By: RCT
Anyone wishing to just display just all the pictures without having to click on them in this report, click here PicturesOnly
Wow, another season coming to a close and what better way to do it with the traditional Fall Color Run out to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Anyone who has been there on 2 wheels, do NOT do what I did. I pasted the BRP map up at work in my office. (about an hour later, I emerged from my daydream and was lost in good memories)
Of course good weather always helps to promote a "good trip" and this was no exception. We had spectacular weather. I wanted to write a report while it was somewhat fresh in my mind, but as I start writing, I find it will not be hard to remember since it was such a positive trip for me.
(I have to apologize for the poor quality of the scanned pictures. I seriously need to consider getting into the digital age or get a decent scanner)
I started the trip out with my Son, Chad, but knew there was a possibility of meeting other friends on the road.
Day 1 (Sunday, Oct 7, 2001)
532 Miles
63mph avg speed
8 hours, 26 minutes saddle time
What can I say about day 1? I call it "slab just to get there". Actually, the road time for me is very welcome and just great to leave work behind and get ready for what is coming. My ST (with all her weight) is a wonderful road bike when the slabing is necessary to get someplace.
As I left home, it was 29 degrees out with a predicted high of around 50. The 29 was cool, but the riding gear held up good and the hot grips felt wonderful. By the time I hit Chad’s house, it was already above freezing and sunny. Chad conveniently lead us out of the Chi-town area and into Indiana.
Hwy 65 down to Indy, Hwy 74 over to Ohio…..bla, bla, bla. Sit back, enjoy the ride, scenery and tunes.
Following the Ohio river along the southern edge
of Ohio was quite nice and we crossed over onto the Kentucky side for a
bit, as we headed for, and settled into Portsmouth, Ohio for the night.
Day 2
385 Miles
55mph avg speed
6 hours, 56 minutes saddle time
Although (for me anyway), destination BRP was to be the highlight of this trip, Day 2 started the scenic fun, heading into and exploring West Virginia. Parts of WV were beautiful and I was remembering many roads I had been on before in my travels. Chad sniffed out a familiar lake he had visited before (which I had not seen before) and it was truly a scenic rest stop. So much so that I had to finally take my first pictures of the trip.
We worked our way through scenic areas and then through an area I told Chad I wanted to re-visit. It was not quite as colorful as a previous visit, but none-the-less quite comforting and beautiful.
Day 3
311 Miles
48mph avg speed
6 hours, 28 minutes saddle time
Day 3 would find Chad and I having an Excellent breakfast at a small mom/pop restaurant, and then motoring to the Northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We stopped for a traditional pose in front of the Blue ridge sign and then began a wait for possible rendezvous with friends. After waiting at the sign for a bit, we motored up the road to the first outlook and enjoyed the scenery there. I thought for sure (due to cold morning temps), that the friends were already at least a day down the parkway and thought we might as well head out and possibly meet them along the way. Just as hope was giving out, Chad heard the familiar sound of Tads new bike and at least I was amazed it came together. Nearly a thousand miles from home, and at least a day apart from our departures from home, we met our 3 friends.
Soooooooo, back to the sign for another maids in a row picture J
I have to take a minute here to confess to an error. I had spouted off in years past that I didn't particularly care for the northern part of the parkway where the farmland and civilization came right up to the parkway. Oh, how badly I had interpreted this. I found a completely new inner peace and pleasure with areas like the next picture.
There was lots of areas of color and nice weather to boot (and I apologize for so many shots with the SarahT in the picture.)
Since I had to take care of some business off the road in the woods, I discovered how SarahT would look to Big Foot J
We had all decided that we would camp at Doughton Park (a camping area right on the parkway), so I basically rode 1/2 the parkway (240 miles) enjoying the day. We all met up and proceeded to set up camp. We purchased lots of firewood, knowing the temps would at least get down in the lower 40's. Well, the camping was ok, but about an hour after retiring, my blow up mattress popped a leak and I ended up on the ground. BAD……… I kinda froze the rest of the night and welcomed dawn as I heard Adam rustling with the fire and getting coffee started. I was finally able to get up, dressed and warm up. I WILL purchase a sleeping bag pad vs the blow up doll (oops).
Day 4
287 Miles
47mph avg speed
6 hours, 4 minutes saddle time
We ate breakfast at the Doughton Park Parkway restaurant, and then on to the 2nd half of the parkway. We all set sights on Big Witch outlook which was about 10 miles from the end.
The most colorful part of this years parkway tour was an area called Linn Cove Viaduct, around milepost 300. It was absolutely breathtaking.
The following was my favorite shot and am sorry for the bad quality. My friend Tad took the same exact picture and you can see it at his web page. I hope he doesn't get mad at me for directing you to his picture that is much better quality. http://198.62.139.6/tad/2001trip5/brproad2.jpg
Ya, gone through the parkway tunnels many times, but never a picture from within on the fly J
At the next spot, Tad pulled in a bit after me and caught me admiring a special "spot" he frequents. We exchanged some conversation and pictures and continued on.
Notice on the next shot the clouds that were rolling up the side of the mountain. They kept just above my head, keeping the road fog free, but continued to roll above.
Then, all to soon, the 470 miles of parkway was over L
All members showed up within an incredibly short window of time. How does that happen after traveling basically alone for 5 hours and 250 miles. I guess everyone stops about equal time at their own special places to take pictures and enjoy life. Shot below is the bikes at Big Witch.
So, then it was on to a motel that would bring us close to Deals Gap where I had plans of video taping many runs through the Gap by the other members of our group who enjoy the more challenging aspects of "sport"-touring. Shot below is at our motel. Sorry the washed out picture doesn't show the mountain in the background.
Same shot below the next morning in morning sunlight.
Image41.jpg By the way,
Image41 was a monumental milestone for me and my ST. Turned 30K at the
motel after 3 seasons of riding.
Day 5
492 Miles
61mph avg speed
8 hours, 4 minutes saddle time
After helping Jeff put his bike back together after an extremely unfortunate low-side the night before at the Gap, Chad and I decided to part from our friends and take a different route back through the Cherohala Skyway. We were all extremely happy for Jeff that he had no injuries.
Anyway, the Cherohala was Beautiful. Ran into some fog and mist for a short stretch, but otherwise, it was tremendous.
Chad coming round the bend: Image43.jpg
Chad on the Cherohala: Image44.jpg
Now look close, Chad exiting the bend: Image45.jpg
Image48.jpg (Chad in the mirror coming from behind me? Now there's a twist)
othermirror.jpg Whoaaaa, glad I didn't see that in my mirror
After trying to enjoy a few more backroads before
the inevitable slab, we finally did slab all the way to Carbondale. Approaching
Nashville, we finally hit misty rain and after dark, it became VERY hard
to see. But, we did have visions of a nice meal at Tres Hombres and that
alone kept us pounding the pavement. We settled in at Tres around 8:30
and did indeed enjoy the meal and conversations about a great trip.
Day 6
388 Miles
69.6 mph avg speed (whoa, keep her down boy…..)
5 hours, 35 minutes saddle time
Day 6 was the old familiar drive home from Carbondale.
Up 57, over 74, and up 39. Do it in your sleep kinda thing. I always enjoy
the ride, though and never seem to grow tired of it. Good weather made
it that much more enjoyable.
Conclusion (2395 miles total)
Hard to make a conclusion when each day was so enjoyable but here goes.
I had a BLAST on the parkway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's been referred to as "an escape from reality, making inner peace, etc", and all I can say is that they ALL apply.
In the 3 seasons I have gotten back on to 2-wheels, I've climbed a slow road toward mastering my machine and the more experience I get, the more I enjoy the "curvies". I said curvies boys, not twisties J Hmmmm, what have you guys been trying to get through my head all these years?….. ya, I know…. I'm a slow learner.
But, I am having trouble expressing how wonderful this trip was so all I guess I can conclude is that it was perfect. Nothing to have to think of apologies, or excuses, etc, just down right perfect.
I hope I can avoid the lure of the new ST1300, but it is gonna be tough.
Have a fun (?) winter everyone. I'm about to put
my ST away for the winter.
rct
