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The Motorcycle Tourer's Forum Summer Mountain Ride 2003 was held
July 25-27. Our group met in Athens, TN for lunch at the local Western Sizzlin' (the Texas Room no less). After lunch we drove through Athens and then east on TN 39. I had selected this road because it was the most direct route from Athens to the Cherohala Skyway and it proved to be an excellent warm-up for the weekend of twisties. Our trip across the Skyway was blessed with perfect weather and minimal traffic. Off the end of the Skyway we went to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and then on to Deal's Gap for a chance to ride the Dragon. Supper Friday evening was at the Tapaco Lodge, just 3 miles south of the store at Deal's Gap. The restaurant at the Lodge was nice and cool and the staff there did a great job serving the meal. Everybody had catfish, french fries, beans, hushpuppies, slaw, and lemon pie - nobody left hungry. The Tapaco
Lodge was also the headquarters for what must be the largest gathering of Mazda Miatias in the country. I got a real kick out of looking at all of the cars and the ways they had been modified. I noticed that the Miatia crowd took a good look at us too. After dinner we took a slow ride to the motel along US 28 with a stop at the base of Fontana Dam.
Saturday was North Carolina Twisty Day. We left Bryson City for a fifty mile ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway with stops at some of the highest overlooks along the way. After that we headed for the really twisty stuff such as NC 215, US 64, NC 107, County Road 1001, County Road 1492, and then back to the motel on US 74. Again, the weather was perfect and everybody got a chance to wear the rubber off the sides of their tires. I had a good laugh when Brenda Leduc commented (as we rode down NC 107) that Andy must have made a mistake - that this road had a couple of straight spots on it. Saturday night found most of the group out in the yard or around the pool - rehashing the days ride, discussing the upcoming Ironbutt Rally, or participating in a serious tire kicking session in the parking lot. An impromptu pizza party late in the evening capped of what was a wonderful weekend. Thanks to all the riders that participated for riding safe and being good company.
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