Cherohala Skyway and more. Photos and words.

[..]

On the road at 7.30. On board temperature gauge registering 42F. As I cross the first river bridge the temperature drops to 37F and stays there for the next hour or so as I zip up 4 lane Hwy 575 to Blue Ridge, GA. The ST1300 as  it slices through the occasional bank of fog faux contrails awirling behind the bike.

I chase a flat bed 18 wheeler nearly all the way to Tellico Plains. He is really pushing his rig and I'm impressed with his skill at keeping to his side of the center line whilst cornering at speed.

At the top of the long descent to Tellico Plains he pulls over to let me pass. Running ahead of schedule I take time to turn left on a road I've passed dozens of times. The sign Conasagua Falls is what peaks my curiosity http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/conasauga_tn1.htm



Narrow paved road gives way to





A kind person had provided a comforable viewing platform



Unfortunately the dirt road ended here and I didn't have time to yomp to the falls.



Backtracking I arrive at the Exxon gas station in Tellico Plains in time for breakfast. This is the nasty frozen meat/hash brown, powdered egg junk they are passing off as food. The quality has gone downhill since the new owner took over.

[..]

The suggested meeting time passes with no arrivals so I ride solo eastwards. The Skyway is deserted but the Tennessee road surface is slick keeping me from taking advantage of the empty road.

It's very unusual to see this overlook parking lot empty







Nearly all traces of snow have melted away.



Someone has stolen the sign below the Skyway. This dirt road leads down to Bald River Falls.



Crossing into North Carolina the road surace changes compostion and is as dry as desert sand. I haven't seen another vehicle since leaving Tellico Plains.

Yee-Ha. Turning off my music, lowering the windshield and tucking in behind it the game is afoot.

My forward speed is illegal but oh so joyous. It's good to be alive. It's good to be here at this time, at this place. The cold mountain air whistles around the edges of my closed visor.

The constant radius curves are slipping by so effortlessly. Some sign posted at 30mph are attacked at 60 mph, foot peg grounding  in a beautiful arc of sparks. Yes imminent danger could be just out of sight around a corner but right here, right now the risk is completely worthwhile.

A low flying single engine plane gives me pasue for thought as the police do use them for monitoring the Skyway. A glimpse at my speedo shows a needle pointing arrow like at a three digit number. Ah well in for a penny in for a pound. My right hand keeps the throttle open.

The highest point



As the Joyce Kilmer Forest turn approaches an unwanted reduction in speed is forced upon me and a more rational frame of mind controls my impulses.

http://www.westernncattractions.com/JKMF.htm

By passing Robbinsville I ride south to the junction of Hwy 129 and Hwy 74.

Turn to the right and it's boring 4 lane droning at posted speeds westward.

Turn to the left and Wayah Road beckons whispering to me not to worry about the rutted road surface and the ever present danger of gravel mined corners.

Wayah Road it is. Let's keep the adrenaline endorphin buzz fueled.

The recent ice and snow has ledt behind a scattering of gravel on bridge approaches, bridges and shaded sections of road.

The north facing switchabacks leading up and over the mountain are carpeted with gravel. Some bends are so bad I nearly have to duck walk my bike around them.

[..]

Last year this road had a broken surface and a lot of missing paved areas.

Now this surface as smooth as a blackboard.




Looking east towards Franklin, North Carolina. Moments ago I was riding the road below


The rest of the ride home was uneventful and I rolled into my garage 365 miles later. Average moving speed of 48mph..

Yee-Ha!

Didn't see one other bike on the Skyway and all other vehicles were parked at overlooks.

Yee-Ha!

[laserpat]

Good report Paul, Thanks 

[thumper]

Looks like you had a great time. 

Two wheels is a lovely thing...no?

[..]

Looks like you had a great time.  

Two wheels is a lovely thing...no?

Sometimes riding solo is the way to go.

If Smokin Joe hadn't posted about riding the Skyway I more than likely would have left the bike in the garage.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Looks like you had a great time.  

Two wheels is a lovely thing...no?

Sometimes riding solo is the way to go.

If Smokin Joe hadn't posted about riding the Skyway I more than likely would have left the bike in the garage.

I had no idea whatsoever you was coming....Nothing was said in the thread I posted on thursday  ???  I came out 360 and turned left across Cherohala and did'nt even go to the Exxon .I'm guessin' I turned on to Cherohala around 11:00 .  I never touched three digit's but I was haulin' ass     Great ride report 

[..]

Looks like you had a great time.  

Two wheels is a lovely thing...no?

Sometimes riding solo is the way to go.

If Smokin Joe hadn't posted about riding the Skyway I more than likely would have left the bike in the garage.

I had no idea whatsoever you was coming....Nothing was said in the thread I posted on thursday  ???  I came out 360 and turned left across Cherohala and did'nt even go to the Exxon .I'm guessin' I turned on to Cherohala around 11:00 .  I never touched three digit's but I was haulin' ass     Great ride report 

I was either just ahead or just behind. I'm guessing behind or I would have heard you pass me during oen of my stops. Who knows.We both had a good ride. 

[Dubsvalk]

There is a nice little mom and pop resturant in the business section of Tellico Plains behind the gas stations that has really goot home cookin.  I stop there when I ride that area by myself.

Dubs

[Jess from VA]

Nice post,  got a hundred odd solo miles yesterday and today myself.

There is no such thing as no traffic around here.......... wonder what that's like?

[thumper]

There is a nice little mom and pop resturant in the business section of Tellico Plains behind the gas stations that has really goot home cookin.  I stop there when I ride that area by myself.

Dubs

I know exactly where you are talking about.  You're right....good home cooking, however, they can be really slow and ill equipt to handle more than a small group.  If you've got the time it's worth the wait.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Nice post,  got a hundred odd solo miles yesterday and today myself.

There is no such thing as no traffic around here.......... wonder what that's like?

Maybe a move is in order Jess...The older I get the more crowds,line's and traffic get under my skin.

[scoot]

Sure looks like a nice ride. I love those temps. Just one question, why do horses need a camp?

[Jess from VA]

Nice post,  got a hundred odd solo miles yesterday and today myself.

There is no such thing as no traffic around here.......... wonder what that's like?

Maybe a move is in order Jess...The older I get the more crowds,line's and traffic get under my skin.

A move is in order Joe.... and for sure to E TN     

Not only do I want to leave all this urban crap behind forever, but the ex- to boot.  (I swear I never used the boot, but some days..............)   My plan is/was to hang around a few years after retirement, to relax for the first time in 40 years, to do some necessary repairs to the home, and hopefully to get some market bounce back in the value, since whatever I get out is all I want to spend on my final abode (cash and carry, no mortgage in my future).

Then there's the daunting tasks of selling here, and buying there contingent on selling here, and a big move within 30-90 days thereafter.   I plan to dump most of my (nice) furniture and stuff, but even thinned down there's still a big load to haul.

I only need a place for one (me) (I'm done cohabiting, forever  LOL)  I want mostly garage and a small living space, but no subdivisions; I'd like to live 5-10 miles outside a nice town like Johnson City (my general plan).   I would move into a 20 by 40 pole barn on a slab (and build in a 600sq ft one-man apartment) if it had electric and water/well and septic field, and the rest a man cave for toys, tools, bikes and things.  Or a little house/building like this.

My toughest problem is finding the place.  By brother told me to buy a 25yo Winebago with a big 454 in it, so I can go and look without motel expense, live in it if I have to, then move my stuff in it when I find a place (it'll pull a trailer) (maybe 4-5 round trips total).  Then sell it.  Made me laugh when he suggested it, but it does have possibilities. 

We already have made back some of our real estate loss, but another year or two here could be a decent gain toward a better replacement home.  And I've only been retired two years in May, and I'm still relaxing. LOL

But I do need to get down your way and do some scouting around for at least an area to focus on for a house/pole barn search,   a little narrower than somewhere in E TN.  I've spent whole evenings on the Zillow website looking at for-sale listings.   I'd be happy for any advice you or other E TN guys have to give.

[old2soon]

Britman-makin me jealous-and i have nice riding roads here bouts. Good report. RIDE SAFE.

[..]

Nice post,  got a hundred odd solo miles yesterday and today myself.

There is no such thing as no traffic around here.......... wonder what that's like?

Maybe a move is in order Jess...The older I get the more crowds,line's and traffic get under my skin.

A move is in order Joe.... and for sure to E TN     

Not only do I want to leave all this urban crap behind forever, but the ex- to boot.  (I swear I never used the boot, but some days..............)   My plan is/was to hang around a few years after retirement, to relax for the first time in 40 years, to do some necessary repairs to the home, and hopefully to get some market bounce back in the value, since whatever I get out is all I want to spend on my final abode (cash and carry, no mortgage in my future).

Then there's the daunting tasks of selling here, and buying there contingent on selling here, and a big move within 30-90 days thereafter.   I plan to dump most of my (nice) furniture and stuff, but even thinned down there's still a big load to haul.

I only need a place for one (me) (I'm done cohabiting, forever  LOL)  I want mostly garage and a small living space, but no subdivisions; I'd like to live 5-10 miles outside a nice town like Johnson City (my general plan).   I would move into a 20 by 40 pole barn on a slab (and build in a 600sq ft one-man apartment) if it had electric and water/well and septic field, and the rest a man cave for toys, tools, bikes and things.  Or a little house/building like this.

My toughest problem is finding the place.  By brother told me to buy a 25yo Winebago with a big 454 in it, so I can go and look without motel expense, live in it if I have to, then move my stuff in it when I find a place (it'll pull a trailer) (maybe 4-5 round trips total).  Then sell it.  Made me laugh when he suggested it, but it does have possibilities. 

We already have made back some of our real estate loss, but another year or two here could be a decent gain toward a better replacement home.  And I've only been retired two years in May, and I'm still relaxing. LOL

But I do need to get down your way and do some scouting around for at least an area to focus on for a house/pole barn search,   a little narrower than somewhere in E TN.  I've spent whole evenings on the Zillow website looking at for-sale listings.   I'd be happy for any advice you or other E TN guys have to give.

Start selling the stuff you don't want now.

BUT

Put the money into a separate bank account so it doesn't get frittered away.

[Jess from VA]

Start selling the stuff you don't want now.

BUT.....  Put the money into a separate bank account so it doesn't get frittered away.



Good advice Paul.  Even nice used furniture is not worth much, and I really don't like inviting the public over to my house.  I suppose I'll do a Craigslist attack when the time is right (I don't want to live on the floor for two years either), or take a tax writeoff for donation.  I'm not worried about it, the neighbors will be glad to have it.

To leave four years shy of thirty, I lost 30% of my G pension, and with proper planning I have easily lived on small money (and still ride every day I want).   I lived pretty frugally all my life, and saved hard all my good earning years (good thing, since she-who-will-no-longer-be-obeyed got a big piece of it), and have barely touched my savings since I retired.  The discipline is easy for me, and my freedom is worth it.   I fritter away very little money, and most of that is motorcycle related.  LOL   

[..]

"and most of that is motorcycle related'

Yep. Same here.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Great post and pictures Paul. I wish I was anywhere near as gifted with a camera or a scooter as you mountain riders are. Getting to ride those roads when it's not crowded has got to be great.