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Fall '14 Camp 'n Ride--October 17-18, 2014

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 On the prettiest Friday afternoon of the year, LarryK, BobK, and ScottT met in Ball Ground for an overnight ride to the North Ga mountains.  After gassing up and marveling at how much gear we managed to strap to our mounts, we then rode a leisurely pace to Jasper and thru the beautiful Burnt Mtn area on 136.  We then took 52 toward Dahlonega and headed up the ever-twisty 60 to Suches.  We arrived with plenty of light to pitch tents near the babbling brook at Two Wheels of Suches' (TWO) beautiful property.  We thought there would be just a handful of bikers camping Friday night, but final tally was closer to 40 with at least a half dozen states represented!  Dinner was nice and the campfire even nicer. A perfect night for camping. 

Saturday morning we enjoyed hearty breakfasts, then packed up while TadS rode up at first light to meet us for the day's riding.  First stop was Brasstown Bald via the newly-paved Wolf Pen gap.  The view from the observation deck was impressive, but somehow seemed cooler and windier than on the bikes!  Next we headed up and over Unicoi gap to lunch in Helen.  Brats were the order of the day all.
After lunch we rode N on the Richard Russel Scenic Byway (348?), then back south on 129.  Fall color was very nice throughout the day, but all agreed the Richard Russell had the best views and riding of the day. We stopped at the stone building at Neels Gap and admired the hearty souls backpacking the Appalachian Trail which passes thru the store (only place the AT passes thru a building in 2000 miles).  From Neels Gap we headed home down 129 and via Cleveland to avoid the festival traffic in Dahlonega.  Total mileage was about 230. 
A great time was had by all. Everyone seemed impressed with TWO's facilities and we hope to do something similar in the spring.  Don't miss it!