TnNinjaGirl
February 2nd, 2009, 06:09 PM
An impromptu trip to the Dragon this weekend ends in one heck of an adventure.
Thursday night Nathan and I go to pick up his new bike. A tried and true 1992 Honda Nighthawk 750. Wonderful bike. Weather is frigid. Light is scarce. Bike needs some work. That doesn't stop us though. We pick up the bike and have it back at the shop a little after dark.
Friday starts off as any other day would. To work by 9, talk with the boss about projects to do that day and get them done. Nathan finds himself a nice little place to start working on the Nighthawk to get her road worthy and goes to town. A bunch of cursing and hard work goes by and its lunch time. Boss gets the shop Little Caesers $5 pizzas and we pick up a bite to eat. A New Bug comes in and I hurry up to finish that up as Nathan talks to the owner of the car. All she needs is a simple oil change and an air filter and she's on her way. Good news, it's lunchtime and all of the projects are done for the day. Time to GO!!!!!
The journey begins... With the Nighthawk ready to roll and my Ninjette sittting there jealous as she has to watch Nathan work on the Honda all day, we take off with no real destination. After some cruising on the highway we stop at a dealership and see what's going on there. Not too much so we take off on the interstate to see my Mom's boyfriend across town. Of course there is a wreck on the interstate so it's slow going. I never get a real taste for my new Two Brothers pipe and Nathan never gets to unleash the Nighthawk. Continuing on, we get to the dealership. Nothing is going on there. Luckily there is a Cycle Gear across the parking lot. We head over there and do a little shopping for the Nighthawk. One clutch lever, some busted pliers and a screwdriver later, the Nighthawk has a new clutch lever and is shifting gears much better. It's late, it's dark, it's time to head home. After a good ride and promise of good weather the next day, we decide to bite the bullet and head off to the Dragon on Saturday.
Saturday comes and we head over to the shop to get the bikes out for a nice run to the Dragon. The weather is nice, both bikes are in good running order and the owners are more than ready to get some riding in after a long week. The trip starts well. Up Pellissippi Parkway to Alcoa Highway. Mosey on down 411 and turn to 129 at the corner market. Weather is still promising, traffic is decent, bikes are loving the attention. We stop at Chilhowee Dam for a short break and enjoy the scenery. Our nerves are starting to get a little tense as this is the first ride up the Dragon for Nathan and the first for me on a bike. Moving up the mountain, no cops, no traffic, life is great. We get up to the Overlook and once again enjoy the scenery, talk to a fellow biker and try to calm our nerves down. I lead off and Nathan follows as we twist and turn through the infamous weaves and dips.
It's easy to see how so many people are injured and killed in these majestic passes. So close to such a steep drop, so near to a speeding car coming around the next blind curve. Art in motion atop one of the most incredibly crafted roads of all time. It's nothing short of incredible. Trusting yourself more than you ever have, your bike as much as you can, and other drivers more than you ever will. Reaching Tapaco Lodge leaves you shaking scared and wanting more at the same time.
After a lengthy rest and a quick laugh at a Roush Mustang trying to act cool, we head off again back towards Tennessee. Once again, back and forth through the wringing asphalt. Words can't describe the feeling of running the Dragon on a perfect day. You can only know if you've done it. We reach the Overlook to regroup and rest. Shortly after we head back to Knoxville to eat dinner with my family for my Nana's birthday. It's late, dark and really cold before we get back to the shop to put our bikes to bed for the night.
Sunday gets here in a hurry and the weather could not be any better. Nathan starts cleaning up the Nighthawk and I shim my needles to get some much needed fuel to my starving Ninja. She also gets a nice bath and a towel dry for appreciation of such a nice ride the day before. Nathan loads up the Nighthawk and heads home. Thats when the real fun begins...
I can't let such a good day go to waste, so I call up Jimi and head over to his house. As i pull up his friend Chris and he decide they are headed up to the Dragon on the Ninja 500 and Chris's RX-8. After approving my company we head off to the Dragon. At the Overlook Jimi sets up the camera on Chris's car and they take off to get some good footage. I tag along at my own pace and enjoy the scenery and the seat of your pants experience. Nothing much to report as I pull into Tapaco Lodge with Jimi and Chris waiting.
Lo and behold but who do we see? Well it's Killboy, his wife and their crew!! Chris goes over to introduce himself and Jimi and I follow. We talk about bikes, cars and a few things in between before Killboy makes a comment on my bike. I about freak out. Killboy... made a comment... on my Ninja 250... The same man who sees thousands of vehicles a day is impressed by MY bike. It was hard getting my helmet back on after that one.
Killboy and his crew take off towards home, leaving Kamal to head back towards Maryville on his lonesome. Chris leaves Jimi and I to chat for a while and head back by ourselves. The ride back is met with an 18 wheeler who decided he was going to be slick and try to give the Dragon a try. If it weren't for Jimi You'd probably be reading my obituary instead of my adventurous weekend. After that scare, we turn up at the Overlook a few minutes later.
We are greeted by an amazing sunset at the Overlook. Jimi suggests I put the camera on my bike, so we set it up. I thought we were ready to go, so I take off. I get down to the lake and pull off to one of the side roads and wait, and wait, and wait. I realize Jimi just isn't coming. I'm scared, it's late, it's dark and I'm alone out in the middle of nowhere (insert Deliverance music). I head back. I ride and ride and ride. Pulling up to the Overlook I see two figures leaning over a very familiar looking Ninja 500. Apparently, Jimi's 500 sprang a fuel leak and Kamal took most of the bike apart to fix it. They get it going and we head down to the gas station. Once again, same problem. The fix? Take the bike back apart.
Now, I have met some good people in my life, but my hat goes off to Kamal (I hope I have been spelling his name right). He is the owner of the corner market at 411 and 129 I come to find out at our second stop. This man, with who knows what else to be doing with his time, followed Jimi and I to safety. He took the bike apart several times, followed us to safety and made sure we were well taken care of. When we arrived at the corner market, he gives me hot cocoa on the house. This man is trying to run a business and has already given so much, but he gives even more. It touches my heart to meet people like this.
After a cocoa rest and some good conversation, Jimi and I head off back towards Knoxville. The time is around 8pm and I had not thought to bring my clear face shield because I thought we'd be back long before dark. My hands are cold because I brought my summer gloves and not my winter gloves. I'm cold, miserable and tired. WAA!!!!!
Jimi and I split ways at Pellissippi Parkway with the 500 seeming fine and both of us tired and chilly.
This had to be one of the most adventurous weekends of my life. I can't complain about any of it. I'd rather be miserable on a bike with friends than sitting home watching TV. I couldn't ask for better friends, a better bike or better roads.
Thursday night Nathan and I go to pick up his new bike. A tried and true 1992 Honda Nighthawk 750. Wonderful bike. Weather is frigid. Light is scarce. Bike needs some work. That doesn't stop us though. We pick up the bike and have it back at the shop a little after dark.
Friday starts off as any other day would. To work by 9, talk with the boss about projects to do that day and get them done. Nathan finds himself a nice little place to start working on the Nighthawk to get her road worthy and goes to town. A bunch of cursing and hard work goes by and its lunch time. Boss gets the shop Little Caesers $5 pizzas and we pick up a bite to eat. A New Bug comes in and I hurry up to finish that up as Nathan talks to the owner of the car. All she needs is a simple oil change and an air filter and she's on her way. Good news, it's lunchtime and all of the projects are done for the day. Time to GO!!!!!
The journey begins... With the Nighthawk ready to roll and my Ninjette sittting there jealous as she has to watch Nathan work on the Honda all day, we take off with no real destination. After some cruising on the highway we stop at a dealership and see what's going on there. Not too much so we take off on the interstate to see my Mom's boyfriend across town. Of course there is a wreck on the interstate so it's slow going. I never get a real taste for my new Two Brothers pipe and Nathan never gets to unleash the Nighthawk. Continuing on, we get to the dealership. Nothing is going on there. Luckily there is a Cycle Gear across the parking lot. We head over there and do a little shopping for the Nighthawk. One clutch lever, some busted pliers and a screwdriver later, the Nighthawk has a new clutch lever and is shifting gears much better. It's late, it's dark, it's time to head home. After a good ride and promise of good weather the next day, we decide to bite the bullet and head off to the Dragon on Saturday.
Saturday comes and we head over to the shop to get the bikes out for a nice run to the Dragon. The weather is nice, both bikes are in good running order and the owners are more than ready to get some riding in after a long week. The trip starts well. Up Pellissippi Parkway to Alcoa Highway. Mosey on down 411 and turn to 129 at the corner market. Weather is still promising, traffic is decent, bikes are loving the attention. We stop at Chilhowee Dam for a short break and enjoy the scenery. Our nerves are starting to get a little tense as this is the first ride up the Dragon for Nathan and the first for me on a bike. Moving up the mountain, no cops, no traffic, life is great. We get up to the Overlook and once again enjoy the scenery, talk to a fellow biker and try to calm our nerves down. I lead off and Nathan follows as we twist and turn through the infamous weaves and dips.
It's easy to see how so many people are injured and killed in these majestic passes. So close to such a steep drop, so near to a speeding car coming around the next blind curve. Art in motion atop one of the most incredibly crafted roads of all time. It's nothing short of incredible. Trusting yourself more than you ever have, your bike as much as you can, and other drivers more than you ever will. Reaching Tapaco Lodge leaves you shaking scared and wanting more at the same time.
After a lengthy rest and a quick laugh at a Roush Mustang trying to act cool, we head off again back towards Tennessee. Once again, back and forth through the wringing asphalt. Words can't describe the feeling of running the Dragon on a perfect day. You can only know if you've done it. We reach the Overlook to regroup and rest. Shortly after we head back to Knoxville to eat dinner with my family for my Nana's birthday. It's late, dark and really cold before we get back to the shop to put our bikes to bed for the night.
Sunday gets here in a hurry and the weather could not be any better. Nathan starts cleaning up the Nighthawk and I shim my needles to get some much needed fuel to my starving Ninja. She also gets a nice bath and a towel dry for appreciation of such a nice ride the day before. Nathan loads up the Nighthawk and heads home. Thats when the real fun begins...
I can't let such a good day go to waste, so I call up Jimi and head over to his house. As i pull up his friend Chris and he decide they are headed up to the Dragon on the Ninja 500 and Chris's RX-8. After approving my company we head off to the Dragon. At the Overlook Jimi sets up the camera on Chris's car and they take off to get some good footage. I tag along at my own pace and enjoy the scenery and the seat of your pants experience. Nothing much to report as I pull into Tapaco Lodge with Jimi and Chris waiting.
Lo and behold but who do we see? Well it's Killboy, his wife and their crew!! Chris goes over to introduce himself and Jimi and I follow. We talk about bikes, cars and a few things in between before Killboy makes a comment on my bike. I about freak out. Killboy... made a comment... on my Ninja 250... The same man who sees thousands of vehicles a day is impressed by MY bike. It was hard getting my helmet back on after that one.
Killboy and his crew take off towards home, leaving Kamal to head back towards Maryville on his lonesome. Chris leaves Jimi and I to chat for a while and head back by ourselves. The ride back is met with an 18 wheeler who decided he was going to be slick and try to give the Dragon a try. If it weren't for Jimi You'd probably be reading my obituary instead of my adventurous weekend. After that scare, we turn up at the Overlook a few minutes later.
We are greeted by an amazing sunset at the Overlook. Jimi suggests I put the camera on my bike, so we set it up. I thought we were ready to go, so I take off. I get down to the lake and pull off to one of the side roads and wait, and wait, and wait. I realize Jimi just isn't coming. I'm scared, it's late, it's dark and I'm alone out in the middle of nowhere (insert Deliverance music). I head back. I ride and ride and ride. Pulling up to the Overlook I see two figures leaning over a very familiar looking Ninja 500. Apparently, Jimi's 500 sprang a fuel leak and Kamal took most of the bike apart to fix it. They get it going and we head down to the gas station. Once again, same problem. The fix? Take the bike back apart.
Now, I have met some good people in my life, but my hat goes off to Kamal (I hope I have been spelling his name right). He is the owner of the corner market at 411 and 129 I come to find out at our second stop. This man, with who knows what else to be doing with his time, followed Jimi and I to safety. He took the bike apart several times, followed us to safety and made sure we were well taken care of. When we arrived at the corner market, he gives me hot cocoa on the house. This man is trying to run a business and has already given so much, but he gives even more. It touches my heart to meet people like this.
After a cocoa rest and some good conversation, Jimi and I head off back towards Knoxville. The time is around 8pm and I had not thought to bring my clear face shield because I thought we'd be back long before dark. My hands are cold because I brought my summer gloves and not my winter gloves. I'm cold, miserable and tired. WAA!!!!!
Jimi and I split ways at Pellissippi Parkway with the 500 seeming fine and both of us tired and chilly.
This had to be one of the most adventurous weekends of my life. I can't complain about any of it. I'd rather be miserable on a bike with friends than sitting home watching TV. I couldn't ask for better friends, a better bike or better roads.