hppants
Well-known member
Recently, I returned home safely from 9 days and 8 nights of wonderful riding throughout the Appalachian ranges of the southeastern United States. I was joined by my good friends Mikep1300 and Jonjonboo, who lives in Pollack, Louisiana, a town about 100 miles north of Lafayette. Like me, Mike rides an FJR1300 while John rides a Honda ST1300. Both the FJR and the ST are fantastic motorcycles for sport touring the twisty mountain pavement of Appalacia.
The tour was 2700 miles of which only about 5% was traveling via the interstate very nice. We traveled on plenty of state highways and local roads, some 2-digit, some 3-digit, and even a few that the GPS had no name for. I rode some familiar roads like the Cherahola Skyway and others around Deals Gap. However, at least from a riding perspective, I find that the farther north you get from Deals Gap, the better it gets. The roads are just as twisty, there are more places to pull over and sniff, and most importantly, the traffic is virtually non-existent. The state roads in southeastern Kentucky and southwestern Virginia near coal mining operations do have a sprinkling of dust on them, so rider beware. But if you can imagine a polygon formed by connecting Chattanooga, TN, Murfreesboro, TN, Hazard, KY, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, I dare say that you will be hard pressed to find a bad road to ride, slab excluded. I could go there every year indefinitely.
The bikes all ran flawlessly. Mike and I got identical fuel mileage, while Johns ST1300 did just a smidge better. We had no incidents, but did spook a myriad of wildlife on the roads including deer, turkeys, vultures, and even 1 HUGE black bear. Thankfully, all of these proved harmless.
We pre-planned only the first day of riding. Every other day was discussed over breakfast with a peek at the weather, and we basically went wherever we were called. I cant stress enough how enjoyable that is for me. I spend my whole life planning. To take a week and just give it up and allow myself to be enamored in the now is absolutely exhilarating. The more I do this, the less I want to plan it.
A late September motorcycle tour is becoming a regular thing for me, and I enjoy the Autumn season in the outdoors. We were able to do a little leaf peeping in the upper elevations (4500 feet and higher), but for the most part, we timed our trip about a week too early to see peak color. None the less, it was beautiful as expected.
We couldnt ask for better weather. As predicted, the farther north and higher up in elevation we rode, the cooler the weather was. Overnight lows ranged from about 48 to around 62, with highs mostly in the mid 70s occasionally rising to about 80. A wet cold front moved through us twice during the trip, both times luckily overnight and to make it easier on us, for those nights, we opted for a motel instead of camping. As our luck (and skillful awareness) would prove, we were on wet roads a grand total of about 3 hours over the entire 9 day trip. Overall excellent weather.
Other than the two weather front nights, we camped. For me, camping is the ultimate experience on the motorcycle. It amplifies the adventure and the freedom that the bike offers. We split our camping choices between two State Parks, two nights at a US Forest Service campground, and two privately owned campgrounds. All offered plenty of services, and we lacked for nothing the entire trip.
Our travels encompassed eight States: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky. Some days we stayed in one State, some two, and some three. But each day I also visited a 9th state, my State of Mind. I made sure to take a little time each day and think about my 9th state and embrace it as the blessing it truly is.
I hope you enjoy the pics.
Day 1: FREEDOM!!!
Lafayette, Louisiana to Buck Pockets State Park, Alabama
Route: https://goo.gl/maps/n1b4L" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Mike and I agreed to meet at a local gas station at 5:30 am. We wanted to get around Baton Rouge before the morning rush and that means hitting the slab in the dark. I packed my horse the night before and double checked everything. My brand new 2nd hand tank bag is HUGE!!
North of Baton Rouge, we stopped for a cup of joe and looked forward to a very bright immediate future.
Mike made an unexpected stop near the Mississippi border.
His throttlemeister had come loose easy fix.
While riding, I couldnt help but feel free. My work year is very busy in August and September. A yearly audit always ends in late September and afterwards, Im itching to just get away. These roads are crying freedom to me and I hear them loud and clear.
We were right on time to meet John in Brookhaven, MS at 9:00 am. As expected, he was there early waiting on us with excitement. Mike looks like hes thinking Pants is already starting this ride report bullshit and we havent even gotten anywhere.
We exit I-55 in Jackson, MS and get on the Natchz Trace for a little scenery.
I havent mastered this selfie stuff quite yet.
The reservoir looks very nice with the green lakeshore.
We continue generally northeast into the town of Louisville, MS just in time for lunch. Mikes restaurant picking skills are impeccable. His method is fail proof ride to the center of town and look for the most cars. Eat there.
There will be plenty of food porn in this ride report.
We continue riding the rural countryside into Alabama. About 25 miles before our destination, we stopped to call the wives, check email, etc. Many times at campgrounds, there is no cell service and we just dont know.
We arrived at our destination with fast setting sun.
But there was plenty of time to set up camp
. make a new friend..
,,,and catch Happy Hour.
I love this part!!!
John got a great fire going while Mike and I started cooking. Mike created an alcohol stove out of a tuna fish can and started a pot of beans. Having a bonified scientist on your crew is a definite advantage.
I cooked the pork chops on my grilling pans.
The tour was 2700 miles of which only about 5% was traveling via the interstate very nice. We traveled on plenty of state highways and local roads, some 2-digit, some 3-digit, and even a few that the GPS had no name for. I rode some familiar roads like the Cherahola Skyway and others around Deals Gap. However, at least from a riding perspective, I find that the farther north you get from Deals Gap, the better it gets. The roads are just as twisty, there are more places to pull over and sniff, and most importantly, the traffic is virtually non-existent. The state roads in southeastern Kentucky and southwestern Virginia near coal mining operations do have a sprinkling of dust on them, so rider beware. But if you can imagine a polygon formed by connecting Chattanooga, TN, Murfreesboro, TN, Hazard, KY, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, I dare say that you will be hard pressed to find a bad road to ride, slab excluded. I could go there every year indefinitely.
The bikes all ran flawlessly. Mike and I got identical fuel mileage, while Johns ST1300 did just a smidge better. We had no incidents, but did spook a myriad of wildlife on the roads including deer, turkeys, vultures, and even 1 HUGE black bear. Thankfully, all of these proved harmless.
We pre-planned only the first day of riding. Every other day was discussed over breakfast with a peek at the weather, and we basically went wherever we were called. I cant stress enough how enjoyable that is for me. I spend my whole life planning. To take a week and just give it up and allow myself to be enamored in the now is absolutely exhilarating. The more I do this, the less I want to plan it.
A late September motorcycle tour is becoming a regular thing for me, and I enjoy the Autumn season in the outdoors. We were able to do a little leaf peeping in the upper elevations (4500 feet and higher), but for the most part, we timed our trip about a week too early to see peak color. None the less, it was beautiful as expected.
We couldnt ask for better weather. As predicted, the farther north and higher up in elevation we rode, the cooler the weather was. Overnight lows ranged from about 48 to around 62, with highs mostly in the mid 70s occasionally rising to about 80. A wet cold front moved through us twice during the trip, both times luckily overnight and to make it easier on us, for those nights, we opted for a motel instead of camping. As our luck (and skillful awareness) would prove, we were on wet roads a grand total of about 3 hours over the entire 9 day trip. Overall excellent weather.
Other than the two weather front nights, we camped. For me, camping is the ultimate experience on the motorcycle. It amplifies the adventure and the freedom that the bike offers. We split our camping choices between two State Parks, two nights at a US Forest Service campground, and two privately owned campgrounds. All offered plenty of services, and we lacked for nothing the entire trip.
Our travels encompassed eight States: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky. Some days we stayed in one State, some two, and some three. But each day I also visited a 9th state, my State of Mind. I made sure to take a little time each day and think about my 9th state and embrace it as the blessing it truly is.
I hope you enjoy the pics.
Day 1: FREEDOM!!!
Lafayette, Louisiana to Buck Pockets State Park, Alabama
Route: https://goo.gl/maps/n1b4L" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Mike and I agreed to meet at a local gas station at 5:30 am. We wanted to get around Baton Rouge before the morning rush and that means hitting the slab in the dark. I packed my horse the night before and double checked everything. My brand new 2nd hand tank bag is HUGE!!
North of Baton Rouge, we stopped for a cup of joe and looked forward to a very bright immediate future.
Mike made an unexpected stop near the Mississippi border.
His throttlemeister had come loose easy fix.
While riding, I couldnt help but feel free. My work year is very busy in August and September. A yearly audit always ends in late September and afterwards, Im itching to just get away. These roads are crying freedom to me and I hear them loud and clear.
We were right on time to meet John in Brookhaven, MS at 9:00 am. As expected, he was there early waiting on us with excitement. Mike looks like hes thinking Pants is already starting this ride report bullshit and we havent even gotten anywhere.
We exit I-55 in Jackson, MS and get on the Natchz Trace for a little scenery.
I havent mastered this selfie stuff quite yet.
The reservoir looks very nice with the green lakeshore.
We continue generally northeast into the town of Louisville, MS just in time for lunch. Mikes restaurant picking skills are impeccable. His method is fail proof ride to the center of town and look for the most cars. Eat there.
There will be plenty of food porn in this ride report.
We continue riding the rural countryside into Alabama. About 25 miles before our destination, we stopped to call the wives, check email, etc. Many times at campgrounds, there is no cell service and we just dont know.
We arrived at our destination with fast setting sun.
But there was plenty of time to set up camp
. make a new friend..
,,,and catch Happy Hour.
I love this part!!!
John got a great fire going while Mike and I started cooking. Mike created an alcohol stove out of a tuna fish can and started a pot of beans. Having a bonified scientist on your crew is a definite advantage.
I cooked the pork chops on my grilling pans.
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