Took a ride today.

[the_Journeyman]

Couple hundred miles or so and tons of elevations changes.

First, I slabbed it for about 40 miles, THEN, the fun stuff started happening.

Stopped for a quick pic at the old train depot in Old Fort:


Then, I located NC80, which at first isn't terribly exciting, but has nice scenery like Lake Tacoma


Looking north:


Looking south:


Then, I climbed the "Devil's Staircase."








Yup, that's the road I just came from down there:




Headed over to Little Switzerland via the BRP for lunch


Found the Green River Gorge - Wide bars recommended.  One corner was so slow and leaned over, my oil light came on.






Headed to Saluda, NC


Yes, that's Main St, Saluda, and yes, that's a tractor somebody drove to town.


The whole reason Saluda exists:




Close-up on the sign:


Old Saluda Depot:


That's all, slabbed it back home from there, about another 40 miles.

JM

[d3vi@nt]

Nice pics.  Thanks for sharing .

All that greenery reminds me of the PNW.  Love the green, but don't miss the rain that makes the green!

[Randimus Maximus]

<== Jealous.

Great pics, as always!

[mitt]

Very cool area you live in!

mitt

[AJ]

Cool pics JM, thanks for sharing! 

[the_Journeyman]

Thanks folks!  There is lots of cool stuff around me!  I managed to avoid the storms today.  We've had almost daily storms lately.

JM

[gOoIe B]

Awesome pics man!  I don't know if I can wait 'till this fall to make my annual excursion out that way.  Western NC roads are simply incredible!

[fastwin]

Is that an actual cloudy sky in some of your pics? I haven't seen clouds in months. Just searing 103+ degree sunshine that will fry an egg before you put it on the sidewalk. Can I please move to somewhere that actually has occasional rain and cloud cover and temps below 100. I haven't gone for a ride in over two months. I guess I'm living the summer version of what a lot you suffer with during the winter/no riding months.

Great pics by the way. I'm jealous!

[the_Journeyman]

Yes, it was cloudy all day.  We've been getting a storm or at least some rain nearly every day lately.

JM

[bikeguy57]

I'd like to explore that area. I'm in Asheville, can you recommend a good loop?

[the_Journeyman]

Run out to Black Mtn, pick up US70.  After a bit on 70, watch for NC80 on your left, there's a red light where it turns.  Follow it to the parkway.  North on the parkway to the next interchange which is NC226A.  You can drop back toward Marion and then take I-40 or US70 back to Asheville.

That'll get you the first road & the lunch spot.  I've got tons of good loops just north of Asheville.  I'm over in Waynesville.  PM me for more roads/loops whenever you're heading out.

JM

[thought]

i wish i had roads like that around me

[the_Journeyman]

Come visit Asheville.  Ride by day, check out the tons of local micro-brews at night!

JM

[LA]

Our part of the Southern Appalachians is temperate rain forest.  It's supposed to rain some every day in the summer - it's normal.  We had a few years of extended drought that ended last year or so.  I'm soooo glad it's back to normal.

I'm from here and have lived and ridden Ducatis all over the US and enjoyed all of it, but there's nothing that compares to the SC mountains, North Ga., Western NC and eastern Tenn.  Garden of Eden with a race track running through it.

I'm down on SC 28 about 15 miles south of the Chattooga River where SC, GA. and NC all meet.  Motorcycle nirvana.  Always enjoy your pic Journeyman.

Come down and visit.

LA