Hi Folks,
I hadn't seen my only first cousin, who lives west of Savannah, Georgia, in about 30 years, so I decided to take a week off and ride the Blue Ridge Parkway from beginning (Virginia) to the end (North Carolina) and then continue down into Georgia. It was very pleasant in the mountains, but really hot in the lowlands, 90-100 degrees each day. I camped out each night.
I packed my tent and cot into the top dry bag, and all my clothes, laptop, towel, etc. into the bottom dry bag and strapped it to the back with Roc straps. My Chase Harper tank bag came in really handy. I stored my maps in the top map pocket (I don't use GPS).
I made it to the highest elevation on the Parkway the second day. It was cloudy and deserted... a great day of riding!
EXCEPT, when I was going through one of the many tunnels, and two kids on superbikes passed me IN THE TUNNEL. Those tunnels are difficult to navigate because you come out of the bright sun into darkness, and the road surface is soaking wet. If I had moved an inch to the left when I heard them downshifting I wouldn't be writing this post.
I camped out in Hamburg State Park in Georgia the third night. Very quiet and very pleasant. The lake is beautiful and the shower was really appreciated! I was pretty ripe by this third night, riding in 99 degree heat most of the day.
A side road in Georgia. That's a clay surface, and very slick. Slow going if you are brave enough.
I was relaxing outside this general store in Georgia when the Mayor of the town came over and we chatted for a good hour. He rides a Harley (seems like I saw nothing but Harleys in Georgia). It was still 99 outside and I was drinking a Gatorade every hour. I realized that night that I hadn't pee'd all day!
I camped along the Chattahoochee River in Georgia on the way back. Really pretty river and a perfect kyaking location.
Ahhh... back in the mountains. I camped at Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway the night before and it was 48 degrees in the morning. Quite a change from the heat in Georgia!
I made it back to Virginia and home that day, having done a total of 1755 miles. The NT ran and rode beautifully. I really love this bike. It is comfortable, has plenty of power, and handles the curves blissfully.
But "Missy" is now is due for a major service at 40K miles. I checked the valves and they are fine, but the front fork started to leak so I'll get in there and rebuild it. The air filter looked really black, so it is also being replaced, as are the plugs which looked fine but I'm going to replace anyway.
I hadn't seen my only first cousin, who lives west of Savannah, Georgia, in about 30 years, so I decided to take a week off and ride the Blue Ridge Parkway from beginning (Virginia) to the end (North Carolina) and then continue down into Georgia. It was very pleasant in the mountains, but really hot in the lowlands, 90-100 degrees each day. I camped out each night.
I packed my tent and cot into the top dry bag, and all my clothes, laptop, towel, etc. into the bottom dry bag and strapped it to the back with Roc straps. My Chase Harper tank bag came in really handy. I stored my maps in the top map pocket (I don't use GPS).
I made it to the highest elevation on the Parkway the second day. It was cloudy and deserted... a great day of riding!
EXCEPT, when I was going through one of the many tunnels, and two kids on superbikes passed me IN THE TUNNEL. Those tunnels are difficult to navigate because you come out of the bright sun into darkness, and the road surface is soaking wet. If I had moved an inch to the left when I heard them downshifting I wouldn't be writing this post.
I camped out in Hamburg State Park in Georgia the third night. Very quiet and very pleasant. The lake is beautiful and the shower was really appreciated! I was pretty ripe by this third night, riding in 99 degree heat most of the day.
A side road in Georgia. That's a clay surface, and very slick. Slow going if you are brave enough.
I was relaxing outside this general store in Georgia when the Mayor of the town came over and we chatted for a good hour. He rides a Harley (seems like I saw nothing but Harleys in Georgia). It was still 99 outside and I was drinking a Gatorade every hour. I realized that night that I hadn't pee'd all day!
I camped along the Chattahoochee River in Georgia on the way back. Really pretty river and a perfect kyaking location.
Ahhh... back in the mountains. I camped at Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway the night before and it was 48 degrees in the morning. Quite a change from the heat in Georgia!
I made it back to Virginia and home that day, having done a total of 1755 miles. The NT ran and rode beautifully. I really love this bike. It is comfortable, has plenty of power, and handles the curves blissfully.
But "Missy" is now is due for a major service at 40K miles. I checked the valves and they are fine, but the front fork started to leak so I'll get in there and rebuild it. The air filter looked really black, so it is also being replaced, as are the plugs which looked fine but I'm going to replace anyway.
so much any more