Day 18 - Smokin Them Mountains

Day 18 - Looping the Loops in the Smokey's

Today's riding has been the best yet!!!

Gees how do I describe this in a way that you can imagine adequately... Imagine riding smooth, wide roads over the top and along the top of a mountain ridgeline for miles and miles, then dive down into the valley along some of the best twisting and curving roads. Pure riding bliss!! A motorcyclists dream. Just amazing!!

There was so much to see and experience. The views, scenery, people you meet. All awesome!!

The first stop of the morning was after coming across a like-minded BMW riders. We pulled over to have a chat and just re-wound the short mountain road we had just marveled over. It was our first time over this piece of tarmac and it probably showed to the locals, but for some reason they have a threshold less than mine once I got into my rhythm... :-)

Our second stop wasn't really a second stop, but something that we turned back around to go back to and have a look at. The Chilhowee Lake was just awesome at this time of the morning. The water was still and the reflection in the water just fantastic. We have all become budding amateur photographers...

So when do we get back to the corners again?

 If you want to see what the route was that we followed to the Tail of the Dragon, check this link out...: http://goo.gl/oB5Iog

The Tail of the Dragon is not a road you can only do once. So we turned around and did an up and back. Once we got back we had a chat with other riders and checked out the local establishments before heading further into North Carolina. Our full loop is located here: http://goo.gl/mldpF5

The Tree of Shame - an example of motorcycle parts left on the side of the road...

Tail of the Dragon has a reputation. I'm not so sure (the negative) it is justified, but I can see why it is not for new riders or the inexperienced. I can attest to the technicality of the road and the dangers of the unexpected, having met a semi-trailer on the hairpin switch back corner without warning. Why at 18 wheeler's even allowed on this road!! Please, let some common-sense prevail for the safety of motorcyclists!!

The boys we happy for photos today. It must have been the buzz from the ride... The smiles are getting bigger!!!

We even lined up the bikes... WTF!!

Anyway, later in the day, we ended up in an "authentic Indian American Working Village". Someone must have forgotten to release the Indians!!

But these shops backed onto a beautiful back drop... the Oconaluftee River. Just beautiful. Amazingly so.... And I don't have a photo would you believe... It must have been the coffee I was having :-)

One of the best things about the route we took today was that we got to do the Blue Ridge Parkway (southern part). Woohoo!! Magic. And while Highway 441 was awesome on paper, it sucked big time riding because it is heavy traffic and very low speed. I would love to do it at 3am...