Cherohala via TN 30--June 21, 2014 (2)

It was shortly after dawn when we met at the Chevron, planning to head north at 7:15 (or so). The four riders, Bob K.,Mark, Dennis and Bob S. were surprised to see  Richard (aka Edward) who rode over to meet on his Piaggio, not to ride the Cherohala with the rest of us, but to check us over and wish us safe riding. Thanks Richard.

We started out on I-575 a few minutes behind schedule under blue skies and cool temperatures. After breakfasting at Micky D's in Blue Ridge we headed north through McCaysville and Copperhill to pick up US 64 west going into the Ocoee gorge. Water was being released into the Ocoee and tubers, kayakers and canoeists were hurrying to the nearest put-in. The water at the power station dam was a sight to see as it cascaded down into the river.

Soon we were past the whitewater sections and picked up Tennessee 30 (Greasy Creek Trail) through banjo country to the little town of Reliance on the Hiwassee. Staying on a northerly course, through forest and farm land we rode into Tellico Plains from the north to check out the latest at the Visitor's Center and top up our fuel for the 100 mile gas-station-less round trip on the Cherohala Skyway. The sun was still shining in mostly blue skies but off in the distant west we could see signs of dark clouds building up.

Not to worry, we headed up the Cherohala, and soon turned down River Road to see if recent rains had added punch to the water drop at the falls on Bald River. It had. The falls were spectacular as hoped, as was the ride along the fast flowing Tellico River on our way to and from the falls.

The Skyway had less traffic than anticipated, only a few moving road blocks, but plenty cruisers and a few hooligans. The ride up to the mile high elevations is always a delight and this day was no exception. It was cool with not too much wind and the views in the high country are great.

Rather than head over to Robbinsville N.C. for lunch as most do, we followed our plan and took a return ride over the Skyway, stopping at the high point of Santeetlah to record our passing through. By the time we got back to Tellico Plains those dark clouds we had seen earlier were now upon us and as we stopped at Tellico Grains for lunch, the rain started. Not knowing how long it would last we dragged all our gear, rain gear included, into the restaurant. The folks in Tellico Grains are so used to the antics of motorcyclists they never raised an eyebrow.

At lunch Bob K. kept track of the size of the storm we were in and its direction on his handy cellphone app. It was not good news. The rain image stretched southward and promised to butt against another rain image closer to home territory. We ate slowly. Eventually got self conscious about hogging a table so we put on a floor show twisting, turning and bobbing as we put on our rain gear then headed outside. There were still a few thunder rolls off in the distance, but it looked as if the worst had past to the east.

Off we went at a greatly reduced pace down TN 68. Thankfully the traffic was light and the rain diminishing. By the time we got to Ducktown the rain had stopped, but off to the south we could see more dark clouds so the rain gear stayed on. But luck was with us and the ride down 515 and I-575 was mostly dry, as we skirted just to the west of the big rain.

I think all would agree that it was a great ride in spite of a little rain and we will probably go again in the fall when the leaves are in color.

Mileage Chevron to Chevron was about 303 miles though home to home more like 339 in my case, with home arrival about 5 p.m.