Windblown - Chasing the sun

Took forest roads up thru Talladega NF this morning. Good ride! Nice combo of mellow and mildly spicy. Tip of the hat to those who cleared the massive number of blow downs from the storm that rolled thru a week ago. Bit drizzly this morning which helped dampen the forest fire hot spots.













Got out of the forest and pointed to bike towards Telico Plains. In route I had the biggest on road "Oh Shit" moment of my life that did not result in carnage. Pickup on a side road on the right pulled out right in front of me making a left turn. I was doing 45mph and had no where to go. All I remember is being hard on the brakes. Aiming to the right so I would hit the bed rather than the cab. Rear end of bike broke loose and swung left. Just before the highside/lowside breakpoint the bed of the truck moved forward enough that I figured I had a shot at missing the impact and taking my chances in the woods. With front brake still on I got off the rear brake and the backend recovered. Saw a chance that I might actually save it, jammed the rear again as I pointed the nose of the bike left and rear swapped right, cleared the back of the truck and with only a slight angry shake of its head I found myself still on two wheels and back under control.

Just plain dumb luck, or maybe that fella I slept next to up on the ridge last night likes motorcyclists. Dont know, but I'm completely dumbfounded by it. I couldn't pull off that maneuver on demand in a 100 attempts.

Oh, and I called the Farmhouse Inn but they are booked. Off to find a campground.

Night!

One is man with machine ! Good save .

Whatever it was it's been 34 years since I last failed to dodge a vehicle that didn't see me. I was very happy to add another day to that tally. My Spidy-sense is pretty well developed. Usually there is a slight roll of the tire as they let off the brake. This guy must have been driving with one foot on the brake and one on the gas.

Anyways. Off to make my way to Damascus VA.

Was just in Damascus VA! Started the MABDR there. It is a fantastic town, has the AT running through it as well as a rail trail called the "creeper trail". Really enjoyed the time we had there before we left last Tuesday for the MABDR. Your weather results may not match ours! As ours was simply fantastic for the first week of November. And the people are really friendly there as well.

Weather is awesome! Crazy, right?

Ran Cherola Skyway and 129 to Happy Valley this morning. GPS looks like it will run me thru Shady Valley on the way to Damascus. All together that will sate the twisty fix. Going to take a peak at IMT when I get to Damascus. If it looks doable will probably start it and see if I can find a remote spot to camp and tackle the rest in the morning.

Really liked our time in VA, especially the less populated parts. Good folks an great scenery!

A couple folks asked and unbelievable I have some service on this ridge top. I'm on IMT. Stopping for the night as it's just about full dark. Location is N 36 degrees 39.407' W 81 degrees 44.338'.

This trail on a loaded bike is the real deal... lol.

Nighty night. :)

Did the loaded bike on the last trip, there has to be a better way. My buddy says derisively it is credit card camping in hotels. Seems to be the way, ride light, sleep well! Despite what the GS folks say, lighter is always, always better!

No camping gear does make the riding easier and lord knows I'm not opposed to breaking out the credit card for a room if one is handy.

But having the gear to camp means you dont have to worry about getting somewhere. With out camping gear I'd be in a motel in Damascus rather than sitting here on a nice wooded ridge top chilling in the great outdoors. Cant wait to fire up the stove in the morning, drink a cup of coffee, enjoy light coming to the world around me and be on the trail the moment my leg crosses over the saddle. That's what makes it an adventure ride versus just a hard day of riding. :)

Btw. I'd post pics but I have been getting an error right after the upload completes all day. Maybe I have exceeded my quota?

Brrr... getting chilly now that the sweat has dried off. Time to throw on a heavy shirt. 66 degrees right now, in November! Lol.

Ah! Got photo uploads working again. Modern technology!

Cherohola


Admiring a trio of GSs at the start of 129 (the tail of the dragon)


Up on 129 just before getting to the turn off on Happy Valley. The place was a zoo. Chased some Tards for s bit. Video of that and IMT later.


Start of the Iron Mountain Trail from Damascus side.


Lots of roots. Usually hiding under the leaves.


Ran until it got dark. My balance at night is sketchy. Stopped shortly after sunset for the night. Parked right on the trail but I seriously doubt I'll see anyone coming thru.

There is something to camping! But, cold is no fun either.

Here's to last day on the trail! I'll pack up and head for home here shortly. With a bit of luck I'll be sitting on my porch when the sun goes down.

Thanks for sharing your travels with us! Well done!!

I'm out and back on pavement. North half of the Iron Mountain Trail was all flowy single track, though at times running side hill with very steep drop off.

The bike lodged one last complaint as I was airing up the tires at the start of pavement. I had been eying the voltage output with suspicion on the trail last night. It's not charging at low revs. Might be regulator or it might be battery. Anyway the voltage dropped enough while airing up the tires with the bike running to trip the protection circuit on the anti-gravity restart battery and killed power.

Unloaded the bike, hit the restart button and it started up. Took off for a spin up and down the road I was on until it hit 13.4 volts and reloaded the bike. In town now filling the bike up with gas and the tires with air.

I think the bike is telling me it wants to go home.

happy to see you made it home with the great RR you shared with us.

congrats!

Getting caught up, nice, you are far in on IMT so it must have gone well. Edit- Big CONGRATS on completing the IMT on a loaded big bike, that's some serious skilled riding!

Back in the garage. A good wash for both me and the bike is needed. Me first though!


Original trip plan was for between 6-7 thousand miles. I overshot that by a couple thousand.

You put some miles on that bike. Enjoyed following along

Thanks for a great report and glad everything worked out. So, in the end, how did you like the Moskos?