Riding for Food

Another day and another opportunity to take the bikes out.  John wanted to ride, so Alex had the great idea of riding up to Hiawassee.  John, the n00b riding the twisties.  This was going to be interesting.

Alex took the lead and planned the route and destination.  We took a leisurely ride up to Dahlonega via the highway.  Hey, it was nice not riding Hwy 9 again.  We skirted up to the twistiest road in N. Ga., Hwy 19 over Blood Mtn, but hooked a right just before I was going to have to throw a fit and turn around on mine own.  I still have no interest in riding that stretch of Hwy 19.  It can be crazy in the summer with sport bikes flying the roads.  That and I am not interested in looking down those steep mtns slopes 5 feet from the white line.

The ride to Hiawassee was completely uneventful.  We took it easy on the tight mountain passes outside of Helen.  John was doing great and we didn't want to push it.  Especially when we saw the sport bikes lined up next to the tow truck on a right hand turn.  And the tow truck was fishing down the mountain for the bike that "got away".  No news on the condition of the rider.  Let's hope he slid slower and stopped before the bike did.

We took a slightly different route home and took John on even more twisties. Hwy 180 behind Vogel State Park.  This road is almost as tight as the dreaded Hwy 19, except it is missing the steep drop offs.  Luckily the valley floor is generally nearby.  :)

John did very well overall.  Even on the tightest twisties he managed an average 28 mph in a 35 zone. 

Here is a little look at the GPS track for a twisty spot on 180.  It is a little tighter then this scale gives it credit for.

We took a well deserved break at the end of 180 for a coke and a smile.  Good thing we didn't need any fuel for the steeds.

Stats: 218 miles with beautiful weather.  John's longest ride to date...and the twistiest.