[UncleErnie]

Up 63 North from Asheville- quite near my house- and make a left on Newfound.  This is sort of residential amoung ranch and small farms.  It's fun to say hi to the pygmy goats.  Folks are getting out of church and in a hurry to get home, and I just pull over to let them by.  I'm in no hurry today.

For the first time, I decide to turn left on Hookers Gap.  Pretty quickly, the trees are closing in and the VERY WINDY road ascends into dappled areas  where light passes through the trees.  Occasionally there's an popen spot with a nice view, but you go where you look- so I just glance.  This is tight stuff, and fun.  After the top, the road descends and gradually loosens up into sweepers with a bit of straight here and there. 
This eventually evolves into outer suberb kind os neighborhoods;  huge yards -fields actually- but it's all mowed.  Who manicures several acres of grass?!  Everywhere is quite green, and it's pretty and all- but don't you have better things to do?

always running out of space...

[Cabo Cruz]

That sounds like a fun loop, Br. Ernie... good for you!!!

[UncleErnie]

I come up to Smokey Park Hwy and know exactly where I am.  On the other lide is 151.  This begins with looong straights that bend a little here and there as it, too, begins to gradually head up.  Big fields all around.  Towards the base of the mountain, the trees begin geting closer.  First one long sweeper to the left, a medium sweeper to the right, and a quick right-hander into thick forest as the road REALLY tightens up suddenly and it's like sitting in your living room in the middle of the day with the curtains drawn.  There is thick vegetation all around and the trees overhead are blocking all direct light.  

I'm averaging about 30mph in 2nd gear now- I realize I'm manhandling the bars swinging deliberately from side to side / left to right to left over and over again.  Relentlessly.  All the while heading up.  Mostly I'm just chopping the throttle to slow before a turn, leaning, and gassing it out.  I love how this bike begs for throttle in turns.  It just feels more planted while not going so fast I'm scaring myself.  Occasionally I have to break for a swithback that comes up and I need to slow to about 10mph.  I'm guessing because I'm shifting according to sound and feel- who wants to look at a speedo at a time like this?  
I'm somewhat shocked to realize I'm so damn happy.

[ace.cafe]

Yep!
That happiness just sorta starts sneaking up on ya, and then you can't get enough of it.
That's when you're hooked, and it sounds like you are.

Happy times!

[baird4444]

WHAT FUN!!
      Makes ya want to do it again, don't it??

[UncleErnie]

Sorry Mr Cruz- still gabbing here ~

At the top is the Blue Ridge Parkway.  yes- the mountains really are blue blue blue.  
For Pineymountainyum  (I tried to memorize your name but I forgot it already- sorry)
"They" really should rope it off and have a race up there some day.   Anyhoo, the tunnels through the going North are kind of frequent.  Here's a tech tip kids;  PULL YOUR SUNGLASSES DOWN WHEN YOU ENTER A TUNNEL, or you will think you went blind and start crying because you're so scared of running into the side of the tunnel.

Asheville is around 2300 feet
Mt Pisgah is about 5700 feet

Couple of pix;




OK.  that's it.

[Blue Ridge Wheeltor]

Ya old coot, i was up at Mt. Pisgah today. I come up from the other side-276, which many claim rivals the Dragon.

Anyways, that was a cool dream you had. next time try it with the bike.

[Cabo Cruz]

Well, Br. Ernie, I'll say again: "That sounds like a fun loop, Br. Ernie... good for you!!!"

Life is tremendous; isn't it?    And when one is lucky enough to ride through it on a Bullet, life is phenomenal. 

[Blue Ridge Wheeltor]

That was a pretty long ride for a person of your advanced age.
Perhaps the next time you can leave the ankle bracelet home again and we can take a ride to the dealer in SC. I'll try to get you home before dark.
I wish Atlanta wasn't so far away. There's a Cuban guy there with a silver Enfield we could go harass.

[REpozer]

 The pictures are just teasers really.

 Can include a picture of a BBQ stand/ joint next time ?
 
Thanks.

[BigDon]

That was a pretty long ride for a person of your advanced age.
Perhaps the next time you can leave the ankle bracelet home again and we can take a ride to the dealer in SC. I'll try to get you home before dark.
I wish Atlanta wasn't so far away. There's a Cuban guy there with a silver Enfield we could go harass.

Cabo and I need to meet you guys half way some time. What do you say Juan?

[UncleErnie]

So Pozer- what's moose BBQ like?  (do NOT say it tastes like chicken)

Big D,  I'd give it some consideration.  Bernie and I can't even manage to meet up for a stinky bike night around here, so that could be asking a lot!

[REpozer]

So Pozer- what's moose BBQ like?  (do NOT say it tastes like chicken)

You are a mind reader.

You have to make it your self.
 I went to the big city a while back ( Anchorage), tried some. But really just well,--posers here.

[UncleErnie]

Actually -in Asheville proper- thee is a depressing paucity of deent BBQ.  In an interesting paradigm twist, there is the Moose cafe.  The best has to be 12Bones, though.  Let me know before you get here so I can make arangements to act like I had to make room on my schedule for you.  And don't worry about the cost- I don't eat much.

[REpozer]

I would certainly be my pleasure to eat BBQ in Ashville at your recommended establishment.
Thanks for the thought.