Ok - the trip's been over for 10 days now, but I'm still getting to pictures and videos.

Here's a simple shot  from the Blue Ridge Parkway of me, Dizz, and two candidates for the American Stig

Some super-fun signage from the Blue Ridge Parkway.  I cannot understate how wonderful this road truly is.




These were just too awesome to NOT photograph!





This last one seems like an instruction, rather than a caution - wink, wink...nudge, nudge

Ah, the Dragon...



Words cannot express the dullness.  As it may have been mentioned already, the Tail of the Dragon is great road, but heavily marketed, heavily ridden and HEAVILY policed.  On KILLBOY.com, the dude actually caught a picture of goldenchild resting his left arm on the tank, and just one handing it through the Dragon.  Since it is a road that need to be ridden at speed limit, it probably is a true challenge for big dressers and cruisers.  Thus - it's a Harley destination above all else.

So at the top of the Dragon is a lookout point that serves as the "official turnaround" of the road.  We chilled here for a bit.



So then I tried to race ahead and get a picture of the guys in action.  I find a PERFECT spot after KILLBOY's setup on a super-tight switchback.  I then find a super-perfect spot to take the shot, but something else decided they wanted the spot, too. 

Namely, a juvenile eastern black snake...



Unfortunatley, the guys were following a cop at 22mph, so the shot is crap.

That's enough of the Dragon.  Been there, done that, got t-shirts for me and my sons.

How to blend in in Appalachia...

One of the hobbies I haven't had time for since I moved back into the city is fly fishing.  I got into the sport even before I got married, so that gives you an idea of how long I've been doing this.

I'm totally into catch and release, preserving trout habitats and seeking out wild trout, and seeing this joint just broke my heart.  It is LITERALLY like shooting fish in a barrel.

This is a little funny...


This is NOT funny, or cool.


Yes, rainbow trout in a "pond" not much more than 18 inches deep.


...and they are so hungry they are jumping like mad for anything that resembles food.  I'm posting this 1 shot, but rest assured, I have 2 dozen other pictures where I was waiting to catch an impression of a fish out of water.  I finally got it.


OK - rant over.

Sorry Dizzle, but I need to post this.

This is heartbreaking and heartwarming simultaneously.  Dizzle's bike a mess, but Dizzle is just fine!!!

I hope everyone can get an idea of the CLIFF that was just beyond the guardrail.



OK - where's that Family Guy clip I posted?  BaRUMP, a-duh-duh-duh...

Seriously, though, he was a really nice guy, and a town councilman from the next town.  Everyone in this town was bored, and when they got the call of a motorcycle accident on this mountain - EVERYONE showed up.  Two cops, ambulance, rescue squad (the councilman came with the rescue squad) and the wrecker.

Cru Jones has his business card



Just a bit of advice - take signs like this SERIOUSLY!!!

Quote from: tommys67 on September 28, 2008, 05:55:56 PM

Just a bit of advice - take signs like this SERIOUSLY!!!

I heard , i dont know how true it is, but they measure those limits using a truck with water in it and depending on if the water stays level thats how they decide the speed the turn can be taken at.  I usually like to double that sign, of course this is on Long Island roads, but those crazy ones with elevation changes out in the middle of nowhere are a whole other story.

It took forever, but here's another video of yet another really sweet road.

This is the northern bit of Route 70 in Tennessee.  Can we say switchback city?

The original audio was awful.  The replacement song is by Nine Inch Nails.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG3b_oKojcI

Quote from: GLantern on September 28, 2008, 09:05:08 PM
I heard , i dont know how true it is, but they measure those limits using a truck with water in it and depending on if the water stays level thats how they decide the speed the turn can be taken at.  I usually like to double that sign, of course this is on Long Island roads, but those crazy ones with elevation changes out in the middle of nowhere are a whole other story.

I don't know how they measure them, but my rule of thumb is when they read >15mph you can double them.  BUT when they read 15 or below, heed their warning. 

Word to the video above! Route 70 was a lot of fun, despite the relaxed pace... I touched a knee down for the first time on that road. And then I did it again, a minute later!

Dammit, I miss my bike...

Thanks Tommy! That road was pretty fun & I wish we had a road close to that quality remotely close to NYC. 

Quote from: tommys67 on September 28, 2008, 05:03:24 PM
and two candidates for the American Stig

I have to admit, I really had a ton o'fun! Who woulda thought that something with a GIANT max output of 6hp would bring me such pleasure! Once I learned the track I didn't fair too bad. Cru on the other hand... he's faster than a pint of Ben & Jerry's through Tommy's stomach!

Quote from: IndustrialGrrrl on September 29, 2008, 06:05:14 AM
I don't know how they measure them, but my rule of thumb is when they read >15mph you can double them.  BUT when they read 15 or below, heed their warning. 

I have a similar rule... when they say 15mph, you know you're good anywhere from 2x to 3x, most of the time up to 4x. When they say 15mph or below, you can still usually be at least 2x to 3x. However, if you're in PA, WV, and some parts of VA, you better heed the signs cause they speak the truth!

Quote from: goldenchild on September 29, 2008, 09:51:13 AM
Cru on the other hand... he's faster than a pint of Ben & Jerry's through Tommy's stomach!

That's just not right...

...damned lactose intolerance...

Quote from: GotDuc on September 27, 2008, 06:30:41 PM
Tommy:

Sweet pictures.

I will have to make a ride sooner or later. I would love ot get a shot of me going around a turn. And we all know that you shoot some sweet pictures!

Plus then I can wear my shirt.

Jim

Since I'm bikeless for a while, I'd be happy to drive out to some spots on a few rides these next few months to act as the group photographer.  I'm not available every weekend, but with enough notice, I'd be happy to help!