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All week it rained and the weathermen predicted a sunny weekend. After all that rain, I was really looking forward to the weekend – especially Sunday. I laid awake at night thinking about where I would go on such a beautiful morning. I was leaning towards a waterfall or two. With all the rain during the week, they would be overflowing. But when I awoke at 6:00AM on Sunday morning, I realized I had over done it on Saturday and I was aching all over. I decided on a pleasant short run. I had washed the bike after putting on a new tire and I just wanted to ride. It didn’t matter where.
I dressed and headed west on Rt 150, through Boiling Springs and eventually turned left onto Rt 221A. I was the only one on the road so early in the morning so I opened it up on a short straight stretch – to blow the carbon out of it. Even with new plugs and a new rear tire, the Sportster would only do about 90 mph. That’s plenty fast enough for me.
I turned right onto Rt 11 and then turned left onto Main Street in Chesnee, SC. I stopped at the Bantam Chef on the right. To my surprise, Dave wasn’t there with one of his pristine Studebakers. I pulled up to the pumps and took a couple pictures, then moved away. I didn’t want to take his spot when he came.
I finished my breakfast but he still didn’t show up. I’ll have to wait til next time to visit with him.
I followed Rt 11 until I turned right onto Rt 176. As I passed through Landrum, everybody was still sleeping. When I got to Tryon, I stopped at the Coffee House on Main Street to drop off a couple copies of USRiderNews to Wendy. I haven’t seen Wendy for almost a year now. And again, she wasn’t at the Coffee House so I left it for her with the lady working behind the counter. It’s a very relaxed place to stop by and have a cup of coffee and a bagel and some stimulating conversation. Sometimes they even have some entertainment. It reminds me of the coffee houses of the 60’s when I lived in Chicago.
After spending some time enjoying the atmosphere, I continued up Rt 176. The next section is one of my favorite roads as it twists and turns its way up the mountain to Saluda, NC.
Right before I got to Saluda, I turned right onto Ozone Drive – toward I26. After a couple miles, I rode under I26 and then took the first left onto a small road – Green River Cove Road.
Once past the switchbacks, the road flattened somewhat and I was in a beautiful valley with the Green River running through it. I was hoping to see some kayakers in the parking area but not this time. I stopped anyway to see the river. As I stopped the bike, I heard the rushing of the river close by. I walked a short distance down the trail to the river – what a sight!
It appeared that two small rivers connect into a larger river at that point. I’ve heard that when Duke Energy opens the dam up near Asheville, this river is a torrent of whitewater and the kayaker’s dream.
As I looked down stream into the sun, I noticed an odd shape – I thought it might be a Heron or Loon. It turned out to be a Great Blue Heron. I took a picture with the telephoto but it didn’t turn out very good so I walked down the trail to get closer. It heard me and before I could get a shot off, it was gone. I felt privileged to actually see one in the wild.
I went out to the parking lot and noticed a pile of stuff on the other end of the lot. I walked over to see a couple kayaks and bags full of gear – just laying there. I wondered why anyone would leave all their stuff and take off. I learned later that it was to establish their shuttle. They drove downstream and parked then will walked back to kayak down the river and drive home. I was also amazed that it was still there and not in someone’s pick-up truck. I left it where it was and continued on the road as it followed the Green. I smelled campfires cooking bacon as I passed the campground.
I stopped at a wide spot in the road and found a small waterfall on the left next to the road. It was small but one of so many in Western North Carolina. As I ride down the back roads, I look off both sides the road. I never know what I might see.
I continued until I turned right onto Silver Creek Road which eventually crossed Rt 9. I turned right onto Rt 9 and then a quick left onto Rt 108 toward Rutherfordton. It’s a very pleasant ride on a smooth two-lane road. I turned right onto Union Road which is twistier than Rt 108 and then a left onto Rt 74 to Shelby.
I got home about 9:30AM after riding about 100 miles. I was still aching from overworking myself on Saturday but I had a very nice ride and will do it again as soon as I can.
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