Next Wednesday (4/7/10) will be the eighth year from my first mountain trip on the XX. I am planning on a marathon day ride of 500+ miles round trip from my home east of Atlanta. 3 states for sure, maybe 4 if I leave early enoughlike I usually do.

The kid is busy with family, the wife is working away from home, no other responsibilities, (except a cat-taken care of), so I am out of here for sure. I am packing a change of clothes just in case I set a personal record of over 540 miles in a day and don't want to get back after midnight. Total time allowed will be about 18-20 hrs. with breaks for gas, food, relief!

Anyone interested? Meet up at the Shell station at the end of SR400 about 6:30am. (5585 South Chestatee, Dahlonega GA)
About 90 miles from where I live. 1.5 hrs for me. Top off there and head north. Breakfast in Tellico Plains!

There should be at least one other in this adventure. My plan is to ride to the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway, (via 64 to 215) snap a few pics and head home in a different direction. Down hill!

Game on, it's riding season!

Man I wish. Have fun.

Dude! I'm still recouperatin! Enjoy!

I wish I was closer!
Have fun buddy!

Originally Posted by ArmyStrong

Dude! I'm still recouperatin! Enjoy!

Recuperating from what, writing that big honking check to get moved in?????
LOL.

I had a wad of cash when I made my down payment 20 years ago-then
no bike. I felt bad..

Riding on the other hand, um, well, I make time to do that and take NSAIDs for keeping in "shape"! Plus, I have learned recently that my joints don't hurt if I reduce/eliminate sugar intake, thus allowing me to ride distance with out pain. The new Shoei RF1100 makes a difference in lack of neck pain as well.

Figuring it out as I go.........

The plan now is to ride as many twisties as I can to get to Brevard NC where I am going to stay @ local hotel overnight. Using the wifey's points again for a free stay!

From the Cherohala Skyway/143 I will ride to SR28 and head south to Franklin. From there into Highlands and then east on 64 to 107N. I have wanted to ride 107 since I have seen it on a map. From there I wil ride to 281. There is a road called Charlie's Creek Rd. that connects 281 to 215 which would be a short cut-if it is paved.

Otherwise I will ride south on 281 to 64 then back up 215 to the BRP for a picture @ 6000 feet and then to 276 to 64 for the overnight stay.

Meet up anywhere??????

My plans changed a bit and I spent the night in Cornelia GA at the nicest Hampton Inn I have ever stayed in. My wife was working there at a conference and had left software at home critical to her job. I took it up to her Tuesday night and staged from there to head north on US129 Wednesday morning. Of course spending the night with the S.O. away from home is always fun.

I followed the GPS routing to a way point I had marked on a previous trip, and I was riding up SR115 when I saw a huge old junk yard that made me think that I should email American Pickers to have a look at the pile of old stuff.

I had a great ride up 129 and dog legged across 64/74 to SR 294 in NC and stopped by Fields of the Wood, a landmark near Murphy NC. Land that was donated in the mid 1940s was put to use creating this large landmark.

As you can see, THE LAW as it was given in the Old Testament is approx. 600 feet high. An impressive site, and was free to see.

From there, I rode on up to SR68 which took me into Tellico Plains where I rode the Cherohala Skyway. On one of the corners, a photographer named Al shot a few pics of me which turned out pretty good.

I went on into Robbinsville to fuel up and get a sandwich. While visiting the washroom, I saw the curious way NC conveys public safety messages to people.

From there I rode up to SR28 then down to Highlands and SR64 to SR107. I stopped along 64 and got a few pics at Dry Falls, which is now flowing again!!

I had seen these twisties (including SR281 and 215 which I had ridden before) and wanted to explore 107 and 281. 107 was OK, and the beginning and end of 281 were entertaining, but the center section of 281 was a mess; rough pavement, with sand and gravel from the snow storms recently. I don't think I will be traveling 281 again for that reason.
While traveling on 107, I came across a private trout fishing retreat for muckity mucks. A premium mountain resort for the big buck crowd.

I rode on up 107 to 218 and chuckled when I saw this sign warning truckers. Good for bikes though! Or so I thought, until I went down the mountain, in the sand, pea gravel and r-o-u-g-h pavement.

From there I went on up 64 to 215 and grabbed a picture. This is a fun road that leads to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

From 215, I turned right and went south on the BRP for a little over 8 miles and reached my goal, the highest point on the motor road. After enjoying the solice and clean air, I headed north to SR276. However the parkway was closed about 4 miles north of 215, so I had to double back and take 215 south to 64, then into Brevard where I spent the night. After 370 miles of mostly mountain roads, I was tired, but not worn out. I found a Japanese restuarant/Sushi lounge nearby and relaxed while the sun went down.

The next morning I awoke early and scarfed down the available free continental breakfast and roared home to beat the approaching storm front. I had just light rain about 10 miles from home, just enough to move the thick yellow pine pollen around!

The entire ride was 635 miles, done in about 16.5 hrs. of time on the bike.
This old Honda still has a lot of life left in it.

I am still glad I bought it 8 years ago!

man... I'd have been all over that if I lived closer! Excellent ride story, thanks for the pics!

Nice, Guru!!

Now:

Recuperating from what, writing that big honking check to get moved in?????
LOL.

No. The longest ride I've EVER been on in my life. One day and total, personal best.
(memo to others contemplating joining X1 for a ride: if he plans it, be ready to RIDE! Great pathfinder, but the old man doesn't get tired!!!)

Originally Posted by ArmyStrong

Nice, Guru!!

Now:

No. The longest ride I've EVER been on in my life. One day and total, personal best.
(memo to others contemplating joining X1 for a ride: if he plans it, be ready to RIDE! Great pathfinder, but the old man doesn't get tired!!!)

I don't get tired because I cheat with scripts.............