Riding from Middlesboro, KY to Pineville and Pine Mtn., KY and Return.

After the non-planned ride Wednesday, Paul had a planned ride for Thursday.  Since it was rain free and sunny we decided to take advantage of it.  So I backed Sweet Thang out of the garage about 7 a.m. to meet Paul at Exxon Station for 8 a.m.  Wanted my coffee before hitting the road.  And I did get the whole cup drank before he showed up.  Weather, nice, temps in upper 60s this morning and high around 92.

Fresh air early in the morning is always refreshing and this was about as fresh as it can get.  Sun was just coming out from behind the morning clouds and in some areas a little mist hung in the lowlands.  Paul and I were to meet up at the Exxon Station, a mutual meeting up place near both of us.  We would then head up TN 66 and over some back roads and main roads to Blaine, TN where we would meet TerrE, as he's referred to.

This same view the day before was rather scary as the clouds were dark looking like an early rain.  Far off next to the mountains you could see the early morning mist hanging in the air. 

Rte. 66 takes you from the Sevierville, TN area out to I-40 except we were not going to run on the interstate today.  We would go over it at the new half-diamond interchange that has just been completed.  Confusing to me but it's suppose to make the traffic flow better getting on and off of Rte. 66.  It also runs by this nice newly built building housing Russell Stover's home for wayward women.

Shortly after crossing over the interstate highway we started running our usual back roads, this being one of the better ones.  It would take us over to U.S. 11 and after a few turns we would meet up with TerrE.  TerrE rides a 2008 HD with over 100K miles on it and an 2014 Indian.  Today he would be on Silver, the HD.

With the frequent rains everything has gotten so green that when you see a freshly plowed field it stands out in blazing contrast.

After hitting another road this old farm house is one of many along the route but for some reason I seem to take a number of pictures of this particular one.  It just has some charm that pulls my camera its way.

The upper left corner of the pic on the right are the newly planted grape vines.  There are several areas of East TN that grow wine grapes and a number of wineries.  Kind of odd since this is a major player in the Bible Belt.

Then we cross the bridge that seems to never get finished.  Much better now than a year ago but construction seems to go on forever.  By now you have concluded that I am one of those "Red" people, people who have very little patience.  Don't dawdle around, "Get'R Done".

I refer to this as "the house with the view".  It is a rather large house and from the front porch it must have one of the best views of the countryside than any house in the area.  And you don't have to worry about raking leaves as there are no trees nearby.  It must be a quarter of a mile from the house to the mail box by the highway.  I guess they draw straws on who is going for the mail on bad days.

We picked up TerrE at Blaine and then headed for U.S. 25 which will take us into Middlesboro, KY.  Over that mountain in the background is the state of Kentucky, home of Bourbon whiskey, coal mines, thoroughbreds and some great crooked roads.

Winding among the foothills the route takes us onward to the Kentucky mountains and sites to see.  It is really a very pretty part of the state.  The roadway is very good and the curves are continuous so you can just let it hang out there and ride, cowboy, ride.

The last town in TN before you go through the tunnel is Harrogot, home of The Abraham Lincoln Museum and Lincoln Memorial University.  The campus is very pretty with red brick buildings dotting the side of the mountain.

Just before you leave TN you have a sign indicating the Cumberland National Park which lets you see VA, KY, and TN.  A beautiful place to visit and it has a nice museum telling of the early settlers.

Finally one of my favorite tunnels crossing beneath the mountain separating TN from KY.

Out the other side of the tunnel puts you in the great State of Kentucky.  It won't be long before the serious part of the ride starts to take place.  Our destination is Pineville, KY and just West of Pineville is Pine Mountain State Park.

Don't let the picture to the right fool you for this is one of the straightest portions of the road up to the top of Pine Mountain.  And it has switchbacks that would make a snake have problems.  Add to that the green moss on the pavement that is very slick since it is also damp from earlier rains.  This means you and the road surface can meet up really quick if you're going to fast or trying to brake.

At the top of the mountain is a great lookout view point.  Beneath this area is the city of Pineville.  These two old geezers leaning on the rail are Paul on the left and TerrE on the right.  They are both contemplating but who knows about what.

Winding our way back down we head off in another direction which will eventually lead us back to our home places but not for several hours yet.  We have just begun.

This was one of our finer afternoon roads.  One such road led us to a 1 1/2 laner as we refer to it which turned into a short gravel stretch before asphalt was felt again.

A lot of cattle are grown on these hills.  And this old barn is a remnant of years gone by.  Rusty tin roof, weathered gray boards and lots of nature time.  However, it is still standing and performing its duties as when it was first built.

Since flat land is rare in this part of the country they didn't waste a speck of it.  Houses, barns, sheds, etc., are built right up to the road's edge in many places.  Step out onto the front porch and get mail handed to you without using a mail box.  Of course you have to keep an eye out for passing vehicles and wide loads.

Lunch time brought us to one of our normal stopping places for a hot dog. After a pit stop, eating the hot dog and drinking a tall can of Arizona tea we hit the road heading back.

But before we get to relaxed, it was time to hit one of those "I'm not sure what the surface is nor how far it goes before we come out onto good ground" roads.

Ran across this little fixer-upper Fifth Wheel travel trailer.  Seems to have had a roof problem that turned into a total rear end problem.

That gouged out area near the top of the mountain here is a rock quarry.  Crushed limestone, rock size depending on what you are going to use it for.  Ground up about like gravel they refer to it as "crush and run".  Some even call it chattle.  Both were new to me when I moved here.

Notice there are no wide shoulders on the highways.  One reason to keep your mind on your business of riding or driving as to veer off the highway makes one come to an abrupt stop with serious consequences.

Love these roads.  Looks like a real sharpie ahead.  And sometimes they do this with an up elevation to them.

Just another set of twisties with a good set of long curves.  Nice to let her hang out some to clear the carbs.

 Back on U.S. 25 heading South toward Knoxville but not actually entering it.  We'll make a turn off toward Rte. 66 again and stop by one of our favorite stopping points, Mountain Motorsports, for a free coffee and to look over the bikes, new and used.

Nearing our ending destination made this another great day to ride.  A little warm but good anyway.  Helps you to keep track on how well your deodorant works.

Fun gauge, Excellent; Mileage, 227 door to door.  And this ride included 6 short videos to boot.  Another great day in the mountains.  So until the next adventure trip, soak up the fun while living under the sun.