Scott

Today was supposed to be another rainy day so I wasn't planning on doing anything except go to the library to pick up some audio books for the drive down to Florida for Thanksgiving. Surprisingly the weatherman was wrong and it was a gorgeous sunny day so I took the bike instead.

Next to the library is the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame - it's a failed tourist attraction that was bought by the city when it failed as a private business. Admission is now free with a request for a donation, so I decided to stop by today and look at the cars.

NASCAR got its start in the area I live, with moonshiners souping up their cars to outrun the police way back during prohibition - they'd get together on Saturday nights to show off their customizations and stock car racing was born.

Bill Elliott who is apparently big in the NASCAR thing is from Dawsonville, so that's another tie to having this museum in town.

Anyways, some pics. Full Gallery




Bill Elliott's car he drove when he qualified for the first Winston Cup - a 1976 Ford Grand Torino:



( More after the cut )

So we've had a lot of rain here in the Atlanta region over the last two weeks (you may have seen the flood photos/video on CNN) and it at last stopped raining on Sunday. I'd messed my arm up again (well neck really) so couldn't go out for a ride on Sunday despite the gorgeous mid-70 degree weather. Yesterday still wsan't able to move arm too well but felt fine this morning.

Of course the fall weather decided it was time to show up today as well. It was 48 when I walked out of my apartment this morning (had the porch door open all night, Molly loves going out on the porch).

I put my fleece hoodie on under my mesh armoured jacket, then set off to work the long way - took some back roads that made for a 34 mile ride instead of a 26 mile highway backed up ride. I should have worn the rain liner with the mesh jacket to cut out the wind a bit more, but still not overly cold. Highlight of the ride was when I rode over the one small creek/pond and saw the mist sitting on top of the water. Low bits were the backed up four way stop (impossible to get any kind of rhythm for the stop & go) and riding directly into the sun on a busy road.

Still it was overall a very nice ride in.

Now I need more hot coffee to get the shivers out.

Motorcycle Ride - about 140 miles

Went to State Historic Site over in Cartersville yesterday.

Full Gallery




( Some more )

Sunday we headed over throught Smoky Mountain National Park and down the Blue Ridge Parkway to Maggie Valley, NC for a visit to the Wheels Through Time Museum - 53 bikes set out and we all kept together pretty well for the entire 75 mile ride.

After lunch, it was over to the museum - this place is just plain incredible - the number and variety of vehicles on display is pretty amazing as is the size of the place.   Really fantastic folks at the museum as well.

Here's a few of my shots (not my best work but should give you an idea of the place) - full gallery is here



We took up a fair amount of the parking lot:


( more bike photos )

Here's a few I got on the trip up on Saturday and then down to Millie Valley on Sunday.   i've got a bunch from the Wheels Through Time museum I haven't edited yet.

Full Gallery is here











Lined up ready to ride


On top of the Smokies:







On the way up Saturday:
Doug can't believe it, Pancakes and Steak!



This is what we came for:


One of the infamous tunnels on the TN side.  Oh how I loathe these.



black as pitch inside (with sunglasses off)


Blinded by the light

So I'm driving down GA 400 (4 lane expressway) this morning and it's relatively non busy for a change. It's a bit cool out but still nice riding weather. I'm doing about 80mph when I start reflecting on how insane it is to ride a motorcycle at all, let alone at higher speeds. I mean, there's nothing between my body and the ground and any objects that might hit me.

Then I grinned and gunned the throttle.