Long wet ride home 452 miles

I woke up early as there was a BIG storm system moving east out of Texas.  It was 3;25 am when I awoke ( I did go to bed pretty early) without an alarm clock.   I dressed and was ready to pull out by 3:45 am...... it was raining already.

I made several discoveries on the way home:

• The FJR is a great bike in the rain -- I felt some nice protection from the fairing and the ability to trim the windshield  to direct the rain and wind where I needed it to be able to see.
• The Frog Toggs road toad rain suit combined with some rain booties and a full face helmet kept me nice & dry
• Once I decided to hit the slab (I-75)  -- I found another facet of the FJR --- stability at speed.  By this time I was down near Valdosta and the roads were dry.  Cruising at speed was SO STABLE.  When cruising at speed you must be aware of ALL vehicles and trust no-one but yourself and your bike.

It was a great ride home in spite of the rain

TOTAL TRIP MILAGE----  1,622 miles in five days

Day 4 Highway 60 and some exploring- 256 miles

Bob & I left Toccoa with the radar looking ominous .....lots of green all around.  We headed first to Dahlonega  up and over Woody's Gap to pick up highway 60.  This is a serpentine road that passes through Suches on the way to Morganton, Georgia.    What a smooth twisty fun road.

From there we headed over towards Blairsville for one of Bob's favorite BBQ spots called Rib Country located at 373 Kousins Drive  Blairsville, GA 30512-- I had a pulled pork sandwich and it was YUMMY!!!


After lunch we headed north on 129 out of Blairsville and about 4 miles out on the right was a road I found on my phone called Gum Log Road.... nice flowing and curvy.  We followed it up to Hwy  66/339 and turned left then an immediate right on old hwy 64.   


We headed towards Andrews NC and into the Nantahala Gorge to pick up Wayah Rd.  It was my second pass on this 28 miles long very curvy road.  Bob had difficultly keeping up on this road due to his love for fly fishing.  The first few miles run along a very popular fly fishing stream.

Bob & I 

  After Wayah road we wound our back to Toccoa .... what a nice last day in the Mountains

The Steed

nice views

Nice trout fishing

Day 3 Dragons & Such 228 miles

(Pics to follow when I get home)

It was 48 when I left Kingston TN this morning after a great visit with friends. I can attest that the hand warmers are a good addition to the bike. :-)

After about 50 miles i reached the Western end of the Tail of the Dragon. Up I went and after a moment a guy passed me the opposite direction tapping his helmet--- uh oh LEO alert
Sure enough in a moment there they were several of Tennessee's finest I waved and proceeded. 318 turns latter I was at the Crossrooads of Time and stopped for a look see and a pic

I then proceeded down 28 to 143 into Robbinsville after a multitude of twisties ---the bike is u smooth & powerful I had a coffee and apple pie there -- nice rest

The south on 129 to 74 turned left and dropped into Nantahalah gorge then turned up Wayah Rd. great road--long & twisty

From there to Franklin and up 28 past bridal veil falls to Highlands----down 28S to Warwoman Rd to Clayton. As I started up the curvey part I spied a huge dog on the inside of a sharp hairpin turn. As I got closer I got closer I realized it was not a dog but rather a BEAR!!!!!! It saw me coming a turned back into the grass --- whew !!!

I took Alot of pics none on the phone so I will have to add them later

Stay tuned

Day 2. Kingston TN 220 miles

Great day of riding ncluding the Cherohala Skyway. first day to have the FJR in the twisties to perform admirably

Day 1 Toccoa Georgia 466 miles

Early start 6:15am headed up I-75 about an hour to Lake City then hit 441 north all the way to Athens

Had an interesting day animal wise-- Nearly hit a BIG Racoon-- but a little tap of the brakes gave him time to clear my path

Then did hit a squirrel which was no big deal for me--- I imagine it was for the poor Lil critter

I had a huge yellow lab in the road - I slowed to about 20 -- he was unfazed by the horn-- I slowed more and he tied to bite me-- too slow :-)

Them in Claxton GA I was going around a corner in town at 5 -10 mph and ran over a Big 5-7 foot long snake . It was already dead but provided a scary moment as the bike skitterd over it ==================

Made it safely to Bobs house and had a great meal at a Resturant in Clarksville called the Attic

ANTICIPATION

North to Georgia - North Carolina , South Carolina and Tennessee  

In 5 days

We can never know about the days to come
But we think about them anyway, yay
And I wonder if I'm really with you now
Or just chasin' after some finer day

                      - Carly Simon

It is the night before my first trip on the new FJR 1300 and I am excited.  I know the long road through Georgia will be long yet the newness of the bike will make it fun.    I will take the interstate (I-75) up to Lake City and then cross over and go up 441 through Athens to Toccoa - my first nights destination. 

Jack Hennessy

This  is not a picture of me but rather a good friend Jack  who rode on ahead in 2005.  Jack lost a fight with failing health due in part to his exposure to Agent Orange in Viet Nam. He was a green beret.  He taught me many lessons on life and one of them is the reason for this trip.  "You never know" and since we don't I choose to live a good balance of preparing for the future and enjoying the present.   Jack rides with me I usually either wear one of his doo-rags under my helmet or have some reminder of him most of the time while riding.   This first trip on the FJR is dedicated to my  friend -- JACK.   I miss you buddy 

Looking forward to spending some time with another good friend on this trip.... our family calls him Uncle Bob. He is just a good friend and in many ways a kindred spirit.  We met Bob in Astoria Oregon... while preparing to embark on a 3,798 mile adventure by bicycle from the Pacific to the Atlantic.  Cross Country Tour

The Fellowship of the Chainring

My wife and I also did a 865 mile tour on bicycle with Bob in April of 2010 from Ocala to Pensecola Florida and back  Pensecola Pedalin'.    I look forward to spending some time motorcycling with him. He rides an Honda ST1300.   

I will post some pics along the way from my phone. --- stay tuned

Introduction

2012 FJR 1300

The newest bike added to my stable is a 2012 FJR1300 purchased on April 26th, 2012.

I guess a little recent history would be in line so I will add a picture of my 2003 Harley Electra-glide which I still have and a picture of my 2007 Yamaha FZ6 which I traded when I got the FJR

This will be a place to chronicle my travels by motorcycle