From OH to TN in one day... pat0021 and Nomadinator in MY backyard!

[flrbrddrggr]

It was a long day for Pat (pat0021) and Alan (Nomadinator) who left their homes in Ohio at about 6 AM for a twisty ride through West Virginia and
Virginia to get to my "backyard".

We met in Damascus, VA at abut 7 PM and they weren't ready to stop riding yet! (OK, maybe a little sore by then.)

Here's our bikes at the 'In the Country' country store and restaurant on Hwy 58 in Damascus. Alan's gorgeous Nomad (with mucho mods) is in
the front, then my mostly stock 900 Classic, with Pat's beautifully painted and modded 900 LT bringing up the rear. Note the big freakin'
cup holder on the Nomad. LOL!


We left Damascus and rode up 133 into Tennessee through Cherokee National Forest and Backbone Rock.


Here's a photo of the guys with their bikes at Backbone Rock... Alan in front, Pat, and then me in the back.


We continued up to Shady Valley where the 'touristas' bought some t-shirts. Then, on to "The Snake" (Hwy 421) up to Mountain City.

When done in Mountain City we rode "The Snake" back through Shady Valley and into Bristol. After a great dinner I finally delivered the guys to
their hotel in Bristol, VA at about 11 PM... nearly 16 hours on a bike for those guys and about 3 for me.

I'll post some more pictures throughout the day today as work allows. But, Pat said that Alan took more than 500 pictures of their travel down
before they even got to me, so I expect to see some pictures from those guys, as well.

All in all, a GREAT day of riding with some great riders!

-Dwain

[cmptrmn.1]

Very cool. It is great to meet people on this forum. Must have been a great ride.

[flrbrddrggr]

Very cool. It is great to meet people on this forum. Must have been a great ride.

The coolest part for me (since I ride those roads usually at least once per week) was getting to meet these two great guys whose posts I have read on this forum many times.

And, of course, it was a rush hearing Alan's floorboards dragging the pavement behind me as we leaned into the curves on the snake.

Anybody that wants to come down (or up, as the case may be) and would like a 'tour guide'... just send me a PM. If I'm in town, I'm up for a ride!

-Dwain

[flrbrddrggr]

The Country Store pictured below is at the intersection of 133 and 421. On the weekend it is not unusual to find 100+ bikes parked here.

Here's a photo of the guys before they spent their hard-earned cash on souvenirs. That may explain why they are still smiling.

[ecave]

Keep posting those pics...I was in those exact spots about three weeks ago.

Here is my pic from Shady Valley...

[flrbrddrggr]

Keep posting those pics...I was in those exact spots about three weeks ago.

Here is my pic from Shady Valley...

And you didn't ask me to go ride with you? Shame!

I have a few more pictures but I can't wait to see the ones that Alan took.

[ecave]

LOL...Sorry about that. I was with the other guys and since I am a noobie, I considered myself to be tagging along...LOL

I have only met one other rider from this forum, but hopefully he won't be the last.
We stayed in West Jefferson,NC and rode out from there. I can't tell you exactly everywhere we rode but we were definately in all those places in your pics. I hope I get the chance to go back soon.

Ride safe.

[c_law23]

Holy smokes! Don't forget to mention they are from Northern Ohio. Quite a ride! Looks like a great time guys!

[flrbrddrggr]

At the southern end of our ride in Mountain City, TN we stopped and spent a few minutes at the war memorial.


We were obviously losing the light and needed to make the ride back from Mountain City through Shady Valley and on into Bristol so we
loaded up and high-tailed it.


When we made it out of the twisties we stopped at South Holston Lake just before the 421 bridge to regroup and talk about dinner.


Those are all the photos that I have. It was a great evening ride for me and a very tiring all-day ride for the others, I am sure.

I can't wait to see their photos.

-Dwain

[OhSteelerfan]

And you didn't ask me to go ride with you? Shame!

I have a few more pictures but I can't wait to see the ones that Alan took.

I think Alan only sees the road through the lens of his camera. The one ride I did with him and Mike around Hocking Hills he took about 500 pictures. I'm not sure his left hand ever touches the handlebar.

Flrbrddrggr nice pictures by the way. How close to Deals Gap are you? I've been there the last two years and planning again next year ... if your close maybe we could hook up for a ride.

[Rsmith]

Man that looks like a great ride. Fantastic scenery, and some great pics, but I don't think I could do that many hours in the saddle and still walk the next day, let along ride.

I'd love to be able to do that ride sometime but maybe not all in one day.

[Nomadinator]

Hey guys!

The big green heap got me back home without incident. Kind of out did myself... Took over 900 pics..

My total was 1088 miles door to door, with about half that twisties...

Going to take a bit to sort through them and get some transfered to photo bucket. lol

Dwain,

It was a pleasure to meet and ride with you mister! Had a fantastic time! Next time I head down to your neck of the woods I will give you a ring.

[pat0021]

Hey just got back home my self. It was 1125.5 miles for me door to door. Alan is faster but I ride longer. LOL I am whipped. But it was great! Dwain it was great to meet you and loved your sense of humor!

The roads out there were incredible! Smooth and more twisties than you can imagine. I just wish my skill level was up to Dwain and Alans. They blew me away. LOL But it was fun!

Dwain was an incredible host! Great guy. Any one in the area needs to look him up! Will post some pics in a bit. Got a few hundred to get off the camrea.

Oh and Alan. As always great to ride the roads with you!

[Nomadinator]

Sweet pics Dwain!!!

That one at the lake came out really nice!

I am still sorting... lol

[Nomadinator]

Hey just got back home my self. It was 1125.5 miles for me door to door. Alan is faster but I ride longer. LOL I am whipped. But it was great! Dwain it was great to meet you and loved your sense of humor!

The roads out there were incredible! Smooth and more twisties than you can imagine. I just wish my skill level was up to Dwain and Alans. They blew me away. LOL But it was fun!

Dwain was an incredible host! Great guy. Any one in the area needs to look him up! Will post some pics in a bit. Got a few hundred to get off the camrea.

Oh and Alan. As always great to ride the roads with you!

Had a blast myself Pat. Glad to have your company!

And you weren't doing bad at all.....

[pat0021]

I just left the house not a half mile ago


We just met up and are getting ready to go. About 7am


On the road now.


Leaving Ohio


Lunch at Gauley Bridge


Who know where we were. LOL


Some of the sites along they way.


My final GPS milage. Alan shows you how far from our last stop to my garage


My cool new tan lines!

[pat0021]

Had to add this shot of Alan. Turned out fairly well I thought.

[flrbrddrggr]

I think Alan only sees the road through the lens of his camera. The one ride I did with him and Mike around Hocking Hills he took about 500 pictures. I'm not sure his left hand ever touches the handlebar.

Nice pictures by the way. How close to Deals Gap are you? I've been there the last two years and planning again next year ... if your close maybe we could hook up for a ride.

Yeah, I had never seen anyone ride a MC with a camera around their neck. LOL

Thanks for the comments about the pictures.

I am a little over 2 hours away from the North Carolina end of the Dragon. Believe it or not, I have never ridden it. I would be glad to meet you down there if I'm in town when you plan to come down. Also, if you develop a desire to ride some new twisties, Alan will tell you that we got plenty of 'em up here in NE TN!

-Dwain

[pat0021]

Alan taking a pic of me taking a pic of him


Proof the biker wave still exists!

[Bama Biker]

Had to add this shot of Alan. Turned out fairly well I thought.

I'll say. How did you take the shot with your left hand?