Today begins Gary’s 2011 “Harley Hillbilly Holiday,” an eight-day ride through the hills and mountains of Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
As in years past, I’m riding with Ray, Sarah’s 80-year-old cousin.
To learn more about Ray, visit the My Posse page on this blog.
Today was a warm-up ride, about 50 miles to Deals Gap, North Carolina. Deals Gap is a famous motorcycle resort at the end of “The Dragon,” a Harley fantasyland: 318 curves in 11 miles on US Highway 129.
The Dragon is known for slaying inattentive riders.
At the Tail of The Dragon, there’s a Tree of Shame, littered with motorcycle parts from crashed bikes. On this trip, I’m riding Sarah’s cousin Tina’s Harley (just like mine, a Heritage Softail Classic) — so I was particularly careful not to add to the Tree of Shame.
Deal’s Gap Motorcycle Resort is the place to go in these here parts if you’re a serious rider, or just a tourist from California. It has a great cafe, with hundreds of t-shirts on the ceiling from visiting bikers.
To learn more about The Dragon, check out this website:
Tonight we are at Ray and Tina’s home in Farragut, Tennessee — for a relaxing meal and a comfortable bed.
Tomorrow, we hit the road!
Riding With Gary 