This morning I hopped on the Scientifically Proven Best Bike Ever Made to go for a quick local ride. But the weather was so nice I didn't stop until the top of 181!
(Technically that's not true. I stopped in Buffalo Shoals to gas up. But what am I supposed to say? "I didn't stop until Buffalo Shoals?" That sounds so lame. Also, I didn't stop at the top of 181 I just rolled on through. So really, other than the weather that whole sentence is lies.)
A few notes:
- Highway 16 is two lanes each direction all the way from Charlotte to I-40 now.
- If you could describe the roads in one word it would be "leafy"! Most apexes were more leaf than tarmac and that made spirited riding ... interesting.
- The place at the top of 181 is closed again and it might be for good this time. It's looking in pretty bad shape.
- Someone dropped pea gravel all over 221. And I'm not talking about two or three or even ten corners. It was more like 30-40, and always at the apex. Even when I slowed way down it was sketchy as hell and I slid through more than a few. I have to wonder - was that intentional sabotage? People be crazy.
- The place in Blowing Rock with the nice view is open again. It's called "Wheelies" now and it looked packed.
- I'm pretty sure this was the first time I went up 181 this year. That's shameful!
Since "pics or it didn't happen" here's the only one I took. It was the only time I stopped!
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