A sweet 2-day trip through the Smokies

[Lencho]

A buddy of mine, on a 2005 Yamaha FJR1300, and I, on a 2005 Blue DL1000, had the opportunity to take a 2-day trip through Middle Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains this past Thursday and Friday.

We started the trip on Thursday, March 24th, from Franklin, TN, just south of Nashville. The weather was cloudy and in the upper 40’s for most of the day. A blue sky was missed, but it was pleasant enough, especially since this was my first extended trip on the big Strom. We headed east on highway 96, through Murfreesboro, TN. We then took a detour north to make an approximate 150-mile loop around the Center Hill Lake area. Highway 96, 141, 53 and 56 are just a few of the great roads that snake up and down and around the lake.

Back heading south, we caught highway 30 and went southeast for the rest of the day on that highway. This is a great highway that takes you up through a couple of mountain passes. It’s sort of like 2 mini-Smoky Mountain ranges. Within the 2 mini ranges, the highway offers great up and down twists and turns, with wonderful switchbacks and hairpins included. Highway 30 took us to Athens, TN where we spent Thursday night, having dinner and just a few beers (Burp) at the local Ruby Tuesday’s.

On Friday, March 25th, Mr. Sunny decided to join us for the day and created a sweet blue sky, and a 70 degree high. We had a Waffle House breakfast (Burp, but not the good beer kind…) and headed for the Smokies. We caught the southern tip of the Cherohala Skyway and headed north to Highway 129 and The Dragon. What a great warm up ride to The Tail of the Dragon. The Skyway is a gorgeous ride providing various road difficulties. You are literally riding on top of the mountains at certain points. We landed at the Dragon via the North Carolina side, and promptly hit the 318 curves in 11 miles 4 times. With our minds and bodies spent, we traced our way back south via the same roads, finally getting home at 7:00 PM Friday night. You can check me and the Strom, plus my FJR riding friend’s pictures on Killboy’s web site @ http://www.killboy.com/. Check out the Touring Bike pictures (#83 through 89, and #174 through 176) for March 25th to see us battling the Dragon aboard our trusted steeds.

The Strom was wonderful on this trip. Zero complaints and hours, upon hours of grins provided. I can hardly wait to do it again.

[theroyz71]

Looks like you guys had a great time. Watch that edge line though. It ought to be on your right not your left side. Hehe. I've done it myself right there. I try to look smooth going by Darryl (Killboy) so I get a good photo and I tense up and cut the corner too tight.

I live about an hour from the Gap and ride a sv650s. Our local board www.easttnriders.com is having a group ride this Sunday. We'll be hitting the Foothills Parkway, the Gap, and the Skyway. We will also stop for lunch at the Motorcycle Pitstop which is below the Dragon on 129 where it meets 72. Next time you come this way stop in and see them.

[Lencho]

I like to enter corners wide and exit tight, especially on the Dragon. That way I can see what is coming at me going in, and give a lot of room going out. I learned that lesson the first time I tried the Dragon on my V-Star 1100. Came around a turn only to find 2 sport bikes, passing a slower rider, in my lane!!! I believe I might have had to change my underwear when I got home. :shock: :lol:

What a great road to sharpen your turning skills on! Definately not for the timid.

I'll check out that lunch suggestion of yours next time I get into those wonderful Smokies.

[theroyz71]

Sounds good. I guess the edge of pavement doesn't bother you guys on the V-Strom.

Check out the link I posted in my previous post. They are a bunch of good guys who are always ready to ride if you come this way.

[Lencho]

It sure didn't bother this V-Strom rider, anyway. But I have to admit, looking at the pictures the first time, I was surprised on how tight I was, and how close I was to that white line. In looking at the other pictures, the only other riders doing the same were the Super Motard ones. Maybe it is my motocross up-bringing. I even like to lift my foot in tight turns, like I want a berm or something.

Nice web page you Eastern TN folk have. I'll check it out some more and see if I can get that way some weekend to enjoy the group. I don't need much of an excuse to go riding. It's the marrage tax I have to pay to go riding that kills me...