A buddy of mine was coming up to visit this past weekend. He used to be one of my psych. professors and the first day of classes (was a night class) he walked in with his helmet and leather jacket in hand. Alright, I gotta talk to this guy. A friendship was immediately forged and we have been able to keep in touch over the years.
He recently accepted a position northeast of Atlanta and is now "close enough" that we can get together and ride periodically. He has lived in Louisiana the past few years and the riding down there just sucks! He was needing a "good roads" fix and thought a visit to Knoxville was in order. I convinced him to come crash here for the night.
It was arranged that I would meet up with him on the ride up and we could ride together. It's been six? years since he and I last rode together, so this will be great.
The plan was to be in Tellico Plains at the Hunt's Lodge around 1:00 so we could make a lunch date he had with a former colleague of his (who also is a former prof. of mine) at 2:30 at the Downtown Grill and Brewery in Knoxville.
I got up on time, grabbed a snack bar, strapped my cooler to the bike (after all, I was going to be in Knoxville, I can get some good beer), and was rolling earlier than necessary. I planned to arrive around 12:30 hoping that Lori would be around and I could hang out and visit with her. The early departure would mean that I would have more time to visit.
Something about riding on a bike staring into a cloudless, blue sky makes me smile! Paired with some fun roads, I'm quite the happy camper.
I was rolling along at a fairly spirited pace and enjoying myself and wound up on 321 west of Gatlinburg when I fell in behind a guy riding an R6 or R1 (was hard to tell) following a line of cars. Eventually he got tired of droning on and pulled a DY pass on a long straight. It was long enough and Cloud9 has enough power that I was able to easily follow suit.
When the road went to four lane, traffic got us shuffled and I wound up leading. Once it got twisty, I cranked back on the throttle and he didn't seem interested in playing. We split off when I came up to the Foothills Parkway.
I had the Parkway all to myself. There was traffic coming from the other direction, but nothing in my lane the *whole* way. It was odd. I like this early morning riding!
Again, a spirited pace was maintained and I quickly find myself on 129 and run down to the Dragon. Again, this early morning deal, ain't so bad!
I'm cooking along pretty well and all I encountered was a guy on a Vmax poking along. After a few turns, he waved me past and I happily obliged. Then came up on two other riders who were out for a stroll and they promptly pulled into a pull off and again I scooted past. That was it! no other traffic!
A half mile or so later I am preparing to enter a right turn and there is a guy standing next to his bike just off the other side of the road, but the bike is facing the "wrong" way (the same direction as I was headed). The bike looked fine, the rider looked fine, I waved and he returned it, but something didn't seem right.
I turned around and saw why he was standing there. He now has parts to contribute to the tree of shame and his riding day was finished. The left side of the bike was all tore up. It was a Suzuki-something. I didn't pay too close attention to that. He told me he felt the exhaust bottom out and it was surfing time.
The rider was fine as the gear did its job. He had a good outlook as he said "I was going to make this a track bike anyway, I guess now I definitely will." Heh!
By now, the riders that had let me by also stopped and there were 5 of us to get his bike out of the ditch. Once we got him squared away, I offered him a ride back to the resort where his truck and trailer was, but he said he doesn't "ride bitch" and would wait until someone in a car came by to get him back. Okay, nothing more I can do, so I headed on my way.
Soon I am at my favorite road. Ahhh Cherahola Skyway! what absolute asphalt bliss! So much fun!
Sadly, I see that Killboy is now up there taking pics too. Damn I hope they don't kill that road like they did the Dragon.
I arrived at Hunt's Lodge shortly after noon. Wow! even with the stop to help the guy on the Dragon, I made darn good time! Sadly, though Lori was not there, nor was anyone else.
I waited around and figured Brian would be along shortly as he is usually rather prompt ... and waited ... and waited. It is now nearly 1:30 and I'm getting worried. Again, this is very uncharacteristic of him and all the "what if's" are going through my head. Of course, my cell is out of service for now and I cannot call to check on him.
He showed up shortly thereafter cursing the traffic that is the urban sprawl of Atlanta. I was just glad it was a traffic issue. We catch up a bit, look over his GS and my Bandit, and then head towards Knoxville. TN-360 is a nice run and he is holding right to my tail. By the time we get to 411 and he is grinning ear to ear! (as am I)
We got to the brewery a little late but not fashionable and Brian did call the guy we were meeting to let him know, but he was nowhere to be found. Ah well! we ordered a beer (their porter is quite good!) and he calls another buddy to see what he is up to and if he wishes to join us. Turns out, he was just up the street at another bar and they came right over. I hadn't seen either of them in a long time either so it was a great session getting caught up.
After lunch and another delicious porter we head over to the beer store where I grabbed a couple beers he hadn't tried before, loaded them in the cooler, got some ice at a nearby convenience store and we're off to take the long way to Newport.
We got caught in a light, 10 minute spitting rain shower, but it was rather welcomed as the temperature was quite warm. What was really neat (and I should've stopped and snapped a picture, but didn't) was the rainbow that appeared. You could see the whole thing. Only once before have I seen the whole span of a rainbow. Additionally, on the end closest to us, you could actually see where the colors "touched" the ground. That was really cool! but never spied a pot of gold.
We were on TN-131 for what seemed like, well, forever! Good Lord, it just went on and on and was a mostly straight boring stretch. I had to abort the route I had put together as it had gotten late and neither of us are particularly crazy about night riding. We got to the top of Clinch Mountain and took in a million dollar view and decided to just take the quick way back to the house as daylight was getting scarce.
We beat the darkness home and both had an interesting path up the driveway. I had just graded it the day before because it was pretty rutted and washboard-like. Problem is that the gravel is getting thin. You can only spread it so far.
When I came in, I accidentally downshifted into second, not first. I figured it out about halfway up, but by then it was too late. I kept momentum and let the bike dance around under me on the loose gravel. I made it up it okay, but it was interesting. Brian also had his bike dance on him on the way up but no drops, so it's all good!
Once home, we sat back and drank some good beers (both mass-produced and from skipp'n rocks brewery -- that would be my homebrews ;j ) and great conversation for the rest of the night. Good times!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Cutting it close ...
I told Brian I would ride with him a little of his ride home, but since Melissa had to be at work by 6 PM, I would be unable to join him for much of it. To further shorten my participation, Melissa had to run a text book over to Megan. By the time Melissa returned and we were ready to roll it was nearly 2 PM, leaving me 3 1/2 hours to ride with him.
I figured I would ride down to Waynesville with him and then turn back. We took off down US 25 and before leaving Newport, I asked if he was hungry. It was decided we would stop somewhere down the road about 30 miles or so.
US 25/70 is closed (for some reason) and detours you off to TN-107/TN-70/NC-208. This is a great run and usually how I would go to Hot Springs to take NC-209 (fantastic road). Unfortunately, now EVERYONE is going this way.
Funny story, before we got to the detour, we came upon a line of Harleys (4, I think) followed by a pickup truck. They were poking along, as you may expect, and the pickup truck pulled a pass on the bikes. I was laughing inside my helmet. Of course, Brian and I followed suit.
On 107 we came up on a line of cars and two bikes. The lead bike was a Magna, but I couldn't tell what the bike directly in front of me was outside of a sporty standard. They pulled a pass of the cars, as did Brian and I once the opportunity presented itself.
The bikes turned onto 70 and I was a bit bummed because I knew the stretch coming up is great fun and we would likely be stuck behind these guys. The Magna rider was pretty smooth but the other guy wasn't as seasoned.
We get to a junction of NC-208 and NC-212 and the bikes stayed on 208. For some reason, I was thinking I wanted 212 as it is nice and twisty and DOES connect to 25. Besides, the bikes were taking 208.
I opted for 212 and after about 8 or so miles realized it doesn't connect. Brian confirmed that on his GPS and we turned around to head back and were able to enjoy a fairly clean run on 208. This stretch is awesome. It runs right next to the river and offers some tasty curves with PLENTY of sight lines. WOO HOO! what cars we encountered were quickly dispatched.
We got back to US 25 and headed towards Hot Springs when we encounter the same 4? Harley riders we had passed before the detour. Heh! Of course, we had to pass them again. Seriously, they were going *that* slow!
Pulled into the Smoky Mountain Diner in Hot Springs. EVERYtime I have ever gone by this place the parking lot is jam-packed. I suggested we stop there to eat and Brian was fine with that. I am glad we did.
I understand why it is always full. Great food and prices are very reasonable. I had a chicken wrap (that I needed two hands to hold) and cucumber salad. YUM! That hit the spot nicely.
However, due to the detour, my error on 212, and some casual conversation, it is now 4 PM. I considered just heading back to the house, but figured I was this close to 209 that I had to run at *least* some of it and then turn back.
We crossed a bridge and there was a left turn as you exit the bridge. The road surface goes from concrete to ashphalt. Well today, it was *sand*-covered asphalt. I slowed down on the bridge once I saw the sand, but once I got to the sand the bike started sliding.
HOLYMOTHERFUCKINGSHIT!!! NOT AGAIN!! Oh, I was mad! the bike slid for maybe a 1/4 second but I had enough time with my thoughts that I considered hanging up street riding. I was ... ugh!! ... yeah THAT upset!
Luckily, that 1/4 second was not detrimental and I was able to keep the bike upright.
I love NC-209! I know it like the back of my hand. I even got a free run for the first 2 miles of it. Ahhh! good times!
But all good things must come to an end. There was an SUV ahead and there were no more pull offs and sight lines were limited, so I just cooled my tires in behind it. The next place I could find to pull over, I did, and Brian waved as he continued on back to GA.
I am now in "go" mode and wicked the tempo up considerably. I am running between 85 mph and up the whole way and passing ... EVERYthing! I had to get home -- and it was going to be close!
I pulled into Newport at 5:30 and am 10 minutes from the house. Melissa typically leaves at 5:40 so I can *just* make it. As I pulled in she was heading out the door. Perfect!
I figured I would ride down to Waynesville with him and then turn back. We took off down US 25 and before leaving Newport, I asked if he was hungry. It was decided we would stop somewhere down the road about 30 miles or so.
US 25/70 is closed (for some reason) and detours you off to TN-107/TN-70/NC-208. This is a great run and usually how I would go to Hot Springs to take NC-209 (fantastic road). Unfortunately, now EVERYONE is going this way.
Funny story, before we got to the detour, we came upon a line of Harleys (4, I think) followed by a pickup truck. They were poking along, as you may expect, and the pickup truck pulled a pass on the bikes. I was laughing inside my helmet. Of course, Brian and I followed suit.
On 107 we came up on a line of cars and two bikes. The lead bike was a Magna, but I couldn't tell what the bike directly in front of me was outside of a sporty standard. They pulled a pass of the cars, as did Brian and I once the opportunity presented itself.
The bikes turned onto 70 and I was a bit bummed because I knew the stretch coming up is great fun and we would likely be stuck behind these guys. The Magna rider was pretty smooth but the other guy wasn't as seasoned.
We get to a junction of NC-208 and NC-212 and the bikes stayed on 208. For some reason, I was thinking I wanted 212 as it is nice and twisty and DOES connect to 25. Besides, the bikes were taking 208.
I opted for 212 and after about 8 or so miles realized it doesn't connect. Brian confirmed that on his GPS and we turned around to head back and were able to enjoy a fairly clean run on 208. This stretch is awesome. It runs right next to the river and offers some tasty curves with PLENTY of sight lines. WOO HOO! what cars we encountered were quickly dispatched.
We got back to US 25 and headed towards Hot Springs when we encounter the same 4? Harley riders we had passed before the detour. Heh! Of course, we had to pass them again. Seriously, they were going *that* slow!
Pulled into the Smoky Mountain Diner in Hot Springs. EVERYtime I have ever gone by this place the parking lot is jam-packed. I suggested we stop there to eat and Brian was fine with that. I am glad we did.
I understand why it is always full. Great food and prices are very reasonable. I had a chicken wrap (that I needed two hands to hold) and cucumber salad. YUM! That hit the spot nicely.
However, due to the detour, my error on 212, and some casual conversation, it is now 4 PM. I considered just heading back to the house, but figured I was this close to 209 that I had to run at *least* some of it and then turn back.
We crossed a bridge and there was a left turn as you exit the bridge. The road surface goes from concrete to ashphalt. Well today, it was *sand*-covered asphalt. I slowed down on the bridge once I saw the sand, but once I got to the sand the bike started sliding.
HOLYMOTHERFUCKINGSHIT!!! NOT AGAIN!! Oh, I was mad! the bike slid for maybe a 1/4 second but I had enough time with my thoughts that I considered hanging up street riding. I was ... ugh!! ... yeah THAT upset!
Luckily, that 1/4 second was not detrimental and I was able to keep the bike upright.
I love NC-209! I know it like the back of my hand. I even got a free run for the first 2 miles of it. Ahhh! good times!
But all good things must come to an end. There was an SUV ahead and there were no more pull offs and sight lines were limited, so I just cooled my tires in behind it. The next place I could find to pull over, I did, and Brian waved as he continued on back to GA.
I am now in "go" mode and wicked the tempo up considerably. I am running between 85 mph and up the whole way and passing ... EVERYthing! I had to get home -- and it was going to be close!
I pulled into Newport at 5:30 and am 10 minutes from the house. Melissa typically leaves at 5:40 so I can *just* make it. As I pulled in she was heading out the door. Perfect!
Friday, August 10, 2012
cacophony of quiet
So yesterday I am sitting outside just enjoying a little sunshine and the sights and sounds that make up the back yard ....
It is peaceful. It's not silent, but it's peaceful. It was a cacophony of quiet. The very oxymoronic quality of this amused me. Cacophony of quiet, that is EXACTLY what it was.
There is no place on this Earth where you can go and have it be completely silent. There may be manmade soundproof chambers, sure, but outside of that.
Additionally, since, there are degrees of "quiet", a cacophony seems a fitting modifier. So a cacophony of quiet isn't as odd as it would seem.
Anyway, the sounds of various insects and birds inundated the air. Far from quiet but it was peaceful. We all deal with the cacophony of silence in some respect. Granted, yours may not be the sound of insects and birds if you live in an urban setting, but then you get used to tuning out those noises that are "normal". When I visit folks that live in such areas, I am always amazed at how many sirens I hear (fire, ambulance, police, etc). The people living there have learned to tune it out.
That is their cacophony of quiet, but my cacophony of noise. I reckon I'm just a country mouse. ; )
Another example of what you get used to and tend to ignore -- in the morning before Dad gets up, it's quiet, no TV, no guttural noises, nothing but ... quiet! Yeah, the doors and windows are always open so you can hear the "bitrds and the bees" and such ...
anyhow, I was doing something in the kitchen and didn't want the fan blowing cool damp morning air in on me, so I shut it off. That fan runs 24/7 drawing cooler air into the house. I never realized how "loud" it is. When that shut off it was much quieter. It's amazing what you get used to.
I hope wherever you are, you have your own cacophony of quiet and have tuned out the cacophony of noise. .
(This pic represents about where I was sitting)
It is peaceful. It's not silent, but it's peaceful. It was a cacophony of quiet. The very oxymoronic quality of this amused me. Cacophony of quiet, that is EXACTLY what it was.
There is no place on this Earth where you can go and have it be completely silent. There may be manmade soundproof chambers, sure, but outside of that.
Additionally, since, there are degrees of "quiet", a cacophony seems a fitting modifier. So a cacophony of quiet isn't as odd as it would seem.
Anyway, the sounds of various insects and birds inundated the air. Far from quiet but it was peaceful. We all deal with the cacophony of silence in some respect. Granted, yours may not be the sound of insects and birds if you live in an urban setting, but then you get used to tuning out those noises that are "normal". When I visit folks that live in such areas, I am always amazed at how many sirens I hear (fire, ambulance, police, etc). The people living there have learned to tune it out.
That is their cacophony of quiet, but my cacophony of noise. I reckon I'm just a country mouse. ; )
Another example of what you get used to and tend to ignore -- in the morning before Dad gets up, it's quiet, no TV, no guttural noises, nothing but ... quiet! Yeah, the doors and windows are always open so you can hear the "bitrds and the bees" and such ...
anyhow, I was doing something in the kitchen and didn't want the fan blowing cool damp morning air in on me, so I shut it off. That fan runs 24/7 drawing cooler air into the house. I never realized how "loud" it is. When that shut off it was much quieter. It's amazing what you get used to.
I hope wherever you are, you have your own cacophony of quiet and have tuned out the cacophony of noise. .
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