[at-l] Smokys' Trip Report...finally

[AThiker at smithville.net (Felix)]

Well, it's been long enuff ago that I've probably effectively have 
forgotten most of the stuff I was going to tell you about the trip...so, 
now must be the time to tell you what is left...and, add a little here 
and there.

Pilot and I left here (my house) at about 8 o'clock in the p.m. on July 
30th. We were headed to the Smokys and then the Blue Ridge Parkway 
(henceforth 'BRP') for some cylcing. We got to a rest area on interstate 
64 somewhere between Louisville and Lexington and got in the back of the 
truck for to sleep. Now, when I say we got in the back of the truck, I 
mean...we got in the bed of my truck, between two bicycles, and covered 
up with a tarp. We actually got some sleep there...in the open air...as 
interstate traffic roared past a 70 mph a few yards away....until it 
started to rain. That was signal enuff that it was time to hit the road 
again.

We took turns driving through the night. Pilot was driving and I was 
going to get some sleep so I told her to take the exit with the big, 
blue sign that said something like "Smoky Mountain Expressway" and that 
I thought it was highway 66. She woke me up a little later to ask if 
this was the exit...the one with the big, blue sign that said "Smoky 
Mountain Expressway" and "Tennessee 66" on it. We drove on...I've always 
thought that the best time to go through Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg was 
at about 4 in the a.m. I've done it many times...and, this was one of 
them. 

We got to Clingman's Dome somewhere around 5:30, I think. It was a 
classic Clingman's Dome, too...windy, foggy, drizzly, chilly. We did 
that thing again where we got in the back of the truck and slept. It's 
amazing where you can sleep when you're exhausted. We slept a couple of 
hours, on and off and got up around 8:30. I changed my cloths and put my 
bike 'together' (wheel, brakes, etc) and got ready to ride. I was going 
to ride down the mountain and Pilot was going to pick me up in Cherokee. 
This was the first time I'd ridden my bike after picking it up from 
having its first-ever 'tune-up'. I'd recommend always riding a little to 
make sure things feel right before heading down the highest hill in the 
Smokys. Anyway, at 9:05 I pedaled away from the parking lot and headed 
down the curvey, wet 7 mile road to Newfound Gap. I wasn't really 
enjoying it, though, as I rode too fast, it was too foggy, too wet, too 
dark, too chilly and other things like that. When I got to the highway 
(411? 441?) that runs through Newfound Gap and then to Gatlinburg or 
Cherokee, I was going to call Pilot and have her pick me up. No Service. 
About that time I looked across the road and saw another cyclerist. 
Thinks I...'if he, then me'. So, I mount up and head down the hill. The 
first mile or two is fairly gradual descent. Then, it becomes steeper 
and curvier. There was a car from Mississippi three cars in front of me 
(two cars between me and the Mississiisssiisppian) that had a driver who 
apparently wasn't liking the curves none too goodly. So, as it turned 
out, I ended up keeping up with traffic. In fact, there were times that 
I had to hit my brakes, HARD, to keep from hitting the car in front of 
me. This became one of the most exhilirating things I've ever done. 
Flying down that hill, keeping up with traffic in front of me, staying 
in front of traffic behind me, curves and bumps and chipmunks and rain 
and having my feet 'screwed' to the pedals... for about 12 miles at 
speeds in the 40's (I'm guessing, and fairly accurately, I think)...was 
REALLY kewl. When the road finally levels out and becomes straighter, 
the traffic behind me started to pass. The first few cars got next to me 
and gave me thumbs up and waves. I waved back thanking them for paying 
attention and not running over me. It was a really, really fun thing. At 
some point a pick up truck pulled up next to me and the driver yelled 
'Nice ass'. Since the license number was 'FELIX J' and it was my truck, 
I assumed it was Pilot. (Still nice to hear, though :)  I made it to the 
Oconoluftee visitor center at 10:03...so, it was ruffly 25 miles (from 
Clingman's to the v.c.) in an hour. I was really excited about that.

Pilot and I went to 'Granny's (Grandma's?) Diner' in Cherokee for 
breakfast (at the light where 441 'T's). After breakfast, we headed up 
the parkway for to do some more cyclin'. We parked at Waterrock Knob and 
Pilot changed into her cycling regalia. A couple started asking me 
questions about cycling and things. I told them that we were staying 
with a friend (Pog) in Asheville that night and going to a place called 
The Orange Peel to see James McMurtry perform. Pilot joined me and we 
rode down the hill to Balsam Gap and back up. (The 'back up' seemed to 
be more difficult, and take longer, than the 'down the hill' part)  On 
the way up, Pilot was flying up the hill in front of me, as usual. We 
had planned to take a break at an overlook. When I got there, Pilot was 
talking to a girl next to a car. I joined the conversation and one thing 
lead to another and we found out the girl was waiting on her boyfriend, 
who was riding from (point A to point B) We also found out that he had 
thru-hiked last year.  His name, I believe, was something to do with a 
sub sandwich he carried to Springer with him...Turkey...something?? 
Anyone? Bueller? It'll come to me. He showed up and we had a nice chat. 
This story I'll have to finish later as it is bed time for bonzo...(I 
won't finish it if you don't want I should. )  (wow...this was Day1!!!)

-- 
Felix J.
ME-->GA '98
"Your Move"
ALT '03 KT '03
http://Felixhikes.tripod.com/