https://www.relive.cc/view/vQvx19JLL9ORolled out of the garage under clear blue skies and 50F.
First outing this fall for my heavy winter riding jacket. Combined with my Gerbing jacket liner I am warm.
Stopping for gas I calculated my previous ride averaged about 51m.p.g and that included a 30 mile zoom of interstate.
Lake Junuluska was beautiful in the morning sun.
https://www.lakejunaluska.com/activities/A quick zoom down I 40 to Candler followed by a short back track along Hwy 19/23 and I turn south on Hwy 151 towards the Blue Ridge Parkway. I've never ridden this road because it doesn't continue south from the BRP and to get to the Candler junction has always seemed poin tless when I was coming to the area to ride. Now I live failry local it was one to add to my “been there, done that” list.
Most of the uphill ride is in shadow and I doubt much of the road gets any sun on it during most of the year. The damp roads and decreasing temperatures in the shade made me cautious about any ice and this is a road I wouldn't ride if the has been any rain and cold over night temperatures. Further on the BRP some of the shaded rock faces are sheathed in ice.
Once on the BRP and headed south I own the road apart from a few vehicles headed north. Only a couple of bikes even thought it's a great riding day. Leafless trees allow great views of the valleys and peaks below.
60 feet high Looking Glass Falls are on Hwy 276 south towards Brevard, NC. A very popular tourist destination and during spring, summer and early fall the traffic and sightseers can be overwhelming. I can park right by the steps that lead down and there's only a handful of people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bngJtn22ayEhttps://blueridgemountainlife.com/looking-glass-falls/Onward to lunch at Twin Dragons Chinese buffet where they never cease to please. This is a very large restaurant and whilst not authentic Chinese cuisine there are enough oriental flavors to satisfy my palate.
No need for the Gerbing after lunch.
A short dash along Hwy 64 and a fun ride up Hwy 215 onto the BRP and home to Maggie Valley.
