Ride Report - BMW National Rally, Tail of the Dragon, & more

[JerryM100]

Well I survived another trip with no incidents or lost stuff along the way. This trip was 8 days and 2900 miles out to the BMW national rally and back. I rode out there in a day – 1000 miles in 26 hours! I actually attempted to do an Iron Butt Saddlesore 1000 but a massive thunderstorm in Memphis at 2:00 am prevented me from continuing on until daybreak. That set me far enough behind that I couldn't make the 24 hours. But it showed me that it really wasn't that hard to do so I will try again someday.

Then I spent the weekend at the rally with some nice rides in the mountains like down to Hot Springs, NC. Left on Sunday and rode thru Boone, NC, down the Blue Ridge Parkway for a while (including a side trip up to Mt Mitchell, the highest point in the eastern US), then across to the eastern side of the Great Smoky Mountain national park. I camped at Deal’s Gap, a motorcycle resort at the base of the Tail of the Dragon. I rode the “Tail” up to the overlook and back down, 11 miles and 318 curves. Amazing stretch of road. Even more amazing are the superbikes and the crazy people who ride them on that road. It’s a religion to them.

From there I rode down to the Cherohala Scenic Byway and rode thru southern Tennessee to an RV camp south of Nashville. I love riding the back highways and going thru all the small towns. From Nashville I rode on I-40 thru Memphis and Little Rock to a small campground near Hot Springs, AR. There was a front passing Memphis and I rode thru some of the heaviest rain I have been thru yet. After the first wave I stopped and looked at the map or gps or something and put my glasses back on my shirt. But I forgot to zip my rain liner back up so when I rode thru the next wave of downpour it leaked into the top of my rain liner and completely soaked me clear down to my boots. I rode the rest of the day with my boots full of water. One thing about riding motorcycles is attention to details. It is a system of systems, and if you forget one little thing it can be very important.

From Hot Springs I rode west thru the Ouchita (“WASH-it-taw”) national forest and along the Talimena Scenic Drive. Had lunch at the top of Rich Mountain, the second tallest peak in Arkansas. Rode to the other end which is in Talimena, OK. From there north on highway 59 up to near Siloam Springs, AR and camped at Natural Falls State Park where there is an 80 foot waterfall (but not very big). Left there about 9 am on Thursday and got home about 2:30.

So it was a good trip but I am glad to be home. Met a lot of nice people, saw a lot of interesting country, rode some great twisty highways (which is a real treat after riding in Kansas). Had a great reception back here from Susan and all the dogs.

Life is good.

Jerry in KC

[Parson]

Great pics.

I just missed you on the "Tail".

I rode it Sat., Sun., and Monday am.

It was a great ride.

Can't wait to get back.

jp