In Search of Cool

[alien_hitchhiker]

Did an overnighter at the beginning of the week; starting from my home in Asheville.
- distance from Asheville to Gray, TN, as the crow flies (ATCF) = 64 miles.

The plan: visit my ol' friend John & help him get his Honda fired up; scoot around a bit together; then head to Willville Motorcycle Campground in Virginia. The weather girl says it's going to be a hot one - up into the 90's with typical Carolina humidity.

Here she is - packed up & ready to roll

[alien_hitchhiker]

It's great - the morning air is cool, the road is open, this feels good.

John lives on Anthony Creek near Globe, NC. Great roads with a spectacular stretch along John's River.

The most challenging bit though is the last quarter mile. Who says an RT can't go where the GSs run?

[alien_hitchhiker]

John has an incredible place nestled along the creek at the base of a mountain.

No matter the temperature in Asheville - it's always cool at John's.

Distance from John's to Gray, TN ATCF = 49 miles.

[alien_hitchhiker]

John's little Shadow has been suffering from a finicky ignition switch. This bike is a survivor - it's been cross country, it's lived in the woods, it's slid on its side down the pavement, and it has been raced up and down some gnarly mountain roads.

A good dose of WD40 seems to remedy the problem and off we go.

Once we're out of the woods and down into the valley, it's like, oh man when did it get so hot? My little thermometer shows 97 as we head into the town of Lenoir for some chili burgers.

Here's a pic of John (he says, "screw ATGATT, it's HOT").

[alien_hitchhiker]

I can't stand the heat :sick

We head for the high ground. John has an evening commitment so we part ways and I hit the BRPW and point my nose north.

Ahh...this is cool! 90s in the valleys, high 70's at altitude.

[alien_hitchhiker]

My first visit to Willville motorcycle Campground - nice, and the beer buried deep in my side back is still cold - well, let's say it was cool

:beer

www.willvillebikecamp.com

Distance from Willville to Gray, ATCF = 116 miles

[alien_hitchhiker]

OK, so I've got this meticulously worked out back road route for my return trip. All kinds of twisties through Virginia and into Tennessee, coming back into NC over Roan Mountain.

But you know what? It takes me through some valleys and it's gonna be HOT down there.

No! I won't do it. So I get back on the BRPW. This is cool.

[alien_hitchhiker]

A stop at Bluffs Lodge at Doughton Park, on the BRPW. Distance from here to Gray, TN ATCF = 75 miles.

It's cool here, about 78 degrees - oh yeah! And they serve some mean barbeque sandwiched between two cornmeal pancakes. You have to try it.

You could call this pic, taken in front of the Bluffs, 'beauty among the beasts'. Or you could choose to call it 'geek among the beauties'. Just depends.

I bet I saw 100 Harleys (and HD look alikes) on the BRPW. I saw five other BMWS. The HDs get a wave, but the Beemers get a :rocker

[alien_hitchhiker]

Detour on the BRPW takes me into Boone, NC.

I'm hungry so it's down to Black Cat Burrito in the ASU village.

It's not cool in Boone, but it is cool in Black Cat. Incredible burritos too!

Distance from Black Cat to Gray,TN ATCF = 46 miles.

[alien_hitchhiker]

This is cool.

Distance from the viaduct to Gray,TN ATCF = 44 miles.

[alien_hitchhiker]

The BRPW is closed between Ashevillle and Mount Mitchell, so at NC 80 I leave the high road and drop down to I-40. The temperature climbs from 80 to 95 degrees as I descend. This ain't cool. Not so bad though at speed on I-40 and before I know it I'm climbing Old Fort Mountain and am back in Asheville.

The sun is setting and it's beginning to get...

cool!


I put her away in the garage and call it a day.

[bobs98]

Looking forward to riding the area again next year during Rally Time!

Thanks for sharing, Steve!

[terham]

Very cool. :thumb

[drummer]

Very nice - Two friends of mine here at work and myself took a "mental health" day last week. We left Raleigh and three hours later were on the BRP. Shortly thereafter, we started riding the side roads up and down the moutains - you, know the roads with all of the twisties. The weather was perfect and mountain air wonderful.

Thanks for helping to bring back such wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing the pictures as well.

[cafecubano]

The weather girl says it's going to be a hot one - up into the 90's with typical Carolina humidity.

Here she is - packed up & ready to roll

Hey Steve, How did you fit the weather girl in the Givi? That sure is nice of you to bring along her hat :whistle

[tessler]

nice work, Steve. Thanks for taking us along :thumb

[alien_hitchhiker]

Hey Steve, How did you fit the weather girl in the Givi? That sure is nice of you to bring along her hat :whistle


Well, she's a lot more fun than that weather alert radio.

Shhh....don't tell my wife!

[The_Veg]

Great stuff- wish I was there!

One thing though: tell John not to use WD40 in the switch, or anyplace where it might get on electrical contacts or any kind of lock. It is mildly corrosive and can leave residues as well as attract dirt. Try Break-Free CLP in the lock and a good contact-cleaner in the switch. :thumb