Thanks Lonzol, I am looking forward to the event. Looks like a good group shaping up to attend.
The Official Rocket Across America IV Thread
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Thanks Lonzol, I am looking forward to the event. Looks like a good group shaping up to attend.
Let me know what your route will be as this shapes up. I would appreciate the opportunity to ride up with the group.
HeR3tic
Living Legend
I'd like to propose another route. The impetus of the first day route enables a newbie to know what lay ahead for Sunday. This scenario deletes the Foothills Parkway altogether. Of course there are many game plans possible. And I might be persuaded.
My idea is, Saturday: Leave out Maggie Valley and do the Blue Ridge Parkway to the west as a primer. Head on to the The Dragon 119 and then on to the HellBender 28.. Then back to MV for an daylight gathering; in a distorted figure 8 to Sylvia and Waynesville via the expressway to wind down. On Sunday skip the BRPkwy and head directly to the Dragon to do it from the same direction that was done on Saturday (now I'm ready); then do the Cheohala Skyway starting at the west and loop south and east; and back to MV for an early supper at your recommended J.'s restaurant for a large gathering.
I'm working up GPS positioning for several/many more POIs over this route. GoogleEarth.pro is mighty handy for this. With such in hand, a rider can see what's coming up before it's passed by; allowing for momentary stops for photos more often, even if it only on the shoulder. Having the downhill side on your right does offer more opportunities to stop on your side and look down and over the magnificence of the Smokys, on the south side of the Nat'l forest area. At the same time and on the other hand, water falls are best viewed up hill.
Does the Hellbender have overlooks on the east bound side? The Cherohala, after following the Dragon for the second time, on Sunday may present some awesome afternoon vistas on my right side and from the eastward direction of travel.
Be sure to pack your long johns for the north face (Foot Hills Parkway) of the Mountain. There is apt to be considerable shadows.
There is a local Maggie Valley riding stable, your link Scowherd led me there (thanks), that has 2.5 hr horseback riding for $45 per person. I don't know when I might fit it in, but I have an itch to do it. I've not ridden in over 35 years; though, I once wrangled/trail broke, green broke, horses for a riding stable near Omaha those many years ago. They were the Hicks riding stable. No really! That is or was their name. And just down the road from the Butts Riding Stable. NS, that was their name. I once was a fair barrel and pole racer, with a horse other than my own. My Beauty was a palomino quarter horse Clydesdale cross. She was a beauty but she didn't do barrels very well In the end, it may come to a Monday sunrise ride for all I know.
My idea is, Saturday: Leave out Maggie Valley and do the Blue Ridge Parkway to the west as a primer. Head on to the The Dragon 119 and then on to the HellBender 28.. Then back to MV for an daylight gathering; in a distorted figure 8 to Sylvia and Waynesville via the expressway to wind down. On Sunday skip the BRPkwy and head directly to the Dragon to do it from the same direction that was done on Saturday (now I'm ready); then do the Cheohala Skyway starting at the west and loop south and east; and back to MV for an early supper at your recommended J.'s restaurant for a large gathering.
I'm working up GPS positioning for several/many more POIs over this route. GoogleEarth.pro is mighty handy for this. With such in hand, a rider can see what's coming up before it's passed by; allowing for momentary stops for photos more often, even if it only on the shoulder. Having the downhill side on your right does offer more opportunities to stop on your side and look down and over the magnificence of the Smokys, on the south side of the Nat'l forest area. At the same time and on the other hand, water falls are best viewed up hill.
Does the Hellbender have overlooks on the east bound side? The Cherohala, after following the Dragon for the second time, on Sunday may present some awesome afternoon vistas on my right side and from the eastward direction of travel.Be sure to pack your long johns for the north face (Foot Hills Parkway) of the Mountain. There is apt to be considerable shadows.
There is a local Maggie Valley riding stable, your link Scowherd led me there (thanks), that has 2.5 hr horseback riding for $45 per person. I don't know when I might fit it in, but I have an itch to do it. I've not ridden in over 35 years; though, I once wrangled/trail broke, green broke, horses for a riding stable near Omaha those many years ago. They were the Hicks riding stable. No really! That is or was their name. And just down the road from the Butts Riding Stable. NS, that was their name. I once was a fair barrel and pole racer, with a horse other than my own. My Beauty was a palomino quarter horse Clydesdale cross. She was a beauty but she didn't do barrels very well
In the end, it may come to a Monday sunrise ride for all I know.
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HeR3tic
Living Legend
At this pace I may have to add on a couple days to soak it all in
boogerdave
Nitrous
There is a local Maggie Valley riding stable, your link Scowherd led me there (thanks), that has 2.5 hr horseback riding for $45 per person. I don't know when I might fit it in, but I have an itch to do it. I've not ridden in over 35 years; though, I once wrangled/trail broke green broke horses for a riding stable near Omaha those many years ago. They were the Hicks riding stable. No really! That is or was their name. And just down the road from the Butts Riding Stable. NS, that was their name. I once was a fair barrel and pole racer, with a horse other than my own. My Beauty was a palomino quarter horse Clydesdale cross. She was a beauty but she didn't do barrels very well
Or you can just take a ride down here one weekend and ride one of the ones I have in the backyard.
TxRIIIRider
Living Legend
LOL.. I do barrels and poles on my Belgian.. She's actually pretty good.. She runs in the low 20s on barrels, but all it takes is for someone else to knock a barrel over.. and we're in there..
She's actually pretty good.. She runs in the low 20s on barrels, but all it takes is for someone else to knock a barrel over.. and we're in there.. There is a local Maggie Valley riding stable, your link Scowherd led me there (thanks), that has 2.5 hr horseback riding for $45 per person. I don't know when I might fit it in, but I have an itch to do it. I've not ridden in over 35 years; though, I once wrangled/trail broke green broke horses for a riding stable near Omaha those many years ago. They were the Hicks riding stable. No really! That is or was their name. And just down the road from the Butts Riding Stable. NS, that was their name. I once was a fair barrel and pole racer, with a horse other than my own. My Beauty was a palomino quarter horse Clydesdale cross. She was a beauty but she didn't do barrels very well
HeR3tic
Living Legend
Don't temp me booger!Or you can just take a ride down here one weekend and ride one of the ones I have in the backyard.
HeR3tic
Living Legend
TxRIIIRider, Beauty was perhaps one hand less tall but she was sure packed as stout as your Belgian. That there animal of your's surely is a beauty as well!!
She, or is that a gender neutral, puts me in mind of the FBG beast. Awesome torque That IS a most beautiful animal; I'm sure you're proud.:bch:
She, or is that a gender neutral, puts me in mind of the FBG beast. Awesome torque
That IS a most beautiful animal; I'm sure you're proud.:bch:
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TxRIIIRider
Living Legend
It's taken about 3 years to get the spook out of her, but she's really turned into a great do-it-all horse. Kind of like the Rocket is a great do-it-all bike.. She used to be a plow horse and was beaten pretty good, you can't see the whip scars in the picture, but she has them. I think even her muscles have muscles from the years of work though..
She used to be a plow horse and was beaten pretty good, you can't see the whip scars in the picture, but she has them. I think even her muscles have muscles from the years of work though..TxRIIIRider, Beauty was perhaps one hand less tall but she was sure packed as stout as your Belgian. That there animal of your's surely is a beauty as well!!
She, or is that a gender neutral, puts me in mind of the FBG beast. Awesome torque
Gunshots
Nitrous
Hey TXR111 How did everyone miss your birthday yesterday.
Hope you had a great one:bch:
Hope you had a great one:bch:
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