Saturday Oh-Dark-Thirty
The Plan...again, was an early start. Pulled out of the hotel parking lot, came to the stop sign, let up on the throttle to brake and my throttle kept tacking at 30 miles per hour...yikes! I thought it might just be condensation, so we eased onto 75S, but when I let up to shift, the throttle kept revving ..not a good thing. It was only 630a, so the Tifton HD wouldn't be open, next HD was in Macon 100 miles up the road. Let's just say I didn't have to use cruise control.....the throttle stayed where I put it!
Got to the Macon HD about 20 min before their service department opened, once they were, they were very accommodating. While the techs made Bessie well again -clutch cable was loose too - we enjoyed a riveting conversation w Mr Grover, the owner. He is 'going on 95,' and has the distinction of being the Worlds Oldest HD dealer. He and Trig, his chocolate lab, hold court with all the customers in a comfy conversation pit of HD leather chairs accented with U.S. Flag pillows. Mr Grover unraveled a series of biker anecdotes that kept us fascinated for over an hour. He was literally best buds w THE Harley and THE Davidson! The dealership is festooned w giant vintage photos of him, his bikes, the woman ( yes, was a looker and a player!), and his sons HD Racing Team days. The business is now almost all family, and no one gets out the door without giving Trig a fair amount of attention. Best dealership I've visited across the country! Thanks Macon HD!
Quick call to the Realtor to let her know we were going to be late, and we headed to the dreaded Atlanta on 75. I keep thinking I should have listened to my inner diva and just stayed home after the four hour delay yesterday. But I ride in the spirit of the intrepid Bessie Stringfield; not only was she forced to SLEEP on her Harley in the Jim Crow south (she was a black woman) because she was refused service, she probably would have been able to fix her own stuck throttle!
I can't wait to get off the interstate....we take 76 east towards Blue Ridge. The terrain becomes gently rolling as we approach the foothills. We have road w our jackets on all day; low '60's when we started, when translates to cold for me. Met the realtor in Blue Ridge and within minutes I was grateful we opted not to follow her on our bikes! She juggled her phone w the directions, the printouts of the listings as she is trying to show me details, all while negotiating the twisty turny roads we came up here to ride! Yikes....then we she couldn't find the road, she just did a 360 in the middle of a double yellow top lane road! Somebody get me off this roller coaster!
Looked a four log cabins, none of which looked as good as their photos, learned way too much about the wood boring bees that plague log homes, and after we finished w the last, I couldn't wait to say goodbye....we departed with a sheaf of printed listings and promises to 'keep in touch!" Paul and I wanted to negotiate the twisty turny portion of the Gauntlet that leads to Dahlonega -before we ran out of daylight - where a nice comfy bed awaited....this diva would not be sleeping on her Harley.
I visited this area two years ago to ride the Gauntlet, and fell in love w the roads and the people. The Gauntlet itself is 133 miles of twisting turning asphalt w heart stopping switchbacks, challenging inclines, and brake gripping downhill runs...all among the sweet smelling Georgia pines. The few straightaways slice through beautiful bottom land with the fecund smell of earth freshly turned to the sun and new mown hay. Funky little biker outposts and down home restaurants dot the route offering rest, refreshment and comraderie.
Paul and I end the day with a walk around the historic town square and the best BBQ brisket at Smoking Gold's....and dessert at the local ice cream shop. No matter how the day started out, it has ended as it should.
Sunday morning
What a difference a day makes; bright and early we finish breakfast, load the bikes and head out to ride the Gauntlet. The air is damp and chilly w a heavy cloud cover. Two years ago when I came here to ride, I got to the top of Brasstown Bald and a freak storm blew in; I headed down the mountain in cold, rain, and fog. We mostly have the asphalt to ourselves all day. I love these roads...the concentration required to keep the shiny side up is exactly what I crave to put all the loose ends of me back in line.
Our plan was to complete the Gauntlet on the west side of the loop then head south towards home. Spent some time in Hiawasee on the very north part of the loop only 12 miles from NC. We came to the conclusion that we like this area the best. And that was the primary goal of the trip...agree on an area where we would buy. Mission accomplished!
Headed south where we would ride more of the awesome Georgia back roads until the terrain gets flat again. 129/441 south is a great road ....the very north end of 129 in Tennessee is the infamous Tail of the Dragon. Stopped at Talleaulah Falls -where the Great Wallendah traversed the Gorge in 1970, passed the 'Goats on the Roof,' tourist Mecca....and yes, there really are goats on the roof! We decided to run all the way to Tifton before we stopped, but given the roads and the scenery, it was all good. Got settled into the hotel in time to pick up on the Coca Cola 600 at lap 133.... But as I finish this blog post, Paul is already asleep and I'm not far behind. Just over 1000 miles since noon Friday...life is good.
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