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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: bmacneil2008 on September 21, 2015, 04:59:53 PM

Title: 2009 Stelvio - Camping - Heidenau K60's & Pisgah Mountains
Post by: bmacneil2008 on September 21, 2015, 04:59:53 PM
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/ (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 (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxw4l8WSgXJYo2Ns5Wr013w)
Photos - https://www.flickr.com/photos/71375941@N02/albums/72157656536928533 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/71375941@N02/albums/72157656536928533)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5698/21539091976_385844e12f_b.jpg)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5681/21574088871_c586329516_b.jpg)

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/720/21554051222_e550b4b377_b.jpg)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5809/21565286125_10a79dafee_b.jpg)
Title: Re: 2009 Stelvio - Camping - Heidenau K60's & Pisgah Mountains
Post by: oldbike54 on September 21, 2015, 05:06:27 PM
 Dang , that looks like fun  :thumb:

  Dusty
Title: Re: 2009 Stelvio - Camping - Heidenau K60's & Pisgah Mountains
Post by: pyoungbl on September 21, 2015, 05:07:56 PM
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.
Title: Re: 2009 Stelvio - Camping - Heidenau K60's & Pisgah Mountains
Post by: Lannis on September 21, 2015, 05:19:03 PM
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
Title: Re: 2009 Stelvio - Camping - Heidenau K60's & Pisgah Mountains
Post by: Dilliw on September 21, 2015, 05:36:42 PM
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

Title: Re: 2009 Stelvio - Camping - Heidenau K60's & Pisgah Mountains
Post by: bmacneil2008 on September 21, 2015, 05:51:40 PM
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 :)
Title: Re: 2009 Stelvio - Camping - Heidenau K60's & Pisgah Mountains
Post by: bmacneil2008 on September 21, 2015, 05:54:14 PM
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.
Title: Re: 2009 Stelvio - Camping - Heidenau K60's & Pisgah Mountains
Post by: elvisboy77 on September 21, 2015, 06:18:33 PM
Great pics!  Thanks
Title: Re: 2009 Stelvio - Camping - Heidenau K60's & Pisgah Mountains
Post by: balvenie on September 21, 2015, 06:53:14 PM
Good pics. Nice lookin' bike.
Is that a snake in the dirty water? :huh:
Title: Re: 2009 Stelvio - Camping - Heidenau K60's & Pisgah Mountains
Post by: Mayor_of_BBQ on September 21, 2015, 07:36:30 PM
love the pics!

welcome to WNC! come back anytime!
Title: Re: 2009 Stelvio - Camping - Heidenau K60's & Pisgah Mountains
Post by: bmacneil2008 on September 22, 2015, 05:40:33 AM
Good pics. Nice lookin' bike.
Is that a snake in the dirty water? :huh:

Yes, is a pond at the campground the creek runs into and out by the tent sites.
Title: Re: 2009 Stelvio - Camping - Heidenau K60's & Pisgah Mountains
Post by: Zoom Zoom on September 22, 2015, 06:21:11 AM
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.  :thumb:

John Henry