Two Weeks after Horse Pasture, We converge upon BAD CREEK!

[kg4lho]

4-18-09, A joint-venture of ADV riders and KLRWorld riders converge upon Bad Creek Road. A road that cuts through the rugged wilderness of the Duke Power Bad Creek Project in the Upstate of SC on the western shore of Lake Joccassee. A seasonally open road that is both fun and as we found out, more challenging than what was anticipated. This is an epic ride report for an equally epic ride!


This trip started out on the heels of my last Ride Report on Horse Pasture Rd http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...e+pasture+road. Back on 4-7-09 I posted a request looking for others to camp and ride. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451166 And got a few responses. BMAN(Bernard) wanted to ride up from Chattanooga, TN. SCFalconry cleared away his schedule and Justin and Kim said they would also make it out. Justin told me that several riders from KLRWorld would also be joining us. They included: GreenRiverRider and Michelle and AshvilleThumper. This was shaping up to be a nice group of riders for Saturday!


We would end up camping at Keowee-Toxaway State Park. This SP is a real nice, fairly new facility. Nice sites with sand filled tent pads beats the crap out of sleeping on Crush-N-Run! As I turned into the parking space for the site, I realized I had left my Tech7 boots at home, on the kitchen floor. Right where my wife had told me not to leave them several times. Karma. I would, regrettably, ride the weekend in just hiking boots.

Well....the tent pads are nice if you actually sleep on the ground.


Here is BMAN(Bernard). He's still unpacking his KLR650. I'm sure he's pretty tired from the 6hour trip from Chattanooga. I picked up a rotisserie chicken on the way in and we split it before darkness set in and I got the fire going. Bernard told me he snored, ALOT! But I finally got to sleep.

Marty(SCFalconry) showed up round 8:00am the next morning to ride with us up to the Bad Creek parking lot. We had planned to meet everyone else up there round 9:00am. Justin and Kim were running a little behind and showed up around 9:20am.



Justin was nice enough to not focus the camera so everyone reading this RR wouldn't become violently ill! Yes, that is me, KG4LHO(Wesley)

We hit the trail like a and headed for the famous pipes.

Me and my KTM 620RXC.


Here's Marty and Bernard.


Bernards ready to ride.


Michelle, Justin and Kim.


GreenRiverRider checking with Michelle.






Marty and I get our first look at Bad Creek Rd Proper.

Justin had told me a little info about Bad Creek. He said it was a Little more technical than Horse Pasture Rd. We would soon find out Justin can't judge things very well and that he had not previously ridden the most technical section of the road.

So we get down to business. I head up the first section of the hill and think I accidently roosted those behind me. Sorry if I did. Up to that point, that is probably the steepest hill I have climbed. There would be many more hills much steeper than this throughout the day. Once again, pictures don't do these grades justice. Of course, I had a problem on the first hill. After the first switchback, the bike bogged and wouldn't take any gas. It quit in one of the worst spots. Perched precariously on the left side of the trail, mid-hill, just around the switchback, with Bernard coming up behind. Got it started but it died several times. Scared the crap out of Bernard as he rounded the switchback and almost hit me. Got it fired up and finally wanted to take the throttle. So I nail it and make it up the hill.


GreenRiverRider on a DR650. I knew early on that he had talent but found out later in the day that he's ridden dirt in Africa!


Michelle on her DR250. She proved to be more capable than even she knew.


Kim on her Sherpa. She rock and rolled with everything Bad Creek threw at her all day!


Justin on his KLR. Everyone should get to ride with someone as funny and knowlegeable as him.


Marty on his KLR. He is learning quickly and still hasn't scuffed his crash bars!








We stopped several times and discussed which way to go. We finally ended up at the trail leading to down down down down to the lake. Now this was uncharted territory to us. We were looking for an adventure and well, we found it!




Here is the profile of the full track.

We proceeded down the trail taking us to the lake. It was super steep in lots of places. With a mix of dirt, mud, red clay, ruts, rocks and boulders. We are talking about clutch in, heavy front brake, locking/unlocking the rear, holy crap!@!@ type steep. GreenRiverRider and AshvilleThumper peeled off a different points in the trail to take pics of the group coming down. That left me on point, sliding down the trail, ready to go over the handlebars at any time. Down and down, switchback, down, switchback, down, etc... You get the idea. Until I came to where I could see the lake and couldn't see any more trail. Well I'm glad I stopped to check it out.

A FREAKIN' CLIFF!

There were no semi-flat spots to park. Marty decided to get turned around and go back up to the last switchback and park. Sounded like a good idea to Bernard but he had a few problems getting turned round. After working it out like a champ, he wrestled the KLR back to the switchback, parked it and told it to sit-stay!


Shannon got his bike to stay with the help of a log for the rear tire and a rock for the kickstand. Ashville Thumper took the pic to try and show the grade of the hill.







Everyone got squared away and we hiked down to the shore for some lunch and rest. Michelle wanted to go swimming and just so happend to have a suit on so she proceeded toward the water. I was fixing my tuna salad and crackers when I heard the scream. It was blood curdleing! It was Michelle, she screamed again, "Holy sh*t! That water is COLD!!!" Gotcha!

We enjoyed the sun and views. Some folks came by in kayaks and canoes and Michelle promptly told them to put on some sun screen lest they get burnt the heck up. They said "Thanks Mom, we already have some on!" LOL!










Panographic Image Courtesy of Ashville Thumper.




If you look to the left of the rock face in this pic, you will see the Jumping Off Rock Overlook that I took pics from on Horse Pasture Rd.

I am not sure about anyone else but, I spent most of my lunch worrying about whether I would be able to make it up the big climb back up the hills. So far, the Kenda K761's had performed really well, but I was worried about purchase in the clay/ruts/rocks going back up this steep set of hills and switchbacks.

Well, we packed up and got ready to head out. I went ahead and jumped the start hoping that if I had a problem, everyone was already down at the bottom of the hill to catch me! I pinned the throttle and got up to 2nd hoping that I could downshift and tractor it if I had to. Made it up through the first switchback and headed up the steepest part of the hill. It was a little touch and go but I let the bike work and it carried me up to a nice stopping point. I had done it!

I got off the bike and got the camera ready for the others coming up.


Bernard just before the big hill. Photo taken by AshvilleThumper.


About the only pic of Ashville Thumper I got to take. He spent most of the day ahead of me.


C'mon Marty! You can make it!


Michelle made it look easy!


Kim trying to stay out of the ruts!


Justin's just wondering why we were thinking this was difficult.


Bernard later told me that this road was the most fun/challenging trail that he had ridden. That's alot considering he has ridden to NM and part of the CDT!


Shannon probably could have ridden this hill while handstanding!


We regrouped at the trail intersection and headed for the "Red Gate"








On the way to the red gate, we crossed several mud holes. Some of us got muddier than others! I know someone has a vid of Michelle showing how it's supposed to be done and getting the person taking the vid soaked! I know my Carharts soaked up quite a bit of mud/water that, let's see how Michelle put it...."Smells like a dog rolled in poop and is sitting by the fireplace".

Here we are coming out, almost done with the trail:











I think this photo really says it all. Michelle has said everything we all were thinking at the end of the day, all without saying a word.


And with that final thought, I end this ride report. I am glad to have met everyone and look forward to meeting them all for more riding in the future. I would like to thank GreenRiverRider, AshvilleThumper, and Justin for use of their pics. If anyone has anything else they would like to add, please do. Thanks so much for a great ride and I am already planning another trip, this time up round Robbinsville, NC and Telico. Will let y'all know and see if your interested.

[asheville thumper]

Great ride report Wesley! Let me know when you want to ride out near Robbinsville.

[GreenRiverRider]

Awesome ride report, Wes. That campsite looks awesome. Michelle and I will join you for camping (and rotisserie chicken) next time.

[scfalconry]

I didn't take alot of pictures... there were so many other riders there that had very nice cameras and had the skills to stay in the front of the group! The riders in front would stop every once in awhile and take pic's of the rest of us coming through the puddles, whoops, hills, ruts etc... Once we all got to the stopping points we would mount up and tear it up some more. I much appreciate the others posting their pictures in the ride report and forums... so I can download the pictures of my new friends and the best outing I think I've EVER been on!



If you look past that attempt of a smile I have.... deep in my eyes you can see that I'm wondering.... "What in the HELL did I get my self into?" As Wes said this was our first stop ... and the river was so scenic that it was actually a few minutes before I glanced over and noticed the steep grade ahead of us that lay there waiting to prove what I NOOB I really am.

When in doubt GAS it out! The ascent went better than I had expected.... and by the end of the day... this hill that I had initially thought to be so daunting... was nothing in comparison to what was laying beyond it. On the way back out when I went down the same section ... it hardly phased me..... when I saw the river and bridge and realized that what I had just came down was the hill I was so concerned with earlier... I just giggled and was appreciative that I had the chance to hang out with so many nice and experienced riders. I've still got a long ways to go... but being out there with them allowed me to push my limits.... and man was it a blast. Felt like an AMA MX Pro by the time we left. Thanks to all of you for the hints, tips and encouragement.



Here is a picture of Wes at the same stop.... he has a much better FAKE (lol) smile than I do. Wes....Good to know you were concerened also! Wes also has alot more experience with bike in the dirt than I do!


In Wes post above he captioned a picture .."Marty on his KLR. He is learning quickly and still hasn't scuffed his crash bars! " Gee thanks man.... I'm sure to CrAsH now that youv'e Jinxed my bars. LOL!



Here is a picture looking up that hill at the lake shore.... shown in this picture is the easier of the two up hill sections on that hill. Still shots and this angle doesn't do the grade of that hill justice.... Maybe next time I'll haul in some video equipment.

I gotta go for now.... going to cubscouts meeting with my son. Will get back in here soon and post some of the other pictures I have.

Suffice it to say.... these trails are amazing to ride... and the group of folks I was out with where even better! Wes said EPIC. I agree! Whole heartedly.

Marty - SCFalconry

[Utah Bones]

[kg4lho]

Originally Posted by asheville thumper

Great ride report Wesley! Let me know when you want to ride out near Robbinsville.

I am kinda looking at the Tour De Telico. Intrested? Thanks for the comments. Wes

[tactical-T]

Originally Posted by kg4lho

I am kinda looking at the Tour De Telico. Intrested? Thanks for the comments. Wes

That is something that I'm making a tentative plan for. I'll keep you posted. May 18,19 and 20th is it??

[Mechanoligist]

Great Job

[Belgian Waffles]

Looks awesome! You got me all jealous now!

BW

[NC HILLBILLY]

Man, it really looks like ya'll had a great time. Like Cherokee Chuck, I think I'm falling in love with Bad Creek without ever having ridden it. We just finished Arby's Tour of the Souther Appalachians ride from the Motorcyclist Cafe forum, so I think all that road riding is finally out of my system for a while. I'll be sure to watch for the next ride and really try and make it. Glad all had a good time and thanks for sharing the experience with all who couldn't make it.......Mark

[kg4lho]

Originally Posted by GreenRiverRider

Awesome ride report, Wes. That campsite looks awesome. Michelle and I will join you for camping (and rotisserie chicken) next time.

Shannon, you and Michelle are welcome anytime. I'll be sure to get two chickens! Wesley

[dave6253]

That looks like a ton of fun and a challenging scenic trail. nice pics!

[Justin]

First off, awesome writeup as before!! Pleasure to meet you in person finally and allowing me to *try* to keep up with you through the Bad Creek Jungle . You handle those street tires fantastic Wes. Not to mention wearing that backpack the whole time!

It was a great day, and Kim had a blast too riding with you guys and gal too! And hangin' out at the Lake was pretty serene, loved it.

I have those mud hole photos on the camera, and will get them up here in the next couple days I promise. Your gps vertical profile chart is cool as well. I have the tracks on mine, but never load them back onto the puter.

PS - Happy we hit all the dead-ends, knowing what was at the ends of them is satisfying.

[kg4lho]

Marty, You are the MAN! And I hope you don't ever get to figure out how CrAsH worthy your bars are. Thanks for your report and we'll figure out where we are going next in a few weeks. Wes

[MarkNC]

Hey Wes
What a great trip you guys had looks like I missed a really good time. Sorry i had to bail on you but hopefully I will make the next trip. TDT IV is the weekend of May 15, 16, and 17 at the Cherohala motorcycle resort, and I am taking a four day weekend just to go. Anyone from here that wants to travel over together just pm me. I will be trailering the KLR over and sleeping in my van but there should be plenty of tent space as well. Really looking forward to that weekend.
Mark