Not all too many, but I spent a good chunk of the day out riding today and taking pics. We finally had a break from the crazy heat lately, and while it was overcast and humid, it was only about 80 deg so off I went. Sorry some of the pics aren't the best quality.... most are from my iPhone, and others from my Cyber-shot but the lens wouldn't un-fog the entire day

A buddy told me about a local road I hadn't been on yet, so after doing a little exploring on some backroads right around my house, I make my way up NC 181. Definitely a fun road! Pulled into the pull off overlooking Brown Mountain. Right as I was pulling in, I said to myself... "uh oh looks like I might get a lil wet here soon". It proceeded to start pouring as I was taking this picture, go figure, lol



But I continue on anyways, head up for a ways more on 181 and and got utterly soaked from head to toe as the rain kept getting harder and harder, then jumped off at the Blue Ridge Parkway and head north for a ways. At first it was bright sunny blue skies up there, which felt great cuz I was soaking wet, but up there the weather changes by the minute. I made it up to the Lin Cove Viaduct and was in a cloud. Still stopped for some pics though.... the view here is absolutely spectacular on a clear day, especially in the fall when all the leaves are changing





Fog started to lift a little bit as I was sitting there



And just for reference, this is the view from this exact same spot in the fall (I didn't take this, just a google image to show)

http://image32.webshots.com/32/5/43/...0TPWvAQ_ph.jpg

A huge *** butterfly, lol



Made my way north on the Parkway for quite a ways... got north of Boone and made a stop at the Carroll Gap Overlook cuz it looked like an awesome photo op spot



Anybody need a christmas tree??









It was getting later in the day so I decided to turn around there and start heading back. I jumped off the parkway at NC 183 instead of 181 cuz I wanted to go over towards Linville Falls and check it out. Got there and decided to do a little hiking















Another view from what they call 'the chimney'. There's 3 viewing areas... had to go to all of them, lol. This was about 3/4 mile hike back in the woods... not too bad



After I got done hiking I started making my way home, jumped on NC 221 and headed south. It's definitely a fun road, and pretty steep here. Scary thing is right after taking this pic, I saw an 18 wheeler going the other way (slowly, lol)





Just some random cows and a little fog along one of the few straightaways... freshly paved though so at least it was nice and smooth



Ol' Faithful with a big farm



Made it down to Marion, NC and stopped for gas. I had gotten completely soaked this morning, then gotten a few little showers here and there throughout the day but nothing major, but still had never dried out from the morning downpour. The sky still wasn't looking to have any mercy on my soul for the rest of the 22 miles home, ugh



Ended up making it home with only a few little sprinkles along the way, so no biggie. Pulled in and see I wasn't the only one playing in the rain all day, lol... Piggy was covered in mud (aka red clay, and it stains everything). Bath time!



She hates bathes, but loves the drying part for whatever reason, haha



All clean and dry



Bike turned 194,000 mi just before I got to my house too... running strong as ever!



Got her all tucked away for the night under her ghetto fabulous bike cover (aka a heavy grey tarp that we've had since I was about 8 years old, lol)



That's all the pics.... all in all only logged about 200 miles or so, but had a great time, even with the rain! With all I've had going on the last couple months, it's been a long time since I've been able to just go out and ride and have a good time, so I definitely needed this, haha

 

Very nice. Looks like an enjoyable & relaxing day. Thanks for sharing. Cute pup too.

 

I love looking at pics from other places. Looks like you had a great ride.

"What a Big Sweetie" said in my best doggie voice...

 

kewl Jared. You gonna make the EOSB in October?

 

looked like a good little ride, minus the showers. lol

I took about a 140 mile ride on mine saturday. Except it was 95 and sunny here. lol Not bad when your going, but hot when your stopped.

 

Looks like a great day's ride.
194000 miles?! She's well used
Out here, there is some kind of crazy idea that bikes shouldnt have too many Kms (or miles) on them... Im just wondering.... whats too many miles on a bike like this for you guys?

Mine has 46000 kms on it (28583 miles)