Long time coming .....

I got in touch with Tim Schwab, who recently arrived back home from his latest tour over in Afghanistan. I had a new rear tire that needed breaking in and wanted to see if he was available to get together and ride some.

He had some business to attend to early Saturday morning but would be freed up by the afternoon. We made a plan to meet at 1 PM. I told him I would try to be on time and he laughed at me.

As mentioned, I had a new rear tire so I just jumped on the interstate so I wouldn't be tempted to play the first 100 or so miles. Besides, I-40 isn't all that bad near the NC/TN border. I am rolling along and enjoying the beauty of the redbuds that are lining the side of the highway, which are in full bloom this time of year.

I pulled into the Sonic where we were to meet at 10 minutes before 1 PM. Yay!

Tim wasn't there yet. However he rolled in about 10 minutes later. Greetings were exchanged and we grabbed a quick bite to eat before hitting the road.

He wanted to head up NC-181 and maybe do the Snake (US 421) near Shady Valley, TN -- works for me. The *fun* part of 181 was about 15 miles up the road and Tim wanted to top off his tank prior to hitting it.

We stopped at an Exxon and it took him nearly 5 minutes to pump 1.65 gallons of fuel. He remarked he burns it quicker than the rate it was coming out of the pump.

He gave up at 1.65 gallons and I was glad, because I was roasting sitting there. It was about 75* and the sun was beaming down. Great if you are moving, but when in gear and no air movement, it gets warm quickly!

We got rolling and it wasn't long before we hit the good stuff. Tim had been in the lead, but when there was a pass opportunity and didn't capitalize, I did. He is still knocking off some rust from not riding the past 14 months or so, and I am ready to break in this tire!

He followed suit and we took that hill with a measure of aggressiveness that was merited. 181 is great! while the curves are not wide sweepers, they aren't crazy-tight technical turns that keep you at lower speeds either. By the time we are halfway up the mountain, my heart rate was significantly heightened. Good stuff!

We got to the top and jumped on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Yeah life is tough!

What a beaut of a road! The scenery sure makes it difficult to concentrate on the road, though.

We went by one overlook, and you could see mountains in the distance .... forever. I was still in the lead and pulled into the next overlook, told Tim I wanted to go back, and took a couple pictures.

Here is a panorama of three images I took ....

remember you can click on this image and "blow it up" larger

This gives you perspective of what the Cherokee once saw. It was the only time I got the camera out all day, but I made it count.   ; )

After getting a couple pictures, we resumed our brisk pace along the BRP. This road NEVER gets old!

We reached 421 and had to exit the parkway in favor of heading to "The Snake". I haven't been on this road since leaving DAMSME, a couple years ago. Oddly, I was with Tim that day as well.

I was admittedly disheartened when I saw the sign to Mountain City (the south side of the Snake) was still 23 miles away. This stretch of 421 is very slab-ish. Bummer!

We endured it, because we knew what was waiting ahead. The Snake is riddled with posted-20 mph curves in such succession that you are frequently sashay-ing to the left and the right. ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!

Once again, Tim feeling rusty, had me take the point. I had no problem with this, but fully expected the man to blow by me when he got bored with my pace. He didn't! He stayed right in my tire tracks, but never went by.

I have ridden this road many times. It's typically better than the Dragon, due to the fact it is lesser known, so much less traffic and law to contend with. The curves are every bit as tasty, just with less worry about some idiot being in your lane as you come around a curve.

That said, this was the first time I had a free run at it. There was NO traffic going our way -- NONE!

There were a few going the other way, and one guy on a bike was rather close to our lane. This happens, but most riders adjust when they see it. This guy was either over his head and couldn't or didn't care. It worked out, but it got my (and Tim's) attention for a second or two.

Although most curves are marked as 20 mph (some are 15), it is very difficult to obey those recommendations when you have nothing but open asphalt in front of you. I'm not saying we were over that mark, but we might have been once or twice. (giggle)

We got to the store and I was as giddy as a school girl. I couldn't believe we just ran the whole thing without encountering another vehicle. MAGIC! Tim told me he never got to do that either.

Shortly after our arrival, other riders showed up. One of them cracked me up.

He was all decked out in his Icon jacket (with armor), Joe Rocket leathers with knee pucks, full faced helmet, and gloves. He swung his leg off the bike to reveal he was wearing (GAK!!) ... SNEAKERS! The dude can afford decent riding gear and is looking sharp, but wearing .... sneakers?!? WOW! .... just WOW!   .... it cracked me up!

Tim and I planned on doing a southbound run of the Snake and this time I told him to take the lead. I fully expected him to run off and leave me since he is a much better rider. Apparently, he IS rusty as I was able to keep pace with him through the whole stretch. Once again, we had a free run at it -- with luck like this we should hit Vegas -- NOW!   ;j

This weather is tailor-made for riding -- not too hot, not cold, no rain -- where is everyone? While it didn't break my heart, it was befuddling. Anyhow, we got to enjoy two free runs at it.

I half-wanted to go do it again, *because* there was no traffic to deal with! Nonetheless, we both told our wives we would be home at a decent hour and stuck to it.

When we got to TN-167, I split off headed west and he continued on south toward our respective homes. 167 was one I hadn't been on before (so I thought .... funny how after a few curves you recall, 'yeah I *have* been on this road before!!). It was mildly fun and terminated on TN-67 which dropped me onto US 321. 321 gets kind of interesting along Watauga Lake. It's not technical, but has plenty of nice curvy sections with beautiful scenery of the lake. Good stuff!

I wound my way to Johnson City then found US 11-E to get me back to the house. 11-E has a stretch of "country" to it. There is nothing to it for 30 miles or so.

It just traverses the countryside. There are some nice farms out that way that are lined with beautifully verdant, green pasture.

I got home before dark, to the tune of 400 miles with a sore ass and a smiling face. It was a great day of riding only made better by the company of a very good friend.