NC Mountains Trip

[Bheezy27403_imp]

Put fresh oil in last Sat. Put new Avons on Fri. Thought I should scrub them in so I headed up to a campground I frequent in the Pisgah National Forest. Rented a travel trailer and spent Monday, Tuesday and the bulk of Wednesday riding the area. Just under 600 miles. Hwy 221 from Linville falls to Blowing Rock should not be missed. Tons of good riding up there, BRP included. Was a bit chilly but I waited til about 10-1030 to head out so it wasn't too bad.
On my journey there I took Hwy 67 out of Winston to 268 out of Elkin to avoid 40. Enjoyable riding. As i got to the forest I had mapped a few great looking, curvy roads through the forest to the parkway. Turns out they were, for the most part, GRAVEL! Went over 2 mountains on single lane, unkempt roads. The CB didn't miss a beat. Was a little harrowing however.
All in all was a great time and I learned to appreciate the CB just a little more.

 

[Cormanus]

Sounds like a good weekend, Bheezy. What are the Avons and how did you find them? The CB is OK on gravel although I've found it hard work on occasions, particularly when there's lots of loose stuff on top of it.

 

[Bheezy27403_imp]

Avon Roadriders. Stock sizes. I think use2b had them on his beautiful machine. He mentioned something about making the bike seem taller but I didn't notice that. It felt like adding an old friend to my bike. I am very used to them because that is all I will put on my Triumph. Handled spectacularly on the twisty bits.

The CB chewed up the gravel but it was no fun. I asked her to do more than I would normally but I wasn't going to back track as I was burning daylight and heat. If there was a problem out there I would be on my own in 25 degree temps for the evening. Not fun, but I got her through (or did she get me through?).

I forgot to mention the K&H seat I got from a forum member is a VAST!!!! improvement over the stocker. Only had to get off for fill ups.

Great trip. Already planning the next.

 

[The A-man]

Highway 221 is basically my back yard. Let me know next time you head up here and maybe I can introduce you to some fun new routes.

 

[Bheezy27403_imp]

Amen A-man! I've been going up there for years camping but have always had the wife or some other tag-along so never took the bike. 221 has been on my list for awhile. I must have went up and down it 4 or 5 times this week. It didn't disappoint, very little traffic either.
I'll hit you up this spring when I get back up there.
Have you ever been to Dry County Pizza and Brewing in Spruce pine? I head that way just as an excuse to go there at least once a year.

 

[Nortoon_imp]

Avon Roadriders. Stock sizes. I think use2b had them on his beautiful machine. He mentioned something about making the bike seem taller but I didn't notice that. It felt like adding an old friend to my bike. I am very used to them because that is all I will put on my Triumph. Handled spectacularly on the twisty bits.

The CB chewed up the gravel but it was no fun. I asked her to do more than I would normally but I wasn't going to back track as I was burning daylight and heat. If there was a problem out there I would be on my own in 25 degree temps for the evening. Not fun, but I got her through (or did she get me through?).

I forgot to mention the K&H seat I got from a forum member is a VAST!!!! improvement over the stocker. Only had to get off for fill ups.

Great trip. Already planning the next.

It appears that Avon Roadriders are the only properly sized replacements available for my 2017 CB1100 EX. I see use2b has spoke wheels on his bike and you mentioned a Triumph. The Avon Roadriders can be used with tubes?

Good to hear they handle well, except in gravel. But a heavy road bike with skinny tires is not a very good moto-crosser. I learned that riding on sandy roads.

 

[Bheezy27403_imp]

Yes. The Bonneville has spokes therefore tubes.

They handled well in the gravel and they are not that skinny. The rear is rather meaty. I say handled well, this is of course relative to the fact of a porky bike doing 15-20 mph.

 

[Nortoon_imp]

Yes. The Bonneville has spokes therefore tubes.

They handled well in the gravel and they are not that skinny. The rear is rather meaty. I say handled well, this is of course relative to the fact of a porky bike doing 15-20 mph.

Good to hear they are run with tubes. :excited:

Porky is one of the reasons I call my bike Miss Piggy. During my sandy road experience she was quite a handful.

 

[The A-man]

Breezy, definitely look me up. I'm closer to Marion and Morganton than Spruce Pine, but this area is blessed with great biking roads. Perhaps we can meet up in Little Switzerland.

 

[Bheezy27403_imp]

Sounds good. I'll post a thread before my next visit to Pisgah.

 

[Houtman_imp]

I will try to meet you as well , I live just south of Asheville.

 

[Bheezy27403_imp]

The more the merrier!