TRTEAR III... the route from 2002
Here is the route for TRTEAR III.... whatta great time!
TRTEAR III
Dates: May 3-6, 2002
The Route:
Friday, May 3 Depart TWO for Stations Inn - Laurel Springs, NC.
Take Wolfpen Gap Road to Richard B. Russell then 356 to 197. Follow 197 to US 76 into Clayton, GA. From there we take War Woman Road to HWY 28 into Highlands, NC. Head east on US 64 to HWY 215 where we run north to the BRP. From there we’ll run the Parkway north all the way to HWY 18 and Stations Inn.
Total Miles - 312
Saturday, May 4 Depart and Return to Stations Inn
(Thanks to Randy Foster for this run) We depart Stations Inn heading north on HWY 18, then continue north on 113 into VA and to US 58. Stay on 58 west to Damascus, VA where we head north on SR 80 into Smithfield, VA. From Smithfield we take US 19 north to Pounding Mill, VA and pick up various SR heading northeast leading to SR 16. Head southeast on SR16 back to 113 then SR16 to Stations Inn.
Total Miles – 197
Sunday, May 5 Depart Stations Inn to (Your Option – details below)
Depart Stations Inn on SR 16 to the BRP. Head south to US 221 at Linville Falls. Take 221 north to 194 west on over to 19E. Follow 19E north to Roan Mountain, TN. Then we go up and over Roan Mountain to SR197. Follow 197 north to the TN line where in becomes SR 395 and goes into Erwin, TN. From Erwin we take US 23 south to 19W south. This continues south to US19 for about 10 mile of boring two lane where we pick up 197 and head north to pick up Double Island Road (extreme twisties). Double Island heads back south and from there we’ll take HWY 80 south to the BRP.
This is where the options start. Some of you have expressed interest in spending a third night at the Stations Inn. If that is your choice, go for it heading north on the Parkway. The rest will head south on the BRP to Asheville. For those that want to continue sleeping indoors, there is an Econolodge on Tunnel Road that offers decent rooms at reasonable rates. If you want to camp, continue on the parkway to US 276. Head for Cruso and we’ll meet you in the morning.
Total miles – 301 (about the same if you opt for Stations In a third night)
Monday, May 6 Asheville to TWO (more options)
Depart Asheville/Cruso via US 276 to SR 215 heading south to Rosman, NC and US 64 west (oh no not again). Just to add a little interest, we can take 281 north to 107 south back to US 64 west into Highlands. From Highlands, we’ll run 28 into Franklin where some options rear their ugly head. If you’ve had enough, you can run on down US 441 to Clyton and back to TWO. For the more adventurous we’ll take Wayah Road from Franklin to US 19 and one final option. You take 19 north to 28 and take a wonderful run back to Franklin and the aforementioned 441 back to Clayton. If you are a glutton for punishment, we’ll continue on 19 south to 129 through Robbinsville and on for a pass through the Gap. Then we’ll take 72 to 411 to 68 through Tellico Plains and continue south back to TWO.
Total miles – 310 if you make the entire run.
That’s it in a nutshell. I have tried to avoid as many 4 lane roads as possible. If this doesn’t satisfy you cravin’ for carvin’ (for at least a couple weeks) you are insatiable.
I still need to scout out fuel stops, but plan on making them at 100 mile intervals to accommodate our more fuel thirsty bretheren. I could use some help with the items listed below, but I’ve used up too much paper, ink cartridges and toner to make changes to the route. As soon as I get a count on the number of riders, I will make sure everyone gets a book of maps so everyone will be able to tell where they are during the ride.
And.... Here is ILean's commentary on the ride. This memory is particularly sentimental with a section of the ride shared in a ZONE with the departed Jeff Liebensberger (Gramps)
From Henry.....
While I have a break in the action I wanted to post just a few reflections of
a fine Floribama Riders ride to the mountains. Those who couldn't come
missed a good one again. For those non-members, this is an annual 4-day ride
for my motorcycle club where we tear up the roads in No. GA, NC, TN, and VA.
There were around 35 of us.
Most arrived at TWO campgrounds Thurs night to torrential rains, lightning
and some hail to boot. Outlook was bleak for Fri. Fri. morn we took off in
2 groups (fast and faster) for a 320 mile shortened version of the original
route. We were in a light to medium rain for the first 2 - 3 hours but then
it became overcast. The pace was sedate through the twisty roads leading up
to the Blue Ridge Parkway where we encountered lots of wind and fog. The
roads were damp most of the way into the Stations Inn in Laurel Springs, NC.
The place was fine and it's a motorcycle hang out on the weekends so the
catered well to our needs.
Sat. dawned rainy and cold (41 deg F) so other than a few hearty souls most
only rode to breakfast and back and hung around napping in the motel rooms.
Sat.'s dinner was a BBQ feast put on by the owners just for us.
Sun. our perseverance was rewarded with sunny, cloudless skies and temps in
the high 60's/low 70's! After a sumptuous breakfast Bob, Lane and I escorted
Peppermint Patty and Skippy on a 150 mile "loop" since they did not get much
riding in due to rain and trailering. We took a leisurly pace, stopping for
photo ops, etc. Lane & I had a good sprint through the hills and dales on
twisty roads while Safety stayed with them. It was fun! We met back up at
Stations and the 3 of us had a fine ride as we headed to Ashville, NC.
Plenty of scenery (although it all went by pretty fast) and twisty roads.
That night most of our group stayed at the Econo Lodge. We watch the Sears
Point races on Speed channel and just hung around chillin'. Some of us went
to see the late showing of the Spiderman movie (highly recommended).
Mon. it was time to head back to TWO. The group took off about an hour late
to meet up with those camping at the Blue Ridge Campground. Brunswick had
electrical problems with his TL and some stayed back to help but never got
her going I guess. At the campground we broke into 2 groups essentially.
Some had already taken off for a more direct and rapid trip back home. Some
were trailering and had also left already. The faster group, headed by Stu
took off to play on Cherahala (sp), Deals Gap, and other twisties to the NW.
The less fast group took a more direct route back. Headed down the mountain
from Blue Ridge Pkwy, on Hwy 215 we had our only mishap; Kim crashed her
Kawasaki 500 in a left-hander. After we made sure she and the bike were
okay, we took off again but this put us back about an hour. The rest of the
ride back was mellow. Once we reached 129 Big Daddy and I took off and at
the 180 intersection Greg suggested we do the Cooler Run, about a 35 mile
loop from the TWO campgrounds. We took off with Greg leading up Blood
Mountain at a "spirited" pace. We started closing on a 535I BMW that looked
set up for street racing with real competition low-profile tires. Well, the
guy and his son decided to play with us and he took off and we followed about
40-50 yds off his bumper. Up the mountain we got into tripple digits on the
straights and pretty fast on the turns. The guy was doing full-on four wheel
drifts around the corners sometimes crossing the double yellow. Greg and I
couldn't communicate but it turned out we were thinking the same thing..."hey
this is fun, let's see how fast we can push this guy!" Greg continued to
lead down the other side. He was fully loaded with gear and I knew I could
push the guy a little harder so at an appropriate spot I passed him and got
up around 20-30 yds off the Beemer's bumper and continued the fun. I knew I
didn't want to pass the guy for fear he might ram me once I got in front so I
just stayed on his bumper and continued to push. The smell of his
overheating brakes and brake dust coming out from underneath was awesome. To
his credit he was a good driver and negotiated even more wicked 4-wheel
drifts pretty good. Every once in a while he would drift over the double
yellow but there was not much incoming traffic. A little crazy but it all
worked out fine and it was tons of fun! Eventually Jeff Stone caught up to
us and joined us for continuing the loop. (Gramps you're riding great in
your old age.) Greg's and my Ducs behaved flawlessly. I guess Sophia and
ILean really like playing together. We made it back to TWO in one piece.
Safety and I loaded up and headed back to the 'ham arriving around 11:30pm.
I was dead tired and he had to drive the last hour or so home.
I want to thank all the FBRs that went on this great trip. Also big thanks
to Rick Acree and Randy Foster for their great planning and routing. Also
for the fine ride leaders and sweepers along the way. And specially for
Sabrina taking the van and trailer to haul our stuff. Without her doing that
I would have had to take my beastly heavy CBR and that wouldn't have been as
fun as my torture rack 996.
Also a big thanks to Lloyd for selflessly going to get Mark and Calhoun's
Vision. Two separate trips! Till next ride.
I LEAN
a fine Floribama Riders ride to the mountains. Those who couldn't come
missed a good one again. For those non-members, this is an annual 4-day ride
for my motorcycle club where we tear up the roads in No. GA, NC, TN, and VA.
There were around 35 of us.
Most arrived at TWO campgrounds Thurs night to torrential rains, lightning
and some hail to boot. Outlook was bleak for Fri. Fri. morn we took off in
2 groups (fast and faster) for a 320 mile shortened version of the original
route. We were in a light to medium rain for the first 2 - 3 hours but then
it became overcast. The pace was sedate through the twisty roads leading up
to the Blue Ridge Parkway where we encountered lots of wind and fog. The
roads were damp most of the way into the Stations Inn in Laurel Springs, NC.
The place was fine and it's a motorcycle hang out on the weekends so the
catered well to our needs.
Sat. dawned rainy and cold (41 deg F) so other than a few hearty souls most
only rode to breakfast and back and hung around napping in the motel rooms.
Sat.'s dinner was a BBQ feast put on by the owners just for us.
Sun. our perseverance was rewarded with sunny, cloudless skies and temps in
the high 60's/low 70's! After a sumptuous breakfast Bob, Lane and I escorted
Peppermint Patty and Skippy on a 150 mile "loop" since they did not get much
riding in due to rain and trailering. We took a leisurly pace, stopping for
photo ops, etc. Lane & I had a good sprint through the hills and dales on
twisty roads while Safety stayed with them. It was fun! We met back up at
Stations and the 3 of us had a fine ride as we headed to Ashville, NC.
Plenty of scenery (although it all went by pretty fast) and twisty roads.
That night most of our group stayed at the Econo Lodge. We watch the Sears
Point races on Speed channel and just hung around chillin'. Some of us went
to see the late showing of the Spiderman movie (highly recommended).
Mon. it was time to head back to TWO. The group took off about an hour late
to meet up with those camping at the Blue Ridge Campground. Brunswick had
electrical problems with his TL and some stayed back to help but never got
her going I guess. At the campground we broke into 2 groups essentially.
Some had already taken off for a more direct and rapid trip back home. Some
were trailering and had also left already. The faster group, headed by Stu
took off to play on Cherahala (sp), Deals Gap, and other twisties to the NW.
The less fast group took a more direct route back. Headed down the mountain
from Blue Ridge Pkwy, on Hwy 215 we had our only mishap; Kim crashed her
Kawasaki 500 in a left-hander. After we made sure she and the bike were
okay, we took off again but this put us back about an hour. The rest of the
ride back was mellow. Once we reached 129 Big Daddy and I took off and at
the 180 intersection Greg suggested we do the Cooler Run, about a 35 mile
loop from the TWO campgrounds. We took off with Greg leading up Blood
Mountain at a "spirited" pace. We started closing on a 535I BMW that looked
set up for street racing with real competition low-profile tires. Well, the
guy and his son decided to play with us and he took off and we followed about
40-50 yds off his bumper. Up the mountain we got into tripple digits on the
straights and pretty fast on the turns. The guy was doing full-on four wheel
drifts around the corners sometimes crossing the double yellow. Greg and I
couldn't communicate but it turned out we were thinking the same thing..."hey
this is fun, let's see how fast we can push this guy!" Greg continued to
lead down the other side. He was fully loaded with gear and I knew I could
push the guy a little harder so at an appropriate spot I passed him and got
up around 20-30 yds off the Beemer's bumper and continued the fun. I knew I
didn't want to pass the guy for fear he might ram me once I got in front so I
just stayed on his bumper and continued to push. The smell of his
overheating brakes and brake dust coming out from underneath was awesome. To
his credit he was a good driver and negotiated even more wicked 4-wheel
drifts pretty good. Every once in a while he would drift over the double
yellow but there was not much incoming traffic. A little crazy but it all
worked out fine and it was tons of fun! Eventually Jeff Stone caught up to
us and joined us for continuing the loop. (Gramps you're riding great in
your old age.) Greg's and my Ducs behaved flawlessly. I guess Sophia and
ILean really like playing together. We made it back to TWO in one piece.
Safety and I loaded up and headed back to the 'ham arriving around 11:30pm.
I was dead tired and he had to drive the last hour or so home.
I want to thank all the FBRs that went on this great trip. Also big thanks
to Rick Acree and Randy Foster for their great planning and routing. Also
for the fine ride leaders and sweepers along the way. And specially for
Sabrina taking the van and trailer to haul our stuff. Without her doing that
I would have had to take my beastly heavy CBR and that wouldn't have been as
fun as my torture rack 996.
Also a big thanks to Lloyd for selflessly going to get Mark and Calhoun's
Vision. Two separate trips! Till next ride.
I LEAN
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