ADV Old School Fall Rally

The ADV Old School Fall Rally was held between October 16 and 10, 2014 in Tellico Plains, TN.  The weather could not have been better!  It was a great weekend to see old friends and ride the great roads of eastern Tennessee.

The banner welcoming us to the campground.

The rally is held each year at the Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground.  On Thursday night just a few of us showed up with the majority arriving Friday.

Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground

 On Friday I took a long ride through east Tennessee.  I rode to Reliance, TN which is basically a gas station / post office.  It's kind of a landmark for motorcyclist in the area.

Reliance, TN

The rest of the weekend was spent reminiscing about rides taken this past year and plans for next year.  The Old School rallies are my favorite rallies of the year.  They are small (generally less than 50 people) and more like a gathering of friends than a rally.

Doin' what we do at these things

My campsite

 On Sunday I packed up and rode home in beautiful weather.  This will probably be my last event of the season.  I already have some plans for next spring so stay tuned!

Packed for the ride home

ADV Nottarally

The annual ADV Nottarally was held October 2-5, 2014.  I rode up on Friday October 3.  Despite having organized camping, meals, rides, t-shirts, stickers, etc. this is not a rally.  Hence the name "Nottarally" does not make sense to some.  Those of us that are "initiates" understand the reasoning behind this name and we prefer to leave it esoteric.

Packed and ready to go.

I left on Friday and got to the site in Del Rio, TN before the rain began to fall.  The rain was predicted, but it was supposed to be a couple of bands and then move out.  Friday night a third band moved through to our surprise.

Set up and ready for the rain.

Thanks to a few volunteers we had a hearty breakfast and then most of us hit the road or trails to ride the day away.

Volunteers cooking up a high protein breakfast of bacon and eggs.

Riders getting ready to get dirty

I had a great campsite with a little stream running behind the tent.  During the rain I just laid in my tent and read my Kindle.  I really enjoy the sound of rain an a tent or the sound of a stream nearby.

The stream behind my tent

As predicted the temperatures dropped on Saturday night and we woke up to a chilly Sunday morning.  Some people broke camp fairly early and had to ride as far as Pennsylvania or even upstate New York.  I'm not sure but I think someone mentioned that we had visitors from our neighbor to the north, Canada.

I arrived home before noon and took a well deserved shower and took a much needed nap.  I don't know how many more weekends I will be able to get out this season.  There is one more event I know of in two weeks, but it seems that fall has arrived early (and I am getting old).

Weekend in Cruso

I spent September 19 - 21 at Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground in Cruso, NC.  There was no real reason, I just needed to get away and get a little tent time. There is not really anything exciting to report about this trip but on Saturday I did have a great ride in the Smoky Mountains.  Here are some photos from this past weekend.

Riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway

 

Balsam Lake

View of the Smokies near Devil's Courthouse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Packed up and ready to ride home on Sunday morning

I do hope to get out a couple more times this year before winter sets in.  Check back often!

Horizons Unlimited Eastern Traveler's Meeting 2014

The Horizons Unlimited Eastern Traveler's Meeting was held September 4 - 7 at the Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge in Stecoah, NC.  This is an annual meeting of international motorcycle travelers.  It consists of three days of presentation covering "how-to" and reports on trips taken.  Some folks are there that have never done long distance motorcycle travel and others have been on the road for years.  I gave my presentation on a 2008 trip I made to Alaska.

My bike and tent at the Horizons Unlimited Traveler's Meeting

There was a little rain, but since most the events were held indoors we were not bothered.  Iron Horse is a fantastic venue for such an event.  The food is also great!  The highlight of the culinary offerings is the prime rib on Saturday night.

The evening fire at Iron Horse.

Prime Rib dinner at Iron Horse.

It was a great week and it inspired me to reactivate this blog.  I had suspended this blog due to political considerations while I was overseas. 

Here are a few more photos from the week.

Tent city

Lots of bikes

A beautiful setting in the Smoky Mountains

I should have another posting in couple of weeks.  Fall is approaching and that is some of the best motorcycling weather in my part of the country.  Stay tune!