Let me tell you where I took my bike today. It is a 2012 Victory Cross Country Tour and I went on a 305 mile ride northwest of me (I spend the summers near Etowah, NC). I took interstate north to Asheville and then east to Old Fort. From there it was US70 to Marion, US221 through Linville falls, Linville, and Blowing Rock where I picked up US321. A little ways on that into Boone, then west on 105 to Broadstone road to Valle Crucis where I picked up 194 west to Banner Elk. I then took 184 north into Beech Mt. (allegedly the highest elevation city east of the Mississippi). It is not shown on many maps but there is a couple month old back way (north) out of Beech Mt. through some back roads to Russell Norris Rd. to US321 (yep, back on 321). West on this passing the large lake Watauga several times and entering TN to south/east on US19E. This to Roan Mt. road and up and over that very tall mountain and back into NC. In Bakersville, I take 226 to 226A to south 80 and back onto westbound US19E. Diagonal SW from there on Prices Creek Rd. and some others to the interstate and back south through Asheville to home. Overall 305 miles and everything but the interstate was awesome twisties. Had a great pizza lunch in Beech Mt. Was gone from home for 10 hrs and 7.5 hrs of that was in the saddle. Hit one short stretch of very light rain but got my rain gear on before I got into it and then took it off shortly after I got out of the light rain.
It is amazing how much cooler it is at elevation. 85-90 F at home and in Asheville, hotter down in Old Fort and Marion but 70-75 up at the top of the ride in Beech Mt.
It is amazing how much cooler it is at elevation. 85-90 F at home and in Asheville, hotter down in Old Fort and Marion but 70-75 up at the top of the ride in Beech Mt.