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Day 2 - Nashville, TN to New Orleans, LA
Today's goal is to ride 342 miles of the Natchez Trace from near Nashville, TN, through Tennessee, Alabama, into Mississippi and finish the day in Jackson, MS. I forgot there was a time zone change. My clock is an hour ahead of local time, which explains why traffic is so light. Nice to know, though, that I'm not on the clock on this trip.
Yesterday's ride from Indy to Nashville started out at 34 degrees and finished out in the 60's. I was hoping for a warmer start for day two, but at least I got cloudless skies. It's a crisp and sunny 38 degrees, with a slight fog left over in the valleys. As I head from the hotel to the start of the Trace, I'm traveling through the Nashville suburbs on a couple of parkways. There's a non-descript sign with "Natchez Trace, Exit Right" when the road opens up to a concrete bridge with "Natchez Trace Parkway" etched into the overpass. The Trace starts just off Tennessee Rte 100, southwest of Nashville. Sitting at the entrance si...
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 in Tours
Day 1 - Indy to Nashville, TN
The ride started mid-morning after finishing up a batch of fresh beef jerky and a number of other pre-ride tasks. The sun was gracing us after an early argument with some clouds, but the temperature was still down in the low 30's. After topping off the tank in Fishers, I headed onto the interstate for the run to Nashville.
About an hour into the ride, the clouds had returned, along with an increase of humidity. The temperature was still in the 30's and I was starting to get uncomfortably chilled. Experience tells me to stop and get the electrics on, otherwise the distraction could cause an accident. A stop at a rest park gave me a chance to change to the electric jacket liner (imagine wearing an electric blanket) and to put on my balaclava. Yes, recall that I am bald and a helmet really doesn't afford much warmth.
Heading on south towards Louisville didn't improve the weather any. And, the comfort of warmth from the balaclava has been replaced by a seari...
Monday, March 29, 2010 in Tours
Planning a Trip Through History
I've got a two-week window to fit in the first major road trip in a couple of years. Between work demands, work travel, and family health issues, I just haven't had the luxury to get out for major miles. The 2007 trip-pair of the BMW-MOA West Bend rally and the BMW-RA Asheville rally were the last significant travels made on the bike. So now the opportunity presents itself for a solo road trip to anywhere I think I'd like to go. Since it's early spring, I'm going to take the long anticipated motorcycle trip to visit family in New Orleans. However, this won't be a "hop on the slab for major miles in a day, trip."
I am very excited to continue my quest to explore more of America's Byways as this trip will include all 440 miles of the Natchez Trace Parkway. According to the National Scenic Byways program; the U.S. Department of Transportation recognizes certain roads as All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways based on one or more archeological, cultural, historic, n...
Friday, March 26, 2010 in Tours
Web-Based GPS Tracking
I know my solo travels cause concern for family members that want to know I'm doing ok, or simply need to know where I'm at. Since I carry a GPS on the motorcyle, thoughts were it would be a simple task to post the current coordinates on a website for viewing by anyone with the proper URL.
After researching it a bit more, I discovered a group of smartphone applications that provide the means to send the data and post it on web sites. Since I had already hacked my Verizon HTC Diamond to enable the GPS (Verizon prevents users from doing this to be able to charge for their GPS software), the task was reduced to loading and configuring software and setting up the website.
Since I wanted a free service, it came down to two providers. The market leader, Instamapper, didn't have a native app for Windows Mobile-based phones. So, they were out. Another, TrackR had the Windows Mobile app, and website for viewing. It's not clear whether TrackR is the best choice, but ...
Thursday, March 18, 2010 in Gear
Spring Diversions
The past two weeks have presented ample opportunities for rides, but today was one of the best yet. Temperatures ranging from 60 to 72 and a perfectly sunny day made really difficult to stay focused on work. Thank goodness that a lunch appointment with a business colleague gave me the excuse to get out. Eight miles to get there, and 52 miles to get back home :)
I got back out around dusk for a brisk ride on one of my favorite loops; ride down Fall Creek to I-465, a quick cloverleaf reverse to north I-465, up I-69 to 238, and Olio Road back home. It's kind of my quick-fix ride. Not especially long, but has some reasonable twisties along the river, some fast highway sprints, and a couple of high-speed 360's.
The fun was somewhat tempered by the annual spring fling by the Indiana State Police to help meet their sagging revenue quota. No stops or tickets for me, but they were thick.
Tomorrow should be more of the same (weather, not radar traps, I hope...
Friday, April 17, 2009 in Tours
Asphalt Threesome
6AM, Sun breaking over the horizon. Cool, clear skies.
The goal for the week is to take in what is arguably described as the best motorcycle touring roads in the country; the Cherohala Skyway, the Dragon at Deal's Gap, and the Foothills Parkway. The fourth, the Blue Ridge Parkway, would hopefully come tomorrow. I was concerned about the possibility of washing from the rain last night, but the roads proved to be in extremely good condition. After a brief fueling stop in Tellico Plains, a left off of highway 68 onto highway 165 and I was on the Skyway.
Starting out at an elevation of 930 feet, I was in for 36 miles of mountain sweepers and twisties, and a climb to over 5300 feet above sea level. I had the road to myself, with no traffic at all and could push Milla as hard as I wanted into the turns. I found myself mixing up casual tour...
Tuesday, June 05, 2007 in Tours
Slabbing to the Smokies
"Happy Birthday, Erica! It's finally road trip time. The 2007 BMW Motorcycle Owner's Association national rally is scheduled for the end of the week in Asheville, North Carolina - right in the middle of the Smokey Mountains. While the rally itself isn't that important to me, it's an excellent time to ride in the area of the rally, as there will be plenty of company and available help from like-minded riders.
I've planned out to spend much of the week riding around the Smokey Mountains. I've got some set goals while I'm on the road, but it doesn't include any type of firm schedule. And, riding alone gives me as much freedom to venture wherever I please.
After a relaxing weekend that included a birthday celebration, bike preparation and packing, I woke up at my normal go-to-work time to start the trip. My ride setup for today would be my mesh jacket and pants, riding boots, Nolan flip helmet, my Steve Held touring gloves, and t...
Monday, June 04, 2007 in Tours
2007 BMW-MOA National Rally - Asheville, NC
Rally Photo Gallery...
Sunday, June 03, 2007 in Tours
