After reading ngshop's day ride thread I decided to also head up to the BRP and try to capture some good photos using the Insta360. The Carolina Girl was all for the ride and really excited to do a little shopping in Blowing Rock and to have lunch there.
We slept in and had a little breakfast out on the deck Saturday morning enjoying this perfect weather and watching the birds and squirrels.
It's time to take Belinda out for another ride. The purple was really coming out today on the Snake Venom.
After saying our prayer and giving each other a kiss it's time to roll out.
We rolled out of DC heading northbound on Hwy 601 into Yadkin County. Then we leaned left onto Hwy 421 north and in no time.
When you pass exit 272 you get a great view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The camera does not pick it up as well as you can actually see it.
Rolling past the Wilkesboro Motor Speedway.
Passing some riders rolling out of the rest area on 421 near Hwy 115 exit.
We rolled on through Wilkesboro as quickly as possible and stopped for fuel on the north side.
We continued on and reached the BRP off Hwy 421 south of Boone. Yes, the north bound route on the BRP is still closed and under construction. It's ridiculous how long this is taking. Going into the third year now.
We leaned right onto the BRP southbound with the Linville Viaduct being our next primary destination. The air temps were a little cool and we were regretting not wearing a light jacket. Traffic was much lighter than expected and there were several bikes out enjoying the day. Both the gasoline and peddle versions!
Yeap, lots of potholes.
Okay, someone tell me what this guy is doing.
Communicating with aliens? Shortwave? I don't know.
Taking a break just south of the Viaduct looking up at Grandfather Mountain, the mile high mountain.
We were both very happy we broke Belinda out for this ride. She ran great, and is just so much fun on road like the BRP. The tunes sounded great all day as well!
Time to roll down the mountain toward Blowing Rock. This is the part we have both been waiting for. The Carolina Girls loves the shops and restaurants and I like the ride down on Hwy 221.
Breakfast has worn off and the first and most important thing is lunch now that we are in Blowing Rock.
Lunch was excellent, and now it's time to walk around. The crowd was very light. We contribute that to so many graduations happening the same day. The flowers are beautiful in town.
A few other pictures of Blowing Rock prior to rolling out.
These folks were very nice to speak with. They were from the Concord area.
I think these may be my color!
When we rolled out, we hit Hwy 321 back over to the BRP, over to Hwy421 and rolled down to Wilkesboro. We got to Crossroads HD 25 minutes after they had closed. I keep thinking they are open till 6pm on Saturdays, but they close at 5pm. We took advantage of the stop to visit Starbucks for a treat.
One of the fellas & his better half that lives in my condominium complex is planning on a two week run from the Vancouver area down to Yellowstone and back on his Harley… We sat down today and I highlighted out a map for him to give him my insight on some bucket list roads…
… Hells Canyon… the old Hwy 95 lewiston grade and the white bird grade… the Lolo Pass… Virginia city in Montana… a good way to see Yellowstone… Galena Pass in Idaho… Hwy 20 through the cascades in Washington…
… marked on a map my favourite motels and restaurants, like the ones in Joseph on the way into Hells Canyon…
We rolled back through Yadkin County into DC, and it would not be the perfect day ride without a visit to The Station in downtown Mocksville. There was a girl playing the guitar with a really nice voice. We had some tacos from the truck and enjoyed a Red Oak beer.
A couple we know from the station rolled in and we talked with them about thirty minutes before calling it a day. "A Wonderful Day"!!!
06-09-2024, 03:06 PM
Linville Viaduct - Blowing Rock
