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I got a 2 br in mountain city

Mr Bryan……it’s not “really” a problem and I haven’t given tent camping up completely…....but it’s coming.

Back in my wilder days I did a fair share of hitchhiking. Did coast to coast once in the mid 70s. Back then I could literally walk off to the side of the road and spend the night……did it plenty of times.

Then there were my reenacting days where camping meant just an oil cloth and blanket…..dog tent or shelter half if the weather was real bad….the group I was with didn’t do A tents.

Nowadays my tent camping is somewhat comfortable but………just the act of getting down to my queen sized air mattress and getting back up isn’t like it used to be. So if I need to get up in the middle of the night…..I have to un Commando, get shoes on, find the freaking tent zipper then repeat in reverse…..ugh. I know fellows that pee in a bottle…..and someone on here talked about pooping in a plastic bag. I’m just too country for that.

I’m at a point where I’m making more money at work than ever. I figure I might as well spend some of it on being comfortable.

Having a nice bed with pillows and sheets……my own bathroom……is a big plus. The days of just throwing a sleeping bag on the bike and packing a toothbrush are long gone.

You need one of these Gordon. Could even be towed with a small pickup with bike in the back.

https://www.rv.com/archive/little-wonders-15-tiny-camping-trailers/


Or perhaps this?

https://timberleaftrailers.com/

I didn’t want to have to fight the snake and thought the “Trail Days” folks might be fun to hang out with in the evening.

We’ll see……worst case is I have a room paid for but end up sleeping in the back of the Matrix. I’m leaving ALL my tents at home.

You might be able to find a roommate???

There are some REALLY nice houses offered…..sounds expensive but split up between 3-4 people. There’s one that’s new, 3 bedrooms 2 1/2 baths and looks grand.

Mike, I researched those types and had a couple of problems with them. One is….where the heck would I put it when not in use. Second is…..that much freaking money and you can’t stand up in one?

I “almost” dropped the money on a Kozy Kamper….( or something like it) easily pulled by my Matrix since they are actually made to be towed by a motorcycle. Then I realized…..it still just a tent on wheels….and sharing the bathroom with 10 other guys in the morning….. reminds me too much of being in the service.

I’m at a point where I’d rather spoil myself……I’ve given my kids plenty of money….they won’t miss the little I spend on myself. At best I might get to 3-4 events in a year……and lately it’s been more like 1-2….so the hell with it I can rent a lot of rooms for the cost of a teardrop and when I’m through with it I can just walk away.

there was going to be three or four (maybe someones' wife) but Paul cancelled. So I have been trying to get "Nate" to come out for a couple years. Then I find out his wife has family in Johnson city. Now I ask you, can anyone think of a reason for him not to join us? Other than maybe "Dora" is afraid we might corrupt him. Him being so young and impressionable and all.

And whats wrong with running the mountain in the dark? Hell, Bill did it one year with no lights.

I've been over that section plenty of times in the dark. Most of the time in a truck with a trailer.......lots of AHRMA stuff I did was North West of me. I’ve lived in the area for almost 40 years. I think the first time I rode The Snake was 1986?

Last time I did it on a bike at night I was on the B58 (that flooded) and left the campground around 11pm (?) for an 80 mile ride home.

I've been over it on several different bikes.. during daylight hours....smallest was a CB160. My Norton 850 was the biggest.

It's just....The Snake (and The Dragon) are not the kind of roads I'm fond of. I don't look forward to riding over either........another road I shy away from is 221 out of Blowing Rock....if I want a workout like that I'll go to the gym. (and I don’t go to the gym) I picked The Snake for the TSMR because I figured a lot of folks would like it. Good chance some of you would had never even heard of it if it wasn’t for the TSMR.

Throw in some rain at night........or some fog.......just rather not put myself in that position when there are other options.

PS…..do you really think it’s okay to suggest to riders you don’t know that crossing the mountain at night doesn’t come with some risks? Case in point….Mike Carter used to stay the weekend at a house (for free) on 194 (aka the Goat Path)…..that was until that one Saturday morning when he woke up to dense fog. His ride up Shulls Mill Road that morning was a nightmare. From then on he stayed at the motel.

Mike had tto ride from the motel to banner the nite before and if you remember that day, the fog was so bad we never left the parking lot. but we've been lucky on the mountain at nite. (so far)I think if I had to do it sock in in fog, I would take four wheels and go the long way thru damascus.

Somewhere in the week we would end up in mc for dinner and have to come back in the dark and there have been a few years when I have stayed in the motel and had to make that run.

the trick is to have modern lights.

We’re on the same page richrd. It’s all good my friend.

It’s just that IMO if you’re going to invite new folks…..(guess it’s the petulant control freak coming out in me) you need to think about the situation you might be putting them in. Once they’ve had a chance to see it for themselves it’s all back on them…..but until then they “might” be relying on our input to make decisions.

Just camp at Windy’s campground (start and ending point of the TSMR) and this is all moot.

Never knew you had a CB160. That was my first "real" street bike when I was 17. I'd love to have another but the prices have gone stupid.

Yes sir…..my baby hawk. First gear up 421 mountain from Wilkes to Boone……but coming back down was a hoot. Visited Windy ( 2006/7?) and back home. Sold it and got a CB77. Always had a soft spot for small Hondas. (still have 4 Hondas)

Had a cute little black-and-chrome CB160 myself back around 1975, a '66 model as I remember.

Used it as a "weekend commuter" riding from Farmville VA to Blacksburg to see Fay every weekend, about a 220 mile circuit. Was finally too hard on it and blued and scored a cam lobe..... But a good rider while it lasted.

Lannis

Hi All,
This sounds like great fun and I'm keen to come join you and have suggested to my wife Sue that she might want to join me. She enjoys the camaraderie and joins in the jokes, doesn't ride or pillion, so when we partake of these events, I take the truck, tow the cargo trailer with bike inside and we usually do a motel, except one time we bought a truck bed tent and slept in that for three nights on a regular air mattress. I built a wooden frame with push up handrail to contain a porta potty that we had in the tent. The hardest thing was shuffling down on the sleeping bag, then getting up on knees to sit on the potty in the middle of the night, then shuffling back in the bag!

You know what I'm talking about Gordon!

So we need to look at motels if Sue joins me, or if she doesn't, I need to decide....... sleep in back seat of truck, or in the bed under the rigid cover, (no tent, too much faffing about), or evict the bike out the trailer and kip in there. How are the temps and humidity there at that time of year?

I still have to check over the bike and feel confident it is good for a long ride as I've not had it long and only had short runs to date. Or bring the other one!

Windy, I will take up your kind offer and call you to ask a few things just as soon as I get my head clear enough to make plans. Thanks, Steve

Stupid CAPCHA thing. Yeah I asked Sharry if she would ride again if I got a more comfortable bike. She said if you get one that can pull a motorhome

Steve….the main focus has always been vintage but there have been plenty of modern bikes at the event.

Matter of fact I’m bringing one of each this year and plan on riding modern on Saturday. (long boring story)

You’re getting a feel for what’s it like. Mountain City has the closest motels. Elizabethton is the second closest. But…….vacation rentals can be as cheap and maybe closer. Lannis had one a mile from the campground last year.

Absolute best bet is camping at Windy’s (ride host and campground owner). He has a bath house. There is a motel in Mountain City. I’ve never stayed there so you’ll have to ask richrd or Lannis about it. You would have to ride The Snake to get back and forth to the campground.

Temps…..are all over the place…..Google Shady Valley TN. Humidity can be so bad everything is wet in the morning…..dries out pretty quickly. Sleeping in the trailer might be your best bet. Couple regulars do that.

We have been talking about the ride from the campground to Mountain City. Crossing over the mountain on the Snake. If you like twisties you’ll be in heaven.

I think some folks are worried their bike won’t be “good enough”. We do have some stunning examples show up…..then you got bikes like mine. Park next to mine and yours will look like a 100 pointer.

I see you have a Norton……you’ll probably be around some of the most knowledgeable Norton owners we are lucky enough to have on this site.

But……bring what you’re comfortable with….bring a couple if need be. It’s more about the people than the ride or the bikes…..you’ll be hard pressed to find a nicer group.

There are several small towns North of the campground that can offer your better half some fun day shopping.

Classic.

My wife has never been on a motorcycle. Unless HELL freezes over she never will. BUT if you find one that can pull a motor home I “might” be able to talk her into it.

Okay…..never mind that probably wouldn’t do it either. I have a wonderful wife who NEVER gives me grief about going to an event. I don’t abuse that gift but I wonder sometimes if my insurance policies don’t have something to do with her attitude?

I had a wife one time. Also did not have a bike for a while. (still don't understand that). One day sweetwife says, "I really miss that bike, we need to get another one." That's when I decided to keep her.

Two motels in MC. one's a dump. and the other is good enough to sleep in. It was a nice place, but they don't put much money back into it for cosmetic purposes. But they let you park your bike under the over hang by the front door.

The americourt is the better one the other is a roach motel stay away from it.

Ohh I plan on being there Rich…someone has to baby sit you. 😂

You'd better pack a lunch.

TSMR Trivia.......What was the last year Windy wore leathers on the ride?

CHOWDA!

For Steve....along Hwy 58 out of Damascus, Va and the campground in Shady Valley, Tn......just to give you an idea of what it looks like that time of year. It can still be cold enough for your warm gear.......been known to rain too. Keep an eye on the weather forecast.

Trivia question.......last year Windy wore leathers on the ride?

This photo.....



You're at one of the highest points on HWY58 for the section of it we rode. You're looking at the Blue Ridge Parkway in the distance and that's where you're headed. You'll ride along that ridge. One of my favorite views along the old loop.

Trivia Question - Last year Windy wore leathers on the ride?

2011


2012