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Significance of the Ride |
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Volume 2, Number 1 May 2001 =============
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Slaying the Dragon
Graphics and photos courtesy of Ron and Nancy Johnson and Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap www.tailofthedragon.com This
morning dawned gray and wet. Low clouds hung over Suches and fog held the
mountaintop hostage. In another time and place, it could have been the
mists rising from an Irish bog. And the knights could have heard the call
that a
dragon was threatening the village. Today was a good day for dragon
slaying. As
the rain fell this morning, we talked of the roads we wanted to ride. But
as noon approached with no break in the weather, Skert, Don and I decided
to head for Atlanta. We headed south down 60 and crept through heavy fog
near the AT. But, as we rode down the mountain, the weather improved. By
the time we were at the rock pile, I began to think of the cooler run.
Besides, I needed gas and Dale's would be open. So, I waved to Don and
Skert and headed for 129. I made the run up 129 to Wolf Pen Gap Rd. and
turned left as the low fuel light began to flash. Dale's would be open,
right? The fog had lessened by the time I crossed 180. But the roads were
wet and a little slick. A couple of times, the rear tried to step out a
bit. But, I was soon pulling into Dale's BP. Not a light was shining.
About
2:00 I mounted up and rode east on 180 toward 129. As usual, the GPS
failed me and I turned left instead of right. Actually, I believe it was a
dragon taunting me. 129 was beginning to dry which allowed me to wick it
up a bit. Soon Blairsville was behind me and Murphy, NC was looming ahead.
I was on the right road. All I had to do was follow it until it reached
the TN border. Besides, the roads were dry and the dragon was calling.
As
I pulled onto the dragon, I looked at the clock - 4:12. The twists hit
immediately. All thought of time and space leaves as my world becomes the
tunnel of roadway twisting ahead, two grips, clutch, brake and shifter.
Remember the words of the master, "You must slow down to go
fast." I keep the revs down for more manageable power. I run
easy between curves so that I can set a better line. Quickly, I am through
the first few turns before finding the back of two SUVs. One moves over to
let me pass. The other blocks the road through one turn then another.
Finally, there is a clear place to pass. I am off on the quest again. Just
as I think I have the rhythm, the dragon changes and I am fighting the
road again. The world closes in tighter. Then I roll off, sit up, and
coast. Three Harleys following a Light Truck. One pulls over. The next
motions me past. The third sits in the lane and gives not an inch. I find
a place to pass. The LT swings wide and motions me to the inside. I am
back to my quest. Smoothly;
easy on the throttle, easy on the brakes. Read the turns, set the bike,
roll-on. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat. The weather was not good this morning. It
is Easter Sunday. The good and the bad stayed home today. The road is
almost empty and life is good. I pass the overlook - 4:26. Fourteen
minutes on a loaded VFR. I could do worse.
Photo by Carl Cooper Past
the overlook, I sit up and go easy. At the lake, I turn around and return
to the overlook in time to see the dragon slayers come by - the engines are
screaming. Gary is sitting on a dirty DR400. I look at him as they fly
past and say, "Big power, no lean." He laughs. We talk a few
minutes and find that we are both making the return trip. I look at the DR
with the tires worn all the way to the edges. I look at Gary in the
Aerostich Darien. I decide that I don't want to be any bigger fool than
absolutely necessary. It will be bad enough when he rides away from me. I
don't need to have him pass me, too. So, I say, "Why don't you
lead." He does. I glance at the clock as I pull onto the dragon -
5:01. I can't decide if it was concern for me or just the desire to blow
me off a second and third time that make him slow and wait for me --
twice. Trying to follow him cost the VFR a bit of the peg feelers and
almost eliminated the front wheel chicken strip. But, I couldn't stay
close to the DR. As I pull in to the Crossroads, I glance at the clock -
5:14. Once again, I am faster when I follow someone who knows how to ride.
One Dragon down. Two to go. I
let Gary know that I am headed for the Skyway. Even though he is going to
Pigeon Forge, he offers to lead. There must be another twisty road for him
to spank me on. As 129 turns to sweepers, the VFR has no problem keeping
up with the DR. But, as we turn toward the Cherahola, the road tightens
and Gary has one more chance to disappear. At the entrance to the Skyway,
we stop and talk. I think Gary had a good ride. I know that I did. Thanks
to Gary for pulling me and teaching me a bit. For the rest of you, never
trust a dual sport rider in a 'stich. For
those of you who don't know about my only other attempt at the Cherahola
Skyway, it was not successful. I was fine. But, I stopped to help a downed
Voyager and never got to finish the run. Today, I finally rode it. This
road is disgustingly evil. It tempts you with the most incredible sweepers
- fast, easy to read, smooth road. At the same time, it dares you to look
at the scenery. I will ride it again, slowly. But, today was a day to use
the sides of the tires. Easter Sunday with an early rain = NO TRAFFIC. I
did not pass a single car from the start until I was within 4 miles of
Tellico - and if they had been there, I would have passed them. WARNING
- choose your way across this road. You cannot ride fast and look at the
scenery. But, either would be a great ride. Dragon Number Two has been
vanquished. I continue. After
a gas stop at Tellico Plains, I took Hwy 39 to 315 to 30 to 64 and past
the Ocoee Whitewater Center. If you haven't done this route, you really
should. It is a great way to go to or from Tellico Plains. Selden Deemer
showed me this route last year. Thanks, Selden. It
is 8:00 p.m. The sun has dropped below the horizon. Blue Ridge is just
ahead. The third dragon lies a few miles past Blue Ridge. On Friday, July
7, 2000, I wrecked on this ride under similar circumstances. I was tired
from a long week at work. I had ridden a long way after work. I entered GA
60 at Blue Ridge just after sunset headed for T.W.O. That night, I
high-sided the VFR and broke my ankle. Now, just over 10 months later, I
have come to complete the ride. I
click the high beams. They work. Once, twice... I continue to test them.
The repairs have been successful. Now, it is just the dragon in my mind
that must be overcome. I roll quickly down Hwy 68 and Hwy 5 toward Blue
Ridge. I want to save any bit of light that may reflect from the clouds. I
turn on 76 for a few miles to reach the intersection with Highway 60. I
stop to clean the shield and to think. I am ready. I
roll past the sign that says "Suches 28". I look at the clock -
8:26. I think of the last time that I saw that sign in the glare of a
VFR's high beam. It was not a good night. At each turn, I watch for the
oncoming headlights. I look through the turn searching for reflectors and
hoping that they are not the eyes of some animal. The miles move slowly at
first. I search for the turn where I failed the last test. Several remind
me of the night. But, none are clearly the one. I must put these thoughts
behind me. Tension is building in my neck as I concentrate on each turn.
Even the high beam can't reach around the curves. I stare into the black
night hoping to see the yellow glow of a reflector. I am thankful for the
white edge stripes. Finally, I reach the bridge at Sugar Hill. I am past
my dragon. I
can concentrate on the road ahead. I begin to relax a bit. Oh shit, that
one is tighter than it looked. I cannot relax. Animal alert! A small black
bear scrambles up the embankment. I smile. The bear is a good sign for me.
A few more curves pass before I see the deer leap for the safety of the
woods. Then, there is another deer. He moves toward the road. Then, he
turns to the woods. The turns become tighter as I climb higher up the
mountain. I cross Suches Creek and whoop inside my helmet. It is close and
I relax a bit. I misjudge another turn and scream out loud, "You
still have to ride, damn it." A few more turns and I see Suches Fire
Rescue. There's Dale's BP. It is still closed. I pull in to the parking
lot at T.W.O. - 9:05. The third dragon lies at my feet. It is time for a
break. Five
minutes later, I roll out of the parking lot. Two hours of riding are
ahead. But, I know these roads much better. Even the familiar part of
Highway 60 becomes a different beast at night. But, this is a beast that I
have bested many times. Today was a day for slaying the dragons. Thank
you to all those who helped: Skert
and Donnie for the riding lessons and the support, Gary
Cahoon for help with the dragon and for keeping me humble, Dale
for turning on the pumps, Britt, GT and all the folks at T.W.O. for keeping north Georgia one of the best riding places in the country.
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by
Billy Street
