'banjo's blogtastically stooopid day trippin' picture thread

Rare to see a Duc owner make out on an accident.
But glad you wasn't mounted!

Well, the old DR650 and my truck both needed some last minute work before the Nottarally and I'm happy to report that we all survived the weekend!

Rolled into camp around 1PM and unloaded the bike and headed straight for the woods.



PineyMountainRacing saved me a spot in his campsite which happened to be just across the street from Reddog* and Half-Pint....little did I know that I'd soon be meeting up with PMR and HP out on the bikes....


































Still just a hint of color change here and there....

First pit stop @ Wolf Creek Falls very near the NC/TN state line...


















Pic quality not so good.....decided to carry the old Sony and I really struggled with exposures....




















Beautiful place though.....

The road to/from the falls.


















A splash of color at Rattlesnake Gap.

Just as I was getting ready to fire the bike back up I hear a couple of thumpers climbing the hill so I waited to see who it might be.....none other than my landlord PineyMountainRacing and Half Pint!



Yes...all my action shots really suck from this weekend...















After a chat they decided that they liked the sounds of what I was planning to ride even though it meant they had to double back towards Max Patch.

Naturally there's a bit more color at higher elevation as we were headed down the Gulf through the Martha Sundquist State Forest.


















That camera seems to work better if you stop and take a picture of something that isn't moving!


















All green down at the bottom of that run though....

Half Pint hitting the water on the little Honda 230

















I accidentally took a video of a barn trying to take a picture.

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Turn the volume way up and listen to the awesome thump of the mighty DR















...but after seeing some of the other pictures I took maybe I should have stuck to videos!

Wave hello to PMR on the DRZ


































The view from atop Snowbird was a little better than it was 2 weeks ago.

Looking over towards GSMNP....I think.

































Can you guess which one goes by the handle Half Pint?

Easy way up....rough way down....


















I meant to blur these....it's called art.

I think we just fueled up in the maze and then Old 15th to Del Rio....

















....it was pretty dark down in FR 209 through that little gorge so I didn't even try to get any pics but it's a pretty ride....then 107 and up and over the mountain to Paint Creek and up the river back to camp.

Back at camp I must have said or done something to run Reddog* off but ol Blue Mule just stood there and looked at me funny.


















Camped right on the river.....


















....sort of, I pitched my tent in what looked like a safe place.



How can you resist taking multiple pics of such a pretty bike?

I probably should have tried to take some pics at dinner etc but it was getting pretty dark out...that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

FFWD to Saturday.....who doesn't love a parade?


















It wasn't long before we had Bug Branch all to ourselves.



































Just waiting at an intersection.....

I knew the woods pics weren't turning out so kinda quit bothering. But we did ride some more fun stuff before running into another Nottarally ride group eating lunch in Hartford....like Hall Top and the upper connector to Rocky Top.


















City tow truck had to come rescue the city taxi.


















Mountain folk are all pretty nice and helpful like that.

From Hartford to downtown Mt. Sterling......


















.....to one of my favorite 'shortcuts'


















Getting up through those embedded rocks can be tricky with wet tires.

Mike and Shawn rode up while we were taking a short break before crossing...so we got to preview some line choices.

East Coast Rider goes for it on a borrowed WR

















It's always good to have a little help from your friends!


















PMR taking his turn

It really is a shortcut to Buzzards Roost....I swear it is!


















Boo!!

Half Pint elected to run back to camp while PMR and I did a down and back up Hurricane Creek.

















A little bit of maintenance has been done in several spots but it's still a fun dual sport ride.


















I heard the bus was gone now...guess they were talking about the yellow one.














Spot didn't see everywhere I went.






Thought about going for a ride this morning before breaking camp but not only were my boots still wet my sub frame was loose and missing a bolt.



Great weekend though!

Big fun riding and socializing with old friends and making new ones!

Looks like I need a hitch for the Oldwng and haul my KDX down for some killer riding!
I miss you folks .........

Amazing... And you did it all in 3rd gear.

If envy is green... Call me Kermit.