and decided to ride up to Helen, Georgia.

I barely got any sleep last night because I was up most of it reading this. This is over 100 pages long so...
Guy travels across America in a Honda Ruckus (http://totalruckus.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12143&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15)

Lack of sleep be damned, I'm going to Helen today! I shouted.
For those of you who do not know this place, here's a wiki: Helen wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen,_Georgia)

Sorry, no before pics I just wanted to leave the house.

Part I: The Town ("Part II: The Ride" in the reply)

I got to the main strip and cruised for a bit til I found a parking space. $3 for all day long. Fair price.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3588/3368475905_943db997b9_o.jpg

As I was pulling in, this guy in the Harley asked me if I could share a parking space with him. Cool guy. He said he used to have a ninja back in the 80's til he got in an accident. I told him what my name was and he says that's his son's name. We have a short conversation while walking toward the shops and part our ways. I am sorry I cannot remember your name! Nice meeting you!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/3368470393_1d1c2fc006_b.jpg

I'm walking down the strip and I don't know where I'm headed. This is not my first time, but everytime the feeling is different. This was one of the Inn and a restaurant that's right by the river. I thought it'd be nice to relax and eat there, but I'm on a budget and packed my lunch. Moving on.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3369296686_742de912b5_b.jpg

I see this sign, and immediately thought, "why can't every town have this!?"

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/3368471763_73e263e1de_b.jpg

another Inn. Cool painting on the wall right next to the entrance. Wondered what kind of themes they had inside the rooms.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/3368472305_1649525cae_b.jpg

I didn't go in, but I wanted to. Also thought that car would be a cool restoration project.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/3369425416_5dc12cb1fd_b.jpg

So, I walk around a bit more. I stopped by this Candy store that makes their own! One sample of freshly made fudge and I broke down. :banghead:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3369299968_ff74d5c006_b.jpg

As I was heading back to the parking lot, I saw the beautiful horse up close and wanted to take a shot. As soon as I get ready to take one, these people started petting the horse. They saw me after a few seconds and apologized for being in the picture, but I like them in it. :D

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3440/3369301484_f7ecee1468_b.jpg

I came back to the parking lot and ate my packed lunch. As I was finishing up, I noticed this sticker on the Harley guy's helmet. I like the sticker.:happy: He also had another helmet on top of the tail bag with pinstriping on them. You can kinda see in the first pic. I took some photos of his Harley and left him a note with my flickr address as I was leaving.

Part II: The ride

On we go for the twisties! I've looked at google map the night before and I wanted to venture out. I had two routes planned but only managed to do just one. I was getting tired from lack of sleep and wanted to be back home for dinner.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3471/3369200590_f5d68e23ca_o.jpg

Hello Unicoi State Park! Excuse the difference in picture size. I packed my big camera by this time and was using a pocket sized camera. I didn't realize it had the lowest resolution setting on until I got home...:mad:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3573/3368375657_24d80f872e_o.jpg

ATTENDANT NOT ON DUTY
Ok, I'll just pass myself.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3463/3368375605_ac4a13c9c1_o.jpg

Starting the route. It goes right, left, up, down, mixed, you name it, I loves it!

Here is the route I took: google map route (http://maps.google.com/maps?source=ig&hl=en&q=helen+georgia&ie=UTF8&split=0&gl=us&ll=34.729251,-83.722966&spn=0.012415,0.027895&z=16&iwloc=addr)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/3369200614_2b9e280df3_o.jpg

Wheeeeee! One side was quite steep, so I kept it safe. Still had fun though.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3369200644_e78a98850f_o.jpg

I pulled over at a rest stop to hydrate myself. Shade, picnic table, benches, grills and looking down the Unicoi Lake! All of the rest stops were like this! Oh, and you can see my rear tire here. New tire coming tomorrow...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3368375719_6d63f049a2_o.jpg

Road split to two and I knew I'm supposed to go right. I got curious and went left. CLOSED! Ok then, maybe next time.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3560/3369200894_3d9a9bb200_o.jpg

Coming back down from the gate, I saw this sign. ARggghhh... next time my friend. Anna Ruby Falls wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Ruby_Falls)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3368375731_865c89681d_o.jpg

This might be the highest point of the route. Other side of the dam. It was calm and peaceful...but I had to go.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/3368375783_124a58a39e_o.jpg

Came down to the lowest point of the route. The weather was perfect. 69° F and cool breeze.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/3369200808_148c25fe05_o.jpg

The bridge where the dam is. Sorry, I didn't bring tripod.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/3369200832_610ba8bca3_o.jpg

and no "Famous Peanuts" this time either.:(

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/3368375911_7e6b5ed8c8.jpg

Goodbye Helen...til next time.

All in all, this is what I needed. Not going to bars, clubs, birthday parties. The whole time I was waving at other bikers, I was thinking about the article where the guy greets all bikers no matter what kind of bike, to share the mutual understanding of joy of open road.

P.S. I found out one of the clips on my backpack cut a slit on the seat.:mad: I'm trying not to think about it and reflect on the ride.

rest of the pics: Flickr Album (http://www.flickr.com/photos/biskitsorange/sets/72157615562970355/)

Beautiful, thanks for the ride!! Maybe when I'm legal I'll hit up Helena and enjoy the refreshments. Until then, take lots of pictures for me!! Hope you had fun, looks like you did.

Ooooh!! Looks great! You had a great time! Glad you got out!

Looks like beautiful country up there. Nice ride report and pics. I can't believe you met a harley guy that was nice, lol. Must have been the old ninja in his blood coming through.:thumbup:

Awesome pics and ride report! I miss those north GA mountains!!

that was excellent!

:thumbup:

thanks thanks. My friends and I are planning a trip to Suches soon.

Looks like you had a great ride Chris! :thumbup:

Helen looks like a good place to head to, and I'll add it to my trip list for this summer (IF I can get away from the wife ... she doesn't ride ...yet) LOL
It's nice to meet HD riders that aren't jerks isn't it? I've known a few, but a few idiots too ...

Thanks for the ride report. I enjoyed the pictures and reading about your adventures.

Looks like you had a great ride Chris! :thumbup:

Helen looks like a good place to head to, and I'll add it to my trip list for this summer (IF I can get away from the wife ... she doesn't ride ...yet) LOL
It's nice to meet HD riders that aren't jerks isn't it? I've known a few, but a few idiots too ...

Yes I did! Wish I got there earlier though.
Yea, some riders don't care what bike you're on, some just scoffs at the "ricer"

Thanks for the ride report. I enjoyed the pictures and reading about your adventures.

Thanks for reading, hopefully I can go up to Suches soon.
And to SoCal...

Here's a little route I found online by someone else:
http://www.sundaymorningrides.com/road/6381019/

Looks like a good time!

Looks like a good time!

It is!
Now show us NJ!

Wow, I am so jealous. Thanks for the great pics. I can't wait to take an entire week off to explore the world on 2 wheels!!

Do eeeet!

Great report. I have spent a lot of time around Helen, Dahlonega, Suches, Blairsville, etc. Beautiful country and great roads. I am going to try and hit that area around April 18. I'll post a thread when it's for sure.

If schedule permits, I'll ride with ya!
and to ask bazillion questions about the 08+ :D

You're more than welcome to check it out. I like the new ones, but I liked the old ones too.

haha, yea. I'm actually looking forward to doing the valve adjustment in few hundred miles. Only way for me to buy a new one is to add it as a second bike. Then again, that 250SF is looking mighty purty too....haha.

man that looks like a cool ride :thumbup: thanks

What an enjoyable read. Thanks for sharing... and YEY you do have a camera :) (I posted in your other thread)