Motorcycle Breakfast 11/02/25

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

Due to mid 40 degree temps I decided to ride the Spyder to the “breakfast”.

        On each first Sunday there is a motorcycle gathering in Ephrata PA if the weather cooperates. It is at the American Legion, which, April through October, serves breakfast in their building. In the summer there can be over a thousand bikes or more there. Some of us go there November through March, just to get together and talk bikes. Today was one of those days. 

This is a Honda ST 1100. I had a black one that was one of my favorite bikes ever. 

        I had wanted to take my V50 Moto Guzzi, but the morning temperature was in the mid-40s. The only bike that I have with enough protection to ride in cold weather is the Can Am Spyder. I put on my winter overpants, wore a warm fleece under my jacket and left around 8 AM. I put the heated grips and seat on high and rode north. 

A very nice 90s vintage Buell. 

       The ride to Ephrata takes about an hour mainly along back roads. I got to the American Legion around 9 AM. There were a few bikes already there. I got out my chair and set up to enjoy the morning. I should have done a better job of taking pictures because, as usual bikes came and went, with a few of us staying there for a while. Unlike a “regular” first Sunday there were few Harley Davidsons. It was an interesting mix. 

There was a nice blue Harley with chrome wheels. 

        We just talk about bikes, past and present, and ask questions about bikes that stand out. My Spyder got some attention due to its paint job. Several guys appreciated heated grips and seat. One aspect of this was that the passenger seat is heated, as are the passenger “grips”! On a chilly morning they appreciated this feature. 

Several Suzuki Hyabusas came, one with the extended swing arm to
prevent the front wheel from coming up when accelerating.

        As I sat there I realized I needed to take off my insulated pants. It warmed up nicely into the low 60s by 11 AM when I decided to leave and go to lunch. As I rode out the sky was blue, the temperature was perfect for a fall day. I rode back along the route I had taken early this morning, to the town of Gap. There I went to the Brass Eagle Restaurant, on US 30 above Gap.

A very nice BMW RT.

        After a nice lunch I made my way back home. My friend Curtis makes fun of me because I stop on the way home to top off the tank. In this case I had ridden over 90 miles today so I stopped as usual to fill up. I’ve found that if I fill up then when I want to go riding I don’t have to worry about filling up when I start a ride. After gas it is 7 miles or so to my house. I put the bike in the garage and then set up to watch football on the deck. There were probably around 25 bikes there today, but it was still fun to get together and talk bikes. If the weather is “decent” I’ll probably go there again on the first Sunday of  December. We’ll see.

Nice triumph with a side car. 

FALL TRIP 2025- BACK TO THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

“…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

Riding the BRP is just a series of magnificent views.

        The ride home is one that consists mainly of interstate riding, at least for the first 150 miles. We generally ride 5 or 10 mph over the speed limit. What I like to find is a spot in the right lane in between groups of traffic where we can ride without anyone too close in front or behind me. Those people in a hurry can simply go right by and race each other. Sometime I have to speed up and get past some slow traffic, but as soon as I can I get back into the right lane in a gap. 

Gary welcoming us to the cabin. It was very comfortable for us.

        Curtis and I rode together from Christiansburg up I 81 to I 66 where he got off to ride over to Washington and home. I rode just about 5 miles farther and got off at Stephens City, where I cut over to US 340. There I rode to Frederick MD where I got on US 15 to MD 26 over to Eldersburg. Now I was on my route around Baltimore through Maryland horse country. 

Curtis at one of the many overlooks on the BRP.

        I wound may way around Baltimore through small towns and lots of countryside. When I reached US 1 I felt I was almost home. Up 1 past the Conowingo Dam off 1 through Rising Sun then on MD 273 towards Newark and home. All together I was on the road for 9 hours. BUT I wasn’t fighting through traffic ( for the most part! ) and enjoyed the ride through the countryside. I knew I would be home tonight and the last hour or so were over roads I rode all the time. 

Remarkable, memorable dinner at El Chapala Restaurant in Brevard.

        Another great trip to the BRP. I think it is amazing that Gary, Curtis and I have been able to maintain our friendship over so many years. Each time we get together it’s like we still live together. We always have lots of fun and good food ( thanks Curtis!!! ). We’ll stay in touch using Face Time and plan our spring trip. I will be riding all winter on a few bikes while the other bikes will be put in the back of the Garage until spring. Who knows what adventures await?

Home safe and sound from another great trip.

FALL TRIP 2025- BACK TO. THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

Today toasted breakfast sandwiches with ham, cheese, and eggs. 

        This is the last night staying here so I want to go for a short ride because we are having dinner out. As I looked at the map I decided to go down US 276 again into South Carolina and turn left towards the east on SC 11. The objective was to get a nice ride in and be back at the cabin by 3:00. 

I found a state park just west of Cleveland SC.

        Gary and Curtis had ridden US 276 south towards South Carolina yesterday an found the road surface to be rough shape. Once I crossed into South Carolina I found their observation to be correct. But while the surface was rough in several places it wasn’t bad on the Spyder. Could my suspension be better than theirs? 

Stopped by the lake, where there was a pic nic table conveniently placed to enjoy the view. 

        Once I reached SC 11 I decided to to stay on US 276 just to see where it went. Riding down from the split I reached the town of Slater-Marietta. I stopped in a gas station to get a couple of sodas and asked if there was a park in town. The young lady gave directions to Slater Park, but I couldn’t find it. I decided to ride south until US 276 intercepted SC 414. Then when it hit US 25 take that north towards North Carolina and Hendersonville. Maybe I could find a park along the way.

Small grocery store obviously out of business in Flat Rock NC.

        I stopped on the way up and discovered a state park called Pleasant Ridge State Park. I rode in an found a nice little lake that had a pic nic table right next to it. Great place to read. After reading for around 45 minutes I decided to continue on US 25 north to Zirconia where I would pick up NC 225 to Hendersonville. From there I would take US 64 west Brevard. 

DuPont Canteen just about 1/2 a mile from the cabin. 

        I checked my watch and saw I was right on time to be at the cabin by 3 pm….HOWEVER I had not had lunch, and decided to stop at the  DuPont Canteen that was very near cabin. After some ice cream ( what else? ) I rode onto the cabin, arriving there by 3:14 pm. Gary and Curtis arrived shortly after me. After a while we got on the bikes and rode into Brevard to a Mexican restaurant called El Chapala. This became the most fun thing of the day. Curtis asked for a small beer, and the server accommodated him.

Curtis about to enjoy his small beer at dinner.

        After a delicious dinner we rode back to the cabin to watch the last of the movies in the Da Vinci series. We were getting on the road in the morning, Gary towards Atlanta, Curtis and I I/2 way home to Christiansburg VA. It has been a great trip with incredible weather, and Curtis still have two days to get home. Who knows what those two days will bring?

Simply a tremendous meal at El Chapala Restaurant in Brevard. You won’t be disappointed.

FALL TRIP 2025- BACK TO THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

Morning on the BRP…beautiful.

        Today’s plan was to ride up US 276 and continue on it past the BRP to Waynesville. Then turn left, wader around on some small roads. Find someplace for lunch. Then navigate back to the cabin. Breakfast this morning consisted of two slices of toast with peanut butter and Curtis’ blue berry jam. Wonderful.

Yet another beautiful day on the BRP.

        This morning I managed to get on the road by 9:30. Gary and Curtis had chosen a hike they hadn’t done before and were out the door before me. I cruised back through Brevard and up US 276. This was a Monday, and traffic was less. However since it was the time for leaves to change color and there were still going to be a number of people on the BRP taking pictures of the foliage.

I had to go up on the BRP for a look.

        I got on the BRP and went north to the first good over look. It seems that just in the time we’ve been here that the colors have become more dramatic. After taking a few pictures myself I got back on US 276 above the BRP and rode down towards Waynesville. The road was even more twisty on this side of the BRP than it been from Brevard to the BRP. Many tight 20 or 15 mph turns, and some that weren’t marked that caught me by surprise. Clearly not a road to race on. I rode at a brisk but safe pace towards Waynesville.

Big Nicks Barbecue in Sylva NC.

        After an enjoyable ride down the mountain into Waynesville I saw a sign for Clyde’s Restaurant which looked interesting. The problem was that when I reached Clyde’s it was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It was around 11:30 by this time and, as I rode out of Waynesville on US 23, I was looking for somewhere for lunch. My preference is to find restaurants where the locals eat, but there are times this doesn’t work out and I stop at a Subway or some other chain restaurant. 

Big Nicks Barbeque is not a very big place but very busy.

       As I rode into Sylva I noticed a restaurant on my right. There were lots of cars parked around it so I decided to try it. I had to do a u-turn but found a parking spot right in front of the door. I am no barbeque expert but I had a tasty pulled pork sandwich with fries and Cole slaw. I put some sweet bbq sauce on it…GREAT.

Hmmm…this looks like a nice place to read for a bit and have a cigar.

        After lunch back up onto the BRP to find a place to sit for a while. Riding north I found a wonderful overlook ( arn’t most of them wonderful? ). Took a few pictures got out my chair and a cigar. I ended sitting there for about 45 minutes ( the length of time it take to finish a cigar! ), enjoying a good book…..and perhaps taking a little nap in the warm sun. 

A couple from Fort Worth TX. were walking by after taking some pictures.
They said it was a nice view…I said that was pretty common on the BRP!

        I wanted to take a different route to Brevard. Looking at the map there was a NC 215 that intercepted the BRP right before Devils Courthouse mm 422. It took me down off of the mountain, the top part very reminiscent of the BRP. Once you got down there were several places where there were 20 or 15 mph curves. It was a pretty good motorcycle road. It hit US 64 just before Rosman NC. From there it was simply US 64 through Brevard and then US 64 to the cabin. For dinner this was left over night, which consisted of spaghetti, mixed vegetables, and pork loin, along with salad. It was great! Not sure what we’re doing tomorrow for lunch but we’re going out for dinner. We start the journey back home the next day, Wednesday. 

Curtis once again provided us with a sumptuous feast…and it was leftover night!

FALL TRIP 2025- BACK TO THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…’

What a way to start a day! A delicious omelette prepared by Curtis. 

…okay….so….I had this plan for the ride today. South on US 276 into South Carolina, then on SC 11 over toward Walhalla, and north on our friend 107 back across the North Carolina border to Cashiers. Simple….maybe. 

It is common to come across these grocery stores in rural areas
that are part of the live blood of the area.

        I slept in this morning so got a late start. On the road by 11:15 I rode out to US 276, made a left, and rode south. As I’ve said this road gets very twisty as you ride into South Carolina. Full of good intentions I continued south ….until….I came across SC 8 off of US 276. Hmmm….I decided to explore. Interestingly enough it merged with SC 11 after a few miles and headed west….until SC 8 went off to the left. Instead of staying on SC 11 I followed SC 8 south.

A beautiful lake in South Carolina. 

        Route 8 went through the town of Pumpkinville to Pickens, where I stopped for gas. By this time it was after 12:30. I decided to find a city park where I could sit for a bit and read (and of course have a cigar! ). There was a beautiful park with pavilions that had picnic tables. I got set up, read for a while and then noticed movement out the corner of my left eye. It was a pretty cat that sat down looked at me. I talked to it and it meowed back to me. I moved closer and it moved away, looked at me and meowed again. I spoke to it and took another step. Apparently I didn’t look trustworthy because it then moved into the undergrowth and left. Shucks!

My lunch stop in Six Mile South Carolina. The Scoop and Eats.
Unfortunately on Sunday they only serve ice cream. I managed to make do.

        My preferred route out of Pickens was SC 183 to Walhalla. A look at the map told me SC 183 was close about 8 miles out of town. I decided to create my own route, which was SC 178 to Liberty, and then SC 93 to Norris where I would pick up SC 137 going north to intercept SC 183 over to Walhalla, then up 107 to Cashiers and home. Simple :-/.

Inside The Scoop! Notice the table in the foreground
that has my I-Pad on it and my ice cream.

        I rode into the town of Six Mile South Carolina. As I rode through I noticed a restaurant on the right side of the road. A glance at my watch told me it was time for a late lunch. I pulled in and entered this wonderful little business with 20 (  + - ? ) different flavors of ice cream. Behind the counter Marby and Jordan helped me make a selection. DELICIOUS! Thanks ladies for your help. 

You can come inside The Scoop, get some ice cream, and sit down and play chess if you want to.

        From Six Mile I rode north on SC 133 planning to ride it to Nine Times SC, pick up SC 11 back to US 276 and back to the cabin…..” The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray…” SC 133 was closed due to a bridge closure. I looked at a map and realized my best option was to ride to Walhalla and then up to Cashiers, my original plan. 133 intersected SC 183 which brought me to Walhalla, then north on SC 28 to 107 across the border back into North Carolina to Chashiers. From there, like yesterday US 64 to Brevard and on to the cabin. I arrived before 6 pm. Curtis prepared another delicious dinner of Chicken with mixed vegetables. Now we plan to settle in, watch another movie. Tomorrow’s another day of adventure!

Sautéed chicken breasts with mixed vegetables. Terrific!

FALL TRIP 2025- BACK TO THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

Fall foliage from our 2021 trip.

        So it’s Saturday…where should we ride today? We decided to get back on the BRP and head south towards Black Balsam Knob where the guys would go hiking and I would find a place to read. Did I say it’s Saturday? 

A picture from a hike Gary and Curtis took on our fall trip 2021.

        Once again we got out to US 64 and rode it to Brevard and then US 276 up to the BRP. On the ride up to the BRP we encountered more traffic than we had on previous days. This continued when we were on the BRP. As we got closer we began to see cars parked along the road, still some distance from the hiking stop. Once we did arrive we turned onto the road that lead to the parking lot. There were cars along the shoulders of the road, often on the road itself making it a one lane road. While Gary and Curtis found a place to park their bikes I fought the inflow of traffic and was able to make my way out to the BRP.

The view from my seat as I read, had a cigar….and maybe had a short nap?

        The over look I chose was about as busy as the parking lot where the boys stated their hike. The difference is that the vast majority of cars stopped for a short time to take pictures and then left. With the Spyder’s “colorful” paint job it usually attracts a lot of attention. The result of this was several conversations with folks walking by. One again some of the most enjoyable moments from of the trip were the people you meet. Lots of fun.

Morning at the cabin as we decide the course of action for the day.

        I sat at that overlook for quite a while and then got “antsy”. I had no cell but I had taken pictures of the BRP map for just this situation. Looking at the map I saw an interesting road out of Sylva NC, 107, which looked like a good ride. When I had left the boys I had ridden north to this over look because they knew where it was and could link up with me easily after their hike. The route I wanted to take was further south on the BRP. So I rode back to the area where they were and was able to find a parking spot. Once again, as people would walk by on their way to their car, they would comment about the Spyder. On such conversation was with a young man and his father. The young man was a dentist in the military. We had a wide ranging conversation over a number of topics for about a 1/2 an hour. Once again the people you meet add a richness to a trip that I’m not sure would happen if I was in my truck.

The cabin wasn’t huge but had three bedrooms, with two downstairs and a single up stairs. 

        As the boys were riding out of the hiking area they saw me and stopped. I explained my  plan, they agreed to it and off we went. Once again riding the BRP is a joy. The speed limit is 45 mph for the vast majority of it, and while younger riders found that too slow, I find that 45-55 allows me to enjoy the ride without endangering myself or worrying about getting a ticket from a park ranger. We rode south for about 20 miles then got off on US 74 south into Sylva where we took a break at a Dairy Queen   :-). NC 107 went right by and so after ice cream we headed south on 107 to the town of Cashiers. This 20 mile ride wound along a river with lots of curves through a scenic valley. Reaching Cashiers we got on US 64 east. This took us right into Brevard. If you look at a map you won’t appreciate what a good motorcycle road this is. Very curvy with altitude changes, it is quite enjoyable. The down side is that it goes through several communities and past vacation spots. This means traffic but it can barely intrude on the fun of the ride. Once back to Brevard it was on to the cabin and dinner. We watched the last half of The Accountant 2 and went to bed early. Tomorrow is another amazing day!

Simply wonderful porch that we didn’t use nearly enough.

FALL TRIP 2025- BACK TO THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

Gary leaving on their hike with his back pack at
Craggy Gardens just north of Asheville on the BRP.

        Gary and Curtis decided to combine hiking and motorcycling by riding up to the BRP and then north, through Asheville on the BRP up to Craggy Gardens. While they were hiking I would find a place to read and have a cigar. It dawned as yet another beautiful day. It promised to be the coldest day of the trip. We’ll see.

The reason people love coming up on the BRP is one amazing view after another .

        We got bundled up and headed north towards Brevard. We stopped at a Marathon gas station and filled our bikes up for the day’s ride. After that north on US 64 to US 276 just outside of Brevard and then up to the BRP. US 276 hits the BRP just about 3 miles south of the Pisgah Inn. From there north riding one of the best motorcycle roads I’ve ever been on. 

When we got to Craggy Gardens it was very busy with people enjoying the terrific view.

        The traffic picked up as we rode through Asheville. While it is a limited road many locals use it to get from one side of town to the other, as well as simply having a pic nic or going for a hike. The advantage of course is there are no traffic lights and dramatically less traffic then there is on the surface streets in Ashville. 

While it was absolutely beautiful at Craggy Gardens, the altitude and a breeze made it chilly

        The ride up to Craggy Gardens was slowed due to the number of people enjoying the day and the destination. On arrival the parking lot was full, with several cars waiting hoping a parking spot would open up. An advantage of motorcycles is that they are much smaller than cars ( well my Spyder is at least SOME WHAT smaller than a car! ). I found a place where the bikes would be out of the way. Gary and Curtis put on their hiking shoes and got their back packs ready for the hike. As soon as they started off I got back on the Spyder and rode back down the BRP a ways to find a good place to set up to read.

A wonderful spot to enjoy the view, sit in the sun, and read.

        I rode back down the BRP about 3 miles and found a terrific over look. I set up my chair, got a cigar and a soda out and settled in to relax for a while. I’m not sure how much later my phone rang with a call from Curtis. He had gotten back to the bikes, while Gary had gone on farther and would be back in a bit. I packed up my chair and rode back to the parking lot to wait for Gary.

Curtis’ photo of a wild turkey who held a woman hostage in her car.

        When Gary got back we packed up and headed back down the BRP retracing our route from earlier in the day to the cabin. It had gotten a little chillier so we decided to stop and put on some more gear. We pulled into an over look and found that a wild turkey had trapped a woman inside her car refusing to let the lady to leave. Courageously Curtis approached defending the young woman from the turkey. Protected as he was in his riding gear and helmet he managed to get the aggressive bird to move so the lady could depart the combat zone. I think Curtis deserves a medal for his brave exploits! After this we continued on to the cabin, stopping at the Walmart near Brevard for supplies. Arriving at our destination we parked the bikes, Curtis prepared a fantastic meal, and then we settled in to watch a movie. Tomorrow back up on the BRP, this time heading south towards its terminus in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. 

Table set we’re ready to sit down to a fantastic feast. Thank you Curtis!