VFR Discussion Group -> Baileyrock Tours?????

Well, it all started when I met this girl . . .

The Master of the Twisties and the Hater of Straight Lines finally bought some luggage from a fellow VFRD member (thanks by the way!), geared up and headed out on his first touring adventure.


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Touring Stuff



The motivator? See below:


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2nd morning in Madisonville,TN


Her name is Shannon. Some of you may remember her from my posting of her Big Crash pics this past May. Well, as all dedicated riders should, she got up, dusted herself off and got back in the saddle. This tour was a way to build up some new miles on her new ride - an '04 BMW R1100SA.

From Nashville, we headed to Tellico Plains and on our second morning headed over the Cherohala to Deal's Gap.


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TVA Dam below Deal's Gap



After taming the dragon (just kidding, despite being a decent novice rider, Shannon's got some work to do on her turns) we went along the Foothills Parkway through Townsend and into Gatlinburg. Had a nice steak dinner at Howard's Steakhouse over some beers before heading to the Blue Ridge on Tuesday morning. :beer:



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Great Smoky Mtn. rest stop


We travelled over 441 through the Great Smoky National Forest and caught the Blue Ridge Parkway at Cherokee. From there we headed to Mt. Pisgah Inn, checked in and unloaded for the first of only 1-1/2 days of luggage-free riding. Tuesday evening and Wednesday were spent taking loops off the Blue Ridge. Nice overlooks included Looking Glass Rock and Chimney Rock. The town of Black Mountain is a nice little lunch stop (cool artist community).


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Nantahala Nat. Forest along the BRP.



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Looking Glass Rock, BRP



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Pullout along the BRP



Wednesday afternoon was a bit frustrating ... spent a bit too much time on 4-lanes and in construction zones. Our planned return down the Blue Ridge was blocked and required a way out of the way detour (with the help of a wrong turn or two). The plus was the discover of a couple cool roads.


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Unknown great road in NC/TN (maybe 226 over Unaka Mtns)


Checked out of Mt. Pisgah Inn Thursday morning and it was time to head south to the great roads of Georgia! The route took us down 64 through Brevard and Cashiers, NC where we encountered heavy traffic, lots of semi's, work trucks and cars galore! (The downside to mid-week riding in an area that's in the midst of rapid development and expansion). Tons of new gated communities, golf courses and country club type establishments going up everywhere.

Once out of the congestion, we made it to Highlands, NC (upscale, spa community) for lunch. Then off to one of my favorite falls, tucked right in the middle of narrow, twisty roads (you didn't think I'd go in straight lines for 7 whole days, did you??)


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Cullasoja Falls, NC



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Cullasoja Falls, NC


Now into Georgia, we headed down 28 South, to War Woman Road and then left on 197 alongside the Tray Mountain Wilderness Area and Seed Lake. From there we hit Unicoi State Park on into Helen.

Helen is a fake Bavarian Village with all the stuff (waitresses and hotel clerks in lederhosen and silly dresses). The upside ... Oktoberfest ... more beer!!!
We took a quick jaunt to the West end of town to survey recent tornado damage. Pretty wild looking, but didn't hit the heart of the town, so plenty of hotels, restaurants and bars to choose from. We stayed in a kitschy bavarian style hotel with a private balcony sitting on the banks of the Chattahoochie River.

Friday found us looping around the better roads in North Georgia (180/60/19/129) including a stop along the Appalachian Trail before lunch at Turners Corner. (As a side note, there was an Austin Healey road rally taking place, so we kept criss-crossing paths with some beautiful cars!!)


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Mountain Overlook Crossing the Appalachian Trail



After some good cheeseburgers and another wrong turn, we finally took 60 back north. Caught a few more great Tennessee roads into Tellico Plains for a fuel stop before running the Cherohala again so we could stay in Robbinsville, NC, at the Microtel for our last night. This gave me the added advantage of another run at the Cherohala in the morning.

The only room left Friday night because of multiple motorcycle meets taking place that weekend (Harley, GoldWing & Triumph), was a jacuzzi suite (which I jumped on after 6 days in the saddle) :rolleyes:

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Saturday morning 9-24 at the Microtel, Robbinsville,NC


Saturday morning was fogged in, but burnt off by the time we dragged our butts out of bed ---the jacuzzi and red wine the night before worked great ---just what the doctor ordered! :thumbsup: Our last run across the Cherohala was pleasant; surprisingly little traffic given the number of bikes in the area. Then, just when I thought it couldn't get better, Shannon made me an offer I couldn't refuse . . .

Get your minds out of the gutter! (That's another post all together!) Just over the Tennessee line, she suggested that she would wait at a pullout so I could head back over the top and take a few minutes to rip it up. How cool is that??

I, of course, had no problem taking her up on that offer! Gotta like this girl!


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Tuesday evening on the Blue Ridge Pky


After getting my SPEED fix, I let her lead and we headed home.


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Following Shannon across the Cherohala on the way Home.


Rolled in about 7:30 Saturday night, got out of our gear and collapsed. The week offered great weather, beautiful scenery, great food and good beer with a great gal. What more could the Twist Master hope for on his first tour??

baileyrock, Sep 25 2005, 10:41 AM 
Well, it all started when I met this girl . . . 
 
<More to Follow> 
 

That's a sweet story Bailey... keeps building like a TV show with a stay tune for more
episodes on the end... I think Shannon is all heart riding with your crazy ass... I hope
you're riding for her more than yourself...

You old dog you :goofy:

Sounds really good my silver vfr bro....good on ya.

It's nice to try and help another less experienced rider out...I've got a friend that I've been trying to do that with.....he's not anywhere as good looking as your's is though :P


BTW, loved the "The Master of the Twisties and the Hater of Straight Lines" quote as that's how I feel(not necessarily the "Master" part though :D
Definately not in the "if it's straight it's great club" either.

BusyLittleShop, Sep 25 2005, 12:20 PMThat's a sweet story Bailey... keeps building like a TV show with a stay tune for more
episodes on the end... I think Shannon is all heart riding with your crazy ass...  I hope
you're riding for her more than yourself...

Hey Larry,

This is Shannon ... I can guarantee that he rode for me and not for himself this week ... but he'd better look out next year (after I finish Freddy Spencer School!)
:P

Das Bone, Sep 25 2005, 12:23 PMYou old dog you :goofy:

Sounds really good my silver vfr bro....good on ya.

It's nice to try and help another less experienced rider out...I've got a friend that I've been trying to do that with.....he's not anywhere as good looking as your's is though :P
BTW, loved the "The Master of the Twisties and the Hater of Straight Lines" quote as that's how I feel(not necessarily the "Master" part though :D
Definately not in the "if it's straight it's great club" either.

Bone,

"Master" I'm not, but it's what the guys I ride with call me, so I'm using it.

Where did you pack enough tires for a 7 day trip?

Great write up.

Clear to see the boy is weakin-ing :D

Thank you for sharing your "Most Excellent Adventure"! :thumbsup:

Shannon seems like a nice girl. Did you have to buy the replacement bike in exchange for her riding with you? :goofy:

It's great to know that she's riding again after the "kisser" on the tree.

I like the quote "The Master of the Twisties and the Hater of Straight Lines"

I hate the straights.

Wish I'd have known you guys were on the "Skyway" and in the "Gap". I was up there doing the "Dragon" Saturday and would have bought you and your friend a burger and soda. Next time you get out, PM me... I'd like to ride with ya! :beer:

I'm envious of your journey of 7 days through what is absolutely stunning scenery. I hope that someday my wife might consder going for a ride - never mind piloting her own ride.

THat area of the USA has fantastic roads, scenery, and only a few duelling banjo's to round things out. Too bad its a mere 12 hour slab haul from here to get there.

I'm planning to return to the Tennessee roads next spring, and I hope to be there for more than a day and a half.

Great ride!

Hey Mr Bailey of rock, great story, enjoyed it! I stayed in Helen also just a few weeks ago with 5 other guys. We did the dragon twice and cherohala etc, great place.

I'm wondering, why is yer hand in Shannons pocket? are you trying to pick pocket the poor girl? Shannon watch out for that!! my gawd u just can't trust anyone can u? :) hehe just kidding, u guys make a great couple, "those that ride together, stay together". Have Much Fun! H

solman244, Sep 25 2005, 01:24 PMWhere did you pack enough tires for a 7 day trip?

Great write up.

Hey Craig, thanks !
I guess riding at half speed keeps the tires like new ! :huh: Who da thunk it !


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Strada rear with 1500 touring miles


I didn't even get it leaned over all the way on this one. It gets hammered on my next ride ! :thumbsup:

You guys look like you belong together. How strange is that? Good writeup. Shannon, we're not all dirty old men. Well, not all the time.

Master.. If I'm not wrong, I own the copyright on that...
Now I understand why you made me change our trip to the twisties to late October... I see you had a good reason for that.
Are you still up for late-October ?
BTW... I didn't know there was a Jacuzzi Suite @ Microtel, well kept secret, jejeje
Un abrazo Master, nos vemos pronto !
... and congrats for your new riding partner. :beer:

TwistedGrip, Sep 25 2005, 07:48 PMMaster.. If I'm not wrong, I own the copyright on that...
Now I understand why you made me change our trip to the twisties to late October... I see you had a good reason for that.
Are you still up for late-October ?
BTW... I didn't know there was a Jacuzzi Suite @ Microtel, well kept secret, jejeje
Un abrazo Master, nos vemos pronto !
... and congrats for your new riding partner.  :beer:

Alex my friend, you are the pinner of the term ! Thank you !
Yes, it was a trip for my girl. I have never been more behaved ! :(
I thought is was early Oct. for our trip ? :unsure:

baileyrock, Sep 25 2005, 11:32 AM 
Hey Larry, 
This is Shannon ... I can guarantee that he rode for me and not for himself this week ... but he'd better look out next year (after I finish Freddy Spencer School!) 
 

Please to hear from you Shannon... but know you what???I think you have been around
Bailey much to long all ready... you sound cocky just like him... we'll see after you visit
Freddie... then if you think you are good enough you'll sport IYCBMYCEM on your license
plate frame... 8-)

Well, the only reason for planning for late October is that Alex ( the other one ) didn't come back yet from his extremely long trip from Miami to Buenos Aires on the Triumph Tiger. He is somewhere in Brazil now pointing mostlly south, unless some local garota takes him out of his already delayed schedule. I think he is going to get to Buenos Aires in the next ten days. So he should be back in the States in 2-3 weeks if everything goes ok.
That's him, as for the bike... well, as far as I know has a rear shock gone long time ago and the Amazonia wasn't the best place to find a replacement. If he is not back in 3 weeks, I'll go up there anyway... have to ride the twisties before things go too cold in the mountains.

So, Master, tell me what are the best dates for you so we can plan in advance.
Keep in touch.

Alex

BusyLittleShop, Sep 25 2005, 08:14 PM. then if you think you are good enough you'll sport IYCBMYCEM on your license
plate frame... 8-)

Your a very, very bad man Larry ! :goofy:

I noticed that hand also, but wasn't going to say anything. Time to take a trip out west and visit us So. Cal types. Many roads to be had and many people to meet.

baileyrock, Sep 25 2005, 11:32 AMHey Larry,

This is Shannon ... I can guarantee that he rode for me and not for himself this week ... but he'd better look out next year (after I finish Freddy Spencer School!)
:P

Shannon,
He will have to look out for you for sure after you do FS school...I've done 3 now and can attest to the excellent schooling you'll get there....just don't let him(Bailey) go with ya :goofy:

Nice writeup, Baileyrock! Beautiful country you have out there. You know, you could get arrested for being in the jacuzzi suite with a girl that young.

Cute couple, though... the Bimmer and the VFR... :goofy:

Oh yeah, and you and Shannon too!!!

So great to see there is another touring couple out there. We are so happy when we are riding and just playing together. Looks like you two are also. :)

Nice trip report.

Dang, when do I get to meet a woman with an R1100S? Heck, when do I get my own R1100S??

Great to see happy and compatible people.

Sorry you didn't borrow my VFR and give it the Baileyrock Blessing last time you were out in Colorado. It might make me ride better, and make my tires last longer. Just kidding, my Z6s rock and are still going strong.

Nice pics Baileyrock, looks like a nice Babe too. Cool. :beer:
FWIW (nada I guess) I have a Bro in law named Shannon. Cool guy. :goofy:
So, When's the wedding? Or am I going too fast? :unsure:

IntAceptor, Sep 25 2005, 02:11 PMClear to see the boy is weakin-ing :D

Thanks Bob !
Did you go on Tour this year ? golf.

ULEWZ, Sep 25 2005, 08:44 PMI noticed that hand also, but wasn't going to say anything. Time to take a trip out west and visit us So. Cal types. Many roads to be had and many people to meet.

OK, you old pervs my hand is not in her pants or pockets in any pic ! It's behind a black camera she's holding ! <_<

She's got a riding brother in Phoenix and one in Seattle, both Bemmer bro's !
:thumbsup:

Very nice trip, very nice indeed.

Isn't everything better when there is a motorcycle involved?

SilVFR, Sep 26 2005, 12:27 PMVery nice trip, very nice indeed.

Isn't everything better when there is a motorcycle involved?

Sometimes just thinking about a motorcycle can help :rolleyes:

baileyrock, Sep 26 2005, 11:21 AMOK,� you old pervs my hand is not in her pants or pockets in any pic !� It's behind a black camera she's holding ! <_<

She's got a riding brother in Phoenix and one in Seattle, both Bemmer bro's !
:thumbsup:

lol was wondering if you were gonna call us on that! likely excuse too lol. If any of you haven't been to this part of the country and you get a chance, you gotta go. Very beautiful place for sure.



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Give me Shannon's mailing address. I've got some pics she might be interested in...... unless of course you'd like to, ahemm, purchase them first.

Congrats Bailey! It's nice having a woman who rides with you instead of nagging you not to ride. Be careful though, because after a few years of riding together she'll surprise you with tickets to a US MotoGP and then you're hooked for good. :huh:

Hav