Smokey Mountains Rough Road Ride Photos MTF.com

[Howboucha]

The great group at Motorcycle Touring Forum.com hosted an excellent ride in the Smokey Mountains. I will update the story and photos to this thread as I get time.

A direct link to the photos (dial up sucks btw) is here: http://www.purplepug.com/smrr.htm I will upload them in this thread soon. There are about 33.

I left my house in beautiful Clay County, IN Wednesday morning and blitzed the backroads (hwy 231/157/150) to New Albaney where I crossed the Ohio River, into Louisville. I then burned interstate on 64 East to 75 South where I detoured around Knoxville. I made incredible time so I headed over to Alcoa TN (Story of what not to do coming) then took 129 to the "Tail of the Dragon" and played there. I stopped to chit chat with Killboy and his arch nemisis :twisted: (I missedplaced her card, I will post it, see photo below though) photographed a few of the many thousands on Deals Gap that day, then rode to Bryson City where we based.

The Ridge Top motel in Bryson City was first class when it comes to service. I would rate it a cleaner Motel 6, but Ron, the owner, put a clean towel on our bike every morning to wipe the dew off. I would rather have a clean towel then a mint on my pillow any day. I met many of the attendees, we bench raced, sip bourbon and told many, many lies.

Thursday Andy Simmons hosted an excellent Rough Road Ride after a great breakfast in "downtown Bryson City". I say downtown because there isn't much more, but that is great. Nice place.

I cannot for the life of me tell you where we were. I didn't pay attention. I was having too much fun and trying to keep my beloved strom from falling 2000' feet of a mountain ledge. We rode gravel, dirt and killer pavement. We rode fast, slow and skilled. We ate a ton of dust. I had excellent goggles on but somehow that Smokey Mountian dust kept getting through, cutting microscopic grooves into my eyes when it became caught between my contacts.

That evening, more people, BBQ, more lies, great Iron Butt stories, complaints about V-Strom buffeting, me trying to sell shirts, a short trip to the casino to donate some money to the cause, me trying to sell more shirts so I could eat the next day (see casino) and a general great time went on.

I was beat from Thursday's ride, so Don and I (BMW GS) went on our own ride. We started off at the Cherokee, SC side of the Blue Ridge. We rode it to the resort at Mt. Pisgah, turned around and pulled off somewhere. A film crew was filming a documentary about the Blue Ridge Parkway. The photos below show a few of the actors, and the production manager who was a friend of Don's. We explored many roads around the parkway and had an excellent ride. Again, I have no clue where we were, but didn't care. I was having a great time.

Friday evening we continued our bench racing, bourbon sipping, etc, but did it under the porches because one hell of a mountain storm came in. The clouds turned grey about the time Brian was trying to repair some get off damage on his MZ (yes a MZ) that occured when on a downhill descent on a deep gravel road, his bike decided to take a nap and lay down. The clouds quickly went black then they sky opened up.
One of my highlights was meeting everyone and hanging out that night.
It made the trip complete.

Saturday I headed home. I took an alternate route by jumping off of 75 where US 150 crosses it at the southern end of Kentucky. I rode it through the bourbon land of Kentucky to Louisville. I then jumped on 264 to 64 where I again crossed the Ohio River. It felt good to see the familiar "Welcome to Indiana" sign. I honked then aimed towards 150 where I continued my ride home.

I was in pain, so I sat in the hot tub for a while that evening. It was my birthday, so Jennifer gave me my annual birthday massage :twisted: and it was nice. I feel good today and now I am going to play with Land Rovers for the day.

Life is good, the V-Strom, good friends and a good ride make it even better.

Enjoy the photos, wish you were there.

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0005.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0010.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0015.jpg

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http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0042.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0045.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0047.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0051.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0055.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0060.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0064.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0069.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0072.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0096.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0099.jpg

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http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0111.jpg

[SmkyMtnVStrom]

BK,
I hate that I missed you while you were down this way but work called. And I have to pay for some up coming farkles for my wee. It looks and sounds like you all had loads of fun. Might have to join you all next year. Thanks for the excellent report.

[dellboy]

in the seventh picture down (as i scroll) whos vstrom is that? it looks like the forks have been extended, or is that just the foto?

[dellboy]

ps, whos the nice chick on the car? :lol:

[Howboucha]

More photos

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0127.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0130.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0132.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0133.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0147.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0153.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0162.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0164.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0168.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0169.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/DSC_0173.jpg

[Howboucha]

I hate that I missed you while you were down this way
Me too, but I understand. Next time for sure.

Larry A. did make it and man can he ride that 1000. He was unstopable on those gravel/dirt mountain roads. He was MIA on Friday so Larry if you read this please post a reply that you got back okay.

Paper: That strom is mine. It's the angle. I shot it at 28mm which makes things look longer. About the chick. I need to find her card. She has another site like Killboys for deals gap photos. She was actually scraping her butt on the Killboy.com sticker on the side of his car. I think she was joking around with him. I shot three frames of her doing it. She got a kick out of it and I promised I would post it on the site for the world to see. Ergo the shot. Kinda cool eh?

If you guys haven't been to MCtourer.com yet, I suggest you stop by and see what they are all about. They organize some fantastic get togethers, and many of them ride V-Stroms. If you are interested in following the thread about this ride, you can go here: http://forums.delphiforums.com/MCTourer/messages/?msg=21806.1

[andy112652]

Hey Brendan, I enjoyed your company at the SMRRR. I wore my blue Stromtrooper shirt Saturday and the chicks were all over me. I owe you for that. Here are a couple of pics I took on the ride:

StromTrooper 1
http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/319/319866/folders/245391/1932299brendankerns.jpg

KLR eating Strom Dust
http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/319/319866/folders/245391/1932304stewartcabinroad.jpg

[Lencho]

Howbowcha Brendan,

I made it back fine. It was great meeting and riding with Mr. Stromtrooper! I never got my blue Stromtrooper shirt in XXL from you! Appreciate the kind words. I was beat on Thursday evening, that is for sure. I was planning on riding Friday too, but when I got back to camp Thursday evening the family (wife, 12 year old daughter, 9 year old son and 2 weinner dogs) were ready for me to spend some time with them. I should of left them at home! But I didn't, so they had to take priority. Didn't feel too bad since we hit it so hard on Thurday. Andy did a great job leading. I had fun, that is for sure. I love the dirt roads in that area! V-Strom heaven.

[andy112652]

Hey Larry, here is a pic of you coming off of a forest road Thursday morning.

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/319/319866/folders/245391/1933798larryarmendariz.jpg

[Cpope]

With 5 days in the Smokies I only got in 400+ miles, still a great time.
Was suppose to meet SmkyMtnVStrom for a ride June 20th but because my daughter didn't get in Monday afternoon and I had to pick up my Grand Daughter in Gainsville GA Tuesday I had to back out. Tuesday being Roberts only day off I though this would work out super. Sorry Robert, I hope I didn't foil any other of your riding plans.
After a really screwed up Tuesday Morning we got in a few waterfalls that afternoon.. Wednesday was a tubing day, at least for them, I solo around Russell Senic Hwy, to 180, Suches, 60, 19, 52 and 129 back into Helen. THursday Anne & I did some back gravel roads out of Helen, this was suppose to be a 12 mile ride thru gravel, rope swing, Horse Trough Falls. Great ride down Popular Stump rd which turned into Wilks rd. 15 miles of loose gravel, single track, kinda of like a Gravel Deals Gap.
Needless to say after 3 hours we came out on Hwy 75 just south of Brasstown Bald Mountain on 180. Both of us were glad that 3 hours were over. Thursday up Thursday morning with a ride on 197, into Clayton, Warwomen rd to 28 and N into Cashiers, back down Burton Dam Rd into Helen. Had to leave Friday for a softball tournament in Marietta GA
We did win the tournament so it made for a great week.

Sorry we missed some of you guys, great rodes and never enough time.
We always go up each year and this was our shortest stay.

Check out site for a few pictures. Hard to take pictures when really enjoying the sweepers and secenry

[Howboucha]

More Photos:
These were taken with my busted up Canon PowerShot S200 while on the bike. Crappy quality, but kinda fun.

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/a143-4355_IMG.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/143-4329_IMG.jpg

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http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/143-4346_IMG.jpg

http://www.purplepug.com/SMRRR/143-4352_IMG.jpg

[Lencho]

Who is that good studly looking dude on the blue DL1000? Oh, that me!
I wish I had a picture of you taking these pictures! Now that was entertaining. Great pictures, thanks!

[Cpope]

What a stud! :D
_________________

[Lencho]

Check out the picture of me and my boy on the Tail of the Dragon;

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/OrderPage.aspx?pi=04RK006Y180353&po=354&c=

[Cpope]

Now we see who the real "Stud" is. I can only get my grand daughters to ride with me. My grandson hates bikes.


http://images2.fotki.com/v327/photos/7/700333/3712938/DSC05189-vi.jpg

[ibcleary]

Hey Brendan,

You are right on about that weekend. Great riding, and Great riders. Some people don't realize that these LD riders are really next level. I learned smoother lines chasing Andy with Susan on the back than I did riding alone all season. I also want to thank you again for a night under a dry roof. The only thing worse than the night after dropping your bike is spending it in a wet tent. These Strom riders don't know how good they have it with a man like yourself behind the site. The good news is MZ does air shipping from Germany! The Wounded MZ should be more than ready for this fall. I was lucky enough to beat the rain east for a great 300 mile detour home.

http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=334&fileid=1936527&groupid=314717&folderid=245870&curRec=1&folderview=thumbs&ck=

Later,
Brian

P.S. the ice in the Scotch helps me survive longer.

[Cpope]

Brendan

How would you have liked to been a Bridal Falls when the big rock fell.
We were up in 2003 or 2004 I think and you could ride under the falls, the next year I was amazed that the big chunk of rock fell. If anybody was around I bet they wet their pants. Good picture of Dry Falls, ofcourse it is anything but Dry. Sooo many nice falls just around Highlands area. Super roads also. Sorry I missed you guys.
Spending last week with the Grand Kids was great but it sure messed up the riding time. Til Next time.
Man what a beatiful area up there we get to ride in once a year.
Keep up the great work on the site, great job.

Charlie