As some here will know I've been known to nag people about checking tires and brake pads before attending VRCC rides.
I decided to go on a ride this week heading to Cumberland Gap and the Little Shepherds Trail.
Thursday morning packed and on the road about 9.30. Beautiful sunny day and about 65F
On Hwy 209 on the way to Hot Springs I stopped at a scenic overlook for a photo.
Checking my phone I see a text from Smokin Joe asking where I was going to end up Thursday night. I replied Harlan KY I hope and I'll keep you informed about my progress.
He replied that he would head that way.
More texts exchanged after I'd ridden a few more miles and we decide to meet up in Corbin, KY because Joe knows of a motel with a Mexican restaurant close by.
OK Corbin it is.
And away I go following my planned route knowing I have to tack on some extra miles at the end to get to Corbin.
https://www.tva.com/Energy/Our-Power-System/Hydroelectric/Nolichuckyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8BIkizrV2sRiding along and I'm frickin starving having had a banana and peach for breakfast.
Pop there's a BBQ on the side of the road. A U turn and dismount to find it's pick up or sit outside at a picnic table. OK table it is.
I asked why no inside dining and was told that since the onset of the plague they found during lockdown that they did just as much business with pick up and picnic tables.
The pork was a tad dry but the BBQ Bourbon sauce did a great job at making the pork very palatable.
A Loomis money truck rolls into the parking lot and makes me think this BBQ joint must be making a lot of moolah.
The truck backs up to the BBQ and I realize Ha it's here to pick up BBQ!
The security guard exits the back of the truck via the side door and gets into the cab via the passenger door.
The driver gets out his door and goes pick up his bag of goodness.
The other guard then exits the cab and gets his goodie bag and gets back into the rear of the truck.
All the time I'm waiting for masked robbers to erupt from the parked cars at the end of the parking lot or for someone to yell ACTION!
Pffftttt. Neither happens and after a short time the truck rolls out of the parking lot.
On I ride. A few hiccups and U turns keep me on track.
TN Hwy 70.
Pretty good road up and over the mountain to Jonesville, VA.
VIRGINIA!!! VIRGINIA??? How the heck did I get to Virginia. A worm hole?
https://goo.gl/maps/abK3PdeNuzKfG8wi6Gas stop here and I look the bike over as I'm working the ache from the saddle out and checking m y phone for messages.
Wait, what. What the heck. The front tire is looking a little treadless. Poop. I checked it before I left. The top of Lincolns head was just in the tread in 3 different places around the tread. I had thought I had at least 1,500 miles of use left. Enough for what I had planned. I have been riding with some gusto regarding speed and braking. Maybe too much gusto?
There's enough to get me to Corbin and then home so long as I just ease off the gusto a little.
I decide to heaad west on Hwy 58 instead of going a little north to 987 and then west.
I do still take a ride up to Pinnacle Overlook.
https://www.roadtripsandcoffee.com/pinnacle-overlook-cumberland-gap-national-historical-park/
Some of the road calls for 1st gear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R45OE23m-88So 4 lane - yawn it is. Pineville and their flood gates pass by
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=pikeville+ky+flood+of+1957&t=newext&atb=v1-1&iax=images&ia=imagesMore 4 lane to Corbin and then a visual treat. I am accelerating onto I 75 and a large pickup towing a flat bed with vehicles onboard moves left to give me access to the right alne.
As it passes I first see a pristine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citro%C3%ABn_2CV https://topclassiccarsforsale.com/uploads/photoalbum/citroen-deux-chevaux-2cv-1.jpgand then a Citroen DS in just as good if not better condition.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citro%C3%ABn_DShttps://www.frenchclassics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ds21pallas70-3-1400x933.jpg?v=16061594072 of my favorite cars.
Rolling into the motel I see Joe sitting in the shade with beer.
I tell him to look at my front tire and to call me a bad word. He's polite and doesn't but does remind me that I'm the one who reminds others about checking tires.
I recognize the motel and check with Joe to make sure my memory is true. It was used for a Hillbilly ride and I had some boxes of Grit Chips shipped there for people to try during Grit Chips short life.
The motel was called the Landmark but has been rebadged as a Motel 6 and completely remodeled. The rooms and bathrooms have been tastefully decorated.
Dinner is at the Santa Fe Mexican restaurant and dinner is good.
House salsa on the right and the
hot version Joe ordered that nearly melted him.
Back to the motel for some beers and conversation.
We got the world squared away to wake up and find it had reverted back to what is was the day before.
Friday morning we had a breakfast of champions and rode.
Joe led the way to Cumberland Falls State Park. Hwy 90 has been repaved.
https://goo.gl/maps/QPyLei6UjD6YJ26i9https://www.kentuckytourism.com/outdoors/natural-attractions/cumberland-falls
From there we headed south and I said farewell and started heading home after apologizing again for my front tire.
A pretty uneventful ride home apart from a couple of does ambling across the road.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=veterans+overlook+bean+station+tn&t=newext&atb=v1-1&iax=images&ia=imagesA stop near home for peaches and tomatoes.
https://www.relive.cc/view/vDqgk7DYyVqhttps://www.relive.cc/view/vLqe4G2jdR6484 miles and there's more treadless. New Shinko to be fitted this week.
