BRP, the Dragon and more part 1

[the Ferret]

Gentlemen and ladies here is my report from my recent trip south/ east on my CB 1100. The ride took 5 days, encompassed 6 states, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tenneessee and Kentucky, and covered 1565 miles. Since the website will only let me post 9 or 10 pics at a time this report will be in 2 parts. I took about 300 photos ( which is actually about 1/2 of what I normally take on a trip) but I am going to post about 20 which should give you the flavor of the trip.

The plan was to meet Jim, a good riding buddy from Columbus Ohio over near the West Virginia border about 10:30 the first morning. Since I live in the extreme south west part of Ohio, that meant I had to be on the road by 7 a.m. I already had the CB gassed up and packed. Here she is warming up in the drive. I would be using my larger tank bag and tail pack for this trip, a setfrom Nelson Rigg. They hold more than I would need for 5 days on the road.

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A little over 3 hours later I met up with Jim. He would be riding an 08 Harley Davidson 1200 that he had modified into a standard bike with smaller front wheel, longer rear shocks and mid mount pegs. He also installed a small windshield.

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Our plan was to ride the curvy back roads of W. VA with a stop at Hawks Nest State Park and the Gauley Bridge overlook then continue on into Va with our first nights stop at Facy Gap, Va near an entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP). We had to run slab for the last 80 miles into Fancy Gap. Mileage for day one was 473 miles which took 10 hours the way we went.

Hawks Nest State Park

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After getting to the hotel we unpacked and rode down to a family style restaurant for dinner. I usually eat oatmeal, fruit, yogurt and hot tea for breakfast, and a salad and water for lunch, and have a nice meal for dinner. I had pork chops, mashed potatoes and candied apples and my usual hot tea with creme and sugar.

About 5 mins from the hotel is an entrance to the BRP. The further you go south from here, the better the views. I always recommend people run the BRP north to south. Anyhow the road is 460 miles long, very scenic, very curvy, with lots of overlooks to stop at and see the mountains. It is spotlessly clean, with very little traffic, but watch your spped. The limit is 45. You can run 50 without hassle, but take your time, no since rushing thru such beautiful country.

Here is a pic of Jim riding my CB. Notice the sign indicating a motorcyclist could be thrown from his bike if he took the turn too fast lol. After riding my CB Jim said the only thing it had in common with his Harley is they are both motorcycles. the CB was superior in nearly every aspect. I must admit though his Harley did have great ergos. His mid mount foot pegs were very much in the right spot. He was also suprised when I told him what the CB weighed as he mentioned it was so light. Actually the CB and his HD weighed virtually the same.
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The BRP provides magical views if you like mountains

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Along the BRP is Mount Mitchell State Park, the elevation there is about 500 feet higher than the peak of the parkway, and it provides spectacular views..well worth the detour
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After a detour due to road closure on the BRP we again enter the BRP at Ashville and continued our ride southward stopping at the highest peak of the parkway for a photo op

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By the way that detour was onto one of the gnarliest roads I've been on in a long time. As another riding buddy who has ridden it commented..it makes the Dragon look like the kiddy pool lol

High in the mountains, when the days get hot, meeting the cold mountain air can get the atmosphere all fired up in an instant to produce rain. We got lucky and made the rest of the run to Maggie Valley without getting wet on this day. We would not be so lucky the next day.

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We arrived at our hotel in Maggie Valley after another long glorious day on our motorcycles. 341 miles today. Another 10 hours with stops and at the reduced BRP speed limit. After checking in, we went to another nice restauarant and had another excellent meal. On our way to the restaurant we had to turn around in the Comfort Inn parking lot ( we were at the Microtel) and I spotted another CB 1100 parked in the lot with a small dark shield. I thought it might be forum member GCarper's who mentioned he would be in the area at that time. I checked at the front desk but no G Carper was registered so I left a note on the seat and continued on. Big day planned for tomorrow, so we adjourned for the night fat and happy.

Stay tuned for part 2

[wildezt_imp]

Very cool Mr.Ferret...I must say, you are living the dream of many people...

[Ack-CB11_imp]

Fun Fun Fun I can't wait for something like that, Thanks for posting

[the Ferret]

Very cool Mr.Ferret...I must say, you are living the dream of many people...

Ahh yes, living the dream. Actually I retired so I could ride more. Seems to be working out for the most part. Now, if I could just get it to rain only at night

[the Ferret]

Hot and sticky here already this morning. man, I miss those mountains!

[ron1100_imp]

tea with creme and sugar? That's British style. I enjoyed reading and viewing the images of your trip. Thanks for sharing.

[the Ferret]

My grandmother on my mothers side was Welsh. Everyday at 4:10 was tea time. Eventually anytime became tea time. Now I have multiple cups everyday. First thing In the morning, and last thing before I turn off the lights at night. Been like that for as long as I can remember. Can't stand coffee.

[ron1100_imp]

I enjoy drinking tea the same way. My daily tea time, at work, is 3:15. I need to have one one cup of Dunkin Donut coffee in the morning though.

[Houtman_imp]

My wife is from England and I also lived there for 7 years but when we came to the USA in 1985 we having been drinking coffee only.We would not function without our Folgers!!! (I do not work for them ! )

[cb400four_imp]

(continuing the hijack about tea), I lived in London for about a year back in 2000 and picked up the habit of having a 'cuppa'. In the office kitchenette there was always a pot of hot water brewing and tea and a refrigerated [url=http://www.bakedeco.com/bimages/SK2-RS.jpg]milk dispenser, (the one with the weighted lever which pinched a flexible tube, do you remember before the current non-refrigerated milk in mini single serving things became popular?). When I lived in Hong Kong from 2008 to 2011 tea was the office standard as well, though more people drank weaker brew known as milk tea. Now I'm back stateside and the afternoon tea run remains a must.