The day started out dry but over case and cool when Brian, John Burns and I hit the road from Marietta GA. Took 575 towards Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Muphy and Marble.
Rain it us as soon as we departed and as the attitude increased, temperatures started dropping. After an hour and a half, we had to stop for coffee to warm up, and to put on extra layers of clothing. Brian and I have the Klim Adventure touring suits so we were protected from the wet, but the wind chill combined with rain evaporation cooling was starting to get to us. At least we had handlebar heaters.
John, with his Harley, barely had a wind screen and was wearing thin rain cover - his face was freezing due to the half dome helmet. Felt sorry for him. His response is "I ride in GA when it's warm. Don't need heaters, full face helmets and stuff. The only time I get on the bike under these conditions is to ride with you guys. It's colder now than any ride this winter". Everyone put on extra layers, and I turned on my Gerbings heated jacket - so warm. That was a worthwhile investment.
Back on the road and right after Blue Ridge, we hit the narrow, twisty mountain roads that make this area famous. Took a little time to get back into the balance and rhythm of navigating the curves on these roads which follow creeks down mountain sides. You have the road, rock and dropoff. There is no margin for error. Drove the same section of 19 as last year's Dragon Trip, organized by my friend Tom Kowalski, with the same crazy amount of tar snakes, and wiggled over them in the rain (again). This time around, it wasn't as terrifying as the first trip. Tom, one views the trip differently the second time, and when leading the ride. This felt like a home coming - real good. Funny enough, we will be passing by ride tomorrow, when Brian and I get on to the Blue Ridge Parkway to take the long way home.
Interesting, as we hit these mountain valleys, the rain went away and the temp soared to 16C - brings a smile to you heart when you take away the pain.
After Cherokee, a quick left and we were heading over the Great Smokey mountains. Highway 441 rises quickly into the mountains providing hairpin turns and spectacular mountain vistas. Too bad you can't soak in the view when you are fighting to stay between the yellow lines and get a speed adrenaline rush. Over they intercom, Brian was yelling "Yeaaaa Baby" .... until we got behind grampa and his motorized wheel chair. I could not believe my eyes. This think was putting up the steep mountains and speeds that approached 15 miles per hour. Ruined a great section of road - good thing we have more than we can eat tomorrow.
At the top, by the North Carolina/ Tennessee border, we stopped to let traffic pass so we could hit it on the way down. Wouldn't you know, Grampa comes putting into the stop as well, so we get a chance to check out his machine. Turns out, it is a 300cc scooter that has training wheels bolted on. I was pissing myself when he was passing the big bikes and doing the "rider wave". He thought he was a biker. I am being cruel, 'cause that will likely be me when I'm 80. I just hope someone designs better training wheels, or, get a real trike based on a Goldwing or Harley chassis.
Trip down was fun. Familiar curves. Had to remember that the 20 mph curves meant second gear. Went into the first set of curves a bit hot but dropped my ass over the side like Tom taught us, and made it through OK, if not a bit wiser. Later I found out that John went in hot as well and ended up crossing the lane into the scenic overview parking area. There are parts of the Parkway that aren't that forgiving. Those roads need to be treated with respect.
Further down, we ran into tourists who were driving slow so they could rubber neck the abundant waterfalls splashing down the mountain side. Had to find a short straight section to safely pass (the idea is to get the bikes home in one piece) so I had a clear run at the 360 curve near Gatlinburg. Brian was adjusting his music when he hit the curve and I suspect he was thankful of the superior handling of his Triumph, which took care of it's wayward pilot.
Quick ride through the Niagara Falls of the Smokeys (Gatlinburg is a tourist town that magically appears, literally, as you exit the forest. One minute you are in a thick deep forest canopy that acts like a tunnel - sort of like a hike in algonquin park ... and then BOOM you are in Niagara Falls at Madame Tousaud.
John booked us into the Riverstone resort - normally a mega luxury 5 star, but since it's off season, we got in at a great price. Bad news, it's a dry county so no booze. Good news - across the street, we found a Texas Grill that just got a liquor licesne. Go figure.
Tomorrow (today) we are off to the tail of the dragon. John is heading to I75 so he can get back to the office and close the month. Brian and I will go left on 19, back to Cherokee and head up into the Blue Ridge Parkway. Hope the weather holds out.
Rain it us as soon as we departed and as the attitude increased, temperatures started dropping. After an hour and a half, we had to stop for coffee to warm up, and to put on extra layers of clothing. Brian and I have the Klim Adventure touring suits so we were protected from the wet, but the wind chill combined with rain evaporation cooling was starting to get to us. At least we had handlebar heaters.
John, with his Harley, barely had a wind screen and was wearing thin rain cover - his face was freezing due to the half dome helmet. Felt sorry for him. His response is "I ride in GA when it's warm. Don't need heaters, full face helmets and stuff. The only time I get on the bike under these conditions is to ride with you guys. It's colder now than any ride this winter". Everyone put on extra layers, and I turned on my Gerbings heated jacket - so warm. That was a worthwhile investment.
Back on the road and right after Blue Ridge, we hit the narrow, twisty mountain roads that make this area famous. Took a little time to get back into the balance and rhythm of navigating the curves on these roads which follow creeks down mountain sides. You have the road, rock and dropoff. There is no margin for error. Drove the same section of 19 as last year's Dragon Trip, organized by my friend Tom Kowalski, with the same crazy amount of tar snakes, and wiggled over them in the rain (again). This time around, it wasn't as terrifying as the first trip. Tom, one views the trip differently the second time, and when leading the ride. This felt like a home coming - real good. Funny enough, we will be passing by ride tomorrow, when Brian and I get on to the Blue Ridge Parkway to take the long way home.
Interesting, as we hit these mountain valleys, the rain went away and the temp soared to 16C - brings a smile to you heart when you take away the pain.
After Cherokee, a quick left and we were heading over the Great Smokey mountains. Highway 441 rises quickly into the mountains providing hairpin turns and spectacular mountain vistas. Too bad you can't soak in the view when you are fighting to stay between the yellow lines and get a speed adrenaline rush. Over they intercom, Brian was yelling "Yeaaaa Baby" .... until we got behind grampa and his motorized wheel chair. I could not believe my eyes. This think was putting up the steep mountains and speeds that approached 15 miles per hour. Ruined a great section of road - good thing we have more than we can eat tomorrow.
At the top, by the North Carolina/ Tennessee border, we stopped to let traffic pass so we could hit it on the way down. Wouldn't you know, Grampa comes putting into the stop as well, so we get a chance to check out his machine. Turns out, it is a 300cc scooter that has training wheels bolted on. I was pissing myself when he was passing the big bikes and doing the "rider wave". He thought he was a biker. I am being cruel, 'cause that will likely be me when I'm 80. I just hope someone designs better training wheels, or, get a real trike based on a Goldwing or Harley chassis.
Trip down was fun. Familiar curves. Had to remember that the 20 mph curves meant second gear. Went into the first set of curves a bit hot but dropped my ass over the side like Tom taught us, and made it through OK, if not a bit wiser. Later I found out that John went in hot as well and ended up crossing the lane into the scenic overview parking area. There are parts of the Parkway that aren't that forgiving. Those roads need to be treated with respect.
Further down, we ran into tourists who were driving slow so they could rubber neck the abundant waterfalls splashing down the mountain side. Had to find a short straight section to safely pass (the idea is to get the bikes home in one piece) so I had a clear run at the 360 curve near Gatlinburg. Brian was adjusting his music when he hit the curve and I suspect he was thankful of the superior handling of his Triumph, which took care of it's wayward pilot.
Quick ride through the Niagara Falls of the Smokeys (Gatlinburg is a tourist town that magically appears, literally, as you exit the forest. One minute you are in a thick deep forest canopy that acts like a tunnel - sort of like a hike in algonquin park ... and then BOOM you are in Niagara Falls at Madame Tousaud.
John booked us into the Riverstone resort - normally a mega luxury 5 star, but since it's off season, we got in at a great price. Bad news, it's a dry county so no booze. Good news - across the street, we found a Texas Grill that just got a liquor licesne. Go figure.
Tomorrow (today) we are off to the tail of the dragon. John is heading to I75 so he can get back to the office and close the month. Brian and I will go left on 19, back to Cherokee and head up into the Blue Ridge Parkway. Hope the weather holds out.
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