(Google maps)
Total: 2600 miles
Breakdowns: 0
Tickets: 0
Fun: a lot!
Rain: 7 riding hours
Cold: a lot of times
Hot: Almost never
Sunday - May 13, 2007
Road to Smoky Mountains
Hwy 77->US 23S
->HWY 81W->US 66S->US 441S->US 321
->Little River Rd.->Laurel Creek Rd.->Cades Cove Camping
Stopped every 120 miles to get gas, sometimes more often (if there was a need ; ) ),
overall didn't feel tired at all. With all the stops got there in about 10 hours or so.
Since there is no phone coverage in Cades Cove, I had to ride down to the city,
but accidentally went into Cades Cove scenic loop - one of the worst experiences:
Everybody drives 5 mph, almost nobody let's you pass,
engine constantly overheating and impossible to get out of the loop
(Some pic from scenic loop - enlarge)
(My first camp - enlarge)
Monday - May 14, 2007
First Ascent
Thunderhead Mtn.
Anthony Creek Trail->Bote Mountain Tr->Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Tr->Russell Field Tr.->Anthony Creek Tr.
~15 Miles
3562ft. climb
http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/219406/thunderhead-mountain.html
The mountain was interesting, but not the kind that I like -
- I like higher and less green mountains with much better views
But at least I had cell coverage on the mountain,
so called some of my friends in Russia and relaxed on it for an hour
Then drove over to Foothills Parkway and slept at the camp on the top of it,
constantly hearing motorcycle roaring the parkway ; )
Sleep at Look Rock Camp
(View from the mountain - enlarge)
(Some scenic view of Foothills Parkway - enlarge)
Tuesday - May 15, 2007
Baldy
Gregory Bald
Twenty Mile Ranger Station off Hwy 28
Twentymile Trail->Long Hungry Ridge->Gregory Bald Tr.
Gregory Bald Tr.->Parson Bald->Wolf Ridge Tr
~15 Miles
3000ft. climb
One of the most beautiful mountains in Smokey Mountains, great views,
great field on the top! Too much flies though ; )
On the way to the trail-head rode one of the most enjoyable roads - Rt. 129:
Turn after turn, no time to relax at all - need to learn to take curves better
http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/151958/gregory-bald.html
Drive Hwy 28->US 19->Newfound Gap Rd.
Sleep at Smokemont Camp
(On the way to Gregory Bald - enlarge)
(View from the Gregory Bald - enlarge)
Wednesday - May 16, 2007
Crowded Bald
Mt. Andrews
Today I was considering a hike to Mount Andrews,
when woke up the weather was ok, nothing great, but nothing bad,
so I headed out, just when I turned into Clingmans Dome Rd I encountered
very thick smog, could only see like 5 meters ahead of you and got wet right away
But I still drove to the end of that road, froze a little bit up there and went back.
Decided I would rather spend this day riding.
So I headed towards my future camp, stopping at some pretty delicious burger place.
As it turns out, to get to my today's campground you have to drive on dirt/gravel road -
well, no problem, set-up camp and then went to drive to some country road -
looked at the map and chose the one with the most curves, turned out to be a great ride,
until I encountered a heavy rain ... and of course I forgot my rain gear at the camp.
Well, I got back to the camp (my bike was now very dirty after driving that dirt road in rain),
everything is wet ... started a fire, but the big logs never dried up, so there was no big fire and
it was still raining ... though as for me the day still turned out great : )
Drive Clingmans Dome Rd->US 441->US 321->TN 32
Sleep at Big Creek Campground
(Some picture from the road - enlarge)
(another pic - enlarge)
Thursday - May 17, 2007
Last Ascent
Mt. Sterling
Baxter Creek Tr.->Mount Sterling Rdige Tr
13 miles
4130ft. climb
http://www.timberwolfcreek.com/trails.html
After yesterdays rain I was not in good mood, especially that none of
my clothes got dry, but when I looked out of the tent - there was nice sun,
so I decided to go up one last mountain and while I was hiking, I would dry
my clothes under the sun.
The hike went pretty fast actually and was very nice, when I got back
everything was a little damp, but good enough to ride. So I hop on the bike,
get on hwy 40 and ride to Blue Ridge Parkway ... Ride it towards Ashville,
very nice road, I would enjoy it even more, if I would not be constantly freezing
and my shoulder would not be killing me.
When I got to Ashville, I got a message from my sister in DC that they will be home,
so I decided that I would not enjoy much of Blue Ridge Parkway (my original plan was
to ride it all the way) and went onto highway and headed toward DC. Right around Roanoke
I saw a big thunderstorm ahead of me and since it was already around 9pm, I decided
that I would not try to push myself to Bethesda, but just stop here ...
(View from the tower on top of Mt. Sterling - enlarge)
(Some view from Blue Ridge Parkway - enlarge)
(Another view from Blue Ridge - I was just probably getting warm - enlarge)
Friday - May 18, 2007
Ride under rain
Well, I at least got a good sleep and hot shower, but as for rain, time did not help much,
so after I had a sandwich in really nice cafe in Roanoke, I headed towards Bethesda ...
in half hour I got my rain gear out - and just in time - the rest of the way I drove in rain.
Only when I actually got to Bethesda, the rain stopped.
Hung out with my sister and her bf, went out in the night,
did some bar hopping, drunk a lot of vodka - well, had a good time ; )
Saturday - May 19, 2007
Relaxing
Washington, D.C.
Still in Bethesda, drove bikes (like bicycles, not real bikes ;) ) to DC, rode around there,
at the night went to some concert/bar ... had a great time, as usual
Sunday - May 20, 2007
Ride Home
At like twelve in the day headed out home, Cleveland welcomed me with
very cold weather ... but got home, went to sauna and felt great! ; )
Conclusion
It is kind of boring to do a trip alone of course, especially
to hike up the mountains, but it is better then just sit home and do nothing ;)
I need a better motorcycle suit/gloves ... my jacket and gloves are great riding around town,
but for longer trip - they are not versatile enough : (
Looking for the next trip! Hopefully in July : )
Взял с собой
- Палатка, спальник и коврик
- Газ(x2), примус и много спичек
- Кастрюли (x2 + крышки), ложка, нож и чашка
- Фонарики (x4), multi-tool нож
- Tire-repair kit, бензин (1л) и инструменты
- Duct tape, electro tape, wire ties
- Фотоаппарат Pentax, батарейки и сумка
- Фотоаппарат Epson (маленький), экстра батарейка и зарядное
- Мыльные принодлежности и полотенце
- Кросовки, беговые носки (x3), беговая футболка
- Трусы (x5), длинные носки (x3), футболки (x2), футболка с длинным рукавом, штаны
- Мото куртка, ботинки, джинсы, перчатки, шлем, бакалава
- Шапка, ветровка и флисовая куртка
- Рюкзак
- Ручка, блокнот
- Pacsafe, Cover, Disc Lock, Wire lock
- Шлепанцы
- Power inverter
- Телефон и зарядное
- MP3 плеер и зарядное
- GPS с адаптором для авто-питания
- Карты
- Описания маршрутов
- Аптечка
- Garmin часы
- Плавки
- Растяжки
- Супы (xN), макароны, картошка, колбаса, сыр, energy bars, чай, соль
- Салфетки и туалетная бумага
- Вода
- Red Bull (x3)
- Rain Suit
- Анти-Радар
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