The plan was to ride over to Del Rio, near Newport, TN, so that I could check out the site of the upcoming ADV get-together. Well, I made it Del Rio, but after seeing the options for rides in the region, I got sidetracked and spent the day rambling up and down a bunch of mountain roads. I never made it to Meadow Creek Resort, where the rally will be held. That's OK - there is still plenty of time and I can always use an excuse to go back.

I left out early this morning, riding over Hwy. 276 through the Pisgah National Forest to Waynesville, NC. It was a beautiful day, but the temps were only in the mid-30s as I crossed beneath the Blue Ridge Parkway. I kept stopping to add layers. By the time I made it to Maggie Valley, I had on about 4 layers - a poly turtleneck, the Olympic jacket liner, the jacket, and a Frog Togs rain jacket over that. Then I added a fleece sweater too, before hitting the I-40 super slab for the ride down through the Pigeon River Gorge. I would have preferred to have ridden on over to Hot Springs first, then on towards Greenville, TN to the turnoff to Del Rio. However, due to a lack of time, I risked the slab. Hey, I've heard a rumor that it's possible for a Vee to hit a bit more than 120 in the long straight right before the state line at Waterville - just a rumor of course.
At any rate, I survived the slab and made it to Newport in good time. I've only stopped in Newport a couple of times while driving back from the Rockies - just long enough to grab a cup of coffee for the last 100 miles of driving before I get home. Today, I wandered through the older part of Newport - I really like the town.

Lots of old brick buildings and old family run businesses. A quick stop to shed a layer or two, and then it's on out Hwy. 25 to Del Rio.

Waiting for the train to pass in Del Rio. Cool place - not big, but big on the cool factor.

A hobby of mine is collecting photos of unusual graffiti - this was pretty good. Trains seem to be a favorite canvas for taggers.

This is where I went a-stray. Too much good scenery, too many twisty roads, and too fine a day to stick to the plan. I rambled up this valley to hit the Round Mtn. dirt road. I climbed it to the top of the mountain and then coasted for several miles back down with the motor off. That was fun - sort of like riding a 450 lb. bicycle.

Not bad...

You looking at me???

After leaving Del Rio, I hit Hwy. 25 towards Hot Springs, but then spotted Hwy. 109 (actually a dirt road) cutting off to the left right where 25 crosses the French Broad River 10 miles outside Hot Springs. I rode up 109 (or was it 107?) until it hit Brushy Road, a tiny paved lane that led me up the mountain through a beautiful little mountain canyon. The Cherokee National Forest is laced with some outstanding little dirt roads that ramble here and there through the mountains along the NC/TN state line.

Another shot of the Brushy Road in Tennessee.

Finally, I made it to Hot Springs. The day was growing short though, so I kept on going up the mountain through the Spring Creek Valley and then turned left across Doggett Mtn. to Asheville.

A final shot from the eastern slope of Doggett Mtn. Leicester is in the valley beyond the bike. The rest of the ride was fun, but uneventful - with the exception of a massive traffic jam on I-26 near the I-40 interchange. Luckily, I was able to hit the breakdown lane and dodge the stalled traffic until I made the next exit. I made it home just as the sun dropped below the horizon, ending a really good 245 mile day of riding in the mountains.