Biker Rags

DAY RIDE TO PICKETT STATE PARK

Ready to ride.
Ready to ride.

On Wednesday, May 7th, we left out on a Day Ride to Pickett State Park, which is just north of Jamestown.

We left our home in North Knoxville right before 10 am. The skies were clear blue, the sun was shining, and it was already 68 degrees.

This short video sets up today’s ride:

We rode north on Clinton Highway into Clinton where we took 61 heading north toward Oak Ridge.

We stopped for fuel and a light snack.
We stopped for fuel and a light snack.

After a short break, we got back on 61 which took us through Oliver Springs.

That's Pamo on her Sportster.
That’s Pamo on her Sportster.

From Oliver Springs we rode over to highway 27 just north of Harriman.

Turning onto highway 27.
Turning onto highway 27.

We took 27 north heading toward Wartburg.

On highway 27.
On highway 27.
Heading toward Wartburg.
Heading toward Wartburg.

Jeff talks about our trip so far in this short video:

We took 27 north into Wartburg, then continued on 27 to Sunbright where we took 329.

Heading down 329.
Heading down 329.

We traveled through Deer Lodge and stopped for a few photos.

Jeff in Deer Lodge, TN.
Jeff in Deer Lodge, TN.
Deer Lodge storefront.
Deer Lodge storefront.
Deer Lodge hotel.
Deer Lodge hotel.

From Deer Lodge we rode over to 62.

View of the gorge before Clark Range.
View of the gorge before Clark Range.

We took 62 west into Clark Range and then took 127. We stopped to gawk at a huge collection of antique cars in a fenced lot along 127.

What a great collection!
What a great collection!
Jeff walked up to get a closer view.
Jeff walked up to get a closer view.
Pamo waits while Jeff gawks some more.
Pamo waits while Jeff gawks some more.

We traveled down 127 through Jamestown and then took 154 right into Pickett State Park.

Entrance to Pickett State Park.
Entrance to Pickett State Park.
View of the water in Pickett State Park.
View of the water in Pickett State Park.

Pickett State Park is a beautiful and low traffic scenic area. We sat along the water and enjoyed the quiet flow of nature.

Swinging bridge in Pickett State Park.
Swinging bridge in Pickett State Park.

Pamo talks about Pickett State Park in this short video:

After sitting for awhile, we rode up to the small museum site for a few photos.

Museum in Pickett State Park.
Museum in Pickett State Park.
Pamo and the statue at Pickett State Park.
Pamo and the statue at Pickett State Park.

After resting, enjoying, and photographing, we got back on our bikes.

We took 297 which runs right through the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

Storefront along 297.
Storefront along 297.
297 is a beautiful road.
297 is a beautiful road.
More beautiful scenery in the Big South Fork.
More beautiful scenery in the Big South Fork.

We traveled down 297 on into Oneida. In Oneida we took 27 south, stopped and filled up our tanks, and then rode into Huntsville to one of our favorite restaurants, Fireside Restaurant. It was 3:30 pm and 170 miles into our ride, so we were plenty hungry.

The Fireside in Huntsville, TN.
The Fireside in Huntsville, TN.
The Fireside is comfortable inside.
The Fireside is comfortable inside.
And the food is delicious!
And the food is delicious!

After our late lunch, we rode 63 through Huntsville, then took Old Highway 63 south to Caryville. In Caryville, we took 25W to Lake City and then took 411 to Norris Dam.

We stopped at the Norris Dam overlook to enjoy the scenery.

View from Norris Dam overlook.
View from Norris Dam overlook.

Then we made this short video talking about our favorite things from today’s ride:

After enjoying Norris Dam, we returned home and both agreed the day had been perfect for riding. We started out with light jackets and by the end of the day we were in just our t-shirts. We got back home around 6:15 pm and our total ride was 226 miles.

Jeff wraps up our day in this short video:

You can view our entire list of Day Rides HERE.