biknflyfisher
Well-known member
So Steve, you were “Way down upon the Suwannee River, far, far away”?.
Seems like I’ve heard that before…….
Biknflyfisher
Could be Epic
- Thread starter sapest
- Start date
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So Steve, you were “Way down upon the Suwannee River, far, far away”?.
Seems like I’ve heard that before…….
Biknflyfisher
sapest
Well-known member
Yes I am definitely “far, far away.”
-Steve
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sapest
Well-known member
Day 17 - addendum
Forgot to mention we drove by the Don Garlits museum in Ocala.
(another old guy reference)
-Steve
Forgot to mention we drove by the Don Garlits museum in Ocala.
(another old guy reference)
-Steve
sapest
Well-known member
Staying in Brevard NC tonight. (Yes, this is a hint)
-Steve
sapest
Well-known member
Day 18
“Carolina on my mind”
Left Valdosta heading north on I75 to Macon. Didnt see Smokey or the Bandit.
Switched to 129/441 north to Commerce.
Checked out Culver’s ‘butter burgers’.
Pretty good burger, generous order of fries. Very friendly staff, and the food was hot when delivered to the table.
North of Commerce, and onto I85 for a bit.
Turning north on 178, once we cross highway 11 we are on the ‘scariest road in S Carolina’. The Moorefield Memorial Highway, which become the Pickens Highway is just a joy to ride on a motorcycle. Nothing too scary, no 300’ drop offs or anything like that. About 16 miles of tree shaded fun curves and elevation changes. A couple of decreasing radius turns, just to keep you on your toes. Where is this road on any ‘best m/c roads‘ list?
Excellent way to end the day in Brevard NC.
13 states now.
Cheapest gas $2.67 was posted sign, everywhere else in same area was around $3.05, so not really sure about that number.
-Steve
“Carolina on my mind”
Left Valdosta heading north on I75 to Macon. Didnt see Smokey or the Bandit.
Switched to 129/441 north to Commerce.
Checked out Culver’s ‘butter burgers’.
Pretty good burger, generous order of fries. Very friendly staff, and the food was hot when delivered to the table.
North of Commerce, and onto I85 for a bit.
Turning north on 178, once we cross highway 11 we are on the ‘scariest road in S Carolina’. The Moorefield Memorial Highway, which become the Pickens Highway is just a joy to ride on a motorcycle. Nothing too scary, no 300’ drop offs or anything like that. About 16 miles of tree shaded fun curves and elevation changes. A couple of decreasing radius turns, just to keep you on your toes. Where is this road on any ‘best m/c roads‘ list?
Excellent way to end the day in Brevard NC.
13 states now.
Cheapest gas $2.67 was posted sign, everywhere else in same area was around $3.05, so not really sure about that number.
-Steve
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1911
Well-known member
Shhhhh! We’re trying to keep it a secret. For us upstate SC riders the real misery starts on the north side of Hwy11. Whatever you do, don’t run 178 up to Rosman and then jink left on 64 right on 215, 215 up to the BRP. That route really sucks. JK obviously. A few lesser known but close by worthwhiles. Sassafras Mtn/East Fork Rd. TN352/NC197 when the leaves are changing. Roan Mountain (well known). Actually, pay me no mind. The north GA, western NC, TN, VA area-just ride anything. You need about 4 days in the area to hit the good ones from Richard Russell to Paint Bank
metalman
Well-known member
This one was hit by a truck in NE Oklahoma.
sapest
Well-known member
Day 19
‘the big four plus 1’
Unfortunately I left this morning before reading 1911’s last post.
Took 215 (Parkway Road) to the BRP - The horrors, the horrors! (thats the +1)
A)Took the BRP to the Devils Courthouse, turned around and rode the other way to the end.
B) 441 N thru the Smokey Mountain Nat Park, onto Fighting Creek Gap Road, thru Townsend and onto to 321 into Maryville. Lunchtime.
C) 411 to Caulderwood Highway (129) and onto the Tail of the Dragon.
D) After Deals Gap, took 129 over the dam and caught the Joyce Kilmer Road to 143/165 - Cherohala Skyway.
All these roads are in fine shape, a few heaves and bumps, but I was surprised at the quality of the pavement this time of yr.
A) the Blue Ridge Parkway is a great ride. Scenic overlooks, tunnels, everything as advertised.
B) thru the SMNP is more of the same, not so many overlooks, more twists and turns than BRP
C) TotD, I’ve done it, it was work, I wouldnt do it again.
D) I really liked the first third, you do feel like you are riding ‘in the sky’. After that, its A&B all over again.
Parkway Rd (the +1) - I had the most fun of the day riding this road. For me, it has it all, big sweeps, tight curves, elevation changes and good pavement.
I suppose you can say that of all five, but this road is the one I enjoyed the most.
In the outskirts of Chattanooga for the night.
Over 6100 miles so far. 14 states.
Cheapest gas $3.04
Life has interrupted this journey. We’ve had to scrap the rest of the plan, and head for home. The fun stuff is over. Will see what the Interstates hold for the next 2500 miles.
-Steve
‘the big four plus 1’
Unfortunately I left this morning before reading 1911’s last post.
Took 215 (Parkway Road) to the BRP - The horrors, the horrors! (thats the +1)
A)Took the BRP to the Devils Courthouse, turned around and rode the other way to the end.
B) 441 N thru the Smokey Mountain Nat Park, onto Fighting Creek Gap Road, thru Townsend and onto to 321 into Maryville. Lunchtime.
C) 411 to Caulderwood Highway (129) and onto the Tail of the Dragon.
D) After Deals Gap, took 129 over the dam and caught the Joyce Kilmer Road to 143/165 - Cherohala Skyway.
All these roads are in fine shape, a few heaves and bumps, but I was surprised at the quality of the pavement this time of yr.
A) the Blue Ridge Parkway is a great ride. Scenic overlooks, tunnels, everything as advertised.
B) thru the SMNP is more of the same, not so many overlooks, more twists and turns than BRP
C) TotD, I’ve done it, it was work, I wouldnt do it again.
D) I really liked the first third, you do feel like you are riding ‘in the sky’. After that, its A&B all over again.
Parkway Rd (the +1) - I had the most fun of the day riding this road. For me, it has it all, big sweeps, tight curves, elevation changes and good pavement.
I suppose you can say that of all five, but this road is the one I enjoyed the most.
In the outskirts of Chattanooga for the night.
Over 6100 miles so far. 14 states.
Cheapest gas $3.04
Life has interrupted this journey. We’ve had to scrap the rest of the plan, and head for home. The fun stuff is over. Will see what the Interstates hold for the next 2500 miles.
-Steve
Attachments
Bugnatr
Well-known member
Steve, excellent report! Sorry to read life got in the way (as it can). I'm sure this isn't what the plan was but a great ride so far.
Wishing you cheap gas and safe travels home.
Wishing you cheap gas and safe travels home.
BigOgre
Well-known member
A FINE ride report and bookmarked for future reference. Thank you. And yes, home safe. Hopefully not a long, stressful trip back.
sapest
Well-known member
Thx!
I will keep posting to the end, its just not going to be as much fun.
475 miles today.
-Steve
Been a few days since I caught up! I must say great RR once again!
Entering SC "sign, sign, everywheres a sign"...
Thanks for taking the time!
JP
Entering SC "sign, sign, everywheres a sign"...
Thanks for taking the time!
JP
Ciscoz
Member
Thanks for the great RR. Was fun reading all your comments. Hoping to follow a similar route at some point in the next couple years, with a start and end in Manitoba rather than BC. Continued safe travels!
sapest
Well-known member
Day 20
A cool day, with rain the last 3 hours. Ended the day in Wentzville, west of St Louis. Saw the arch, and crossed the Veterans Memorial Bridge.
Signs along the way -
”Nudies ***** Tonk (World Famous) since 1947”
A full size hiway tractor hung from a pole advertising a Peterbuilt dealer.
”Stay in Lane” sign on a one lane road.
”Best.Gunstore.Ever.”
480 miles today.
Crossed 5 states on todays journey. 3 new, 17 states so far.
Cheapest gas $2.87
-Steve
A cool day, with rain the last 3 hours. Ended the day in Wentzville, west of St Louis. Saw the arch, and crossed the Veterans Memorial Bridge.
Signs along the way -
”Nudies ***** Tonk (World Famous) since 1947”
A full size hiway tractor hung from a pole advertising a Peterbuilt dealer.
”Stay in Lane” sign on a one lane road.
”Best.Gunstore.Ever.”
480 miles today.
Crossed 5 states on todays journey. 3 new, 17 states so far.
Cheapest gas $2.87
-Steve
sapest
Well-known member
Day 21
Just over 400 miles today, into Lincoln NE. Hot, about 90F when we arrived.
Todays signs -
Complete rig, tractor and 40’ trailer, hung from a pole, advertising for drivers.
Country store - Boots, Bullets, Britches & Bologna.
We rent cars - $35/hour (!!)
Why is the Missouri text on the license plates so small ?
Over 6000 miles, another 2 states, now 19 total.
Cheapest gas $3.24
-Steve
Just over 400 miles today, into Lincoln NE. Hot, about 90F when we arrived.
Todays signs -
Complete rig, tractor and 40’ trailer, hung from a pole, advertising for drivers.
Country store - Boots, Bullets, Britches & Bologna.
We rent cars - $35/hour (!!)
Why is the Missouri text on the license plates so small ?
Over 6000 miles, another 2 states, now 19 total.
Cheapest gas $3.24
-Steve
biknflyfisher
Well-known member
Hey, while in Lincoln maybe you should go out for the Cornhuskers football team. They need all the help they can get….
biknflyfisher
Well-known member
Apparently I liked your post so much I quoted it twice…..
Ridelikethewind
Well-known member
You are moving right along! We need those ammo places here in Komifornia!
I particularly like your "SIGNS REPORT". Thanks and be safe.
garyahouse
newbs need the forum
Imagine what you'd face trying to leave Key West right about now with a hurricane approaching and the highway loaded...
