The ride up to Hartford ... oh, what an adventure!

The weekend began after work on Friday.  I rode all the way out to Knoxville from Seymour so Mufasa could get a front tire and an oil change.  We then headed right back out from where I'd come from because there was a new back road to ride ... and a mountain to climb.  As we dipped and leaned through the tight Sevier County back roads, David pointed out a mountain and said he wanted to go to the top.  So we did!  The path got more and more narrow and soon the yellow line disappeared.  I always feel fortunate to tackle these roads on a bike vs. a vehicle so that we can stay a safe distance from oncoming traffic.  The road had a few corkscrews but was pretty level and the camber wasn't too bad.  It was a typical tourist/vacation cabin type road; I couldn't imagine actually living on it, as I can imagine it would get quite iced in during the winter!

See that view?  Breathtaking!  And tall!

We actually received a last minute invitation Friday night to ride down south with a friend from up north, but David had already planned and mapped out a ride up north.  We were PLANNING to head up to KY and maybe hit the Aces and Eights ride.  Upon further investigation, the ride was just going to be too far to tackle in a day, so we picked our 2nd favorite, the Rattler.

Tired of our "helmet hair, don't care" yet?

As Saturday morning dawned, plans morphed yet again as David wanted to head up towards Hartford and some of the roads we'd driven for the Foothills Wine Trail.  We headed around towards Douglas Lake and enjoyed the views at the dam.  The GPS directed us along the general route we'd used in the truck, and we ended up stopping for gas IN Hartford, which is a little rafting town close to the NC state line; State Route 32 is close to there which is the road we hit on our way home from our epic Diamondback/Sidewinder/Devil's Whip ride and I almost cried, lol.  We opted NOT to partake of that particular adventure, and I spotted a sign for the Martha Sundquist State Forest and thought it would be a GREAT idea to go check that out.  Hah!  Friends, if you EVER ride with us, be prepared for ANYTHING, haha.

Yeah, do yourself a favor and visit this place in a TRUCK.

The gravel ON the road quickly turned TO a gravel road, and as the weather was nice with no mud, we opted to see where it would take us.  I hit a few ruts and rocks that literally took my breath away, they were so hard.  About 4 miles in, we came upon a V in the road; up or down.  I was beginning to just think we needed to turn around b/c the road was getting more and more narrow, and the weeds were growing up thicker in the center of the road.  The rocks were looser, the ruts were bigger, and the uphill climb was looking somewhat washed out.  And then David exclaimed in my ear, "OH SHI&!"  I thought it was maybe a log across the road or something, but turns out it was a bear.  Yep, a very large bear.  I only saw the butt, David saw the whole thing.  It loped off about 30 feet, then stopped just to the edge of the woods.  Um, yeah, we turned around.  THAT was fun.  I started to park the bike and get off and let David finish turning her around.  He DID get off and stand in front of me b/c I was terrified I was going to drive right off the edge b/c did I mention this road was uphill?  And rutted out loose gravel?  And my motorcycle is a STREET BIKE??  

I'd rather be on pavement

Irritability was beginning to set in, which happens when I act like a puss, lol.  I was also having trouble with my sunglasses b/c I was wearing just my short sleeved shirt b/c it was sooooo hot I didn't even want my jacket.  So, nowhere to put my glasses, and I was having trouble reading the road b/c it was so shadow riddled.  I finally got them situated, and we made it back out the way we came ... and promptly turned down a paved road riddled with loose gravel and MASSIVE potholes.  I'm pretty sure I was complaining, lol.  Fortunately, the bad conditions improved, and we ended up on a short jaunt up Foothills Parkway ... NOT the one I've ridden a hundred times, the other one.  It was super short, but it had the same breathtaking views.

The "other" Foothills Parkway

That dumped us out onto I-40, and we rode a few miles up and down the windy, breathtaking hills and curves.  There's nothing quite like taking a wide, sweeping curve at 75 mph in 5th gear on a smooth riding bike.  This was one of the first times I can remember actually enjoying the ride, as the road was completely dry, AND there wasn't a wall of semi trucks.  There were a few, but they were easily passed.  By sheer accident, we ended up in Hot Springs, NC.  Lol, we honestly did not head towards the Rattler on purpose, but we ended up there anyway.

NEVER ENDING gravel road

We again ate at our favorite Irish bar on the river, then flew across Hwy 209, AKA the Rattler.  I again led the ride, as I do really enjoy that road.  By the time we completed it, we were both pretty dang tired, so we hit the Interstate to go home.  It was a BEAUTIFUL day, full of lots of adventure and amazing views, tight, corkscrew 15 mph turns and high speed, 75 mph curves.  We had bears, birds, and gravel.  I have SUCH an amazing time with my other half, I can't say enough how much I love and appreciate him.  He always watches out for me and takes care of me, but he also doesn't put up with any crap, lol.  He pushes me safely out of my comfort zone just enough that I grow as a rider every time I throw a leg over.  I'm so thankful for my life, and can't wait to reveal what's coming up in a mere 6 days!!!

Douglas Dam

Day 2; in which we earn more stickers and I learn a game changing trick!

Morning once again dawned way too early!  We headed out in search of a Cracker Barrel since we knew it was going to be an epic day.  The cool weather had me adding an additional jacket under my leather one, and off we went.

After stuffing our faces with way too much food, we began the trek to Mountain City and The Snake (Hwy 421).  As we were motoring towards our destination, it took me by surprise when all of a sudden the well paved road broke out into curves and twists.  WAY more technical than BOD; in fact, my concentration was off kilter because I wasn't expecting it.  I shook off the cobwebs and hunkered down and managed to smooth out my turns.  Soon enough, we pulled into a store, and David said that was the Snake.  OH, duh, lol.  It came up way faster than I was expecting!  Like I said, very technical.

After a brief stop to pick out a sticker from the store, we continued on down towards Mountain City, VA.  There were still plenty of curves and hills to be had, My brain was in a better place, and I happily twisted the throttle on the exit and making a beeline towards the next entrance.  At our next gas stop, I randomly make mention of my trouble yesterday and my difficulty with deciding whether to use front brake or rear brake when sitting on a hill.  David looked at me funny and said he'd TOLD me what I need to do ***CUE LIFE CHANGING TIP NOW***  When you're sitting there, before you pull out, let your clutch out a little.  Get it RIGHT in that sweet spot of engagement; the bike won't move.  I mean, yes, he'd told me that once before.  It did NOT, however, register what he'd said.  I thought he'd meant to hold front brake and apply throttle (cue laughing like crazy enoticon here).

We rode much less exciting roads to Blowing Rock, NC and the beginning for us of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We've driven on it once, but never on a motorcycle.  As we turned on it, we vowed not to stop at every pull off and overlook because we KNOW it's beautiful, but we'll never make it if we keep stopping!

It had been so long since we'd driven it, I forgot how it's almost identical to Foothills Parkway.  And there was a lot of driving traffic.  Even though the road has breathtaking views, it began to get a tad monotonous.  The cars were driving under the speed limit, yet stomped on the gas the instant a passing lane came available (cue rolley eyes emoticon here).  The turns all began to feel the same and I got SLEEPY.  I finally began to see signs for Asheville, which was sort of our daily destination; we were heading to a BBQ restaurant we'd seen featured on the Travel Channel.  Finally, our exit came up.

As we drove through the streets of Asheville and entered the restaurant, David and I discussed how much we DON'T fit in with all the hipster millenials that seem to own the place, lol!  That place is probably so far left it would be in California if it could.  The BBQ, however, was outstanding.

We hit good 'ol Hwy 321 and picked a path towards Maggie Valley.  From 321, we veered off onto Hwy 63 ... to my knowledge, 63 is not any sort of a "named" road, but that baby all of a sudden broke into the mountainous, curvy belly dance!  I was smiling under my helmet as I aggressively pulled my right elbow into my ribs, chasing my husband into the curves.  He tends to pull away and leave my behind; after analyzing in my head, I had determined he leaves me during the "roll" part of the curve.  So, I began "rolling" a little extra hard so I could keep his cute rear in my sights ;)  

Soon enough, that road ended and much to my delight, it ended into my favorite; Hwy 209!  The Rattler is THRILLING where the Tail of the Dragon is nerve wracking.  Even though I always do just fine on it, the dragon causes a flood of adrenaline that always leaves me struggling for perfection.  All I could hear was the rise and fall of our exhaust as we accelerated and braked our way to the end of the Rattler.  As we dismounted to FINALLY get our sticker, I couldn't stop my excited chatter.

The rest of the ride is a story you've already heard.  We made a beeline to Maggie Valley, which is really beautiful.  Took the small roads over to Cherokee, then hit the National Park roads in a small rain shower to Gatlinburg.  The last time we went that way, we'd left the Mystery Dinner Ride and did our epic stargazing night ride.  This time we had daylight, but it was dreary and rainy.  Stopped so I could add another layer, then tackled the twisty national park roads one handed and with my legs straight out in front of me.  My back and knees were killing me, and I had a headache from the pressure and weight of my helmet pressing down on my neck.  Like I said, Iron Butt I have no desire to do!

It's a DAMN good ride when you can say the WORST thing that happened all weekend was you choked your bike twice in a row.  We got home around 7 yesterday evening, and today we got on again (after washing them) to go up to IMOK to see the Scout Bobber (it was already sold:( )  That was really just an excuse to ride anyway, so we bobbed and weaved through traffic back home.  Felt great, no sore butt whatsoever!  Yay for sheepskin!  I'm definitely a convert :D  I also tested out David's life changing tip.  We were at an uphill light; one steep enough I would have been waffling about front brake or rear brake??  I let out the clutch a few inches, took my hand off the brake so I could twist the throttle and Khaleesi did NOT MOVE.  There was no trying to get in the friction zone, it simply was locked in place.  Kerplow!  (picture brain blowing up)  Upcoming weekend will see us hauling the bikes down to GA and hopefully getting in a good ride.  Preliminary forecast is calling for rain, so we'll see.

Can you spot the new swag??