2009 Stelvio - Camping - Heidenau K60's & Pisgah Mountains

[bmacneil2008]

Took a break last week and did just under 1,000 miles in the mountains. Towed the bike up to Greenville and then just rode and camped all through Gatlinburgh, Unicoi, Pisgah, some amazing rides and fire roads. Plotted all on Google Maps using lat/long and entered coordinates in GPS.

Believe Highways 209 (The Rattler) and 197 were my favorites but the 1st gear U-Turns can be worrying when fully loaded. http://www.blueridgemotorcycling.com/ride-maps/the-rattler-nc-209/

Fitted the fattest K60 I could find for the rear, a 170/60, fairly certain I could run it on my jeep :) Like the tires, really noticed no difference from stock except in the dirt, 100% better, but the front tire howls loudly between 45-52. Maybe a good thing with all the deer in the area. With the stock tires I slide out going up a small grassy hill on my last run. Not even a scratch but a bear to pick up!

If looking for a tent I recommend the Kelty TN2 as the poles breakdown to 18 inches ad packs flat. Perfect for tying your sleeping bag, camp shoes and other gear on top of.

Videos - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxw4l8WSgXJYo2Ns5Wr013w
Photos - https://www.flickr.com/photos/71375941@N02/albums/72157656536928533

[oldbike54]

 Dang , that looks like fun 

  Dusty

[pyoungbl]

I was in the same general area last week...beautiful weather and not much traffic.  Those NC mountains are a fantastic place to have a motorcycle.  As for the tent, I'd worry about a ground cloth that large.  In heavy rain the cloth will tend to hold rain and possibly direct it under the tent, with bad results.

[Lannis]

Thanks for the travelogue!

Those tires really look the business on a Stelvio .....

What are the honeycomb-looking things in your picture?   I had no scale or context to tell what they were?

Glad you had a great time .....

Lannis

[Dilliw]

I was in the same general area last week...beautiful weather and not much traffic.  Those NC mountains are a fantastic place to have a motorcycle.  As for the tent, I'd worry about a ground cloth that large.  In heavy rain the cloth will tend to hold rain and possibly direct it under the tent, with bad results.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RueJ7t2J6t0

[bmacneil2008]

Thanks for the travelogue!

Those tires really look the business on a Stelvio .....

What are the honeycomb-looking things in your picture?   I had no scale or context to tell what they were?

Glad you had a great time .....

Lannis

Sorry, there should be a title when mouse over the image. At a campground I stayed at they had 4 old beehives and I lifted up the lid. Was honeycomb wax I guess. Very cool. Under another a muse running for cover :)

[bmacneil2008]

I was in the same general area last week...beautiful weather and not much traffic.  Those NC mountains are a fantastic place to have a motorcycle.  As for the tent, I'd worry about a ground cloth that large.  In heavy rain the cloth will tend to hold rain and possibly direct it under the tent, with bad results.

Wow, did not think of that. I bought the tarp for my last trip with my bud as we had showers a few nights and bungie tied over both bikes. I used as ground cover, kept my feet clean and bugs out but you are right would also be a rain gutter to the tent. Thanks.

[elvisboy77]

Great pics!  Thanks

[balvenie]

Good pics. Nice lookin' bike.
Is that a snake in the dirty water?

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

love the pics!

welcome to WNC! come back anytime!

[bmacneil2008]

Good pics. Nice lookin' bike.
Is that a snake in the dirty water?

Yes, is a pond at the campground the creek runs into and out by the tent sites.

[Zoom Zoom]

Wow, did not think of that. I bought the tarp for my last trip with my bud as we had showers a few nights and bungie tied over both bikes. I used as ground cover, kept my feet clean and bugs out but you are right would also be a rain gutter to the tent. Thanks.

Rule of thumb is to have the ground cloth about 4 inches smaller all the way around than the foot print of the tent. As Peter mentioned, that should keep water from being directed under the tent.

Sounds like a nice time. 

John Henry