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2019 Blue Ridge Gathering, Balsam, NC

By Tor | October 8, 2019 - 7:05 am |March 25, 2023 Adventures and Travels, Motorcycles

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Will be headed up the the mountains Thursday 10/9 – Sunday 10/12 for the annual 2019 Blue Ridge Gathering at Moonshine Creek, Balsam, NC.

This is a gathering of motorcycle riders from near and far, getting together to camp and ride. There are plenty of excellent riding up there, and in my opinion one of the best riding areas in the country.

Taking the S1000XR, since it is made for these mountain roads. I can’t help it. It is just a beast of a machine, and riding it is a true pleasure, let alone on mountain roads in Western North Carolina.

Trying to get set up. Exped Downmat, Marmot Down Sleeping bag and Big Agnes Seedhouse II tent. Good stuff.

All set.

Below shots by my good friend Andy Morley.

Breakfast at Clyde’s in Waynesville, NC

Break somewhere on US 28 🙂

Hooligans

Yours truly on his S1000XR

Superb roads

Mammoth Cave NP, Ky.

By Tor | June 12, 2019 - 10:00 am |March 25, 2023 Adventures and Travels

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On my way to Lebanon, TN from SC via southern OH and KY for the 2019 BMWMOA Nationals. Just had to drop by Mammoth Cave NP, KY for a couple of days of some nice camping. This is a beautiful place, with cave exploration opportunities. I highly recommend taking one or more of the parks cave tours.

Great Smokey Mountains

By Tor | May 24, 2019 - 2:33 pm |July 4, 2023 Adventures and Travels, Motorcycles, Photography

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Had to get away for a few days and took my BMW S1000XR up to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Stayed at Cades Cove campground for 3 nights. For the first time in about 30 years, I got on a bicycle and rode the entire length of the Cades Cove Loop.
Rented the bike from the campground. Lots of fun. Somewhat unsteady the first few minutes 🙂

Somewhere on the Parkway

Cheoah Dam, where Harrison Ford jumped off in “The Fugitive”

Cades Cove Loop. Early in the morning. No cars 😀

Boone, NC 2018

By Tor | August 29, 2018 - 3:47 pm |March 25, 2023 Adventures and Travels

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Had to ride up to Boone, NC for the yearly BMW Boone rally. If felt good to get out of the South Carolina heat and humidity. Getting up in elevation makes a big difference with the temps dropping from 95 to 75 degrees.

The rally is held at the Boone KOA campground, which is actually very nice. We rode up Thursday 8/9 and stayed until Sunday 8/12.

Went riding on Friday (all NC country roads and twisties). Sorry, no pictures. Saturday was off-day, and relaxed at the site. Went back home Sunday.

Deals Gap - Tail of The Dragon

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Southern Virginia

By Tor | July 28, 2018 - 9:46 pm |March 25, 2023 Adventures and Travels, Photography

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Rode up to Meadows Of Dan, southern Virginia for a few days to escape the heat and humidity of the swamps of South Carolina. Decided to stay at Willeville motorcycle camp, where we had been before.

Decided to make a roundtrip up through Route 16 “Back Of The Dragon”. It didn’t disappoint. Terrific motorcycle road with nice scenery and curves.

Continued in to Tazewell, VA for lunch before continuing into Burke’s Garden aka “Gods Thumbprint”. Stopped at “Matti’s Place” for ice cream before we headed down VA614 (another pearl of a windy country road), then hitting I-77 for a quick return to camp.