A long overdue ride through Appalachia

I've been a member here for awhile now but I've never posted a ride report. Mainly due to never having done a ride that I thought could measure up. But an opportunity to take a little time and escape on the bike has presented itself so I'm going to take advantage of it. I also thought it might make for a decent little report.

My first instinct was to make a dash out west but I live in Nashville and figured it would take at least 2 high milage days to get anywhere interesting and then 2 days back. Since I only have around 10 days I really didn't want to burn 4 of them droning along on the interstate so I started looking east where I could get into some interesting stuff much sooner.

I've always been interested in the history of Appalachia. My ancestors on my mothers side came from the area, I was born there and there's a ton of history in the region, so that's where I'm headed. The plan is to head northeast through eastern Kentucky, pass through the Cumberland Gap then head north through Virginia to Waynesboro where I'll scope out the Shenandoah Valley. May head on into Washington if the mood is right. Otherwise I'll jump on the BRP and head south to the Smokies. I plan to take as many side trips as possible to check out points of interest along the way so if any local riders know of any must see items, please chime in.

I'm on a 2000 KLR. I picked it up two years ago with 7k on the clock. Its got 32k and some change on it now. I've just installed new brake pads front and rear, chain and sprockets are a few months old. I'll do an oil change before I go, and Fedex should be dropping off some new rubber on Monday. The plan is to have everything buttoned up and ready to roll out Wednesday morning.

I'm pumped...lets go.

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I am sure some great pictures will follow.

Man, that's a trim packing job! A far cry from the Yankee peddler-effect I always seem to manage.

Very nice. I'm looking forward to the trip.

Very cool. My and my wife's families came throught that area and we still have family there.

I'm watching a PBS special on the history of Appalachia right now!!

Keep it coming

+1 on the pack job. That is one good looking bike.

Thanks guys...I still think I packed too much. We'll see.

Hey ghostdncr...check this out. See anything familiar?

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Wonderfull....I'm packed and ready to head out in the morning and this weather front looks to be headed in the exact same direction I am.

Having a blast. I haven't had internet connection until now so I'll try and get some pics loaded. If I can track down the data cable for the camera.

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Of course, I got a late start. I kept messing around the house and didn't leave until mid morning. Crossed the Kentucky line north of Celina Tennessee near Dale Hollow lake. [/FONT]

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Quilt barn...

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Stopped in Nancy Ky to pay respects to a member of the family. General Zollicoffer was killed at the battle of Mill Springs and died under these trees...

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Spent the night in the Danial Boone Natl Forrest and moved on the next day to the Cumberland Gap area. Ran across this graveyard for those that had died during their trek across the Gap. There looked to have been around a hundred graves lined up and down this hill side. Most unmarked, some with unmarked headstones of flat pieces of limestone. Its a bit hard to tell but you can make out the graves as leaf filled depressions in the pitcures.

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Rode to the top of Pine Mt at Pineville Ky Just north of Middlesboro and the Cumberland Gap. Nice view.

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Cumberland Gap...

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Camp for the night...

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Heading into Virginia tomorrow. More to come...

Got an early start this morning...

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As the story goes, the settlers traveling the wilderness road would watch for these cliffs. Once reached they knew they were only 1 days march from the Cumberland Gap.

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Beautifull...

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After this I was just ryying to put some miles behind me. I planned to stay in Narrows Va but wanted enough time for plan B in case Narrows was a bust.

Hwy 61 between Tazewell and Narrows was a great ride. Highly recommended. I could have taken a ton of pics and wish I had but was in a hurry.

Arrived in Narrows and had a look around then decided to go with plan B, which was to overnight in Roanoke. It's supposed to rain for the next couple of days and I figured if I was going to ride in the rain I would just hop on I-81 and head for DC. I'll grab a room and go hang out at the Smithsonian until the weather improves.

There you are!

I'm in on this one.

Woke up and packed the bike in a light rain. By the time I reached the interstate it had stopped and I rode 200 miles dry.

Grabbed a room in DC and figured to do some sight seeing tomorrow while the worst of these storms blow through.

Had a bit of a scare tonight though. Went out to grab a bite and while eating a storm blew in. Lightning flashes gusting winds and all that. Ran out and jumped on the bike to head back to the hotel and it wouldn't start. Hit the starter and nothing. Wouldn't even try to turn over. :huh

I started pushing it back to the hotel about half a mile away and while wating to cross a six lane intersection I tried it again and she fired right up. I suspect the side stand safety switch. I'll search for a "how to" for bypassing the switch and may be doing some mods instead of sightseeing tomorrow. We'll see...

Great stuff!

Been away for a few days, Dave. Love the report! Since I don't recognize the house or the guy in yellow and I'm pretty certain that's your KLR, my attention is drawn to that red Ninja-looking bike in the background. Could it be?...

Awesome pics and report DD

If any of your other "unworthy rides" were this good then we have been missing out!

Ride on brother

10 miles South of DC if you need a garage and tools.

Thanks for the kind words guys. Just waiting for the weather to improve in the DC area before continuing.


gohstdncr...yea, thats your bike and it's previous owner. Course in that pic she was fully dressed. The pic was taken about 2 years ago at the Loveless Cafe at the northern terminus of the Natchez Trace Pky. Brian is a good egg and he really loved that bike. Hope you're enjoying it too.