing out far enough or give the bike enough gas, so it fell over (drop #1). After picking up Big Red, I ventured on. It was a steep but no problems until I got to my drive way. The drive way was a long a gravel road. I had to make a hard right up hill on gravel. Not a good combination for me. I hate right turns up a steep hill, especially on gravel. So I dropped the bike again (drop #2).
After that drop and having to pick up the bike on a 45% hill. I decide to take the bike up further up the mountain so I could turn it around and enter the driveway in a straight direction. As I continued up the hill to turn it around, you guessed it, I dropped it again (drop #3). After picking up the bike for the 3rd time I was getting a little tuckered out. I finally got the bike to the driveway and parked it at the end of the driveway. Prior to getting the bike settled on the gravel driveway, I put the kickstand down. It sank in the driveway, so of course it fell over again (drop #4).
All-in-all, I dropped the bike 4 times on the trip (so far). I still have to go down the hill on Saturday. It is kind of funny. I have dropped the bike more times on this trip that I have dropped it the whole time I have had it. Oh well, I will drop it again, I'm sure. Many bikers drop their bikes but are too macho to attempt it.
Even though I did drop the bike we have had fun on the trip so far. We have taken a nice train ride through the Smokey Mountains on the Smokey Mountain Railroad, visited Fontana Dam and Fontana Village, and rode on highway 28 toward TN (very nice bike road). We plan to ride back to Fontana Village next year. From the village you have some really nice roads to ride and you are less than an hour from the "Tail of the Dragon". Highway 28 in very curvy and in great condition.
We have 3 more days before I attempt the trip down the mountain on Big Red. It should be a little easier for me to go down the mountain rather than going up the 45% grade hill. I did learn a valuable lesson from this trip. Always personally checkout the location of your lodging if you plan to take your bike on a trip high into the mountains. Also, take a look around at the bikes that are already on the mountain. There was NONE! That should have been my first hint, I was screwing up. Below is a link to some photos of you road at Sky Cove.
Sky Cove Road
I am really glad we did not stick to our original plan of only riding the bike and pulling the trailer. That would have been a real disaster.
Until next time and remember, don't be so busy making a living you forget to make a life.
Pappy
Showing posts with label Great Smokey Mountains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Great Smokey Mountains. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Great Time Riding This Weekend
Well, it has been about 2 weeks since I got the opportunity to ride. Work and traveling is keeping me pretty busy. Since it was a 3 day weekend and the weather was great we hit the road. Even though the rides were local, they were great. Here is how my travels went...
Friday, Jordan and I took off for Hanging Rock State Park. We headed up highway 52 North toward Mt Airy. For those of you that are not familiar with Mt. Airy, it is the town that Andy Griffin grew up in and the fictional town of Mayberry was born. Actually, if you are an old timer like me and grew up watching Andy Griffin, you will know the story. If you decide to travel there, you can actually visit a lot of things there in regards to Mayberry. Visit Slappy's grill. Andy Griffin ate there as a kid and they are famous for the pork chop sandwich. Right next to Slappy's is Floyd's Barber Shop. If I had hair, I would have gotten my hair cut there. Another thing about Mt Airy is that they have a Mayberry Days festival every year. If you liked the show you need to visit. Sometimes some of the fictional characters that are still living show up there.
Anyway, back to our ride. Jordan and I took off toward Mt Airy. Once we got to the Hanging Rock State Park sigh off of highway 52, we hit some really nice country roads with a lot of great curves. It seems like you ride forever. We just made sure we followed all the Hanging Rock State Park signs so we wouldn't get lost. The ride to the park was lengthy but fun.
We arrived at the park and there were bikes everywhere. You can't blame the bikers. The roads and the weather was great. Jordan and I decided to do a little hiking while at the park. What we thought would be a simple 1.9 mile hike took us over 2.5 hrs to complete. The trail took us straight up the mountain. It was a great hike, but is kicked out butts. Even though the hike was tough the view was awesome and well worth the mistake of taking a hike. Below are few pictures you might enjoy.
After hiking back from our "death march', we hit the road and took a different route back toward highway 52. We basically made a huge circle back to the highway. Again, the roads were curvy and long (just my types of roads). Jordan and I stopped at a local Chic-Fil-a and had a nice meal and headed home. We were exhausted. But wait there is more...
On Saturday, Slick and I meet Jordan at his place and mounted up to hit the road to Lenoir NC and meet with Kevin and Carolyn (my brother and sister-in-laws). Kevin is a Harley man and he has been riding for a few months now. He and Carolyn are enjoying the fun of riding too. I am pretty proud of Kevin. He hasn't been riding very long but now rides like a pro.
We meet Kevin and Carolyn and their home. Kevin had a nice long trip all ready planned out for us that included going into TN. We didn't have that much time, so we had to cut the trip a little short. He took us on some great long back roads on 181 North and up to Linville Gorge and into the Blue Ridge Parkway. Jordan had not ridden too much of the parkway but stated he wanted to ride there again. The scenery of the mountains was awesome!
We we got close too Linville Gorge we all got alittle hungry and Kevin came across a nice little place to stopped called "Pappy's BBQ". Of course we had to stop there just because of the name. We went in and Slick had to tell everyone that my nickname was Pappy and she even showed the workers there my Pappy tattoo. I felt like a big celebrity and I was thinking I might get my food for free. Of course, that didn't happen. They also had a "Pappy's hat there. Slick had to buy me a Pappy's hat. (For those of you they don't know me, I collect hats for my "man cave"). It actually will make a great addition to my hat collection.
After the meal we hit the Blue Ridge Parkway. We also rode the Viaduct on the parkway. That gives everyone a great view of the Great Smokey Mtns (every time I ride up there I look forward to retiring there). Slick and I plan to buy us a little home up there. We are looking forward to that. Here are a few pictures from our trip.
After traveling through the parkway, everyone decided to say goodbye and head back home. Slick, Jordan and I took 321 South back home. It was a long day, but it was nice. It was a great way to spend the weekend. We had great weather, scenery, food, family and fun. Even though I am completely exhausted, I can't wait to ride again.
Until next time and remember to not be so busy making a living you forget to make a life.
Pappy
Friday, Jordan and I took off for Hanging Rock State Park. We headed up highway 52 North toward Mt Airy. For those of you that are not familiar with Mt. Airy, it is the town that Andy Griffin grew up in and the fictional town of Mayberry was born. Actually, if you are an old timer like me and grew up watching Andy Griffin, you will know the story. If you decide to travel there, you can actually visit a lot of things there in regards to Mayberry. Visit Slappy's grill. Andy Griffin ate there as a kid and they are famous for the pork chop sandwich. Right next to Slappy's is Floyd's Barber Shop. If I had hair, I would have gotten my hair cut there. Another thing about Mt Airy is that they have a Mayberry Days festival every year. If you liked the show you need to visit. Sometimes some of the fictional characters that are still living show up there.
Anyway, back to our ride. Jordan and I took off toward Mt Airy. Once we got to the Hanging Rock State Park sigh off of highway 52, we hit some really nice country roads with a lot of great curves. It seems like you ride forever. We just made sure we followed all the Hanging Rock State Park signs so we wouldn't get lost. The ride to the park was lengthy but fun.
We arrived at the park and there were bikes everywhere. You can't blame the bikers. The roads and the weather was great. Jordan and I decided to do a little hiking while at the park. What we thought would be a simple 1.9 mile hike took us over 2.5 hrs to complete. The trail took us straight up the mountain. It was a great hike, but is kicked out butts. Even though the hike was tough the view was awesome and well worth the mistake of taking a hike. Below are few pictures you might enjoy.
After hiking back from our "death march', we hit the road and took a different route back toward highway 52. We basically made a huge circle back to the highway. Again, the roads were curvy and long (just my types of roads). Jordan and I stopped at a local Chic-Fil-a and had a nice meal and headed home. We were exhausted. But wait there is more...
On Saturday, Slick and I meet Jordan at his place and mounted up to hit the road to Lenoir NC and meet with Kevin and Carolyn (my brother and sister-in-laws). Kevin is a Harley man and he has been riding for a few months now. He and Carolyn are enjoying the fun of riding too. I am pretty proud of Kevin. He hasn't been riding very long but now rides like a pro.
We meet Kevin and Carolyn and their home. Kevin had a nice long trip all ready planned out for us that included going into TN. We didn't have that much time, so we had to cut the trip a little short. He took us on some great long back roads on 181 North and up to Linville Gorge and into the Blue Ridge Parkway. Jordan had not ridden too much of the parkway but stated he wanted to ride there again. The scenery of the mountains was awesome!
We we got close too Linville Gorge we all got alittle hungry and Kevin came across a nice little place to stopped called "Pappy's BBQ". Of course we had to stop there just because of the name. We went in and Slick had to tell everyone that my nickname was Pappy and she even showed the workers there my Pappy tattoo. I felt like a big celebrity and I was thinking I might get my food for free. Of course, that didn't happen. They also had a "Pappy's hat there. Slick had to buy me a Pappy's hat. (For those of you they don't know me, I collect hats for my "man cave"). It actually will make a great addition to my hat collection.
After the meal we hit the Blue Ridge Parkway. We also rode the Viaduct on the parkway. That gives everyone a great view of the Great Smokey Mtns (every time I ride up there I look forward to retiring there). Slick and I plan to buy us a little home up there. We are looking forward to that. Here are a few pictures from our trip.
After traveling through the parkway, everyone decided to say goodbye and head back home. Slick, Jordan and I took 321 South back home. It was a long day, but it was nice. It was a great way to spend the weekend. We had great weather, scenery, food, family and fun. Even though I am completely exhausted, I can't wait to ride again.Until next time and remember to not be so busy making a living you forget to make a life.
Pappy
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