Indy Dave Posted November 10 Posted November 10 The Bumbling BackRoad Riders™ have been busy in the background, laying the foundation for 2025's START. @BMW_Ken, William @wbw6cos and some regular ARTer's have been surveying road damage from the storms. Yours Truly and Ed @RTinNC did some site and facility surveying, as we'd not been back to the proposed area for some years..... and things change. With A long way to go and a short time to get there I racked up just over 1200 miles in 3 days, without too many issues. Oh sure, there were the normal issues that seem to follow me around . .. There's a reason @terryofperry coined the phrase "Dead End Dave" I'm just arriving at the last good section of my route - a nice section that promised to be fairly technical throughout and turning into to massively technical and the part of my route that I anticipated the most . . . and . . . we're not off to a good START.... while there's room in the lane to get by, this road offered little by way of sight lines that allowed one to get by . . . Hmmm . . . this ain't good... but the sign says "CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC" - which, if one were optimistic . . means they don't want through traffic on the road, right?!? I mean if the ROAD WERE CLOSED, surly they would say "ROAD CLOSED AHEAD" ? Well friends, I'm here to tell ya - I thought my troubles were over once I managed my way around the tractor . . .But No NO! Why Yes, that is the sun setting . . . and yes - this was the section of road that offered the most promise. . . . out in the Middle Of Nowhere . . So I hang a left at that T road . . . scanning the Nav 6 for a way through . . but mostly seeing roads that terminate deeper into the Middle Of Nowhere . . and... I come upon ... wait for it . . . a dead end, Dave. So having no choice but to go left, this road circles back to the road I was on (I ignored the gravel options that splintered off), and it's now that with the darkness of night falling, collaborating with the darkness of the probable What Have You's if i try to force-find my way though the woods, I punt and make a B line for the interstate and as I near my home for the night, I'm guided by a bright shining light reflecting from the night sky. . . . and I'm greeted by a pesky varmint. (I quickly look for Carl the Assistant Greens-keeper) All's well that ends well I guess . . tomorrow I have a shorter day and I meet up with Ed. TO BE CONTINUED . . . . . . 11
RTinNC Posted November 10 Posted November 10 43 minutes ago, Indy Dave said: The Bumbling BackRoad Riders™ have been busy in the background, laying the foundation for 2025's START. @BMW_Ken, William @wbw6cos and some regular ARTer's have been surveying road damage from the storms. Yours Truly and Ed @RTinNC did some site and facility surveying, as we'd not been back to the proposed area for some years..... and things change. With A long way to go and a short time to get there I racked up just over 1200 miles in 3 days, without too many issues. Oh sure, there were the normal issues that seem to follow me around . .. There's a reason @terryofperry coined the phrase "Dead End Dave" I'm just arriving at the last good section of my route - a nice section that promised to be fairly technical throughout and turning into to massively technical and the part of my route that I anticipated the most . . . and . . . we're not off to a good START.... while there's room in the lane to get by, this road offered little by way of sight lines that allowed one to get by . . . Hmmm . . . this ain't good... but the sign says "CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC" - which, if one were optimistic . . means they don't want through traffic on the road, right?!? I mean if the ROAD WERE CLOSED, surly they would say "ROAD CLOSED AHEAD" ? Well friends, I'm here to tell ya - I thought my troubles were over once I managed my way around the tractor . . .But No NO! Why Yes, that is the sun setting . . . and yes - this was the section of road that offered the most promise. . . . out in the Middle Of Nowhere . . So I hang a left at that T road . . . scanning the Nav 6 for a way through . . but mostly seeing roads that terminate deeper into the Middle Of Nowhere . . and... I come upon ... wait for it . . . a dead end, Dave. So having no choice but to go left, this road circles back to the road I was on (I ignored the gravel options that splintered off), and it's now that with the darkness of night falling, collaborating with the darkness of the probable What Have You's if i try to force-find my way though the woods, I punt and make a B line for the interstate and as I near my home for the night, I'm guided by a bright shining light reflecting from the night sky. . . . and I'm greeted by a pesky varmint. (I quickly look for Carl the Assistant Greens-keeper) All's well that ends well I guess . . tomorrow I have a shorter day and I meet up with Ed. TO BE CONTINUED . . . . . . Well Ed was on his way to meet Dave and was having a ride that was let's say "an adventure" but in a different way than Dave's @Indy Dave It appears my crisp new (less than 100 miles when I left home) Dunlop RoadSmart 4 had attracted a friend ...... Thankfully my handy dandy TPM alerted me just as I was passing a BP station on Rt.11. The good news is the rain had halted for a bit so it was time to try out my new MotoPressor compact air compressor and renew my skill with my Nealy Tire Repair kit. Fortunately the lady inside the station's store had a stack of grocery bags and gave me 2 so that I could avoid getting myself and my tools wet. Amazingly within about 20 minutes I was back on the road with my tire holding air and I even had time for a coffee while the MotoPressor filled my tire to 46 PSI (yes more than I ride but figured at this point a bit extra might be good in case it leaks). The little compressor had the tire filled in about 5 min. Now on for the remaining 80 miles to the hotel. All things considered I was pretty lucky where the flat occurred, near a gas station, the rain had stopped and my rookie tire plug skills did the job. 11
RTinNC Posted November 10 Posted November 10 Now I better understand why we're called the Bumbling Backroad Riders 1 2
Indy Dave Posted November 10 Author Posted November 10 33 minutes ago, RTinNC said: Now I better understand why we're called the Bumbling Backroad Riders Now wait a minute!! Surly you're not suggesting that your VERY FIRST Flat Tire on your bike in 100,000 plus miles has ANYTHING to do with becoming a Bumbling BackRoad Rider™?!? Oh wait . . . I guess there might could be a faint connection . . . Just looking back at FARTing in Blairsville in 2017 ... yup these were all from the same event . . . "Where's the schematic and my soldiering iron??" Another FLAT TIRE (L to R @terryofperry. @DaveCinNO, @BMW_Ken, @marcopolo @Bernie and @EricInIndy ) all offering sound advice Backing it up . . . Hmm OK OKAY OH KAY! Maybe there is a SLIGHT connection . .. if so, then THIS is what you have to look forward to! (I hope you carry floaties) WELCOME TO THE TEAM, ED!!! 2 1
wbw6cos Posted November 10 Posted November 10 Along with Chis K, Foot (Alan! Alan, Alan, Alan!!), Randy Shields, I took a weekend trip to The Oak Park Inn in Waynesville, NC. The weather on Saturday started out cool at 51F and was absolutely beautiful when we took a route over to Tellico Grains Bakery for lunch; we hit some higher temps later in the day to reach the mid to upper 70's. After breakfast at The Buttered Biscuit, the route over tooks us through Maggie Valley and we jumped on the Blue Ridge Parkway over to Cherokee then some roads over to Robbinsville to pick up The Cherahala into Tellico, all passable. After lunch we had to soldier through The Cherahala again, in the opposite direction, for the motel. We also included Wayah road into the route of the return. On Sunday, the morning was a little wet and foggy. The light rain started at breakfast whilst we dined at The Beach Mountain Diner. Temps started around 52F and never really got quite up to 60F, so we managed to ride anyway. The weather radar showed us where the showers were and it was not too bad on the way back down to Atlanta. Some rain and pockets of fog slowed us a tad, along with some traffic, but we had to ride it out. (Well, somebody had to do it!) The route took us down towards Highlands, picking up Hwy 28, to War Woman Rd, US 76, Hwy 197, Hwy 356, Hwy 75A, Richard B. Russell, Hwy, Hwy 180, Hwy 19, Hwy 129 into Cleveland and south to slabbin it I-985/ I85 to home. All the familiar roads to North Georgia riding community, among others, I am sure. 5 star review for the weekend get-away; will ride again. 13 1
roadscholar Posted November 11 Posted November 11 On 11/10/2024 at 5:42 PM, wbw6cos said: Along with Chis K, Foot (Alan! Alan, Alan, Alan!!), Randy Shields, I took a weekend trip to The Oak Park Inn in Waynesville, NC. The weather on Saturday started out cool at 51F and was absolutely beautiful when we took a route over to Tellico Grains Bakery for lunch; we hit some higher temps later in the day to reach the mid to upper 70's. After breakfast at The Buttered Biscuit, the route over tooks us through Maggie Valley and we jumped on the Blue Ridge Parkway over to Cherokee then some roads over to Robbinsville to pick up The Cherahala into Tellico, all passable. After lunch we had to soldier through The Cherahala again, in the opposite direction, for the motel. We also included Wayah road into the route of the return. We did all those (and others) the weekend before in the car except the Parkway, didn't check to see if it was back open. All well worn roads to enthusiasts but for good reason, some of the best there are anywhere. That's two different Pcars on different days, the 1st on Wayah next to the Nantahala, 2nd on 28 south of Highlands or possibly Warwoman, it's fuzzy, I took a lot of pics. 3
roadscholar Posted November 12 Posted November 12 The Highlands Plateau is a well known area but also a geologic anomaly near the bottom of the southern Appalachians. It has become very popular for 2nd homes because of it's altitude and mild summer temps although the resulting development is taking a toll. Everyone knows the main roads to and from Highlands/Cashiers and they're all great but there are lesser known ones with almost none of the traffic and maybe better, having had access to them for decades (driving/riding them since the 60's and 70's) thought I'd share some in map form. I know some here have ridden most but probably not all and very likely not in this sequence or all at once. There are a few errors because google, disregard any small spurs or loops and the one section along Lake Glenville in and out of Cashiers. There is one short section of hard-pack dirt on Whiteside Cove Rd in the Chattooga valley but easily ridden on an RT, the roads down and back out to 107 are some of the twistiest you'll find and well worth it. After that it heads into more familiar territory on some other favorites, Oscar Wiggington Mem Hwy, Whitewater Rd (formerly Horse Pasture River), Silversteen Rd (Kinsley would lament me divulging this one in public : ), Charley's' Creek, and Canada Rd. It's likely a full day depending on how you return, obvious lunch stops would be Highlands or a short backtrack into Cashiers. Zoom in to see the names of some of the roads, you might even be able to remember many and not have to rely on a GPS : ) Edit, once in Highlands Horse Cove/Whiteside Cove Rd is about a 2000' drop in a mile or so with tight switchbacks into the valley with nice views of Whiteside then back up and out to 107 (again, short section of hard-pack). You'll cross the Chattooga River near it's source (top of Whiteside) which eventually becomes the Savannah River and border of Ga and SC. If interested in the history of the area a very good read is 'Whiteside, The Mountain at the End of the Trail' by Robert Zahner a long time resident of Highlands and professor at Clemson. https://smokymountainnews.com/archives/item/1740-zahner’s-special-affection-for-highlands https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1jOFs8x3ExKUfz-We8sN_p2QA-IIQ-hU&usp=sharing Edit 2. If in fact one did ride the route it may be getting close to dinner time around Franklin and if you haven't tried it Caffe Rel is a worthy stop. It changed hands a year or two ago and isn't quite the same w/o Richard but still a good choice in the area. Another surprising place we lucked into on the last trip is the Slanted Window Tasting Station, odd name but really good food, excellent wine made locally, nice semi-outdoor atmosphere and classic choices in music (60's-90's) I had to compliment the owner on them : ) Also added a return route from Franklin that includes sections of Old Hwy 64. The first is the Old Murphy Rd not far out of town, the 2nd is just for entertainment and easy to miss. It's named Nat Forest Rd (on google) because it's not maintained and parallels the hwy for a mile or two, is the actual old road and reduced to less than a lane from overgrown vegetation but still paved and in decent shape when I last rode it a decade or so ago. It's pretty cool but be careful because there's short sightlines and unlikely but a remote chance of oncoming traffic, it gets very little use. The third is the official Old 64 with a lot more curves and elevation change (and more residences) than the new road, pavement wasn't great years ago but not terrible and fine on the south side of 64. Just a few extras I'm thinking many have passed by. 2 2
AppFan Posted November 14 Posted November 14 On 11/10/2024 at 5:42 PM, wbw6cos said: Along with Chis K, Foot (Alan! Alan, Alan, Alan!!), Randy Shields, I took a weekend trip to The Oak Park Inn in Waynesville, NC. The weather on Saturday started out cool at 51F and was absolutely beautiful when we took a route over to Tellico Grains Bakery for lunch; we hit some higher temps later in the day to reach the mid to upper 70's. After breakfast at The Buttered Biscuit, the route over tooks us through Maggie Valley and we jumped on the Blue Ridge Parkway over to Cherokee then some roads over to Robbinsville to pick up The Cherahala into Tellico, all passable. After lunch we had to soldier through The Cherahala again, in the opposite direction, for the motel. We also included Wayah road into the route of the return. On Sunday, the morning was a little wet and foggy. The light rain started at breakfast whilst we dined at The Beach Mountain Diner. Temps started around 52F and never really got quite up to 60F, so we managed to ride anyway. The weather radar showed us where the showers were and it was not too bad on the way back down to Atlanta. Some rain and pockets of fog slowed us a tad, along with some traffic, but we had to ride it out. (Well, somebody had to do it!) The route took us down towards Highlands, picking up Hwy 28, to War Woman Rd, US 76, Hwy 197, Hwy 356, Hwy 75A, Richard B. Russell, Hwy, Hwy 180, Hwy 19, Hwy 129 into Cleveland and south to slabbin it I-985/ I85 to home. All the familiar roads to North Georgia riding community, among others, I am sure. 5 star review for the weekend get-away; will ride again. I'm surprised you were able to ride and not asleep from carb overload after eating one of their giant biscuits. 1
RTinNC Posted November 14 Posted November 14 41 minutes ago, AppFan said: I'm surprised you were able to ride and not asleep from carb overload after eating one of their giant biscuits. You assume there was not a nap time stop after breakfast! HA ! 1
randy Posted November 16 Posted November 16 over the last 4/5 weekends Andy Raye and I have ridden the Helen, GA area. I have posted two videos. Looking forward to next April. Kind of torn, do not really need to stay up in Helen, easy riding backNforth, but then would miss the evening Lies (whoops stories) by everyone I guess if Uncle Tom decides to join us, I will be staying in Helen, if not then just go home at night. we will see.
Indy Dave Posted November 17 Author Posted November 17 There was a Blair Witch sighting when I was in the area......hmmm 1 2 2
wbw6cos Posted November 17 Posted November 17 Here ya go......... Take your pick. https://www.youtube.com/@randyetheridge6746 4
Indy Dave Posted November 23 Author Posted November 23 When we last heard from our hero , . . . . He was reported loonnggg overdue, running on fumes with 2 flat tires, a dead cell phone, seizing driveshaft - all . . . . In the face of a hurricane west wind. Every man knew, as the rider did too, T'was the witch of November come stealing .. [ a nod to our 🇨🇦 friends] And then, just when all hope was lost . . . When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.. . But a varmint dressed in red - with tiny mouse ears! leading to a gourmet meal in my room, and tomorrow's lunch safely stowed away. I slept like a baby, while visions of Beavers danced in my head . . . 1 2
Indy Dave Posted November 23 Author Posted November 23 The day's ride would take me on the newly paved Dragon, on over to The Skyway and then down a good section of 68 (which is a Whoo Whoo HOOOT to ride IF there's little to no traffic), on down through Blairsville, over the Russel B Skyway and ease into Helen. Yours Truly was pretty excited with that road line-up - it would be hard NOT to be happy after taking in all of those in a single day. But Stranger things have happened - which is why I'm a Bumbling BackRoad Rider™ . The day started off well enough, with temps gently rising. And a great day for a picnic by the water . . With the sounds of "Scotty, give me full power!" echoing in the air. 8
Krid Posted November 24 Posted November 24 Apparently "loud pipes save lives" on 4 wheelers, also! Can't say I don't care for a throaty 5 liter Stang, tho! 1
Indy Dave Posted November 24 Author Posted November 24 Soon enough I take my turn to sample the new pavement - and I know you'll find this hard to believe, but about half way though, a guy in full leathers - with his pucks cleaning the pavement - and a camera Vette chase car catch me up. Not wanting to embarrass them , I pull into a pull off and LET THEM BY. I continue on my way, looking forward to riding Joyce Kilmer Rd - this is the first time I've ridden that road without Endobob, and I had a chance to reminisce and appreciate Endo and rides and roads I was fortunate to share with him. This seemed like a good place to dismount and take in the flowing river (across the road) and flood though the memories of both Endo and Twisty who often accompanied us and appreciated Joyce Kilmer as well. Hard to make out the flowing creek in the background that feeds into the river. Onward to the Skyway . . which started out well enough. I pulled off to grab a photo and ran into this young lady, who was new to piloting her own bike. We had a nice conversation and ride. . . It's always encouraging to find younger riders entering and excited about the sport. Perhaps there is Hope after all. only to be met by Foghorn Leghorn at the higher elevations (as many of us have many a time). Soon enough. . . the fog cleared . . . My camera stopped recording, but I ran into @roadscholar types tearing up the pea-patch heading in the other direction, Mostly Porsche's & BMW's, but some Ferrari's, several newer vettes a few McLaren's and the like. These were still in Tellico, ready to take their turn. 68s was populated enough to mostly spoil the opportunity, but it was nice to ride as always. 68 is a favorite of @Bud's - although it hasn't always treated him with the same love. On our first ART in Blaairsville, Bud had purchased a new to him R bike and he couldn't wait to break it in on 68. Only for the bike to break on. . . you guessed it . . 68! Blast from the past: My trip over the Russell B Skyway was also hampered by rain and fog, so my room was a welcome sight in Helen. 11
Indy Dave Posted December 1 Author Posted December 1 HOLY PHONY PHOTOS, BATMAN! That Pesky Penguin Blairsville Witch is at it again! I just noticed my last post was altered! Contact Commissioner Gordon! While I love the WW2 helmet graphic on the newer rider from The Skyway, it's only a bag of Kirkland Trail Mix that adorned my hotel room counter. Helen is but a stones throw from Blairsville, and I guess the Witch must have been out on her broom and visiting Helen when Ed and I were there. This isn't our first run in with The Witch . . . . Back in 2017 at FART she came out of hiding Endo bob Kinsley But I've gotten ahead of myself . . . 3 1
Indy Dave Posted December 1 Author Posted December 1 When I arrive in Helen, ED and I scout the other potentials. . . this requires Ed to un-tuck his bike - which had been bedded down for the night. Then... it's time to eat - and it's here that @RTinNC (Ed )unintentionally reveals WHY we knew he would be the perfect addition to the Bumbling BackRoad Rider™ team: And truth be told, institutional culture and norms being what they are, it's a safe bet that at least one current BBR™ would have continued on, just to show 'em! (I mean hey - it always makes for a great story . . ) 3
wbw6cos Posted December 1 Posted December 1 .....but he is wearing a shirt with "BMW R1200 GSA Ride Anywhere." So, he will be okay. 4
Indy Dave Posted December 1 Author Posted December 1 And yet... He turned around! Out of concern for the other (non BBR) riders in his group, I presume. 1 1
RTinNC Posted December 2 Posted December 2 Ha! That’s an old shirt 😂 And the worst part about having to turn around our RTs on the goat trail was we had to retreat over the same 10 miles of gravel. 2 1
Indy Dave Posted December 3 Author Posted December 3 Oh yes, the Blairsville Witch was in rare form back in 2017 when we were FARTing in Blairsville . . . 3
Indy Dave Posted December 3 Author Posted December 3 Ed and I do our deep dive, constantly looking over our shoulder for the Haunting Blairsville Witch. Truth be told, Ed isn't too concerned - he wasn't part of the Haunted 2017 Blairsville FART and it's only my route home that takes me into and through .. .. .. The Witch's Lair - Blairsville . . Despite our very best efforts, with me revisiting Helen locations yet again after Ed high-tailed it home - I could hear him laughing through his helmet as he fled the scene -happy that it was me who had to face the witch on my own. But trying as hard as I might to make just ONE of the locations somehow meet the highest standards YOU have come to expect at The Art's..... My original apprehension was confirmed - and I couldn't. I left for home beaten, dreading the rain and the daunting passage through The Witch Of Blairsville's liar. Hemingway said "A man can be destroyed but not defeated” (The Old Man and The Sea) I was reminded of this when I encountered this on my trip home . . .So perhaps there is hope and a silver lining somewhere . . . 2
RTinNC Posted December 3 Posted December 3 Unfortunately my high-tailing it home I was still "haunted" by rain and lots of it. Along with temps in the 50's it "dampened" my spirits for sure. Fortunately I did not have intimate knowledge of the Blairsville Witch had I been more keen on her I would have better understood the "spirit" of the trip. Now I have to suspect she was aware of our pending arrival when she tossed that nail right into my tire on my way to Helen. Now I better understand what Dave meant when he said he hoped to "exercise" on this trip. 1
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