Biker Rags

DAY RIDE MAY 27, 2015

Jeff double checks the route.
Jeff double checks the route.

On Wednesday May 27th, we took a Day Ride. Our plan was to get on our stripped down Sportsters (no windshields, small tanks, no saddlebags) and travel some back roads.

Jeff kicks off our day in this short video:

We left our home at 10am. The skies were cloudy and the forecasters were calling for afternoon showers (much like every other day lately)- so off we went. We rode north on Broadway, fueled up, then took Norris Freeway to 170 north.

170 north is a beautiful country road.
170 north is a beautiful country road.
The countryside is gorgeous along 170.
The countryside is gorgeous along 170.
There's Pamo and her Sportster.
There’s Pamo and her Sportster.
Another scenic shot. Look at those clouds.
Another scenic shot. Look at those clouds.
Jeff and his Sportster. Perfect bike for country roads.
Jeff and his Sportster. Perfect bike for country roads.

We continued on 170 to 33 north where we stopped for a morning snack.

This market on 33 has a nice outdoor picnic table. We always enjoy stopping here.
This market on 33 has a nice outdoor picnic table. Great place to stop.

After our break we took Mineral Springs Road which runs north right along Norris Lake.

Heading down Hickory Valley Road.
Heading down Mineral Springs Road.

This took us to Black Fox Road- a one lane road which continued along the lake.

Black Fox Road
Black Fox Road
Norris Lake is visible from the road when the vegetation opens up.
Norris Lake is visible from the road when the vegetation opens up.
We stopped along a new bridge over Norris Lake.
We stopped along a new bridge over Norris Lake.
There's the old bridge.
There’s the old bridge.
Time to get back on the bikes.
Time to get back on the bikes.

Somewhere along Black Fox Road the name of the road changed and for about 20 miles we weren’t exactly sure where we were. But no matter! It was gorgeous.

We stopped to gawk at this cool building along the road.
We stopped to gawk at this cool building along the road.
Jeff checks the map. We were lost but not worried.
Jeff checks the map. We were lost but not worried.

We continued to ride along the road until we eventually made it back into Maynardville. In Maynardville we took 61 which took us through Luttrell and then into Blaine.

In Blaine, we took Indian Ridge Road, then took Buffalo Springs Road to 92. We had ridden about 80 miles and our gas lights came on. (One drawback to a smaller tank.) We stopped to fill our tanks and get a cold drink.

After our quick break, we took 92 north and stopped by David Hurst’s paint workshop- Slide Effects. (David does all our motorcycle paint work. We highly recommend him!)

David Hurst and Jeff chatting about an upcoming ride.
David Hurst and Jeff chatting about an upcoming ride.

David had to get back to work so we saddled up in search of lunch.

We took 92 south toward Jefferson City. We stopped along the way to check out the water at Cherokee Dam.

View of the swimming area at Cherokee Dam.
View of the swimming area at Cherokee Dam.
Quite a few folks were here swimming.
Quite a few folks were here swimming.

We then continued on 92 to Dandridge.

Our plan was to eat a hamburger at Tinsley Bible Drug Store, a famous landmark in downtown Dandridge. Unfortunately, we got there too late (3pm) and the grill was closed. (Closes at 2pm.) Next time, we’ll go earlier.

Tinsley Bible Drug Store in Dandridge famous for their hamburger.
Tinsley Bible Drug Store in Dandridge- famous for their hamburger.
Downtown Dandridge.
Downtown Dandridge.
Another shot of downtown Dandridge.
Another shot of downtown Dandridge.

Plan B for lunch was to eat at Bush’s Baked Bean Cafe in Chestnut Hill. We rode south on 92 to Bush’s. We arrived at the cafe at 3:50pm only to realize the cafe closes at 4pm. That’s just the way it goes sometimes!

Plan C was to ride into Sevierville and eat at A&W. Sevierville has one of the best A&W franchises around!

We took 411 from Chestnut Hill to Sevierville.

Yay! Time for lunch!
Yay! Time for lunch!
It was 4:30pm... a late lunch. But worth the wait!
It was 4:30pm… a late lunch. But worth the wait!
And the root beer float is perfect! Loved those chilled glasses. YUM.
And the root beer float is perfect! Comes in a chilled mug. YUM.

After our late lunch, we gassed up at the station near A&W, then got back on 411.

We rode through Sevierville, then took Chapman Highway back to Knoxville. We arrived home at 5:45pm and our  total ride was 165 miles.

Our stripped down Sportsters are a blast to ride. They’re light weight, handle the road like a sport bike, and are well powered at 1200cc. These bikes aren’t set up for long distance rides, but they are perfect for a day ride.

Our fur kids are always glad to have us home. And we're glad to be home with them.
Our fur kids are always glad to have us home. And we’re glad to be home with them.

We wrap up the day in this video:

You can see our entire list of DAY RIDES by CLICKING HERE.