Thursday 12 and Friday 13th Sep 2013 Clarksville
to Forrest City
It was another scorching hot day, so I decided I would find
a motel early in the afternoon. The first one was a bit run down and I had
about 7 others to choose, however they were all stupidly priced! I was about to
eat humble pie and go back to the first motel when I went to a Super 8 and got
a good deal on 2 nights. The reason I didn’t want to ride on Friday because it
was the 13th, I am not superstitious but it was a good excuse to
just chill!
Saturday 14th Sep 2013 Forrest City to Lebanon
State Park
The temperature had dropped and it was lovely to ride in
cool weather, in fact it got so cool I ended up putting on my fleece top, the
first time in many weeks since I last wore it.
I headed for the state park or city camping as my good friend Tom calls it. However I all the pitches were taken. I was lucky to spot a guy called Tommy with a motorbike and asked if I could share his pitch. We spent the night chatting about riding bikes and travelling.
I headed for the state park or city camping as my good friend Tom calls it. However I all the pitches were taken. I was lucky to spot a guy called Tommy with a motorbike and asked if I could share his pitch. We spent the night chatting about riding bikes and travelling.
Tommy and his cooking set up ! |
Sunday 15th Sep 2013 Lebanon State Park to
Maryville
Lovely days ride, weather was nice and cool and I just
enjoyed the views as I rode towards Maryville, I had decided to spend the night
there in preparation for “Riding the Dragon” a famous road.
Again I struggled to find a decent motel and once again the light was fading so I settled for a rundown motel. It was filthy! And I struggled to get a decent sleep.
Again I struggled to find a decent motel and once again the light was fading so I settled for a rundown motel. It was filthy! And I struggled to get a decent sleep.
Monday 16th Sep 2013 Maryville to Maryville !
Well I got up and headed for the “Tail of the Dragon” road
at Deals Gap. To be honest this road is really hyped up but I struggled to find
why people think it’s so good? When I finished the 11 miles and 318 curves I
thought, what's the big deal? To be honest I think the “Beartooth pass” was way
better!
So just to make sure I didn’t miss anything I decided to
ride it in reverse, hence ending back up in Maryville but at a nicer cleaner
motel.
Posing with the Dragon :-) |
Tuesday 17th Sep 2013 Maryville to Hendersonville
North Carolina
Well after a really good sleep, in fact I slept till almost
9 and nearly missed the breakfast! I set off once more to do the Dragon, this
time with a bit more pace. It was enjoyable but then I took 28 South and that
just blew me away. A speed limit of 55, I was able to really get some decent
riding in. It was also twisty and the trees are just starting to shred their
leaves so it was a spectacular ride.
Found a decent motel as it looked like it was going to rain,
anyway I got the price down from $75 to $48 all because I had a coupon for
another motel (which had no smoking rooms available) however the lady on the desk
honoured it. I am just thinking about booking another night here and chilling
as my shoulder problem has not gone away (I think I am just becoming used to
it!).
Wednesday 18th Sep 2013 Hendersonville North
Carolina
Managed to get another good deal on this motel so decided to
stop for another night and just chill for the day. Had a short ride around town
and a look at the mall, then remembered I don’t have any room on the bike to
buy anything!
Thursday 19th and Friday 20th Sep 2013
Hendersonville to Charleston South Carolina
Again with the motel coupon book I managed to get a great
deal on a room for 2 nights as I intended to visit the naval museum. I was
lucky at the museum as they car park guy let me in for free, saving me $5 and
the museum gave me a military discount. I have to say, this was one of the most
interesting places I have been. I spent hours just wandering around looking at
all the exhibits on display.
My last 49th State of the USA :-) |
Saturday 21st Sep 2013 Charleston to Lake City
Florida
Well this was the day that I rode through my 49th
state... Georgia. As I stopped to take a picture at the state line I realised
that this trip had taken almost 21,000 miles and 4 months to complete and what
a journey it had been!
I rode quickly through Georgia as the weather was starting
to look a bit stormy and ended up in Lake City, where I had stayed last year.
When Doug came to the rescue with a second hand rear tyre as mine had lost a
huge chunk out of it!
Sunday 22nd Sep 2013 Lake City to Punta Gorda
Well I awoke to big black storm clouds but it was really hot
so I put off wearing my waterproofs until I found myself on the hard shoulder
putting them on before hitting a torrential rain storm, complete with lots of
thunder and lightning.
I was lucky and south of Tampa the weather started to clear for my final leg back to Doug’s house in Punta Gorda, where I am currently putting up my feet and resting J
I was lucky and south of Tampa the weather started to clear for my final leg back to Doug’s house in Punta Gorda, where I am currently putting up my feet and resting J