Day Ride to Chimney Rock.. 1-28-12

This trip was a last minute throw together. I met a Lady and she was going to be in the mountains for a conference for a few days and ask if I wanted to meet up at Chimney Rock for some hiking. Anyways Saturday came and man was it a gorgeous day. I started out hitting the road at about 8am. For the first stop I headed to Thomasville NC. Where I saw on the adv rider Forum there is a small town coffee shop I wanted to check out. Its a small little town once you get away from the busy highway. It was about 9:30 when I got in and it seemed like the town was just waking up. No one really around but a few people. After a nice warm coffee and some friendly conversation with some locals I was back on the road again. For the next stop was to Chimney rock. Well I thought. Rolling down the road I took a detour headed through Charlotte so of course I stopped at the Harley Davidson Dealer in Concord. looked around, hit the bathroom and filled up with gas. My bike looked funny in the Harley parking lot. But everyone is still friendly which is why I love riding Motorcycles. You create a bond with people you've never met over common interests. Now I was back on the road to Chimney rock. Just out of Charlotte on the back roads I run into a guy riding a Yamaha I think which we rode together for about 40 minutes. side by side taking turns leading and sticking together in traffic. We finally split due our different destinations. Back to some more beautiful back country roads of NC. and a few small towns later. I ride up to Lake Lure. Having to stop and loose some layers of clothing. I look around and soak up the beauty. Motorcycles everywhere. Guys and Gals riding and everyone enjoying the warm winter weather of January. As you can see in the photos. The sky was blue with spotted clouds and a light jacket is all you need. Little did I know the roads were perfect. Winding roads, hills and curves with little to no traffic. The shops at the base of Chimney Rock were kinda cool too. Small town locals everyone so friendly. Nothing to crazy around but cool little trinkets. Meeting up with my lady friend at Chimney Rock we hiked to the wonderful water fall. It was about a 3 mile drive up the mountain or more fun curvy roads then another 1.5 mile hike round trip to the falls. Where we were able to see the 404ft waterfall. After a great little hike I had to be on my way. It was getting dark and getting cold. and I still had to ride back to Apex NC. And it got cold. I saw on a bank sign it was 38 degrees and dropping. Had to stop about after an hr and put on more clothes. I had think gloves on, Cold winter gear for extreme weather, A full ski mask that covers the whole head and down the the shoulders and the heated grips turned on high. Despite the cold ride back. Its the moments like that day when the weather is just right and the roads curves are perfect and the feel of freedom and full relaxation just can't be beat. It was that trip that makes me look forward the summer when the weather is nice and the sun stays out longer.

The View From Chimney Rock

long way down

Chimney Rock

Over View of Lake Lure

My pretty Bike lol. 

Where the pavement ends..1-26-2012

 This is going to be legen... wait...wait...dary... Had some fun today. Weather was perfect. Sun shining with clear blue skies around 65 degrees. I couldn't resist a small ride after work. Hopped on the bike for a spin thinking something simple just cruise around and have fun and enjoy a nice ride. Well simple didn't last long. After exploring some new neighborhoods with some soon to be homes. I saw a gravel road that I couldn't resist. Turned off the ABS and I'm good. Now for a small picture for you to imagine. The gravel road went to a small power grip fenced in but nothing crazy, but the fun started when I noticed a trail on the left. This was a plowed field that had walls built up as if they were making a custom pond in the middle. My guess it was to catch run off from the near by Walmart's large parking lot. Maybe a spring was there too. Grass was attempting to be grown but here in the south clay and grass don't mix well. Well from what I could see it seems fairly dry and it went in a loop so turning around I didn't think would be an issue. Hit the dirt and all is well. Came around the last bend and BAM. There's a mud pit about 12 feet wide about a car and half length long with no way around it. I guess I found out why it wasn't a long trail and it looped. Didn't think it to clearly just remember what I've heard was when in doubt hit the gas and don't hold back. So I did just that. Made it half way then the bottom on the bike bottoms out. For those who don't know. The BMW GS has a ground clearance of 7.3 inches. But i'm dead in the middle of the mud. First thing I thought was S@#T I'm stuck and alone. I could have gotten off the bike and it could have stayed straight up on it own. gave it gas again and I'm actually moving again. I was amazed. I moving and with 3 feet to go and I'm out.  Once I hit pavement as you can see in the photo's below I finally got dirty. jeans were covered shoes gained 10lbs each of clay. But I was thrilled on how it did and handled. You see video's of what other have do and what others have done but when you read there bio you think. Well must come with experience. Well I have very little off-road on the GS. Since I didn't want clay stains a quick ride to the car wash and all is well again. As I sat through traffic I got the greatest looks. Here you see a BMW covered in mud. Not something you see very often. but it got some good looks. After about 20 minutes at the car wash giving her and myself a rinse. She's all shiny again and back to normal. And all I could say was it was so worth it. I would call it a good day. 

Challenge complete.. 

all shiny

Day Trip to Roanoke VA, Smith Mountain Lake 1-7-12

 Its been awhile since I've been able to go on a good road trip. First ride of the year and all went well. I was just able to go with no real plans and just turn and go with the flow. So Friday I through together a few supplies and took off on the bike bright and early Saturday morning. With the sleeping bag, tent and a few other supplies I hit the road north toward VA. With a bit of ice on the bike in the morning and it being bitter cold when I left town. By 9am it turned out to be a very warm and sunny day. Reaching in the high 60 and low 70's later. I couldn't have asked for a better winter day. Few hrs later and through a few small towns. I reached the Blue Ridge Parkway in VA. where I followed it to downtown Roanoke VA. To my surprise I actually came across a little zoo. Kinda reminded me of the movie "I bought a zoo" that came out end of 2011. Small place, not a ton of animals but those who work there you could tell do it because its a passion. I came across a few camp grounds but all were closed for the winter so the plan on camping went south. I guess I'm the only idiot who camps in the winter. Keeping on rolling I headed east over to Smith Mountain lake. After taking a few wrong turns ( or where they correct turns since I had no real plans??) and finding my way again. I rolled up Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Stopping for a snack and a drink I relaxed over looking the water and just thinking today couldn't get any better. But I wrong. Getting back to riding. I made a few turns again and came across a long gravel road. Typing in my home address in the GPS. It said to take that road so it had to have gone somewhere. Riding down with nothing in site and no one around. You could see everything. The road went on for ever. Logging trials and hunting trails everywhere. Fields of nothing and rolling hills were all the eye could see. 10 miles later I'm still going on the same road but I'm seeing houses. Old farm houses and a few trailers later I still haven't seen much of anything else. It was a road come true. 20 miles of single lane roads. no signs, road lines or anything. from gravel to concrete back to gravel. through the hills winding back and forth it was great. Best part was Pandora still worked on my phone so even got some tunes to go along with it. Before I knew it I was back in NC and didn't even know it. Riding back to town I took more back roads and just enjoyed myself. For day ride I couldn't have asked for better weather.

Total mileage on bike.. a little over 15,000 miles
Total trip mileage 357 miles.
For fun average of 50mpg with bike loaded up.

Wolverine

View From The Blue Ridge Parkway overlooking Roanoke VA. 

Spotted Snow leopard 

Short clawed Otter

Japanese Macaque

Wolf

Don't remember but it was fluffy

A Tufted Deer. Full grown. 

Tiny monkey

Best Country Store in Roanoke VA. 

Smith Mountain Lake

My little friend at Smith Mountain Lake

This is the 20 mile road. 

20 miles of nothing it was beautiful 

10 miles to go. 

View from the Blue Ridge Parkway VA. 

November 11-13. Trip to the North..

For a start. No I'm not crazy for riding my motorcycle to Wilmington Delaware in the winter time. So now since we have that misunderstanding taken care of. Here is a little about the trip. It was a simple trip I went up for my Aunt Donna's BIG Birthday surprise party for her big 60.. Simple ride mostly. Well is was supposed to be. Left Friday after work around 5pm. Since it was to late I made a pit stop in Yorktown VA. Where I spend a warm night inside at my Uncles house. Got into town around 8:30pm with an outside temperature of 39 degrees. and for riding 3 hrs straight in the dark I was warm and didn't notice really. (FYI heated grips are the shit.). Up and on the road early I was rolling by 9am. hitting little traffic thus far cruising up I95 north. Wasn't really till I hit DC when traffic slowed down but still wheels turning and I made it through grid lock free. Never thought it was possible. Arrived at the Hilton Hotel at about 2:30pm, 15 minutes before My dad rolled up in his pimpin black Lincoln Town Car. It was a boat. I could have easily put my bike in the trunk if needed. Anywho. Drove around in the Town Car picked up a new H7 head light and all is good as new.

Dinner time was great. Family all meet at this old place called the soda house. Made of the old style stone buildings of the north. Aunt Donna wasn't aware yet but the whole family was here for her night. And with the amount of planning I'm amazed on how she didn't find out. Night went on everyone's having a good time. couldn't as for a better night. 

Sunday is when it got interesting. Hit the road by 9am. Decided to head east more. Cruised up through New Jersey. Didn't stay long I think i took wrong turn over the bridge and ended up in a bad side of town. Few more lefts and rights I finally found my way to Pennsylvania where it was much nicer. Colors on the trees were just right and no snow yet. But I'll be honest with yea. North Carolina plates on a motorcycle in PA you get some odd looks. Finally made it south. Cruising down I95. Traffic was light until you hit a toll road. Which tolls suck up there. No discounts if you ride a motorcycle. They still charge 6 bucks to cross the damn bridge.    Which for that price I expected a nicer bridge with a view. crossing borders I made it VA. about 15 miles in Some Jackass decided to run me off the road. Only going about 45 due to traffic I guess he or she didn't want to wait. I went into the ditch ( still in control and on the bike) I almost saved it. Until the Front tire got caught in a soft spot in the ditch and everything just comes to a abrupt stop. Noise of the bike dives down back of the bike comes up and off I go. Hit my shin on something but no major damage to me. Bike took most of the fall and most of the damage. Once I got the bike back up on 2 wheels it starts right back up, and off I go. (Yes no-one stopped but one guy who helped me out of the ditch.). Made it to the next rest stop where I busted out the tools and got to work and hot to make it home and lets see what all damage there actually is. loosen a few bolts here and re-tighten a few bolts here. Zip ties here and bungee cords there. I'm back up and running for a 6hr limp mode ride home hoping nothing falls off.  Well nothing to crazy but it was a short weekend. and not to much of riding. Didn't really get to much sight seeing or cools stops in but it was fun. 

Total mileage for the trip was 955 miles. Almost but didn't get to break my 1000 mile weekend

Total as of now is $500 to repair the bike. 

Back Roads of PA. 

 

Friday Leaving to Head up North. I was very warm

At the rest Stop putting the bike back together. 

Broke the windshield and windshield mounts. Broke the this metal bracket that holds the headlight, cluster, windshield and turn signals. and bent the metal bar that hold across it too. Headlight now points up Fog light on passenger side was pushed back but was easily fixed. Passenger Turn Signal was also pushed back but was also easly fixed. Other than a little dirt no major body damage and everything works great. Also the new H7 Bulb that was replaced is also still good. 

Some mud that covered everything. Thanks to the new tire i had installed I was able to grip better in the mud to get out.

And the only damage to me was this. Nothing big. hurt but no broken bones so I'm happy. 

Bike is on standby but Shall be up and rolling soon. parts are ordered and on the way. 

Road trip Oct. 21-23 2011

Winter is around the corner so I thought I'd get one last Camping road trip in before it gets to cold. This trip consisted of 755 miles round trip through North Carolina and South Carolina. Friday the 21st wasn't really much left work at around 5:15 or so and went straight to the mountains. Saturday the 22 woke up early and was on the road by 7:45am. Topped of fuel and hit the blue ridge parkway for the morning chill and frost covered ground. My destination was Lake Jocassee where in North Carolina I was supposed to pick up a gravel service roads and ride south Toward the lake and camp on the lake. But due to two issues I was unable. First issue was My abs brakes decided to cut out leaving me with very poor and limited stopping power and there was a gate blocking the gravel road which i couldn't find a way around.  Randomly though my brakes started working and all electronics were back up and running. After taking a few random roads I went to look for a Place called Paradise falls. After riding past it a few times and a 10 minute hike through the woods I finally found it. The directions call for looking for a small little church. They just didn't mention the church is about the size of a small 2 car garage and some stone steps. I guess I was just looking for something alittle bigger or a sign by the road.  But as you can see it the photos below I'll add, it was worth the effort.

So since camping on the lake fell apart I wasn't sure where to go. Ended up finding a campground site off Lake Keowee a few more miles south of Lake Jocassee off Hwy 11. Which I wasn't aware Hwy 11 is a beautiful scenic Hwy of  South Carolina. Once I set up camp It was pretty boring from there. It consisted of a decent size camp fire, a cold beer from the gas station up the road, and a warm dinner with my feet popped up and relaxing.  Besides it being 34 outside over night I'll go ahead and save you the boredom of reading it.

Sunday was the day of Adventure where the GS got to brake free from the main roads later in the day. Hitting the road at 8am for most of the morning it was Scenic Hwy 11 through SC. Which was again cold but very Beautiful scenic views and great riding road. Recommend anyone with a bike to go ride it. Took Hwy 11 for a good while till I hit I-85 but I came across a old battlefield Called Cowpens National Battlefield where the American kicked the British ass in under an hr. It was a small place but I mean come one Americans kicked some ass. I'll toast a beer to that. But it was kinda cool seeing some of the old guns and swords they used and learning a little history at the same time.

Around noon I came to Charlotte where I could finally shed some layers of clothes and have lunch on Lake Norman. Which I'm never go back to this restaurant again. I don't know what it was but I felt sick after I ate

Uharrie National Forest was My last stop. I didn't really know where i was going or doing i just wanted to go off road somewhere and have fun. I came across one gravel road named Low Water Bridge road that sounded promising so i turned Right and it really was a low bridge about water level. Signs were posted everywhere warning of sudden flooding and the this road was subject to flooding during rain. Then I found another Gravel road that looked promising. For maybe 2-3 miles I rode this road not really knowing were it went but the compass said North so i kept going. Found out it was pry a hunting trail or Forest service road in case of emergency either way I enjoyed it and the GS got to get its feet wet again. It later dumped me out of some other road next to an old barn full of old junk and trash bags. Flipped a coin turned right this time. Saw I was on Pisgah Rd. and Came across an old covered bridge with was really cool. Seemed I wasn't the only visitor  There was a Chinese family running around with a video camera taping anything and everything. Father Followed his daughter with the camera everywhere she went for about 15 minutes. If i didn't know any better you would think they were going to burn the place down and they wanted to film it one last time. It made me laugh but I still enjoyed the bridge. Just wish we had more always makes road trips more interesting.
From there I came home and well was just cruising back.

Overall mileage for the weekend was 755miles. I was hoping to break 1000 but maybe next time. With brake issues and now needing a new rear tire I'd say it was a good weekend overall. Clear blue skies all weekend you just can't beat. enjoy the photos.. Bike is off to the shop Tuesday since the abs pump and brakes are all new.

Blue Ridge Parkway 8-22-11 8am

Blue Ridge Parkway View

Blue Ridge Parkway View

Blue Ridge Parkway View

Blue Ridge Parkway View

Blue Ridge Parkway View

Paradise Falls

My Favorite sign. only my brakes were

malfunctioning at this time. 

Some cool random bridge I came across

(UP) below the bridge

(DOWN) The top of the bridge

HWY 11

Sunday October 23 Photos start

Table Rock

Low water Bridge Road. 

Covered bridge in Uharrie National Forest.