Lost with Mike
  • Scoot
  • Paddle
  • Pedal
  • Moto
    • The South >
      • Merchant's Millpond State Park, NC
      • BRP and a visit to Charlotte, NC
      • South Carolina and Back on my GS (2011)
      • Jaw-ja Trip #1 - Visiting my Nephew
      • Jaw-ja Trip #2 - Cousin's Wedding
      • "You rode 1300 miles for BBQ?!?" (2010)
    • Canada (eh) >
      • 2012 - Beards to Canada >
        • Day 1: Arlington, VA > Arlington, VT
        • Day 1-2 (Continued) Back to VA!!!
        • Day 3: Newburyport, NH > Sandy Cove, NS
        • Day 4: Loafing around "The Neck"
        • Day 5: Sandy Cove, NS to Antigonish, NS
        • Day 6: Antigonish, NS to Meat Cove, NS
        • Day 7: Meat Cove, NS to Port Aux Basques, NFL
        • Day 8: Port Aux Basques to Port Saunders
        • Day 9: Port Saunders to Big Brook
        • Day 10: Big Brook, NL to Trans Lab Hwy
        • Day 11: Trans Lab Hwy to Pinware River
        • Day 12: Pinware River, LAB to Norris Point, NL
        • Day 13: Norris Point to Blue Beach
        • Day 14: Blue Beach, NL to Port Aux Basques Ferry
        • Day 15: Sydney, NS to Sandy Cove, NS
        • Day 16: Chillin on the Digby Neck
        • Day 17: Sandy Cove, NS to No. Sandwich, NH
        • Day 18: Sandiwch, NH to Arlington, VA (Home)
      • Algonquin Park 2013 >
        • Day 1: Home to New York
        • Day 2: Chataugay State Forest to Brent, ON
        • Day 3: Brent, ON to Nipissing River Portage at Nadine Lake
        • Day 4: Nipissing River @ Nadine Lake Portage to first island in Red Pine Bay
        • Day 5: Red Pine Bay to Hogan’s Lake
        • Day 6: Hogan’s Lake to Catfish Lake
        • Day 7: Catfish Lake to Cedar Lake to Fredonia, NY
        • Day 8: Fredonia, NY to Brookville, PA
        • Day 9: Brookville, PA to Alexandria, VA
      • Think I'll ride to Montreal this weekend...
      • Ontario on a Whim
    • Maryland >
      • How to Hit a Tree, By ME!
      • Ruckus Stealth Camping in MD
      • Ruck'n around Southern MD
      • White's Ferry and some Maryland Backroads
      • 1000mi right near da' beach (2010)
    • New York >
      • Cornell, Niagara Falls and PA Coal Country (2012)
      • Finger Lakes trip to NY (2011)
      • New York City Trip (2011)
    • Pennsylvania >
      • Early Spring in PA
      • Michaux Camping
      • From a Wedding to "Where-da-fugawi?"
      • Pennsylvania Leaf Peeping (2012)
      • First Big Trip to PA (2010)
    • Virginia >
      • From the Mountains to the Sea in Ol' Virginny'
      • What the Fog? (Northern Neck, VA - 2013)
      • Uncle Bucks Ride to Eat and Snowy SNP
      • Charlottesville Area Ride
      • Serious Helmet Time in VA (2011)
      • Ruck'n Across Virginia (2010)
      • Impromptu Camping with 'DC Rider' (2010)
    • West Virginia >
      • Rella-Vous and Skippii Rescue
      • New River Gorge Ghost Town Exploration (2011)
      • Five States from Laurel Fork (Spring 2013)
      • A Little Dirt, A Little Clouds, A lotta Fun, WV (2012)
      • GS and an NSX? (2012)
      • Seneca Rocks Camping Two-Up (2011)
      • Panniers Only Club at Seneca Rocks, WV (2010)
      • Laurel Fork Fall 2010 on the Honda Ruckus 50cc (2010)
      • Dog Days Rally and Rella's Gift (2010)
      • Pops and Richmonders in WV (2010)
      • Rocket Boys (2010)
      • New River Gorge and Rella's (2010)
    • Cross Country 2009 >
      • Trip Preparation
      • Day 1: (Sept 3, 2010)
      • Day 2: (Sept 4, 2010)
      • Day 3: (Sept 5, 2010)
      • Day 4: (Sept 6, 2010)
      • Day 5: (Sept 7, 2010)
      • Day 6: (Sept 8, 2010)
      • Day 7: (Sept 9, 2010)
      • Day 8: (Sept 10, 2010)
      • Day 9: (Sept 11, 2010)
      • Day 10: (Sept 12, 2010)
      • Day 11: (Sept 13, 2010)
      • Day 12: (Sept 14, 2010)
      • Day 13: (Sept 15, 2010)
      • Day 14: (Sept 16, 2010)
      • Day 15: (Sept 17, 2010)
      • Day 16: (Sept 18, 2010)
      • Day 17: (Sept 19, 2010)
  • Photos
  • Articles

Serious Helmet Time in VA (2011)

6/26/2011

THURSDAY
I needed some serious helmet time so I went for a ride. I miss the mountains.

I left work at 4 on a Thursday, once defeating the traffic (gravitational pull) of the city, I found myself on 55 heading in the direction of the Blue Ridge.

I stopped for a water break in Fort Valley along Passage Creek
IMG_0976.JPG

IMG_0979.JPG

IMG_0980.JPG

It had rained all around me but somehow I stayed dry :thumb
DSC_0392.JPG

Scooted over to Crisman Hollow Rd and snapped this sweet shot
IMG_0982.JPG

I hadn't seen Bloochdog or Banshee in a while so they offered me a place to stay on the river. It is very rare for me to rather spend the night with friends than in my hammock in the forest. Such great folks :D
IMG_0986.JPG

And wouldn't you know it, we hopped in the truck and went over to El Paso for dinner and margaritas!
IMG_0988.JPG

IMG_0990.JPG

NOM
IMG_0989.JPG

Afterward is was back to the cabin to watch a movie and drift off to sleep. Thanks again you two!

FRIDAY

I woke up at 5:15 and was riding by 5:30. I made it to Mile 0 of the BRP around 6:30 as the sun was rising to the east.
IMG_0994.JPG

I promptly saved this little guy from death. I saved three turtles this trip.
DSC_0404.JPG

The valleys down toward Buena Vista offer some of the most picturesque views.
DSC_0411.JPG

I stopped often to photograph flowers. As much as I like to GO GO GO, sometimes you need to take a break for everyone following the pictures. Also, I ride so much I'd just as well forget about some beautiful view years later without a photo.
DSC_0419.JPG

Gates always getting in the way
DSC_0422.JPG

See!
DSC_0424.JPG

Quick shot of Mabry Mill to add to my collection. I have Spring, Summer and Fall but no winter yet!
DSC_0427.JPG

Oh why hello there :wave
IMG_0997.JPG

How can you not love this sign?!? The corner isn't even bad either... :huh
IMG_0999.JPG

I came around a couple turns and spotted this rain storm in my path.
DSC_0432.JPG

I rode through the rain for hours until climbing Mount Mitchell...where it was raining only at the peak.
IMG_1002.JPG

I've been up top before and time was of the essence so I forego the walk up for a souvenir or two and some photos.
DSC_0436.JPG

Yup add this to the collection.
DSC_0440.JPG

After the rain let off, the clouds and fog stuck to the hillsides. They sure are the Smoky Mountains.
DSC_0442.JPG

DSC_0445.JPG

DSC_0450.JPG

Who won? The GS or the hare?
DSC_0455.JPG

Sun was sinking lower, gotta keep pushing on!
DSC_0460.JPG

I finished the BRP around 6:00 that afternoon completing it in under 12 hours with many many stops along the way. Not too shabby. What a great road! I saw one police officer all day. I'm going to try and ride this road more often on the weekdays :evil

Cruising into Bryson City, I always see these cars used to shore up the shoreline. That's some 60's technology for you rusting away at work.
IMG_1010.JPG

I had a printed map of primitive NFS camp grounds around Lake Santeelah so I headed down that direction.
DSC_0464.JPG

Okay this one will do :D
DSC_0475.JPG

DSC_0466.JPG

Cooked up some dinner and had some cheap wine.
DSC_0468.JPG

A small fire then turned in early.
IMG_1011.JPG

SATURDAY
I packed the bike before first light and set out on the dirt roads in the area.
DSC_0487.JPG

Saw a pontoon boat go cruising by on the still water.
DSC_0482.JPG

Happy Place?
DSC_0489.JPG

Such a dense forest. I love the Appalachians.
DSC_0491.JPG

Little Fall
DSC_0496.JPG

Bigger Fall
DSC_0505.JPG

Then up to the Cherahola Skyway
DSC_0545.JPG

DSC_0670.JPG

DSC_0578.JPG

DSC_0681.JPG

From the Skyway I rode NC1134 along the water up to 129. It was a tight and technical road barely two cars wide. Just the sort of appetizer I needed for The Dragon.
IMG_1016.JPG

I came, I saw, I didn't crash. Good enough for me.
IMG_1025.JPG

The view from the overlook
DSC_0686.JPG

I enjoyed riding it that Saturday morning. There weren't any cops on the first section so it was just the photographers to look out for. I have seen a bunch of my action shots and will place an order or two in the coming days. On the retrun back down, I passed a KTM Supermoto and shortly after came across a lowsided Hayabusa off the cliff. It took all 10 of the stopped riders to help pull this thing up the steep incline. Eventually it was up but had a cracked triple tree and who knows what else. Not my problem for the day. Off I went!

Fullscreen+capture+6262012+44428+PM.jpg

Now to go ride 28 to the dam.
DSC_0682.JPG

DSC_0691.JPG

OH OH! Dirt shortcut :D
DSC_0689.JPG

So faced with the rising temps in the low 90s and slowly chugging through towns all day, I decided to make it back to the BRP for a return run. What a great idea. It was in the low 70's and gorgeous.
IMG_1028.JPG

See the tunnel entrance ?
DSC_0698.JPG

Where was I?
DSC_0703.JPG

Riding the BRP in the other direction is like riding a totally different road sometimes...so that made for a great day. I don't have any more pics of the remainder as I just rode and rode stopping only for gas. That night I made it to Blacksburg where I made a visit to my brother attending VT. We enjoyed each other's company but I made it clear I'd be leaving early.

SUNDAY
I awoke at 5:45, zipped on my Stich' and bid farewell to my sleeping sibling.

Lowest fuel of the trip: $2.96
IMG_1032.JPG

Onward I rode toward the land of LadyDraco and all that is beautiful.
DSC_0711.JPG

DSC_0717.JPG

Good morning :wave
DSC_0720.JPG

DSC_0722.JPG

Don and Tracy were such wonderful hosts and gave me coffee. We sat around the kitchen table enjoying the company for an hour. I could have stayed all weekend but I knew I had a long twisty day ahead of me. I am so happy I made the detour to stop in.

From the farm, I rode to Tazewell and picked up Hwy 16, recently referred to as "The Back of the Dragon" or some such nonsense. This carried me back to the coal towns of S.WV. War, Caretta, Coalwood, Welch...the list goes on.

The old Caretta Store. I'm sure there have been many uses under it's roof.
DSC_0727.JPG

Looking in to the old Olga Machine Shop. I have many pics from a trip here about two years ago. You can check those out if you haven't been to Coalwood.
DSC_0732.JPG

The script says "Majestic"
DSC_0741.JPG

The Ol' Launch Site
DSC_0745.JPG

DSC_0746.JPG

Breezing through Welch.
DSC_0750.JPG

DSC_0751.JPG

You know you are in coal country when:
DSC_0752.JPG

I just set the GPS to home and followed it somewhat aimlessly. Usually this works great. It took me through this valley down below and wound me up to the end of the Coal Fields Expressway.
DSC_0753.JPG

This hasn't been paved yet heading South...so I had some 90mph gravel fun. YEAH BABY!!! :clap
DSC_0757.JPG

After playing around for a bit, I decided to make my way to the New River Bridge and the original lower bridge below.
DSC_0763.JPG

DSC_0764.JPG

DSC_0768.JPG

Tada!
DSC_0770.JPG

Stuck behind a minivan doing less than 10mph on a one way road, I found plenty of time to stop and take pictures..
DSC_0784.JPG

IMG_1043.JPG

After playing around under the bridge, I made my way to Hwy41 then to Webster Springs on 20. Once in Webster, I decided I couldn't come that close to Mama Rella's without stopping in for a visit. It just wouldn't be right.
IMG_1051.JPG

Rella said business has been particularly slow and she needs more of us motorcyclists to show up! Come on gang, let's pay her a visit :deal
IMG_1049.JPG

IMG_1044.JPG

I usually keep a big saw hanging above the sink beside the firearms as well. She is too cool.
IMG_1047.JPG

If her chair could speak the stories it has heard.
IMG_1045.JPG

The "Special": Salad, Meatloaf, Potatoes, Peas and a Roll = $6.25 !!!!!! I also got two slices of pie to take with me. Oh and I couldn't finish the special. I never can. Leftovers today while writing this were awesome.
IMG_1048.JPG

Taking an hour out of riding to visit with such a genuine person is always worth it. I sat weighing the ride home in the dark and it was all worth it (provided I didn't hit any deer).

I took Hacker Valley Rd up past the park toward Pickens.
DSC_0788.JPG

Eat my dust!
DSC_0791.JPG

Still staying true to my roots
DSC_0802.JPG

Here I am in Helvetia at the Hutte
IMG_1054.JPG

And the inn across the stream
IMG_1056.JPG

Stopped in Elkins for a replacement headlight bulb since mine had been out and then continued back on 33. I never stop to take a picture of the "negative cube" as I like to think of it.
DSC_0810.JPG

The view on top of Rich Mountain is absolutely bucolic.
DSC_0815.JPG

DSC_0827.JPG

Crossing the Eastern Continental Divid
DSC_0829.JPG
DSC_0817.JPG

Some side roads I wound up on.
DSC_0830.JPG

Seneca Rocks. Come by here all the time.
DSC_0834.JPG

Riding Old 55 the whole way back is always the best decision. Sure there were tons of deer but no traffic. The views are pretty good outside Baker as well.
DSC_0847.JPG

Filling up for gas the final time in VA as the sun sets behind me.
IMG_1060.JPG

Stats.
IMG_1061.JPG

Would I do it again? Yes.

Would I change anything? I'd get a point and shoot for action shots.

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Scoot
  • Paddle
  • Pedal
  • Moto
    • The South >
      • Merchant's Millpond State Park, NC
      • BRP and a visit to Charlotte, NC
      • South Carolina and Back on my GS (2011)
      • Jaw-ja Trip #1 - Visiting my Nephew
      • Jaw-ja Trip #2 - Cousin's Wedding
      • "You rode 1300 miles for BBQ?!?" (2010)
    • Canada (eh) >
      • 2012 - Beards to Canada >
        • Day 1: Arlington, VA > Arlington, VT
        • Day 1-2 (Continued) Back to VA!!!
        • Day 3: Newburyport, NH > Sandy Cove, NS
        • Day 4: Loafing around "The Neck"
        • Day 5: Sandy Cove, NS to Antigonish, NS
        • Day 6: Antigonish, NS to Meat Cove, NS
        • Day 7: Meat Cove, NS to Port Aux Basques, NFL
        • Day 8: Port Aux Basques to Port Saunders
        • Day 9: Port Saunders to Big Brook
        • Day 10: Big Brook, NL to Trans Lab Hwy
        • Day 11: Trans Lab Hwy to Pinware River
        • Day 12: Pinware River, LAB to Norris Point, NL
        • Day 13: Norris Point to Blue Beach
        • Day 14: Blue Beach, NL to Port Aux Basques Ferry
        • Day 15: Sydney, NS to Sandy Cove, NS
        • Day 16: Chillin on the Digby Neck
        • Day 17: Sandy Cove, NS to No. Sandwich, NH
        • Day 18: Sandiwch, NH to Arlington, VA (Home)
      • Algonquin Park 2013 >
        • Day 1: Home to New York
        • Day 2: Chataugay State Forest to Brent, ON
        • Day 3: Brent, ON to Nipissing River Portage at Nadine Lake
        • Day 4: Nipissing River @ Nadine Lake Portage to first island in Red Pine Bay
        • Day 5: Red Pine Bay to Hogan’s Lake
        • Day 6: Hogan’s Lake to Catfish Lake
        • Day 7: Catfish Lake to Cedar Lake to Fredonia, NY
        • Day 8: Fredonia, NY to Brookville, PA
        • Day 9: Brookville, PA to Alexandria, VA
      • Think I'll ride to Montreal this weekend...
      • Ontario on a Whim
    • Maryland >
      • How to Hit a Tree, By ME!
      • Ruckus Stealth Camping in MD
      • Ruck'n around Southern MD
      • White's Ferry and some Maryland Backroads
      • 1000mi right near da' beach (2010)
    • New York >
      • Cornell, Niagara Falls and PA Coal Country (2012)
      • Finger Lakes trip to NY (2011)
      • New York City Trip (2011)
    • Pennsylvania >
      • Early Spring in PA
      • Michaux Camping
      • From a Wedding to "Where-da-fugawi?"
      • Pennsylvania Leaf Peeping (2012)
      • First Big Trip to PA (2010)
    • Virginia >
      • From the Mountains to the Sea in Ol' Virginny'
      • What the Fog? (Northern Neck, VA - 2013)
      • Uncle Bucks Ride to Eat and Snowy SNP
      • Charlottesville Area Ride
      • Serious Helmet Time in VA (2011)
      • Ruck'n Across Virginia (2010)
      • Impromptu Camping with 'DC Rider' (2010)
    • West Virginia >
      • Rella-Vous and Skippii Rescue
      • New River Gorge Ghost Town Exploration (2011)
      • Five States from Laurel Fork (Spring 2013)
      • A Little Dirt, A Little Clouds, A lotta Fun, WV (2012)
      • GS and an NSX? (2012)
      • Seneca Rocks Camping Two-Up (2011)
      • Panniers Only Club at Seneca Rocks, WV (2010)
      • Laurel Fork Fall 2010 on the Honda Ruckus 50cc (2010)
      • Dog Days Rally and Rella's Gift (2010)
      • Pops and Richmonders in WV (2010)
      • Rocket Boys (2010)
      • New River Gorge and Rella's (2010)
    • Cross Country 2009 >
      • Trip Preparation
      • Day 1: (Sept 3, 2010)
      • Day 2: (Sept 4, 2010)
      • Day 3: (Sept 5, 2010)
      • Day 4: (Sept 6, 2010)
      • Day 5: (Sept 7, 2010)
      • Day 6: (Sept 8, 2010)
      • Day 7: (Sept 9, 2010)
      • Day 8: (Sept 10, 2010)
      • Day 9: (Sept 11, 2010)
      • Day 10: (Sept 12, 2010)
      • Day 11: (Sept 13, 2010)
      • Day 12: (Sept 14, 2010)
      • Day 13: (Sept 15, 2010)
      • Day 14: (Sept 16, 2010)
      • Day 15: (Sept 17, 2010)
      • Day 16: (Sept 18, 2010)
      • Day 17: (Sept 19, 2010)
  • Photos
  • Articles