BMW Off-Road Training Day 1

Day one was great! Can't wait to get to day 2. No time for write ups but wanted to give some teaser photos until I can write more. Enjoy

Winding thru the South

Monday morning I awake to Joerg's alarm clock, poor bastard has to report to work. After Joerg has gotten ready and left for work I quick shower and then grab a breakfast in the hotel restaurant. After a fill of coffee and food I pack the bike and get into my gear and head out in search of winding, twisting tarmac with great views. The states of Georgia and Alabama did not let me down today. My first find was this water fall in the Little River Canyon National Preserve. The road then skirted the distance of this canyon. Of course that is the road I took and the views were excellent.

Next up was a nice area that you could see both sides of the canyon stretching for miles.

Then this is were the ride got interesting! I see the road I saw on the map and wanted to take getting closer on the gps and then the big brown warning sign. I did not stop and take a picture of it but it pretty much warned of everything but death. The main warning that didn't sound that bad was the steep grades, but proved to be exhilarating. I turned down the road and could not believe what I got myself into, immediately the road plunged straight down. It reminded me of dirtbike days as a kid going over edges of cliffs seeing if I could ride down, that's how steep these were, then and in super tight switchbacks in the middle of the decline. Here is a shot of a little decline and the picture doesn't do it any justice.

I proceeded to wonder until I found the town of Leesburg Alabama, were I stopped to get gas and some snacks. I referred to the map and chose the next direction to travel. I wanted to get back at a reasonable hour to meet Joerg and Becky for supper so I took some familiar roads from previous trips and captured one of my favorite views.


Heading out for our night entertainment now, if I still have energy later I will post about them.

Later,
Paul

Escaping Winter

Woke up to perfect riding weather, slightly overcast keeping the temps mild (41) and dry. I headed the 25 miles across town to the meeting point. As I was filling up Joerg & Becky showed up and fueled up also, then it was hit the highway hard. There wasn't any site-seeing on this trip, the mission was "get to Chattanooga ASAP for Sticky Finger Ribs" and that is what we did. Seven hundred sixteen super slab miles later we were belly up to the bar drinking frosty beers and devouring savory ribs. After all those miles, beers and ribs we all were ready for bed, so we retreated to the hotel and called it a night. I am going to pretend I wrote this last night, and repost a Monday report in another hour or so... including some pics so stay tuned.