Day Trippin in Western NC

I went for a 70 mile loop ride this weekend in the mountains of Western NC. I still have the motard set up on my KTM but surprisingly the Pilot Powers do well on the gravel fire roads. I rode a 50/50 mix of gravel roads and Blue Ridge Parkway. A very nice day for riding but it was a little cool on the BRP.

For those that know the area, my route was; I went to Bent Creek followed the gravel road to the Mills River campground, out Yellow Gap road (14 mile gravel) to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stopped at a few overlooks on the BRP around Pisgah Mtn. and back via hwy 151 to Candler, NC.

BRP bridge at the top of Bent Creek going to Mills River.

At the campground at Mills River then out Yellow Gap road to the BRP.

that's a nice loop!

Wedgeday?

Looking back at Pisgah Mtn.

Wedgeday, I know, I have been super busy but looking forward to it.. I have been out of town on business the past month, coming in on the weekends. I will get there one of these days.

Here is a link showing a few pics. from our ride last weekend. My brother is on the black DRZ and my buddy in on the blue DR650. Well... I'm on the KTM. This guy was taking photos on NC80.

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=1VLV003L050049&po=49&pc=57

We went on an awesome ride this past Sunday! For those that know the Madison County area of Western NC, I will summarize our travels.

We started in Asheville, rode the French Broad river road to the Little Pine area in Madison county. Then we rode over the mountain on a nice gravel road to Big Pine. From Big Pine we rode to Spring Creel and over the mountain to Hot Springs. We left Hot Springs and rode a long gravel road in an area called Paint Creek. This took us to Rich Mountain in Tennessee. We then traveled another gravel road to Hot Springs mountain and made our way back to Asheville, NC. Total ride 130 miles.

Resting in the Big Pine area.



After leaving Spring Creek, on our way to Hot Springs.



Gas station in Hot Springs.



After Paint Creek on Rich Mountain.

That's a nice loop, and Big Pine is a great little valley. Did they re-gravel Baltimore Branch (the road towards Spring Creek)? Last time I rode it it was freshly grated, but not graveled.

Hope you made it up the the fire-tower - if not, you missed out.

Hey Cuttle, were we in your end of the county? Baltimore Branch was in great shape and did have some new gravel on it. I could not remember Baltimore Branch on my original post. I saw it on the GPS. We did go up to the fire tower on Rich Mtn. Awesome view. Also, we noticed a gate open as we were ridding up to Rich Mtn. before we got to the fire tower. Do you know where that road goes. Did not look to be traveled much. May have been open for hunting season.

I'm in Mars Hill, but I do ride a lot "over there". The road you are talking about is the road we don't talk about . It's fun: mud holes (known for swallowing whole bikes), sand, rocks... but you have to watch out for hunters coming up in cars.

Glad you didn't miss out on the tower.

Yea, 400psi was telling me about the road we don't talk about. I need my knobs for this road. I have a new set of DOT knobs that I'm ready to try out.

yes you will

I forgot to post pics from our ride two weeks ago. We rode a lot of back roads in the south end of Buncombe county. Some included old hwy 9 to Old Fort, NC, up Curtis Creek (gravel) to the BRP and down NC80, back to the BRP and on to Asheville. Total trip was around 140 miles.

In front of Andrews Geyser around Old Fort, NC



NC80



Lake Tahoma Dam, NC80

Nice rides.I do the BRP on my GS5,but I don't go off road with that heavy pig.Hope to pick up a dual sport next year.

BTW,I lived in Hudson,NC off 321 briefly.There's a few areas around NC with the name Hudson.

Thanks for the info. I will check out Hudson, NC.

It used to be a hole in the road little town.It's been 16 years since I have been through there.I may have to make a visit there myself.

A road side photographer took these photos of us as we were riding NC80.

Grizzlyman,

I need to make it to a Wedgeday and come and meet you guys and start riding with you.

I made this video of my Dad and I's ride on the 18th in Madison County.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2WrmiAW4u8A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I don't know the names of the roads but I can look them up. We turned off of 25 just before you head down the switchbacks before you take a left into Hot Springs. Took that over towards the Laurel River and came out under 26 in Mars Hill.

Enjoy the video

Awesome video. I've been looking at GoPro cameras. I am out of town on business most weeks and have yet to meet the other inmates on Wedgeday. I hope to in a few weeks.

Great ride Saturday!