Ride to Max Patch

Wednesday, May 2, 2018.  Nice cool start of the day, meeting with Paul at the Boyds Creek Exxon for an early start for some gravel road riding to Max Patch, a bald knob of the Appalachian Mountains that straddles the NC and TN state lines.  National Forest Territory.  A lot of people hike up to the top of Max Patch to see the sunrise.  Paul and I try to get there by High Noon.  And we don't hike to the top, we ride to a point close to the top.  Max Patch is a little over 4100' in elevation.
Sun's already up as I ride to the meet up point.

The Island View School and it had an open house recently.

Took Red Bug on this journey as it is the only one I want to ride on dirt with.  We were on our way to Dandridge via backroads.

A nice looking Red Barn along our route.

Breakfast time at the barnyard.

Nice old farmstead.

Douglas Lake is almost back to its full status.  Took a long time to regain all of the water they drained down for dam repairs.

Some very pretty and rich farm land up towards Newport.

Heading toward the mountains.  And breakfast before the destination.  Now that's what I call planning.











Fox Den, a nice little restaurant near the end of the pavement in Del Rio, TN. Time for some biscuits and gravy, bacon and cheese omelet and steaming hot coffee.

 After our bellies were full we pulled out for the end of the pavement.

Farm field on one side and mountain rock on the other and a nice morning to take it all in.

Then the pavement ends and the gravel begins.  A bit loose on this side of the mountain and with those street tires aired up, a little squirrelly for the rider.

Every once in a while you would hit a hard packed stretch that made it easier to handle the bike.

Some great views from up high but disappearing fast as the leaves are coming out blocking the view.

Biker Buddy Paul stopped to take a pic of the valley and mountains on the other side.

Steadily climbing higher with turns, uphills and downhills along the way.

Turn off to Round Mountain Campground.

And still higher we climb, meandering among the drop-offs and solid rock.

And from time to time you went down.  The word here is "don't use the front brake".

 Then we pop out at another view but not as good as the last one we stopped for.

And believe it or now, there are some houses along this road.  It is a two way traffic road.

High mountain pond and full.

Noticed a few Dogwood Trees blooming.  Still some Spring time up here.

And yet a larger pond.  I wonder if that man sitting on the dock caught enough for his meal.

Twisting and turning seems like forever but we're only doing about 20-25 mph.

Then there it is, Max Patch.

Max Patch, Pisgah National Forest.

We met a man and his two sons just before we got to the top.  They were from GA and had been on the Trail for 4 weeks.  They were heading for the end of the Appalachian Trail up in Maine, another 3 or 4 months of hiking.  Have to give it to those people that hike the AT, they've got stamina.

Now we're heading down the mountain, back to civilization.

 Still some nice views along our trek downward.

 From up high you can get a good view of all of the humps and bumps of the mountain chain.

Beautiful from any angle.

On a clear day you can see forever.

A little roaring stream making its way down the mountain.

Gurgling water gushing over the rocks, clear cool mountain water.

Paul stopped to take another picture.  Gives the backside a break too.

Now this man is a serious mower.  He's looking down very intently, probably trying to spot a boulder before it finds his blade.

You take your yard wherever you can get it up here in the mountains.

As we drop down we get back on the good pavement and head it back toward the house.

Back through the gaps in the mountains and a little straight-away to blow the dust off the bikes.

Back in the farming country.  Lots of tomatoes grown up this way along with a lot of cattle.

Riding along a cool stream helps take some heat off the old body.

Indian smoke signals letting everyone know that we are returning.

Need a little yard art for your place?

Various animals but a lot of chickens and roosters.

Max Patch, gravel roads, farms and yard art.  Amazing what all you can see when riding the backroads.  It was an excellent day to ride.  Total miles for me door to door was 174 and used a little over one half tank of gas.  Was so dusty that I washed the bike and my chaps off at the same time.

So until the next adventure, take stock in what you have and what you will miss if you act stupid.  Life is not guaranteed.