Sunday, September 13, 2009

Finally! It's Mine!!

It took a little longer then expected but it can't be helped when you don't get on the bike.  I was finally able to push that little odometer enough to flip LCD over my imaginary ownership mileage of 18885.  Remember that was my mental block of true ownership where I have put more miles on the bike then the previous owner.

I wish I had been in a position to catch the actually flip, but it was not meant to be on the one lane 55 mph highway.

I'm still not terribly impressed with my average mileage per month.  Guess I will just need to work on that with some long distance trips...  :-)

Washington and the Revolutionary War

Another beautiful day and the humidity was low.  So we gathered a friend and hit the road.  We ventured forth to Washington, Georgia again.  I really like that little town.  They are doing a great job at bringing it back together for good community and tourism.  Unfortunately Talk of the Town has changed their hours and are no longer open on Sunday.  Darn!



We walked around the tourism info office and inquired about the location of Kettle Creek.  She wasn't able to give us the exact location, but we felt we could find the first sign and go from there.  We walked the square again and popped into the coffee shop for caffeine.  The antique shops were closed but I enjoyed seeing the cat on the roof.



 

After refreshments and a stretch we hit the bikes and road and headed towards where we hoped Kettle Creek to be.  The Battle of Kettle Creek is one of the most important battles of the Revolutionary War fought in Georgia. After all the attention given to the Civil War it is interesting to see something honored that brought our country together instead of tearing it apart.








Did I tell you that we had to ride another gravel road??  This stuff was a little deep, not compacted and in definite ruts from a less traveled road.  It wasn't too bad until I had to cross the center strip of grass and rocks to avoid the construction vehicles.  That and Winford kept riding up my tailpipe with him and his confidence on his 900 lb Harley.  I did draw the line at riding up the last bit of roadway that had a good incline covered in pine needles and a nice grassy/needly slope into the trees and bushes.  I didn't so much disagree with the trip up, but definitely did not want the trip down trying to steer and brake on that stuff.  No matter.  A little walk never does anyone too much harm.

I parked the bike outside the gate and everyone else decided to follow suit.


Preparing to leave and I notice a new passenger on my steed.  Funny how the butterflies seem to like the bike too.




Stats: 214 miles, fantastic weather, finally able to reach a Revolutionary War memorial, passed 18884 on my bike.

Monday, September 7, 2009

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.

Thursday, August 13, 2009


The odometer on my bike flipped to 18,000 miles on a day trip a couple weeks ago.  Yes, I am behind the times on updating everything!   What I found so exciting was that I hit 18,000 on Hwy 180 up in the mtns...on a nice twisty road the previous owner used to fly down on this very same machine.  No, I could not do it justice at high speed and with rubber burning turns.  But we had fun together just the same.

She is patient with me in my learning.  And we are just getting better and better over time.  Since this milestone she has been in for her 18K service and new rear brakes.  This time nothing else was wrong and I did get her back the same day.  She was running so well I made MotMS get on his bike and take me out to dinner.  We've also added a couple hundred more miles.  I calculate that I need to ride 502 more miles to officially put more miles on her then the previous owner.  I think those miles are going to pass quickly and with many smiles.  Let's see what the next 9,442 miles have in store...

Sunday, August 2, 2009

TWO North GA

We aren't in the Rockies, but many people thrill at the twisties our mountains offer. More and more people are getting into riding and capitalism is finally starting to figure out a way to make it there own.


TWO (Two Wheels Only) isn't jumping on the band wagon. They sort of started the band wagon as being the first motorcycle only resort campground in the U.S., opened in 1982. They cater only to two wheeled vehicles or those towing their motorcycles. Sleeping accommodations range from beds and rooms (and a shared bathroom) in the "Lodge", a mobile home, or unnumbered camping sites.

If you don't have any intent to camp or lodge there, you can always take your lovely mountain ride and stop for the food.   The food is surprisingly good.  Or course, it is the standard hamburger fair, but the portions are extremely generous (one hamburger fed both of us with some to spare).  Seating is early summer camp style at big, long tables that allow you to sit and chat with fellow riders.  And if the conversation isn't enough for you, you can always gaze in wonder at the paraphenalia stapled to the walls and ceiling.



 

 

 

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Day Tripping to Helen

Beautiful weather, if a tad too hot, and we all jump on our bikes and head to the hills.  Personally I would prefer to avoid Helen during the summertime.  It traditionally has miles of traffic leading into town from either direction.  People walking willy-nilly across the streets.  They generally stay in the sidewalks, but it doesn't help when there are no traffic lights.  They just step off the curb and let the cars stop for them.  Which makes progress slow when they stop every single car. 

But our friends hadn't been yet and really wanted to go.  The benefit of riding a bike is that we have easier access to parking.  The biker shops have free parking while all the cars have to pay $5. 



The crowds...



Even traffic on the water...



And some interesting things to look at...


Friday, July 24, 2009

One of Five Corners

During the summer our riding group had the bright idea of planning a four corners trip of Georgia.  Not a bad idea until you consider the shape of the state and realize there could potentially be 5 corners.  But that is just me fussing over semantics.

The group never did get around to taking that trip.  It was either something about the weather or lack of interest or availability or something.  As interesting as it sounded I probably would not have attended because they wanted to accomplish it in 4 days.  It would have been doable, but not conducive to having fun, sightseeing and photography.  It would have been looking at the slab and dashed line all the way.

When it came time to figure out a new ride for us, you know, someplace we haven't been before, we thought the NE corner of Georgia might be a good destination. One of five corners.

Our route took us into some new territory across Tugaloo River defining the border between Georgia and South Carolina and into Westminster for a break.  We were disappointed at the lack of view or anything interesting at Tugaloo River.  It was a short-lived encounter with the river and lots of fishing boats.  Westminster was only interesting because of the people that loved to chat about the bikes and riding at the gas station.

So you ask why are we in South Carolina when we are heading for the NE corner of Georgia?  Fair question.  The Georgia town nearest the NE corner is Satolah.  And the easiest way to get there, on new roads, was to approach it from South Carolina.  Not to mention it looked like the road had some pretty good twisties to offer.

Heading north out of Westminster were lovely roads.  We did encounter some obnoxious riders that wanted to fly the road.  The first passed us unexpectedly in a no passing area running about 90 mph with the passenger in jeans and a tank top.  Par for the course here.  After that I was prepared for the second.  He did hang back for awhile and we passed him on when the coast was clear.  Last thing I want is to hold someone up that is itching to go faster than I am.  They get antsy and dangerous.

Once we turned onto Hwy 28 traffic disappeared and the twisties started in.  The roads were perfect with few cars and some tight roads. They were free of debris and the scenery was bright and green.  We were enjoying the ride so much we almost missed Satolah.  This was a town.  We were expecting at least a small convenience store or something.  Nothing.  There was nothing.  We pass the last mountain and spied a beautiful valley with a couple of farm houses and some nicely growing fields.  There were wire fences with growing vines and border trees.  There were a couple of dirt roads and not much time to take them.  So before we knew it we had passed Satolah and were well on our way to Highland, North Carolina.

We debated about turning around, but there wasn't much area to turn around in.  Our one chance was a gravel turnout where we stopped for a break.  Nah.  We could do it again, but enjoyed the thought of going forward and encountering more twisties on the way home.

Wow.  Looking back on it, it seems like a trip of "should have's".  Should have turned back to Satolah.  Should have stopped in Highlands (cool town, like Big Bear used to be).  Should have gone to Bridal Veil Falls right outside of Highlands.  At least we did turn around for our photo op with the Eastern Continental Divide.

We did hit previously ridden roads on the way home.  That means we rode through Dillard, again.  But we did not stop to partake of the buffet.  We wanted something a little more cozy and a lot cheaper.  So we stopped in Tallulah Gorge.  At a place we have been telling ourselves we will go to for years.  And now we finally have.  The food was great, the atmosphere was great.  We sat out on the wonderful screened in patio and listened to all the chatter.  The day ended nicely.

Stats: 247 miles, 6 hrs 46 minutes (including dinner), wonderful weather and good roads.  Yes.  I do need to ride WarWoman Rd.  And Yes, the watermelon was as good as it looks.