Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, the morning is cool, the meet-up is set, it's 8:15 a.m. and time to go. Will stop off and gas up Sweet Thang, ride next door to Micky Ds for a cup of coffee and then to the meet up. Several guys from church that ride had planned a ride for today. I was out of town until Friday night so I called to make sure it was still on. Yep, kickstands up at 9:30. So I had plenty of time.
Five guys total, 2 big HD baggers, a new HD V-Rod, a Kawasaki and Sweet Thang in the foreground. We didn't meet by the river but we did meet by the church in the parking lot. Tom, our map maker, tour guide and fearless leader rides the gold and black HD bagger. He briefs us on the route and then we saddle up for a trip across the mountains via mostly back roads, the scenic route. Destination, Maggie Valley, NC and the Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum.
We headed out for Sevierville on US441 and then North on US411 toward Newport. Shortly after Sevierville we turned right onto Jones Cove Rd.(TN 339), a smaller state highway which goes through Jones Cove which has a history of its own from what I've heard.
There is just a hint of Autumn in the air and if you look at the trees along the highway you can notice the shiny green leaves have lost some of their luster. They are a flatter color of green and some are even turning toward yellow. All indications tend to lead to an early Fall which does start officially tomorrow.
The sky was so blue and the clouds just big puffy white spots high in the sky. Jones Cove Rd. is a nice ride with some sweeper curves and some that can make you tighten up on the seat. Since it has been resurfaced not to long ago it makes for a smooth ride.
We rode by one field of Sunflowers. I'm sure the birds in the area are proud to have such a food supply near. I don't know whether these will be used for bird feed, sunflower oil, or dried and salted for human consumption. Either way, they sure look pretty as you ride by.
Now if there's one thing East Tennessee has is churches. And notice the cemetery has been fenced, probably because people were just dying to get in there. I know, me bad, the devil made me say that. But there are a lot of churches. Some are quaint, simple and plain but still serve a community purpose. And what a setting, on a knoll, mountain backdrop and a stark white building.
Tom lead the group, I was second and the rest of the pack was behind me as you can see in the picture to the right. You can also see in many shots that there are not shoulders to the highway so when you leave the asphalt you're going to take a wild ride. You must maintain vigilance while riding and any looks off to the side had better be real quick glances and on straight sections of the road.
At the end of Jones Cove Rd. we came to the town of Cosby, TN, just a small spot in the road where TN 339 junctions with US321. A quick right turn and then a quick left turn and you're now on the Foothills Parkway through the edge of the Smoky Mtn. Nat. Pk. This picture is at one of the first overlooks. Such a magnificent sight.
The varying folds of the earth are impressive regardless of how many times you look at them. And today it was rather hazy, the reason for their name. In a few weeks the green will change to an artist's paint pallet of color. And hoards of people will come from all over to see the leaf color change. Money in the pocket of businesses, but a royal pain for us riders. Pokie, pokie, stop, pokie, pokie, slow, etc.
The picture on the right is Tom, our fearless rider leader and his 2005 HD Special Issue Remembrance Glorified Wonderful beauty. Good ole Alabama boy if I do say so myself. But one draw back to his character is that he's an Auburn fan. Roll Tide.
But the money shot, as one biker friend says it, is my Sweet Thang. She's a looker, especially with the mountains in the background. Smooth as silk, fast as a racehorse, and a real Lady to work with. No, it doesn't go Potato Potato. That's those other bikes.
Another look at the mountains a little further up the Foothills Parkway.
After a few more miles on the Foothills we came to the junction of I-40, one of the prettiest interstate highways in the U.S. Long sweeping curves, mountains and mountain gaps. Then you cross over into North Carolina with more of the same, slower speeds through the gaps, a tunnel and finally to US 276, our turn off. Along this road we saw some corn that looked to be 8 ft. tall, some tobacco plants that you could use as an umbrella and finally, Maggie Valley, our destination point. We stopped at a really biker friendly convenience store/gas station to fill up our bikes before we headed in further to the place we were going to eat, Legends. They make the best hamburger you would ever want to eat with numerous varieties to select from.
After lunch we saddled up again for a two block ride back to the museum. Now for a historical tour of motorcycles. This museum has approximately 38,000 square feet with just about every inch filled with antique motorcycles, rebuild shop, a few antique cars and loads of things to look at. Some are one of a kind bikes while others are Indian and Harley Davidson but not the late models, most from early 1900s to around 1955, give or take a year.
This is a WWII Harley Davidson Model 45 developed for the military. Notice the rifle scabbard mounted on the front. There were several different models of this bike including one made by Indian.
One of the first touring bikes. If you notice it lookes like a motorized bicycle built for two. Not much comfort in those old models compared to what we ride today. But considering this was around 1914 or so, it was better than peddling.
They even had sidecar models with convertible tops. I'm not sure how much sun or rain it would keep off but it did look impressive.
This baby was a HD hill climber. They had stretched frames and as shown here, some even had tire chains to give them more gripping power. Back in their day the manufacturers even built them at the factory for this use. Most later years people had to modify a bike and build their own for this purpose.
There were numerous motorcycle manufacturers in the early years and they built other things beside motorcycles. Like this motorcycle powered vehicle used in the mines.
Or what about a small garden tractor powered by a motorcycle engine to till the soil. They even made outboard boat motors that were actual motorcycle engines along with some cars powered by motorcycle engines.
This beauty was complete with the tire manufacturer's sign as a background. By the way, all or most all of the motorcycles in the museum run. They demonstrate some during the tour and even take you for a ride outside on an old side car model. If you take that ride, take a nitroglycerin pill before you get on, you'll need it. But it's a thrill and one you won't easily forget.
If you like motorcycles, this museum is a must on your bucket list. The owner still races some of the antique bikes annually around the country where the bike has to be at least 100 years old to enter the race. And he wins a lot of the races.
We mounted up and rode US 19 into Cherokee, NC, turned onto US 441 down through the town and then headed back through the National Park for Seymour. About half way between Cherokee and Newfound Gap at the top of the mountain we were caught in a summer shower for about 4 or 5 miles. Not bad so no need for rain gear as you would dry out in a few miles. So we rode on. Took back roads around Gatlinburg and the tourist strip coming back to US 441 a few miles south of Seymour.
It was a great day to ride with a great bunch of guys. I had not ridden with any of the bikers before this ride. I will enjoy riding with them any time henceforth. All were good riders, thoughtful and considerate. Lots of laughs at our stops. I'm ready to ride again. Thanks Tom for setting this up. You did good.
Life is short. No future on earth is promised. Check where you are in life and be safe.
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