Days 9-10 Stecoah, NC

82 Miles

In preparation for my Alaska trip in 2006 (Alaska 2006) I joined a motorcycle tourer forum on the internet.  It is, appropriately, called the Motorcycle Tourer Forum (MTF).  Founded by Alan Deluc, this is an all around great site for riders needing information, or wanting to meet people with like interests.  Shortly after my trip my friend Rita M. introduced me to her childhood friend, Claye C. who rides long distance motorcycle.  Turns out she, too, was a member of this forum and has introduced me to many others through Facebook.  This weekend the MTF was having their annual Founder's Feast at the Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge in Stecoah, NC, and Claye was there working on the event.  I'd told Claye on FB I might make it and she was sitting in the lodge as I rode up.

The place was full of OFOMs so I felt right at home.  It was so full, in fact, that there was only bunkhouse and tent site space available.  Fortunately, for me and the boys in the bunkhouse, this is why I always carry a pack with tent, sleeping bag and pad on the bike with me.  Why would one sleep in a bunkhouse shaking a single room when one can sleep in a tent and keep the bears away?  Opting for the safety for the entire group...a sacrifice that I think has not been properly noted by the many involved...I chose a campsite, put up my tent, and immediately made a beer run to Bryson City.  Like many places in Texas you can cross a street up here and go from wet to dry.

Got a 12-pack, rented a cooler, filled it with ice and I was ready to meet these folks.  Claye introduced me to a ton of people and, as would be expected, they are wonderful people who, like me, just enjoy the road on two-wheeled vehicles.  A key group within the group, as it were, are Iron Butts, people who not only ride long distances, but do it in a relatively short time.  The usual criteria for certification is 1,000 miles within 24 hours.   Some have done the Four Corners, Key West, California, Washington, Maine, and Key West.  Now that's a trip I'd like to do.   In a reasonable (for me) amount of time, of course.




Driving up a welcome sight: bikes and bikers.  This place is made for bikers.  Note the kick-stand strip on the asphalt in the parking area.

Another day, another shot of bikes.

The main area of the lodge.

My campsite was just to the left of this picture adjacent to the creek.

Claye checking in yet another rider

I mentioned these are motorcycle touring riders, did I not?  On Saturday, eschewing the officially sanctioned "Flower Sniffin'" ride because we assumed it might be too long, Sylvia and I elected to go off on our own and come back early to keep Claye company at the lodge.  I thought this meant a ride of a couple of two or three hours.  Six hours later we returned (but before the other ride, anyway). 

Sylvia leading us out

Betsy, basking beautifully on the bridge.

Sylvia, safety swathed, stately standing on the structure.

Hence the name, Great Smoky Mountains

Sylvia at our highest apogee.

Bald (somebody or something) Falls

I have a new heroine.  Please meet Ardys K.  Ardys is a youthful 79 years of age and was recognized during the MTF Founders event for achieving her 1,000,000th mile (yes, you read it correctly, one million) on BMW motorcycles.   There are several people here who have been riding for a long time and have accumulated amazing numbers of miles. Makes my small efforts puny by comparison, but I've enjoyed every one of them.  CONGRATS ARDYS!  You rock!!

The Group