Endless Motorcycle Roads Down South
The South has endless curvy roads.
We just got back from a five state trip (Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama) and I’m left with two big thoughts on motorcycle riding down there.
1. It doesn’t matter where you go, at least in the hilly parts of the state every road in every direction is curvy, up and down, and through endless greenery and beauty.
2. When all you see is trees on both sides of the road, trees towering above you so you can’t see anything else, it doesn’t take long for one curvy stretch of road to look exactly like every other one, as if you were going in a circle all day.
Really, as long as you stay off the big highways, it doesn’t seem to matter where you go, the good riding is everywhere. If there are hills–which there are plenty of up in the northern areas where these five states all cluster together–the riding is good. But even when you know you’re going up a steep hill and there ought to be a terrific view out over the valley, you almost never get to see that view because of the trees.
Judy and I noticed this a long time ago. We were in South Carolina visiting my mother and when we got back to Colorado we were both overjoyed to see the sky again. Back there, all you see of the sky is that narrow strip overhead between the trees on both sides of the road. And those trees are tall.
We cruised along the Blue Ridge Parkway a short distance and at least there they have deliberately managed the forest to allow for some views. But when we went up to the top of Clingman’s Dome, the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you could see a long way but one tree-covered hill looks a whole lot like every other tree-covered hill. It was nothing at all like the kind of views we’re accustomed to out here in the west.
We did get one tip, however, that you might want to remember if you’re planning a trip down that way. We were at Little River Canyon National Preserve and all we could see of this deep gorge was trees. We almost couldn’t even see the water. But the park brochure explained that winter was a good time to visit because with the leaves gone you can see the rocks. And the fall is good because you get riotous fall colors and, when at least some of the leaves have fallen, you can also see some of the rocks.
So time your trip for the fall. I’m betting it’s pretty spectacular about that time. And with so many roads to choose from, if you pick an out-of-the-way one, you won’t have to share it with 10,000 other motorists.
Biker Quote for Today
Killing bugs is a full-time job.
