Redfish in The Smoky Mountain Rain

[HotRodZilla]

Man...I need to get back there. The only reason I know of everywhere you are talking about is because of my FJR and the Forum. One of my favorite vehicles in the WTT Museum was that big tree 12 cylinder Lincoln to the left of the interior entrance. That and the advertisements for cigarettes, endorsed by doctors as "healthy."

I will say this: every time I ride out there I get rained on. I guess there's a reason it's so green.

Nice report 'Fish, and good job on that road. You flatlanders don't get enough excitement. Around here these dummies forget to pave those roads. Going up is one thing, going back down is a whole other issue. Haha...

 

[ionbeam]

I'm enjoying the ride rain report very much!

I seriously do not understand how the back tires kept from spinning.

Umm, did you see the traction control light on your '15 flash or come on?

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I'm enjoying the ride rain report very much!

I seriously do not understand how the back tires kept from spinning.

Umm, did you see the traction control light on your '15 flash or come on?

Yes sir, I did see it flash a couple times. But it had nothing to do with rain or the steep climb to the cabin.

I know you are not very fond of the color of your '15 but that is one Awesome Motorcycle. Mine is worth more to me than I paid for it.

 

[LKLD]

Wonderful RR RFH, as always. Too bad about the rain, but then again, it does somehow add to the adventure, doesn't it?

 

[hppants]

It's pretty hard to ride that region without getting wet at least a little. Even if it doesn't rain, the "smoke" in them thar mountains is fog... er... condensation.

But when the stars line up, and the pavement is dry and somewhat traffic free, oh my... what a place to ride motorcycles.

Let's start working on Pop to get a Gen III. I know his bike is more than capable, likely indefinitely, but what the hell. He'll only live once and a wise man once told me that money is useless until you spend it.

He'd look dashing on a Cobalt Blue motorcycle.

 

[Goodman4]

Great job again, Andrew! I love 28 and Dry Falls but my experience on it last month was just like yours. Your pics are great! Thanks for posting them. I don't think I've ever been down 106 so I marked that as something I need to do.

It's silly, but I was initially sad when Pants suggested the new FJR for your dad. I love seeing him on the black cherry 07 over the years. I'm trying to get less sentimental about stuff but it doesn't always work. I'll bet he would love all the new upgrades.

 

[wheatonFJR]

RFH, your HD friend is right, you look a whole shade better with a smile, almost human. Otherwise you look like someone having a very bad day...which doesn't make sense on an RR

Edit: Highlands gets it's money from Florida millionaires, I see Florida plates all the time. Those people can't drive worth a crap.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Wonderful RR RFH, as always. Too bad about the rain, but then again, it does somehow add to the adventure, doesn't it?

Thank you. I agree with you about the rain adding to the adventure. Rain is a part of my life in Louisiana, I suspect that Florida is much the same. I use the FJR a lot and that means it gets rained on. A lot.

It's pretty hard to ride that region without getting wet at least a little. Even if it doesn't rain, the "smoke" in them thar mountains is fog... er... condensation.
But when the stars line up, and the pavement is dry and somewhat traffic free, oh my... what a place to ride motorcycles.

Let's start working on Pop to get a Gen III. I know his bike is more than capable, likely indefinitely, but what the hell. He'll only live once and a wise man once told me that money is useless until you spend it.

He'd look dashing on a Cobalt Blue motorcycle.

'Pants I have asked Pop about a new bike but he is very comfortable and very happy with his bike. We have it pretty well lined out and set up just about perfectly for him. He loves it.

Great job again, Andrew! I love 28 and Dry Falls but my experience on it last month was just like yours. Your pics are great! Thanks for posting them. I don't think I've ever been down 106 so I marked that as something I need to do.
It's silly, but I was initially sad when Pants suggested the new FJR for your dad. I love seeing him on the black cherry 07 over the years. I'm trying to get less sentimental about stuff but it doesn't always work. I'll bet he would love all the new upgrades.

As of now Pop will be staying with his '07. It is getting a few battle scars but it still cleans up pretty well. I was actually surprised to learn that he just rolled over 50K miles on this trip. I really thought he had more miles on his bike.

RFH, your HD friend is right, you look a whole shade better with a smile, almost human. Otherwise you look like someone having a very bad day...which doesn't make sense on an RR

Mark, I look like hammered goat turds no matter what expression I show. Ugly is ugly no matter what.

But I really am having a great time even though it does not look that way. Mrs. Redfish (BigUn) fusses at me about my sour expression all the time. I guess it is just me.

 

[Mihalis fjr]

Great ride report with wonderful pictures Redfish!!

Thanks for sharing!!

 

[BkerChuck]

Great RR! Last time I was in that area is almost 3 years ago now. Seeing the pics and reading the stories makes me want to go back.

I really need to hit the Powerball....

 

[Fontanaman]

Redfish wrote:
I love that stretch of road and had routed us a bit out of our way just to ride it. We were slowed by very heavy traffic and lots of kayakers.

To beat the same dead horse I beat every time I ride up there... Why, Why, WHY do folks not pull over and let the traffic behind them GO?!

Because it is not Northern California. (Letting motorcycles go is the norm in remote places such as Northern California and British Columbia Canada.)

 

[hppants]

I also find the locals in Arkansas are very courteous about this (pulling over and letting us by). Actually, I find Arkansas in general to be EXTREMELY motorcycle friendly. It's a huge part of their tourism pitch. They know we are coming to ride, and we are bringing our money.

As for the *** hats holding up traffic, Pants is not a stupid crazy double yellow passer, but..... I'm going to give you about 6 curves to pull over. After that, the first 50 yards of clear road and I'm gone.

 

[ionbeam]

...As for the *** hats holding up traffic, Pants is not a stupid crazy double yellow passer, but..... I'm going to give you about 6 curves to pull over. After that, the first 50 yards of clear road and I'm gone.

Welcome to Vermont! The double yellow line is only an indication that you should pass with caution unless there is a posted sign specifically saying DO NOT PASS.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I try to learn from each trip so I can improve my rides and so that possibly some of you can improve your rides as well. I like it when you learn from MY mistakes.

A few of the things that came out of this trip were not exactly new but I want to talk about some of them anyway.

1. You don't have to ride fast to have fun. I know that sounds like blasphemy on this forum.

2. It is okay to have a Harley friend.

To combine those two: I know that my friend Mike does not like to ride fast. He bought that big Street Glide so he could "Tour", he wanted a bike that was Coast to Coast capable. The Harley has proven itself to be reliable, comfortable and efficient. The bike itself is capable of a Spirited Pace, it can carry more lean angle than you would think. But that is not for everybody.

I wanted to showcase the Smoky Mountains for my friend and went into this trip knowing there would be some compromise. Friends can be worth it, and Mike certainly was. I have very few regrets.

3. There are downsides to a long trip with folks with different riding styles. Yes, I know that contradicts my last point, but this is me remember?

Pop and I have the helmet comms and we are well in sync anyway. Our bikes are almost identical in acceleration and we (mostly) think alike. When it is time to pass someone...It has already happened. We all ride FJRs, we all know how it works. The Big Harley will run, it is not slow. But the rider's mindset is different. Not wrong, just different. After we make a pass, we wait for the HD. How much time is actually lost? Not much, but we begin to feel the drag and the HD rider begins to feel the push. That just happens, I have not figured a cure for it.

4. Everyone does not want to ride the way YOU want to ride. We already know this, that does not make them The Enemy and that does not make them stupid. I felt at one point that Pop with the very best of intentions was perhaps offering too much advice. For Pop, the answer is clear. The more you learn, the smoother, faster, and safer you can go.

For those of you who don't "Get the Harley" I completely understand. It is worth remembering that the guy on the Harley (or whatever) who is going 3 mph under the limit is enjoying his ride just as much as the guy on the Liter Bike who is only wearing the edges of his tires. And my old fat *** on my FJR is having a good time no matter what speed I am running. Even if the pics don't look that way.

 

[mcatrophy]

... When it is time to pass someone...It has already happened. We all ride FJRs, we all know how it works. The Big Harley will run, it is not slow. But the rider's mindset is different. Not wrong, just different. After we make a pass, we wait for the HD. How much time is actually lost? Not much, but we begin to feel the drag and the HD rider begins to feel the push. That just happens, I have not figured a cure for it....

One way that may help is to let the slower more cautious rider lead. That way, when he is held up, you're not in front waiting for him to overtake. Then when he does go for it, you can choose your moment to suit you, and he is much less likely to be hanging around waiting for you. Personally, I've generally found it less frustrating behind the slower rider (ok, it is a little frustrating - "Why doesn't he go???") than it is hanging around in front, when you could have been overtaking more.

This assumes he knows the way, of course.

Another way is to ride your own pace until the next turn-off or whatever, then wait there, but I don't see the point in riding in a group if you are not riding in a group.

 

[wheatonFJR]

RFH, your HD friend can't be too bad. Atleast he smiles in his pictures and looks like he's having a good time, vs others that look like they are passing a stone.

Friends are worth riding with...but different paces create some tension. You do not want someone feeling compelled to ride faster...so the faster paced one adapts. Riding behind the less fast rider is the better idea.

Glad you had fun...looked like an awesome trip!

 

[rbentnail]

Excellent RR RH, sorry we couldn't meet up for a cuppajoe or sumpthin. Sometimes life just gets in the way.

For the HD guys, a big shout out to my buddy Ken the HD Guy. I've posted about him before from rides we've taken from Maine to Mobile. In the mountains I just zip off and wait a few miles up the road. He's an older guy, older than even YOU, so he just does his thing and enjoys the view. And if he falls behind some it's no biggie, he just prolly nodded off for a few minutes. He'll catch up. I'd be surprised if he and I haven't done at least 25K miles together over the yrs.

 

[hppants]

There's something to this. I admit that I'm a little intolerant to touring along riders with different riding styles. I should ride more, worry less.

That said, I believe the most aggressive riders in a group should go to the front. That way, no one is being pushed (unless they push themselves) and no one is being held back. The key for all riders is to ride their own ride, something I have to remind myself on occasion.

Now - I've got friends that are H/D pirates. That stuff doesn't worry me much anymore. It's a free country - by all means ride what you want. But if you got loud pipes, you gotta get to the back. I don't give **** how fast you think you ride.

 

[Fontanaman]

I have lot of rubbish in my mind about riding with others. Generally I prefer going solo. Just did 5 day in the British Columbia, Canada. Ride report forthcoming.

A comment about that twisting rough bit of pavement with a bit of an incline. Was that part of forum member DCarver's driveway? ha ha. I have lived in Seattle Wa my 60 years on this wonderful planet. Due to family heritage I have rode dirt bikes in the mountain in my day. If you ever come up this way please contact me and I can send you info on the best paved roads and rides in Washington (the state). I really enjoy your ride reports.

Riding with others is usually problematic especially if they can't keep your pace or visa versa.

No comment about Harley's. Not a fan, never road one in 47+ year of riding and i have had my share off ill handling UJMs back in the 1980's.

 

[NightShine]

. . .A comment about that twisting rough bit of pavement with a bit of an incline. Was that part of forum member DCarver's driveway? ha ha.

. . .

Not. Carver's "driveway" is pretty flat and lacks pavement...