Kelly's Run - A Ride Report in Four Parts

[emptysea]

Preface
On Thursday, the nineteenth of June, at a little after nine in the morning, I eased my CB1100 onto the I-294 ramp and began my second trip to the Smokey Mountains in as many months. This one would be quite a bit different than the previous one. The first trip was a vacation with friends with a side trip for lunch with my life-long friend Kelly, who had been sick for a long time with heart and kidney disease. This trip was to attend his funeral.

Somewhat ironically, he sustained injuries, ultimately fatal, in a car crash pulling into his doctor's office to discuss a new heart procedure.

This ride report is not going to be some somber reflection on his life or how I miss him in my life. Like the testimonials and eulogies at his funeral, he would want me to discuss the life in my ride and not dwell on the death that made it necessary. So, the following report is written in that spirit.

Part I
It took a little bit of convincing to get my wife on board with me riding solo for 4 days. She was much more at ease with my plan once I informed her that I would meet up with our new friend, Mickey (The Ferret), with whom we rode 6 weeks prior (see [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=2865]Tales of the Dragon) She somehow got the notion that I would be safer riding with him than alone because he's a careful rider and a nice guy. I think he's like Eddie Haskell and puts up this kind and concerned front which belies his innate mischievousness. In any case, I contacted Mickey and planned to meet him for breakfast and a ride on Day 2. I really do think it's safer, and often more fun, to ride with someone else so I was very pleased that he was available.

I planned my route to allow me to hop on an interstate if I lost time due to weather or mechanical issues. If the motorcycling gods were with me, my route would also allow me to spend a little more time wandering around northern Kentucky with Mickey and maybe even hit some of the wonderful roads in and around the Smoky Mountains. There was a little weather--it rained a little, and some times a lot, on both Thursday and Friday. The brand new Michelin RP3s handled all the conditions flawlessly.

I learned from my last trip that if I mounted my bags the right way, they would provide a nice back rest for me on the long straightaways. I had to pack a little more carefully, since I needed dress pants and a dress shirt for the main event, but everything I needed for 4 days fit easily in my duffel/drybag combination. I know many of you like luggage with saddlebags and such, but I think a couple of bags strapped on the back of the CB1100 just completes the retro look.

Packed and ready to go:


I am here to tell you that there is no, and I mean NO, interesting way to get out of the Chicago area and still maintain some level of speed. So it was I-294 to 80/94 to 394 to a couple of small roads to US 41 south. I will comment on the "couple of small roads" though: The intersection of 109th and Calumet Ave in Indiana is called "Shoe Corner" I had been through the intersection twice before and noticed the shoes on the road, but it wasn't until I was home from this trip that I was curious enough to try to figure out what the deal was (which is why there are no pictures). It seems that folks drop off old shoes at this corner on a regular basis. One legend has it that people started leaving shoes there for a poor family who was too proud to accept charity. You can read a little more about it here. [url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/mystery-shrouds-shoe-corner/article_eeaa5082-cc8a-558b-a683-d4d0272b3d86.html]Shoe Corner

I wonder now why a poor family would need the pair of women's gold platform shoes I saw as I passed, though.

US41 is straight and flat, but it beats the hell out of I-65. "The Shoe Corner Bypass" allowed me to avoid a couple of towns and a couple dozen stoplights and is more scenic than the interstate; there are even a few curves before turning onto 41.

Damn! I forgot to pack a cigar or two!

I realized this major gaff as I pulled out of a gas station in Cedar Lake, IN. Oh well, I could stop in Morocco. They have a great big fancy sign saying "Welcome to Morocco". Surely they must have a place I could by a cigar. They did. Sort of.



The nice and modestly attractive woman at The Butt Shop was as helpful as she could be, pointing me to my choices of Swisher Sweets or berry-flavored Backwoods Smokes ("How can anything that looks so wild, taste so mild?"). Well, they had the "cheap" part down in any case. I opted for the Backwoods Smokes and headed for the door. She followed me out. "We don't get many out out-of-towners around here, especially on bikes", she said. She asked me a few more questions about the CB, where I was from and where I was heading, and I rode off with the distinct impression that she just wanted to talk to someone from someplace else. Selling lottery tickets and Luckies to the same people everyday probably gets old after awhile.

I would take US41 to US52 into Lafayette, IN and stop for lunch at the famous Triple XXX Family Restaurant for lunch. I love this place. Make sure you get a root beer, if'n you like root beer. I was in Purdue country so I had the Boilermaker Pete (a double cheeseburger and yet so much more than that). It's on a hill and the canopy was leaking from an earlier rain, so parking was a little adventure, but it's definitely worth the effort. Just remember: it's cash only.



After a weaving around a couple of one-way streets, I picked up US231 south out of Lafayette. A fairly uneventful stretch for me through Greencastle, home of DePauw University and then east on IN46 to Bloomington, home of Indiana University. I had unintentionally taken a tour of some of the best colleges in the region. In Bloomington, I picked up IN446 south and stopped for a "comfort break" at Lake Monroe. Temps in the 80s this day proved to be the coolest afternoon of the entire trip. It felt good to be off the bike for a few minutes, especially with the scenic views of the lake.



From Lake Monroe, I took 446 to IN58 to IN135 to US50 east. 446, 58, and 135 essentially border Brown County Stat Park on the west, south, and east. They are nice roads with some curves, but nothing too challenging. Very pretty ride around the park. I didn't get to ride it this time, but 135 north of 58 is very scenic and a road worth taking if you're in the area. I spotted this sign along in here someplace and I swore it said "IDIOT PARKING". There are probably some Indiana riders that think I read it the correct way. LOL


I stopped along US50 at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge mainly to get my bearings. Seemed like a great place to spend a couple of hours. I'll go back there someday. The only picture I have from there is a selfie of me in front their information sing which I sent to Cheryl to let her know that I was not in s ditch someplace. No need to show that here.

Got my bearings, but somehow still managed to miss the turn for US421 which should have taken me to Madison, Indiana. I don't suspect there is much to see in Madison in June, but I thought I would check it out for a bike trip I'd like to take in July, 2015 to see the Madison Hydroplane Regatta [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_Regatta]Madison Regatta. In any case, it was starting to cloud up a little and going to Madison would take me south and west of Cincinnati, my destination for the night.

My plan was to follow US50 along the river into Cincy and then take 75 north to the Quality Inn, Sharonville. It would have been a nice ride with the sun setting over my shoulder, but it started to rain. Not enough to put on rain gear, but enough to make me anxious to get to the hotel. I should have just hopped on I-275 at the Indiana/Ohio border, but hindsight, etc.

Quite possibly the worst highway signage in the country exists (or doesn't) to guide one from US50 east to I-75 north. Plus, there was a detour. I wound up stopping at an intersection to check my map and in the 10 mintues I was there, I saw exactly three other vehicles. In a fairly large city, it's a bit disconcerting to be on a motorcycle at dusk in an area with very few people around. I figured out my route, snapped a quick picture, and hopped back on the bike.



Rode in a light rain in a construction zone for most of the remainder of my trip to the hotel. I charmed the nice woman at the Quality Inn into letting me move a few of their outside tables and park my bike on their "porch"


I dined at JW Sports Cafe just down the street from the hotel. We ate here when we passed through before and it was pretty good. I had a cheeseburger and fries, a Yuengling, (and some sort of shot of Fireball mixed with some other liquor that the guy on the stool next me paid for), and my bill, with a generous tip, was $13.00. Not bad.

The Quality Inn was clean, quiet and convenient. I fell asleep looking forward to Friday's breakfast and ride with The Ferret.

[Randy B]

Preface
On Thursday, the nineteenth of June, at a little after nine in the morning, I eased my CB1100 onto the I-294 ramp and began my second trip to the Smokey Mountains in as many months. This one would be quite a bit different than the previous one. The first trip was a vacation with friends with a side trip for lunch with my life-long friend Kelly, who had been sick for a long time with heart and kidney disease. This trip was to attend his funeral.

Somewhat ironically, he sustained injuries, ultimately fatal, in a car crash pulling into his doctor's office to discuss a new heart procedure.

This ride report is not going to be some somber reflection on his life or how I miss him in my life. Like the testimonials and eulogies at his funeral, he would want me to discuss the life in my ride and not dwell on the death that made it necessary. So, the following report is written in that spirit.

Part I
It took a little bit of convincing to get my wife on board with me riding solo for 4 days. She was much more at ease with my plan once I informed her that I would meet up with our new friend, Mickey (The Ferret), with whom we rode 6 weeks prior (see [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=2865]Tales of the Dragon) She somehow got the notion that I would be safer riding with him than alone because he's a careful rider and a nice guy. I think he's like Eddie Haskell and puts up this kind and concerned front which belies his innate mischievousness. In any case, I contacted Mickey and planned to meet him for breakfast and a ride on Day 2. I really do think it's safer, and often more fun, to ride with someone else so I was very pleased that he was available.

I planned my route to allow me to hop on an interstate if I lost time due to weather or mechanical issues. If the motorcycling gods were with me, my route would also allow me to spend a little more time wandering around northern Kentucky with Mickey and maybe even hit some of the wonderful roads in and around the Smoky Mountains. There was a little weather--it rained a little, and some times a lot, on both Thursday and Friday. The brand new Michelin RP3s handled all the conditions flawlessly.

I learned from my last trip that if I mounted my bags the right way, they would provide a nice back rest for me on the long straightaways. I had to pack a little more carefully, since I needed dress pants and a dress shirt for the main event, but everything I needed for 4 days fit easily in my duffel/drybag combination. I know many of you like luggage with saddlebags and such, but I think a couple of bags strapped on the back of the CB1100 just completes the retro look.

Packed and ready to go:


I am here to tell you that there is no, and I mean NO, interesting way to get out of the Chicago area and still maintain some level of speed. So it was I-294 to 80/94 to 394 to a couple of small roads to US 41 south. I will comment on the "couple of small roads" though: The intersection of 109th and Calumet Ave in Indiana is called "Shoe Corner" I had been through the intersection twice before and noticed the shoes on the road, but it wasn't until I was home from this trip that I was curious enough to try to figure out what the deal was (which is why there are no pictures). It seems that folks drop off old shoes at this corner on a regular basis. One legend has it that people started leaving shoes there for a poor family who was too proud to accept charity. You can read a little more about it here. [url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/mystery-shrouds-shoe-corner/article_eeaa5082-cc8a-558b-a683-d4d0272b3d86.html]Shoe Corner

I wonder now why a poor family would need the pair of women's gold platform shoes I saw as I passed, though.

US41 is straight and flat, but it beats the hell out of I-65. "The Shoe Corner Bypass" allowed me to avoid a couple of towns and a couple dozen stoplights and is more scenic than the interstate; there are even a few curves before turning onto 41.

Damn! I forgot to pack a cigar or two!

I realized this major gaff as I pulled out of a gas station in Cedar Lake, IN. Oh well, I could stop in Morocco. They have a great big fancy sign saying "Welcome to Morocco". Surely they must have a place I could by a cigar. They did. Sort of.



The nice and modestly attractive woman at The Butt Shop was as helpful as she could be, pointing me to my choices of Swisher Sweets or berry-flavored Backwoods Smokes ("How can anything that looks so wild, taste so mild?"). Well, they had the "cheap" part down in any case. I opted for the Backwoods Smokes and headed for the door. She followed me out. "We don't get many out out-of-towners around here, especially on bikes", she said. She asked me a few more questions about the CB, where I was from and where I was heading, and I rode off with the distinct impression that she just wanted to talk to someone from someplace else. Selling lottery tickets and Luckies to the same people everyday probably gets old after awhile.

I would take US41 to US52 into Lafayette, IN and stop for lunch at the famous Triple XXX Family Restaurant for lunch. I love this place. Make sure you get a root beer, if'n you like root beer. I was in Purdue country so I had the Boilermaker Pete (a double cheeseburger and yet so much more than that). It's on a hill and the canopy was leaking from an earlier rain, so parking was a little adventure, but it's definitely worth the effort. Just remember: it's cash only.



After a weaving around a couple of one-way streets, I picked up US231 south out of Lafayette. A fairly uneventful stretch for me through Greencastle, home of DePauw University and then east on IN46 to Bloomington, home of Indiana University. I had unintentionally taken a tour of some of the best colleges in the region. In Bloomington, I picked up IN446 south and stopped for a "comfort break" at Lake Monroe. Temps in the 80s this day proved to be the coolest afternoon of the entire trip. It felt good to be off the bike for a few minutes, especially with the scenic views of the lake.



From Lake Monroe, I took 446 to IN58 to IN135 to US50 east. 446, 58, and 135 essentially border Brown County Stat Park on the west, south, and east. They are nice roads with some curves, but nothing too challenging. Very pretty ride around the park. I didn't get to ride it this time, but 135 north of 58 is very scenic and a road worth taking if you're in the area. I spotted this sign along in here someplace and I swore it said "IDIOT PARKING". There are probably some Indiana riders that think I read it the correct way. LOL


I stopped along US50 at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge mainly to get my bearings. Seemed like a great place to spend a couple of hours. I'll go back there someday. The only picture I have from there is a selfie of me in front their information sing which I sent to Cheryl to let her know that I was not in s ditch someplace. No need to show that here.

Got my bearings, but somehow still managed to miss the turn for US421 which should have taken me to Madison, Indiana. I don't suspect there is much to see in Madison in June, but I thought I would check it out for a bike trip I'd like to take in July, 2015 to see the Madison Hydroplane Regatta [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_Regatta]Madison Regatta. In any case, it was starting to cloud up a little and going to Madison would take me south and west of Cincinnati, my destination for the night.

My plan was to follow US50 along the river into Cincy and then take 75 north to the Quality Inn, Sharonville. It would have been a nice ride with the sun setting over my shoulder, but it started to rain. Not enough to put on rain gear, but enough to make me anxious to get to the hotel. I should have just hopped on I-275 at the Indiana/Ohio border, but hindsight, etc.

Quite possibly the worst highway signage in the country exists (or doesn't) to guide one from US50 east to I-75 north. Plus, there was a detour. I wound up stopping at an intersection to check my map and in the 10 mintues I was there, I saw exactly three other vehicles. In a fairly large city, it's a bit disconcerting to be on a motorcycle at dusk in an area with very few people around. I figured out my route, snapped a quick picture, and hopped back on the bike.



Rode in a light rain in a construction zone for most of the remainder of my trip to the hotel. I charmed the nice woman at the Quality Inn into letting me move a few of their outside tables and park my bike on their "porch"


I dined at JW Sports Cafe just down the street from the hotel. We ate here when we passed through before and it was pretty good. I had a cheeseburger and fries, a Yuengling, (and some sort of shot of Fireball mixed with some other liquor that the guy on the stool next me paid for), and my bill, with a generous tip, was $13.00. Not bad.

The Quality Inn was clean, quiet and convenient. I fell asleep looking forward to Friday's breakfast and ride with The Ferret.

This is no joke. The 294/94/80 area on the south end of Chicago heading into Indiana is the epitome of clusterf#*^. Unless you go through there in the wee hours, forget it.

Nice write up...keep going, and sorry to hear about your friend.

[Cormanus]

Great write up and pictures, Empty Sea. You keep the bar high.

Looking forward to the next instalment.

[Elipten_imp]

I agree Randy that route in Chicago is brutal traffic and drivers. I'm impressed EmptySea you made it out alive. I-65 in Indiana is also one of the worst interstates in USA. Rough surface, and very heavy traffic. Glad you stopped at my old college, go Purdue!


But seriously great write up so far. I'm waiting for more.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Great post. Keep them coming. Being brief as I will have a good look later this evening.

Cheers

[Rocky_imp]

Great pics and narrative
Thanks for posting.

[Short Timer_imp]

Very nice tribute to your friend. And thanks for sharing the experience. Looking forward to more.

[Rick Froscheiser_imp]

Very cool pictures and narrative. Thanks for sharing with us. Very nice way for you to honor your friend also.

[cb400four_imp]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend, but this ride report is a great way to honor him. Thanks for posting.

[emptysea]

Part II

Friday morning was partly to mostly sunny and the early warmth warned of a hot afternoon. I removed my bike from its covered resting spot, thanked the desk manager for the consideration and the good night's sleep, packed up the bike and rode down the street to meet Ferret at the Bob Evans. I usually like to find mom & pop places to eat when I travel, especially for breakfast, but I have to tell you that Bob Evans can rustle up some corned beef hash and eggs quickly and cheaply..and they taste pretty darned good, too.

If you have the opportunity to ride with Ferret, first do so. Second, be on time which is to say, be early. The man is punctual.

He was already there, camera ready, when I arrived. He came from something like 10 miles away. I came from like 10 steps away. The man is punctual.

(author's note: some pictures are courtesy of The Ferret Studios, Somewheresville, OH)


Selfie sent to my wife to let her know that I was safely traveling with Eddie Haskell.


He had mapped out a route for the day and wanted to show me the plan. Lucky he had reading glasses to lend me. He let me keep the map and his Post-It Note with rough directions of our trip. This may sound a little odd, but I keep it in my tank bag all the time and consider it one of my most treasured keepsakes from my motorcycle travels.


He was charged with leading me on a backroads route that would take me generally south and generally parallel to US75. That way I could make up the time spent on morning jocularity and still get to Alcoa around dinner time. His answer? A route he called "Too Many Twos" (or "Twos Are Wild"..something like that). I have the map and have even tried to recreate it on Google Maps, but he did a little loop in the middle and, as the follower, I didn't pay close attention to the road names. All I know is that it was fun, at one point we were on KY22 and KY227, and that we were in Georgetown at least once, but I think twice. I was dizzy from the turns by the time we stopped at a Wendy's right next to I-75 for a refreshing tea (hot for him, iced for me). It was hot by then and the air conditioning felt good.

On the way to our fun route, he let me ride his Deluxe. Great bike. Very well balanced, what with the dual exhaust and the RLETS and all. (Not sure what to make of the giant cross in the background)


Once we hit the back roads, I was on my own bike. Notice how the weight of the single exhaust causes the bike to list to one side.


Our bikes soaking up the shade at Wendy's. I'm sure Ferret was saying "Jeezalou, I love my bike"


Mickey and I exchanged wishes of safe travels and I headed south on I-75. He probably went west then north then east and then north some more.

My trip down I-75 was quick, but it started to rain somewhere around London, KY and I don't like riding in truck wash (air or water), so I switched over to US25. I think I did this at London, but it may have been a bit further south. I was winging it at this point, relying on my recollections of my last trip through the area. Rain got harder and I stopped and donned my rain gear. In typical fashion, the rain stopped about 10 minutes later and I was hauling ass down 25 in what amounted to a high-viz sweatsuit.

Hot, Humid, and Hungry is no way to go through life, son. I decided to stop in Corbin, KY for some grub. Last time through Corbin, our group was stuck in a coffee shop to wait out a rain storm. I could see clouds moving in, but it was dry at this point. I chose Dixie Cafe as my "mom & pop" place and it did not disappoint. I had the meatloaf on the recommendation of the owner's 12 year old son.

Selfie sent to my wife to let her know were I was at. I didn't notice the resemblance until later.




Back on US25 for a spell and then onto I-75 to get me to my Quality Inn-Alcoa with all due haste. If timing and weather would cooperate, I might be able to take an evening run up US129 into and around Deal's Gap. Both cooperated, at least until I arrived at the hotel. The manager again allowed me to park under a canopy. It was too small to be of much good, but I felt comfortable leaving it right next to the office window and they had a bucket of towels for drying off bikes right in the lobby. Sweet.

Stripped the bike down a bit for the trip to Deal's Gap.


The weather was holding, but it did look cloudy in the mountains. I dumped all bags and headed south on US129. US411 and 129 run together at this point with 129 breaking off with a left turn taking you to the famous/infamous section of the road. There was a policeman at this corner and he had flagged down a group of 5 Harley riders just ahead of me to warn that it was raining hard on The Dragon. The Harley group stopped in the gas station at the corner. I figured that there was still a good 10 miles of really pretty road before you even make the last turn that takes you to The Tail of The Dragon, so I made the left and continued on US129.

US129/Calderwood Hwy. a few miles north of TN72.


The intersection of Foothills Parkway and US129 is your last chance to bail out before trying your hand at The Dragon. TN72 is the second to last intersection. I arrived at this T intersection in the midst of a fairly steady, but light rain. There were no other vehicles to be seen except for a row of parked bikes at The Dragon Pit Inn at the top of the T. I brought my CB to a stop on the white striped island that directs you left to Deal's Gap or right onto 72 West and back to US411. I could see that the rain was mostly to the left, but it was clearing to the right. I wanted to go left, but not in the rain, so I looked left then right as I played "Eenie Meenie" in my head (the "tiger" version, for all you who may be wondering). I am sure that my fellow riders, looking on from the confines of The Dragon Pit, knew exactly what was going through my mind.

I decided to go right. I would follow 72 back to 411 and turn right and head for my hotel. That was my plan. 72 was in its post-rain glory, though, so I rode it to 411 and turned around to head home via 72 and 129--the way I came.

Early evening, TN72 at Culvert's Cove.


Looking back toward The Dragon. Rain, rain, going away.


TN72 is a lovely stretch of road. Just a few curves, but a beautiful ride through the lowlands. I rode it back to The Dragon Pit and by the time I arrived back there, the sun had peeked out and there was no need for "eenie meenie"--I was heading up The Dragon. This road is fantastic. After each section of switchback and keyhole turns I wonder to myself "How in God's name did this serpent become a United States Highway?". It is not the prettiest of the roads in the area, but it's pretty. It is not my favorite of the roads in the area, but it's damn interesting. I had it almost to myself. I did have to slow down for a two-up cruiser and we were both summarily passed by a red Ducati Multistrada. I hadn't seen him in my mirror as he approached and I was close to the center line in a not-so-subtle attempt to encourage the couple in front of me to avail themselves of the pull-off to the right. They did not and The Ducati startled me as he passed. I felt bad that I had not given him more room.

Selfie sent to my wife to let her know I was alive...and to make her a little jealous. (Eyewear: KD's with blue tint. I use these for low light conditions. I have a pair of clear ones for night. They work perfectly and are cheap)


Scenic overlook of my bike...oh and I guess there's some cool stuff in the background, too.


When I arrived at Deal's Gap Resort, I saw the red Ducati and I pulled next to him to apologize for not giving him more room. I could tell from how he pulled away from us after the pass that he was a very good rider in very good control of his bike and I felt that, had I been more attentive, I could have given him more room. He replied that he would not have passed me at all had I not got tied up behind the cruiser. He said that he was riding at his own speed and was not really closing on me until I slowed down. It is not my goal to be the fastest on the road, but he gave me a nice little boost to know that I was riding at a good pace.

It was getting late, so I turned the CB right out of Deal's Gap Resort and up the hill on 129 and headed back to the hotel. The Quality Inn is walking distance to a Texas Roadhouse. A chain, again, but they do have good food. Dined at the bar and had a nice conversation with two different groups of riders on either side of me. We sure do like talking about riding...almost as much as actually riding. After dinner, it was back to the hotel for some shuteye. I was going to try to get out pretty early so that I could take the scenic route to the church in Hixson. I needed to be there by noon.