tby
Well-known member
After our last trip to Bryson City, I told my wife that I'd like to get back to Johnson City to re-experience some of the rides I did during the 2009 FJR Eastern Owner's Meet. Particularly the area around Big Stone Gap as that was the first place I'd ever scraped a peg. If it weren't for that trip I'd probably still be a single guy living in Flori-duh, home of the 11 curves in 318 miles.
Our local plans for Memorial Day weekend fell apart so off we went!
GPS Tracks: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21228731/20140528085543-00062-map.html
More Pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tby/sets/72157644485458647/
Friday we slabbed it out, leaving around 3PM... just in time for Atlanta long weekend traffic to kick in. I'd timed my departure to meet my wife on the highway but thanks to traffic it took nearly an hour to make up the ~2 mile lead she had on me. At our first fuel stop we called for a 6PM dinner reservation at The Corner Kitchen in Asheville and made it there just a half hour late. That place is always worth a stop if you're in the neighborhood.
We crossed the mountains into Erwin, TN just a bit too late to get some sunset pictures. Oh well. Reached the hotel and promptly crashed out on the bed.
Saturday we rode the EOM-1 route. A quick trip into Shady Valley, then off into Virginia for a bit before heading generally south and crisscrossing between NC and TN a few times heading to Spruce Pine, then across Roan Mountain and back to JC.
Sunday we did the EOM-5 route. Generally it's a loop around Big Stone Gap that goes through Lynch and several other mining areas. Most of the riding I do in the mountains are around protected lands so it's rather striking to see the impact of mining operations. Highlights of the route are VA-72 through Jefferson National Forest and VA-70 into Blackwater, VA. Those two stretches of road are as good as any of the more famous roads in NC & TN.
Monday morning we hit Shady Valley again, making sure to hit the spot where the photographer is stationed (421 on the south side). Went across Roan Mountain again and headed for The Devil's Whip -- NC 80. Unfortunately we got wet towards the end of NC 80 and Blind Kenny had packed it up before we got there. From there we headed for home, with a little detour to Batcave, NC just because. We ended up taking SC 11 to I-85, again, just because, and discovered the Long Shoals Wayside Park right at sunset. Beautiful little creek / falls area. From there we hauled ass home and arrived a bit after midnight.
Whomever put together the 2009 EOM routes, I owe you some beers. They've been providing me with great rides every time I get back there.
Our local plans for Memorial Day weekend fell apart so off we went!
GPS Tracks: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21228731/20140528085543-00062-map.html
More Pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tby/sets/72157644485458647/
Friday we slabbed it out, leaving around 3PM... just in time for Atlanta long weekend traffic to kick in. I'd timed my departure to meet my wife on the highway but thanks to traffic it took nearly an hour to make up the ~2 mile lead she had on me. At our first fuel stop we called for a 6PM dinner reservation at The Corner Kitchen in Asheville and made it there just a half hour late. That place is always worth a stop if you're in the neighborhood.
We crossed the mountains into Erwin, TN just a bit too late to get some sunset pictures. Oh well. Reached the hotel and promptly crashed out on the bed.
Saturday we rode the EOM-1 route. A quick trip into Shady Valley, then off into Virginia for a bit before heading generally south and crisscrossing between NC and TN a few times heading to Spruce Pine, then across Roan Mountain and back to JC.
Sunday we did the EOM-5 route. Generally it's a loop around Big Stone Gap that goes through Lynch and several other mining areas. Most of the riding I do in the mountains are around protected lands so it's rather striking to see the impact of mining operations. Highlights of the route are VA-72 through Jefferson National Forest and VA-70 into Blackwater, VA. Those two stretches of road are as good as any of the more famous roads in NC & TN.
Monday morning we hit Shady Valley again, making sure to hit the spot where the photographer is stationed (421 on the south side). Went across Roan Mountain again and headed for The Devil's Whip -- NC 80. Unfortunately we got wet towards the end of NC 80 and Blind Kenny had packed it up before we got there. From there we headed for home, with a little detour to Batcave, NC just because. We ended up taking SC 11 to I-85, again, just because, and discovered the Long Shoals Wayside Park right at sunset. Beautiful little creek / falls area. From there we hauled ass home and arrived a bit after midnight.
Whomever put together the 2009 EOM routes, I owe you some beers. They've been providing me with great rides every time I get back there.
