This is my new Versys seat testing buddy - he thinks that the seat sucks and is pouting in this pic. For some reason, my place attracts large numbers of terrapins, and there was 8 of them in the yard and driveway a couple of days ago when I started to leave for a loop ride down to Chimney Rock. I couldn't resist initiating the sullen visitor into the club...
I think I know where the reputation for being slow comes from - the critters are whacked from eating mushrooms! We live in the woods, and what little lawn that we have is covered in shrooms after every rain. The terrapins love 'em, often chasing them with a few wild strawberries (they can't order pizza...)

Tryon Peak from down near Tryon, NC, shot from the Warrior Mtn. road. This is the prominent peak that you climb past as you enter the mountains on I-26 from South Carolina into North Carolina.

Twisty riding in the mountains near Tryon - lots of little curvy backroads with spectacular views of the Piedmont in this area. It's a place to take it easy while you enjoy the scenery. Despite the tempting curves, this is a residential area with a lot of runners, kids, and cyclists using the road for hill training. The locals have been really good about providing public access to overlooks on their property, but those could be closed if we abuse their hospitality. Please, if you ride there, take it easy and respect the folks that make the mountain their home.

One of the multitude of steep hairpin turns on the climb to the top of the loop over the peak. Because of the way that the road circles the mountaintop, you get great views in all directions, from the Piedmont of South Carolina to the distant Black Range north of Asheville that includes Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern U.S.

Not bad, eh? Lots of gravel and sand on the pavement, especially after the big thunderboomers roll through - if you go over the edge on this road, you might have a long time to think over the errors of your ways before you hit bottom.

One of the many cascades along the road. This one is visible from I-26, in the valley far below, as you enter North Carolina from South Carolina.

You can see I-26 in this shot, just in front of KawasiMoto's headlight. This is one of several overlooks maintained by local residents. I try to slip through the ride on the mountain as quietly and unobtrusively as possible. Loud pipes, burnouts, or racing through the hairpins on this ride will guarantee that access to these spots disappear. It just ain't the place for it! One thing to consider as well - this road is a closed loop and if you're pushing hard, you may find the local patrol waiting for you along the way. The residents do call to report speeders and the local deputies are efficient and merciless.

A great view looking north over Green River towards Bearwallow, Sugarloaf and the Black Range in the distance.

It's a blue bird spring day!

Looking back to Tryon Peak from Hwy. 9, between Mills Springs and Lake Lure. This ride is one of my favorite 'day rides' that I like to do when time is limited. It's roughly 80 miles of winding country roads with a wide range of rural scenery. Flat lands, rolling hills, tight twisty climbs, a beautiful mountain lake, big cliffs, small villages - it's a bit of everything that the region has to offer. It's a favorite 'intro' ride that I like to take first time visitors to this region on to give 'em a taste of the Tarheel mountains.

The beach at Lake Lure, below the town of Chimney Rock. Some of the cliffs in the background, up on Rumbling Bald, are part of the new state park complex.

The loop concludes with a hilly ride through apple country - gotta stop to admire the big herd of longhorn at the Camp.

May 9, 2009: It's been a week more than one year since I decided to re-enter the world of motorcycling - what the heck took me so long??? This is a shot of my beloved 500 Ninja sitting by the infamous "Whoops" sign on the Parkway (Hmmm... something sort of strange here...) on the day that I bought it. I took the day off work and set off on a 450 mile ride across the Blue Ridge Parkway through the Smokies, then back around the Dragon to home. Froze my butt off, but at least my butt was comfortable - the Ninja had a great seat on it.