Shunpiking to Sanity Tour: Day 10

July 20, 2013

Today's Mileage: 243
Total mileage: 2269

Family Photo

Leaving from Wally Doxen, Eric and I headed north towards Tennessee. We have decals (I do realize this is somewhat childish, but I do not care I like stickers) and every state that we travel in (or just cross the border) we put that state's decal on our motorcycles. Eric had yet to cross into Tennessee, so why not?) At this point, I have Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, North and South Carolinas, and Georgia. It is real life achievements, it gives life more replay value. Riding north we did start the day off road. Here is Eric and I stopping to check the mud road ahead. It is beautiful riding.

The difficulty with riding mud roads on two wheels are the tires and potential lack of momentum. Motorcycles want to stay upright due to physics, well it is geometry, mass distribution, and gyroscopic to be more accurate. To continue moving forward, the tires need traction. Tires with "knobs" sort of scoop the mud out of the way to create traction. Just call me Rob the Science Guy. Eric and I have the same tires, which are designated as 80/20, meaning 80% on road (tarmac) and 20% off road. The mud that we were in pretty much caked our tires removing the little extra traction that our tires create. Forward momentum was maintained through rigorous maneuvering and dumb luck. Much of my life relies on dumb luck. These tires are good for loose gravel and packed mud. Even in those scenarios it can get hairy and led to a fall. Yet, we didn't fall. Go us! However, my next set of tires will be 50/50 tires- the Heidenau K60s. We passed by two BMWs on the trail someone on a F800 GS and another on a GSA and one of them had the Heidenau.

Part of the thrill of riding off road is the unknown. What will happen next? What problems will we have to solve? What is the wing velocity of a swallow? These are all profound questions that swirl around in my mind. Ok, that is not so much true as it is just an adrenaline rush to fight your way through a difficult area or brake your back tire as you slide downhill or giving some gas for more momentum to make it up that daring hill or threading the gas as you round a turn standing on your pegs. The concentration is tiring and invigorating simultaneously. Here is another view from the road we were on that day.

Just marvelous. We stopped at a restaurant just inside Tennessee. Worn from the day, we stumbled into the restaurant and ordered some mediocre food. We tracked mud into the restaurant. They were really sweet about it, but we felt somewhat embarrassed. Have no fear gentle reader, I provided a 50% tip to compensate- we walked on carpet. 

Before heading back south we had to decide on a place to stay. A decision was reached to jump on Natchez Trace Parkway and either stop at Jeff Busby Camping Area of Tombigbee National Forest (not to be confused with Tombigbee State Park, which we had at some point). Tombigbee was slightly east of the Natchez Trace Parkway, but we didn't know exactly how far. We ended up at Jeff Busby for two reasons 1) it was directly off the Parkway and 2) it was getting late and it is better to set up camp in the daylight. Jeff Busby Camping Area is a primitive camp ground meaning no power hook ups or water. There were fountains near us and a toilet, but no shower. I think another motorcyclist stopped in at some point in the evening, but they were far enough away that I never saw them. Here is a picture of our campground. 

This campground was more open and could hang out with the stars as I sip on my scotch. This is the good life. Tomorrow is the final day of my trip.

Until I ramble on again . . .