Shunpiking to Sanity Tour: Day 4

July 14, 2013

Day 3 Mileage 330
Day 4 Mileage: 432
Total Mileage: 1,169

Note: Sorry it has taken so long to get this written and posted. Once you read, it will become clear.

Day 3 ended in a stretch that was neither inspiring nor fun. Playing it safe (because the interstate is no where to take ANY chances), I arrived in Knoxville around 5 p.m. and decided the best course of action was to stay in a hotel.

The beautiful weather that I have been having has fallen off as I move east. Before we get to the abysmal weather. Let's talk about the morning of Day 4.

As the Germans would say about today, Das grenzt an Zauberei (This borders on Magic). Starting in Knoxville, TN I took Highway 70 to Highway 129. Highway 129 becomes a very fun, solitary road, but then it grows wings and becomes something bigger, something better. This is me moments before putting on my chainmail, hopping on my trusty stead, Simone, and attacking Smaug's cousin (does my nerd know no depths?)

Riding the Dragon's Tail for 11 miles is nothing short of the single greatest motorcycle ride I have ever experienced. It was thrilling, invigorating, and extraordinary. This road is such a big deal that they have a company that take photos of you while you are riding. Look at Action Rob.

These are some pictures that I took along the Dragon's Tail. The scenery was beautiful, and there are plenty of designated areas to pull off and take some images. Not sure these can remotely do it justice.

After crossing into North Carolina, at the bottom of the run, I took a break amongst the other motorcyclist (even got a souvenir for myself). I talked with another BMW GS rider, he had a newer Adventure model. Anyway, we talked for about 10-15 minutes, but he was emphatic that I should ride Blue Ridge Parkway. I had never heard of this place, but he and his wife stated that it was one of the best rides, motorcycle or car, in the whole U.S. He seemed to know his stuff so I put my faith in his knowledge. It was a short 20-30 minute drive to the beginning of the Parkway and it would bring me to my desired destination- Asheville. I wanted to do another night of camping. Lake James State Park looked promising and was a short ride outside of Asheville. The best thing about having a skeleton of a plan is that it can change as you need it.

I headed down Highway 28, which was great motorcycle driving. I easily found Highway 441. This highway runs through a town that I'll take another day to explain. I found the parkway and was off. This is from the beginning of the travels, I believe I was at about 3,500 feet elevation. This should have been a warning. Behind all those clouds are the towering Smokey Mountains. I would soon be riding into those clouds of rain.

The day would have been perfect if the Blue Ridge Parkway that spans through the Smokey Mountains had been clear, but this was not the case. There are no commercial entities along the Parkway, and it is a gorgeous ride with scenic outlooks dotted along the path. Within 20 minutes of riding, the mist started. In my head, I stated with gusto, "I'm an adventure rider, this is part of the adventure." Then the heavy rain came. Still unwavered, I moved along at a health, albeit, safe pace. Next was the fog followed closely with gusts of wind. Don't worry, fair reader, as Sir Robin did while facing the Three Headed Knight, I bravely ran away.

I didn't run away, per say, but I took a break in the woods as there is no shelter along the Parkway. This picture is before the heavy fog and wind. I took my time and rode with great abandon caution. There were lots of motorcyclists I saw along the Parkway. One of the really fun things about the Parkway are the tunnels. There were tunnels a plenty, but the rain and fog prevented me from taking any pictures. All in all I honestly did have a great ride through Blue Ridge Parkway, and it is a road that I will have to visit again to get a different experience out of it.

I pushed through until I hit Asheville. At this point, I had been riding in rain for about 3 hours. Honestly, I was still having fun. The pure endurance of keeping mentally focused was invigorating. As much as I wanted to camp, the weather had been fickle. It had been a long day of adrenaline pumping action. I made a tough decision- push through to Morrisville to get to final destination of visiting Sharbari and Kushal. I had planned on arriving on Monday as I was adamant about lollygagging my way to see them. Minds and plans can change, and it is best to go with the flow. I forgot my waterproof boot covers and the rain was so constant that it soaked my boots. Here they are at the end of the trip. They are normally a light brown. This was the deciding factor of going straight to Morrisville.

Getting to them required the dreaded Interstate. However, riding through North Carolina's portion of I-40 was not as bad as I feared. I was not encountering as many large trucks and the roads were well maintained. With tunes in my ear, I moved ahead and made it to a delicious meal and comfy bed picking up some serious miles.

A truly magical day.

Until I ramble on again . . .