Riding to Mt. Mitchell, NC

Tuesday, May 16, 2017, temp in the low 60s but going to warm up to upper 80s.  No rain predicted.  Time to ride.  Going to meet biker friend Terry at the Pilot Sta. at exit 398 on I-40 (Strawberry Plains, TN) for a 9:00 a.m. departure.  Terry lives about 60 miles south of Knoxville at Lenoir City, TN.  We will pick up the third rider, Ken with his Yorkie, Rider, a bit farther east.  He'll be located on an up ramp to the interstate.  I wanted to top off my tank on Sweet Thang so I arrived a bit early.  I pushed Sweet Thang out of the garage at 7:35 a.m. and headed to the meet up place.

After arriving and topping off the tank I went inside and purchased a cup of coffee to sip on while waiting for Terry to arrive.  Didn't know which bike he would be on as he has a Harley and an Indian.  Ken rides a black Honda Gold Wing.  All cruisers riding today.

With a sky that looks like that and all of that greenery to help the blue stand out, how could you not want to go for a ride.

I had sipped about half of the cup of coffee, a small cup, when Terry rode up on his blue and silver HD.  He needed a pit stop and return a call to Ken so I gulped a few mouthfuls down.  Wound up tossing the remainder of my morning Joe in the garbage can.  Time to ride.

We pulled out from Pilot's and headed east on I-40.  This would be a faster route to the good riding.  As usual we would be doing a loop ride.  

Crossing over the Holston River.  The Holston and the French Broad Rivers come together just above Knoxville, TN and make up the Tennessee River.  Now you know.  TMI?

Ken falls in and eastward we head for the curvy ride through the mountains between TN and NC.  Ken ran in the middle as Ken and I have CB Radios and can communicate.  This helps in case Ken or I have an issue while riding.

Getting ready to go into the first tunnel of the day.

Around this curve is the second tunnel of the day.  I love this stretch of I-40 and the stretch between Knoxville and Nashville.

We took our first break of the day at the Rest Stop in NC.  All three bikes, Terry's HD, my Sweet Thang (1999 Honda Valkyrie) and Ken's Black Goldwing.

Ken lets his passenger, Rider, out of the cage for a little pit stop.  Rider has ridden many miles on the back of Ken's Goldwings.









Rider is sitting in the Master's seat.

Not too far over in NC we turn off onto Fines Creek (NC209) road which takes us through a valley and by large farms.

This was quite a spread.  I don't know what kind of trees these are but they were surely topped.  Looks like two hands with the fingers open and pointing to the sky.

A somber farm scene and nary a soul outside.  Very well kept place.

Scenic ride in this valley.  We are getting very close to "Tomato Country".

A gas stop, pit stop combination and onward to Mt. Mitchell.

Today's ride seemed to be plagued with road construction.  We had to wait here while a dump truck backed up for over a quarter of a mile.

We turned off Fines Creek onto NC 63.  We were going to skirt Asheville, NC by taking some very nice back roads.

Terry makes a left turn onto the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Everything was so green.  A canopy helped to keep you from the sun.

Another tunnel on the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP), one of several we will ride through today.

In one of the pull-offs an elderly couple had their lawn chairs out taking in the view.  Probably having lunch as well.

The red coloring near the tops of the mountains are hardwood trees just starting to put on leaves.  Among them in areas are pines that are turning red due to the pine beetle.  Kills the trees.

I don't care from what angle you look at the mountains, they are beautiful.

A view forward and a view backward.

There was a well defined haze on the mountains today.

Up at the 5,000 ft. level Spring was just trying to get started.  Most of the trees didn't have buds on them yet.

Such scenery.  Man could never make a scene like this.

Spruce trees stand out like sentinels against the backdrop of the Smokies.

The restaurant near the top of Mt. Mitchell was not open due to some plumbing damage from the winter.  Nice view while dining.  So we turn back, ride down the mountain and head for Asheville to find a place to eat.

The ruggedness of the mountain is stark as you approach the tunnel going south on the BRP.

After eating we head down through Maggie Valley, back onto the BRP to its end at US 441 near Cherokee.  Ken hung a right and headed back to his house.  I needed gas so Terry and I hung a left and went into the edge of Cherokee for some petrol.

Gas was high in Cherokee so I bought just two gallons as I wanted to wait until I got near the house to fill her up with 100% gasoline.

We crossed the mountains via Newfound Gap (US441) with Terry turning off at Sugarlands Visitor Center to head back to Lenoir City.  I continued straight taking the Gatlinburg by-pass heading for downtown Seymour, TN.

It was a great day, a great ride and time spent with two good friends.  What more could you ask for.  For me it was 309 miles door to door and accomplished safely.

Until the next Adventure ride I wish you good health, and safe riding/driving.  Don't forget to take time to enjoy friends and family and this great place we live.