The first overnight ride of the year turned out to be a smashing success. When we rolled out (pretty close to on time) on Saturday morning from Atlanta Motor World, we had a string of 11 bikes carrying 17  members. It may have been our best turnout so far this year. Our ultimate destination of Townsend, TN and Cades Cove was several hours away. The weather could not have been much better as a "cold front" was moving through the entire area. The sky was partly sunny, there was a light breeze and best of all the temperatures were in the eighties.

We headed north, starting out on GA400. GA400 led to 369, to I-985 to US441 into Cherokee, NC. IN Cherokee we stopped for lunch with a break in between. From Cherokee we jumped back on 441 and rode thru Great Smokey Mountain National Park towards Gatlinburg. The ride through the pass was fantastic. Some required jackets as the temps dropped as the altitude increased. I think that has to be one of the most scenic rides in the area. The roads are pretty good with nice curves and a few twisties. Th Bypassing Gatlinburg we arrived in Townsend late afternoon.

Wanting to go ahead and visit Cades Cove, we checked in at the hotel and quickly freshened up. Within half an hour we were headed to Cades Cove, which was about 8 to 9 miles away.

Cades Cove is a part of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park that has been preserved to look much as it did in the 1800's.  It is the largest open air museum in the Park. It has original homesteads, barns, pasture and farmland. You tour the area by driving an eleven mile one way road that loops through the area. As you drive the road you can see acres of grass and wildflowers. There are old building and homesteads, as well as abundant wildlife.

Our ride through the loop took a little over three hours, but in the process we got to see several black bears and deer. Going eleven miles in three plus hours is obviously a very slow ride. Anywhere animals were out the traffic stopped as people watched and took pictures. The bears seemed to get the most attention. The stop and go and sitting still on the bikes was tough on the engines, transmissions and riders. About 8 miles in we pulled off and let the bikes cool off and let some of the traffic clear out as it was getting close to closing time (dark). While waiting for the bikes and traffic some of us set out on foot for a short distance and got to view a large 8 point buck walking through the woods.

With all the bikes cool and the traffic not quite so congested we headed on out and arrived back at the hotel in short order. It was about 9pm and everyone was hungry as we had delayed dinner earlier in favor of doing the cove. Well, we discovered Townsend is not a city of eating establishments. After hitting a couple of closed local restaurants, we ended up at a Subway. It was pretty much the only thing open in town serving food. We had our sandwiches and talked about the day before finally retiring to the hotel.

We had set 9:30 am as our meeting time for Sunday morning, giving everyone a chance to get a good nights sleep. Upon gathering in the lobby, we set decided on our plan for the day and the route home. We decided to head over to Pigeon Forge, which was about 17 miles away for breakfast. A few members decided to head on home.

We arrived in Pigeon Forge barely in time for breakfast at the Old Mill. We had some good food and plenty of it. From there we hit a couple shops nearby. Before we knew it, the morning was gone and we were well into early afternoon. So, despite the desire to stay we decided to head home. Again, a few members headed out in different directions.

By nightfall everyone was home safely.

It had been a great trip. We got to see some beautiful scenery, some deer and several bear. Best of all we got to do it all with our best friends and extended family. Cades Cove was beautiful. The loop road was a little hot on the bikes but still well worth the effort. As with most of our rides it became a little bit of an adventure with overheated bikes and the hunt for dinner, but that is what makes it all so much fun. If you want boring stay home. If you want to have a good time, meet some challenges along the way, and want to be with a group of people who care about each other, then make a chapter ride. I can pretty much guarantee you will not be bored.

Attending:

Doug Turco & Teresa Turco
Gary   & Maria Kohl
Preston & Stephanie Howard
Alan & Shirley Sales
Jason Banister
Rick & Bargara Campbell
Steve & Kay Argo
Mitch Argo
John & Sharon Saari
Chuck Pierce