Long Loop Ride April 13, 2013

Six riders on five bikes came together at the Ball Ground Chevron (exit 27) at 9 a.m.Saturday. It was great to see Mark and Abby back on their Suzuki after their hiatus waiting for Joshua to arrive. Our thanks to Abby's sister for watching the baby and allowing the couple to be with us for the day . Also, after a too long absence due to work commitments, Mike, and his Gold Wing, were able to join in. Robert L. was there on his almost new Harley as was Paul, who got his Harley's  tires re-inflated in time to go and Bob (the elder)

The trip began with a ride through Jasper, then past Grandview Lake and, taking advantage of the fine, clear day, a photo stop at the Ga 136 overlook. The next stop was VanZants in Dial for coffee and a snack. From there they doubled back a  half mile to pick up Aska Road heading north to Blue Ridge.

They skirted Blue Ridge proper taking the old Veteran's Memorial Highway over the Lake Blue Ridge dam to Morganton. Thrown in, at no extra charge, was a short ride on what the leader mistakenly recalled as a short cut to Ga 60.

The ride on Ga 60 was as good as it gets, no cages and few rolling road blocks. The open vistas in the valleys and gentle sweepers were a contrast to the near technical turns in the wooded approach to Suches. Good riding.

They stopped for lunch at the 180 Diner on the east side of Suches to partake of their famous hamburgers and swap war stories. These lunch stops and fellowship shared there, have become as important a part of a ride as the riding itself.

After lunch, and stories of bike mayhem offered by a local, they headed into the famous, or if you believe the local's stories, infamous Wolf Pen Gap. This was Paul's first time through so he didn't really know what to expect. For most of the ride through you can't keep track of all the others in the group, as one's concentration is focused on the next turn, so it was with thanks that all were accounted for at the exit at Vogel State Park.

From Vogel it was a short ride over to the head of the Richard Russell Scenic Highway. Again we encountered few cars so the left-right sweeper were a delight.
 Emerging from the parkway at Ga 17a the group turned right and, after a little back road maneuvering by the former Dahlonegan,  the group looped around the court house in Dahlonega (crowded as usual) and passed through North Georgia College (or is now a University?), stopping to gas up at the local Chevron.

From Dahlonega they headed south on Ga 9 then west on Ga 52 to pick up Bailey  Waters Road going past the kangaroo and llama preserves. After that, the leader picked numerous connecting roads that finally got them to Hickory Flat, the scenic way.

Total mileage start to finish, but not including the last leg to individual homes, was about 200 mile, give or take a few. Everyone should have made it home by 5 p.m.

What a day! With near perfect weather, open roads and great companions.