October 2022 – Fall Camp ‘n Ride

Even though four of us just camped two nights a couple weeks earlier at the Barber Vintage Festival, we just couldn’t pass up a trip to our fabulous N GA mountains in their fall peak. So three riders left Hickory Flat (BobK, Dave, and Larry) and met Mel in Cleveland, then headed to the mountains. Although it was a very brisk mid-30’s start, it warmed rapidly into a gorgeous day. After a trip up the Richard Russell and across Wolf Pen Gap, they landed at Wildcat BBQ N of Suches where they met Dan and his daughter Pres (they drove up to join in the camping fun, her first!). The location was picked to strategically view the 50cc True Grits scooter rally/race pass by. It’s always a hoot watching this group flog their small bikes for all they’re worth. Wildcat’s front porch and “staightaway” makes a great place to watch them try to pass each other before the curves quickly return.

By mid afternoon, layers were peeled off and the group (now six) headed to TWO in Suches for our camping. Although the rally had around 60 bikes, it seemed we were among the very few tent camping! 

After camp was set up, there was still some good riding time left before dinner so Larry took the group up Hwy 60 to an “off the beaten path” road we hadn’t tried before – Old Dial Road. It seemed like an old Forest Service road paved over – very tight, slow and draped in beautiful fall color - and no one else on it (which worked well since it’s only a “lane and a half”)! 

Dinner in the lodge was nice, but our campfire even better. Although it was another cold night in the mountains, Pres seemed to really enjoy her outing and I’m certain will hound Dan to take her camping again soon!

Sunday morning we got to pack up dry tents (yay, didn’t hit that dew point!) before enjoying TWO’s always-great breakfast in the warm lodge. Then we rode a few more “loops” in the mountains before heading home. Hope these pictures capture the fun we had.