just puttin' around in WNC

[fancyindigo]

Definitely in Sounds Great! Looking forward to seeing all of you!

[East Coast Rider]

You guys have fun!! But be nice to us flatlanders along the coast and post lots of pics! I was up that way for a day about two weeks ago. Rode 226 off the BRP and another road, I think it was 694 (?). Little two lane road...ran right into Asheville, then we met NCRick @ a brewery (name escapes me). I need to get up that way and ride more often!

[Cuttle]

ok, time for more pics!

morning commute: 22 miles slab
evening commute: 45 miles fun

VIP parking at work




Hwy 251 along the French Broad





towards Marshall:



and up to Walnut Creek:





Walnut Creek/Big Laurel transition (very fast sweepers below )





Big Laurel





(this was not planned like this at all)



different exposure (same pic as above)



near Raw's place



I26



welcome to the neighborhood (look close)



Laurel Valley





a little bit of gravel for good measure



last couple of turns (less than 1/2 mile to go)



Definitely the best part of my workday!

but not tonight: it's Wedgeday

[East Coast Rider]

Wrong side of the road, on a lawn mower, with his ~2yo kid... Looks like my home town, except that guy had the decency to change out of his pajamas before he went outside

[Cuttle]

Originally Posted by recrazyjax

Hey Cuddle,

I've been all around those mountains on a sport bike and a bit on a KLR650 but some of those roads I don't know. I'm coming up in July and would love to ride some of the roads you know. Leaving here (Jax Florida) 14 July and returning home on 18 July. So basically rifing Fri-Sun and two days up/back. If you have any good recommendations for riding dirt let me know. I'll be riding with a 17 (+2) tooth front so hardcore dirtbiking won't work but I can go most places with reason. I use the 17 to cover the pavement baby! :) haha.

Great ride!
T

I am certainly no expert in this area - my best advice is to get the NG maps and explore (all roads I took are on the map).

And give us a "holler" when you are up here!

[35xj]

In, with Kat.

[motomixon]

Think I'll jump in for the Sunday ride starting at North Mills River.

[Cuttle]

cool, great bunch !

that will be one dusty group by the end of the day .... besides Russ

[pentonfan]

Hey thinking about joining you guys on Sunday. Is this a dirt road ride suitable for big Dual Sport bikes or something better suited for a real dirt bike? I've got 2 bikes- Triumph Tiger 800XC and KTM 450 EXC- trying to decide which one to ride.

[Cuttle]

Originally Posted by pentonfan

Hey thinking about joining you guys on Sunday. Is this a dirt road ride suitable for big Dual Sport bikes or something better suited for a real dirt bike? I've got 2 bikes- Triumph Tiger 800XC and KTM 450 EXC- trying to decide which one to ride.

Hello Again!

I'd say, bring the Tiger (put it on the lower setting) so we can swap

Pretty much all roads down there will be fine on tiger, however I'd like to take a peak at the little road/loop I found - no idea what to expect, it looks "rocky" and there are maybe closed gates further in...

note to self: water, water and more water

[pentonfan]

OK- I may bring the KTM anyway. You can try the Tiger in lower setting at the Wedge some time. Trying to get a friend with similar KTM to join us.

[knybanjo]

Originally Posted by Cuttle

ok, time for more pics!

Wow!! I really like that one!

[jwhampton1]

-I hate to say this folks, but its probably not the greatest thing that Carmen showed me how to navigate this site, because now I can spoil more than just the rides she tells me about.
-That said, I want to say thank you to everyone who rode today, as I learned quite a bit about the finer points of dual sporting. For instance- Jonathan, or lgajonnymac (I think that is your screen name)- hence forth, I will always carry zip ties! Silke (cuttle)- I know who to look to for some great photos, and awesome roadside assistance!
-As far as the rest of you are concerned, bring your earplugs, and we will see you on the trails!
-Any advice anyone can offer on what I should replace the exhaust with would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks again!
-Joe

[Cuttle]

great turnout

1st off, thanks Russ for a great ride. All in all, I ended up with about 100 miles of gravel and connector roads.

I didn't take as many pics this time, mostly just at the stops, but here are some:



Mills River campground at 10am (I was fashionable late - but at least I was not last ). 12 bikes total.



"collecting" after the first road



some stopped a few hundred feet earlier





Horseshoe Rock:









Wolf Mountain Road (my new favorite road in this area)



on the new Tiger





FancyIndigo



a bit later Joe's bike decided to disintegrate: first his exhaust fell off, then he lost his kickstand spring



since he shouldn't be caught in the woods without a spark arrestor, we suggested to him to take the parkway home (he'd fit in just fine with the Harleys )

well, one mile down the road we caught up with them: flat tire (sorry - I should not laugh)

we left a tube and pump behind and carried on



the last "survivors" (people dropped out at various stages)



To bad the road I found was voted down as "we would get the bikes impounded"

[Cuttle]

Originally Posted by jwhampton1

-I hate to say this folks, but its probably not the greatest thing that Carmen showed me how to navigate this site, because now I can spoil more than just the rides she tells me about.
-That said, I want to say thank you to everyone who rode today, as I learned quite a bit about the finer points of dual sporting. For instance- Jonathan, or lgajonnymac (I think that is your screen name)- hence forth, I will always carry zip ties! Silke (cuttle)- I know who to look to for some great photos, and awesome roadside assistance!
-As far as the rest of you are concerned, bring your earplugs, and we will see you on the trails!
-Any advice anyone can offer on what I should replace the exhaust with would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks again!
-Joe

You made it home!

I hope it didn't take you too long to fix the flat. As far as exhaust options goes, check out the thumper tech area (there's a lot ie too much info to go through).