Back from the mountains..

[FloridaValkRyder]

Well, got back from North Carolina last night. Was a pretty cold week in Maggie Valley that I was not prepared for, riding apparel-wise!! Still got some good riding in Monday through Wednesday. The Blue Ridge Parkway was in full splendor with it being at peak color. I just love the seasons, especially Spring and Fall, up there. Talked to a lot of riders, who were everywhere, and they all had some pretty good cold weather riding gear. Those that were unprepared, like me, were going to have to park the bike or ride frozen. Some had ridden up on their bikes and had no choice but to ride. Sales were pretty brisk at the local bike apparel stores in Maggie but their prices were just stupid. I really need a good set of chaps, winter gloves and a full face modular helmet. I have a really good leather jacket but the rest of me was freezing, especially my hands and legs. But, that being the case we did a lot of truck sight-seeing. Went to the Wheels Thru Time Museum. As many of you know, that place is incredible. Got to walk around with the owner, Dale Walksler. This guy is famous apparently from television shows, he now has his own show and has been on many others like American Pickers and Chasing Classic Cars. What a guy he is. He walked around the museum with quite a few of us starting up around 6 or 7 of the bikes he has on display, including the Flying Merkel, one of only 2 I think he said. I had never even seen one much less hearing it run. Pretty amazing stuff to be sure. He asked me what I rode, to which I proudly exclaimed " A Honda Valkyrie" . He told me to tell him when I left, he wanted to see it. Couldn't find him when I left but he was already out in the parking lot looking at an old Peterson. He walked over and looked at it, talked about the awesome power they had. Pretty impressed he even wanted to see it. I could have spent hours and hours there but the wife was getting a little bored! Anyway, a great trip and some great riding. Maggie Valley would be a great place for an Inzane! Sorry I don't take many pictures. I kind of forget when I'm out on the road. Glad it's riding weather here now!!

Somewhere on the Parkway




Probably a Monday picture since I'm not wearing the heavy jacket!


Nice lake we stopped by for a picnic lunch


I could just sit here all day and look at this scenery 

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

Sounds like you had a Great time. Glad you made it there and back safely.

[IamGCW]

Very nice. 

[hubcapsc]

Heated jacket liner (not vest) and heated gloves. And if your feet get frozen, heated insoles.

A couple of hundred bucks plus a wiring adapter to plug it into, and you'll be winter proof   ...

I had a heated vest for a while... having wires running up and down your sleeves to your gloves is a pain.

I had heated socks for a while, having your feet wrapped inside a wire cage inside your boots gets pretty
uncomfortable after a while...

-Mike

[larue]

glad you re back safe Jeff, sounds like a good time indeed.

[Tundra]

Glad you had a good time and returned home safe Jeff   Beautiful country.

[FloridaValkRyder]

glad you re back safe Terry, sounds like a good time indeed.

Thanks Larue, you can call me Jeff too..

[Thunderbolt]

O.K. I'll chime in too just to confuse the issue.  I probably confused Larue because we were in Maggie Valley earlier in the year and also have a green and silver Interstate. 

Glad you got back safe and sound Jeff.  Dale Walksler is one of a kind.  I can't say I am a good friend but met him once at Wheels Through Time and have seen all of his shows.  What's in the Barn is the name if anyone wants to search for the series.
Jeff I wear Tourmaster cold weather gear when it is cold.  It has liners and I never even need to wear long sleeves in freezing weather when wearing them.  Coat and pants same, they are waterproof also.  If I had known you didn't have any I could have loaned you mine, we are approximately the same size.

[FloridaValkRyder]

O.K. I'll chime in too just to confuse the issue.  I probably confused Larue because we were in Maggie Valley earlier in the year and also have a green and silver Interstate. 

Glad you got back safe and sound Jeff.  Dale Walksler is one of a kind.  I can't say I am a good friend but met him once at Wheels Through Time and have seen all of his shows.  What's in the Barn is the name if anyone wants to search for the series.
Jeff I wear Tourmaster cold weather gear when it is cold.  It has liners and I never even need to wear long sleeves in freezing weather when wearing them.  Coat and pants same, they are waterproof also.  If I had known you didn't have any I could have loaned you mine, we are approximately the same size.

Larue knows who I am..I think...I'm the cigar guy! 
Dale certainly makes you feel that way doesn't he? I didn't even realize who it was at first, then recognized his picture hanging on the wall. I thought since he was running around starting up all these bikes, right in the building I might add, he must be a mechanic or something. They are in the process of shooting his next season of "What's in the Barn" he said.
Thanks for the offer of the cold gear Terry...uhh, you and I are not even close on the size..but I'll take the compliment anyway!

[larue]

i am so sorry to call you Terry, i know exactly who jeff is and who Terry is  lol, i was thinking about Terry to write him something about the  new to me dark side and that i did document the  mileage and so on in the meantime reading Jeffs post, and i guess i still had Terry in mind and wrote my comment for Jeff. Jeff no confusion here and i have a cigar for you still...
thanks for pointing out though.

[valkchik]

So sorry we missed you! We were staying just outside Maggie and rode Tuesday through Friday of last week, as well.  We were complaining how dead Maggie was (bikewise, of course), except for Joey's Pancake House ... that's never without a crowd in the morning. Even had light dusting of overnight snow on our vehicles. We were prepared though with chaps and touring pants for the guys, face masks for the half-shellers and many layers for the ladies. We did some Parkway, the Rattler, and Lake Toxaway. The mountains are never dull. Next time we go, we'll post ahead of time to see if any of our VRCC friends will be there. Glad you had a safe trip!

[FloridaValkRyder]

So sorry we missed you! We were staying just outside Maggie and rode Tuesday through Friday of last week, as well.  We were complaining how dead Maggie was (bikewise, of course), except for Joey's Pancake House ... that's never without a crowd in the morning. Even had light dusting of overnight snow on our vehicles. We were prepared though with chaps and touring pants for the guys, face masks for the half-shellers and many layers for the ladies. We did some Parkway, the Rattler, and Lake Toxaway. The mountains are never dull. Next time we go, we'll post ahead of time to see if any of our VRCC friends will be there. Glad you had a safe trip!

Now that is a shame. We were staying in a cute little cabin within walking distance from Joey's. Ate breakfast there 3 times!! We got two heavy frosts that looked like snow on Thursday and Friday morning. Yes, I was unprepared for the really cold weather but never will be again! Sorry we missed you too. Glad yours was great also. Don't you think Maggie would be a great place for an Inzane?

[Pappy!]

Hey.....you cannot be "THE" cigar guy.
You can be "A" cigar guy.
Although we are in a minority...there are several of us that enjoy a good cigar!
Yea, am just givin' you a hard time!
Maybe we should start the D'Valkyrie Cigar Afficianado club....hmmmmmm

[ridelikestole]

I was up there the weekend of 10/03. Rode Dragon 3 roundtrips on Saturday and Moonshine 28 from Franklin to Deals Gap on Sunday. Weather was great both days. As a Floridian who goes up in October every year, always bring cold weather gear. This year was first time in close to 10 years that
I could ride with just a tshirt. Usually have to dress warm. Odd year up there this year, they usually get 1st freeze in Sept. Didnt get it till last week this year. (Was also up last week in the cage :-( ).

[valkchik]

Don't you think Maggie would be a great place for an Inzane?

Yes! They have the perfect spot at the fairgrounds and motels galore.  And the riding? Well, let's just say you can't beat western NC for that! Maybe we can start a write-in, email  or posting campaign to the folks that decide those things? And while we're at it ... move it to a cooler time of year? 

[James III]

A belated welcome back Jeff!  Hey, you've ridden up there before, you know it gets cold to us Floridians quick in mid October up there!! !! Glad you had a good time. Hope to catch up soon!

James