Appalachia

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Day 5

Not much to speak of on the final day, good times were still had though.

Had a nice relaxed morning getting packed up which was awesome and a first for the trip. Set out from the lake and stopped for fuel on the way out, right behind me this guy in a ‘72 Chevelle pulls in.







This thing was immaculate, and sounded (and smelled) like a pro stock car. I just stood there mouth agape staring for a minute, the guy was looking at me probably not sure if I was all there, he’s like “how’s it goin?” and I’m just standing there nodding. Finally found my words and chatted with him for a while, he knew the CB1100 and worked at a Honda shop. He’s also got a XR650R (not the L), guys got good taste in motors. He was familiar with the Dragon and all the other spots I was at the day before, and informed me that this Chevelle makes 500 hp and 500 lb ft of torque. He didn’t seem like the embellishing type either. Anyway he left before me and proceeded to effortlessly roast the tires on the road out, also forever burned in my memory.

I chugged along on more divided highway home, listening to good tunes and reflecting on the last few days. I felt really good about my overall setup, just a few tweaks here and there before I head out west. The original Type 1 bars are definitely going back on, they’ll add a good deal of comfort for long days in the saddle for absolutely free. I’ll be purchasing some highway pegs as well. I’m a tall guy and my knees were pretty cranky the whole time on the highway, an easy fix tho. Still going back and forth on a windscreen, I always ride without one and the Street Shield I have buffets like crazy even after trimming it down, I’m leaning towards just leaving it as is. We’ll see. A few other small things packing wise, otherwise I’m feeling really good about going west.

As I was chugging along contemplating all of this I noticed a bike on the shoulder up ahead, guy on the phone next to it obviously in need of some help. I whip around and see what’s up, he tells me his rear went flat and asks if I’ve got plugs/air. I said yeah, let’s look at that tire first though. I think we found the puncture but it was a long, irregular slash in the tire that was pretty close to the sidewall, we both agreed it wasn’t gonna take a plug. Plus his bead was completely off, I really don’t think we woulda been able to get it reset. He was on the phone with a tow truck anyway the whole time so he was pretty set and not much i coulda done anyway. It was gonna be another 45 minutes before it got there though and the guy had literally nothing on him other than his jacket and phone so i went back to the nearest station and got him some water, it was HOT out and no shade around so it was the least I could do. This was in northern Mississippi and he said he was trying to get to Oklahoma, why he had no water/tools/anything i have no idea. He was on a Busa to be fair, maybe he thought if he rode fast enough he’d be able outride any trouble, lol.


The rest of the way home was very uneventful. More good tunes and hot weather and my new favorite interstate game which is to dart between the reflectors every time you change lanes, trying to avoid hitting them. Gives you something to do and helps with the monotony.

Made it back home at 3:00, gave my dog a big ol’ hug, woulda done the same to my girlfriend but she was out of town as well, and hung out with my buddy who was house/dog sitting for me. Got some tacos/beer (you picking up a theme here yet..?)/ice cream and relaxed. I was glad to be back but already thinking about the next trip. I think most people would feel very fulfilled and satisfied from a 5 day nonstop trip like this, I feel like I only got a small taste of what is to come and I’m ready for the whole enchilada. I think this is a good sign.

Much love, thank you for reading and I’ll try my best to reply to everyone.