Day Four

First: here are some pictures from yesterday that it wouldn’t let me load. 

Group picture up at Pinnacle Overlook

Our view during dinner

Looking important in a log cabin

Nobody puts paper in the corner

Early mornings before the sun wakes up 

 We started in Asheville, NC. We started off right away on some beautiful back roads with nice twisties. 

Right away Pat and Monica were flagging everyone to not turn where they were because there was either some road closure or construction; naturally that makes us all very confused. We kept driving and once we saw Bill at a stop sign he gave us further instructions. When we got to that part we stopped for gas and luckily I looked at my phone because there was further instructions on there that saved us from making wrong turn. However, we weren’t confident 100% until we were back on the actual paper chart route. That’s even iffy for us too. It added another 20 miles for us. For some reason it felt like way more than that. 

We stopped in a small town where Joe said had the best hot bologna sandwich’s … and they were pretty darn good. This poor lady made so many. Vicki got behind the counter and started helping. 

When we were starting my bike and getting ready to leave the best bologna sandwich around place - my center stand broke. YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT.   TJIIS POOR GIRL NOW HAS NOWAY OF KEEPING HER BIKE UP. 

With the help of the guys and some other guys, they wired the center stand so it would stay up- but also so it wouldn’t hit my tire. And off we went. 

We were on dirt roads for a good 5 miles. Each and every person and their bike and gear were covered in dust.

Anyway, we then ended up at the Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary. We got to tour it - which was so cool. I could have spent all day there learning about it all. But let me tell you; that place gives me the creeps.

At that point I was leaning

my bike up against anything- Scott was nice and helped me do all that and start my bike because well… I can’t kick it while I’m on it and have nothing to hold it. 

We stopped at the K-25 museum but unfortunately didn’t get the opportunity to walk through as we were behind. 

We continued on our day and made it to Yogi Bears Jellystone park in Loudon, TN 

We are right on the river and have cute little cabins. We even got a golf cart to drive around- they was a blessing in disguise as scooting around on that really cooled you down. The heat got pretty high today . 

We got to meet Yogi Bear!!  

Tomorrow is our last day :( we will end up back where we started in Chattanooga 

breezy

Day Three

 Today we started in Asheville, NC. 

I know I said this yesterday… but the scenery… it’s speechless.

We started with a ton of fog which obviously made it harder to see. But then it just randomly became clear. 

In the early day I was behind Scott and a bird was flying horizontal to him and ran right into his leg. It looks like a hummingbird. I did see it continue to fly so I assuming it’s okay. 

We had lunch in Morristown, Tennessee. Where we then headed back on the road. We saw two deer cross the road and slowed down to make sure no more came. We went through a very long tunnel; Cumberland Gap Tunnel. It replaced “Massacre Mountain”, a dangerous, winding 2.3 mile stretch of above-ground roadway notorious for fatal accidents. One of only two vehicular tunnels in the US that crosses state lines. Passes directly beneath the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park area where Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia meet.

Then headed to Pinnacle Overlook where we took a group picture. Historically used as a strategic lookout during the Civil War. The overlook provided a vantage point for controlling passage through the gap.

All of this history was found online. 

We ended our ride at the resort we are staying at tonight; called the Pine Mountains State Resort Park. We had dinner there and the view was one of a million. We (us four) are staying in a small little cabin. It’s very remote but super cool!

 We started in North Carolina, hit Tennessee, Virginia and ended in Kentucky. 174 miles. 

The loop has done a fantastic job with these roads and this ride - I am extremely impressed.

The weather was yet again perfect - it got warm toward the end, but not terrible. 

We made all of our miles and our bikes seem to be running good! Well take that! 

I tried attaching pictures but after 5 failed attempts I’m giving up for the night. 

breezy

Day Two

 We started out in Helen, Georgia. I don’t know where to begin as it has been an eventful day. We rode some incredible twisty roads with incredible scenery. 

Our first stop was at Whitewater falls. They were beautiful! To get our “extra” points we had to walk to them. We went down and saw them up closer. 

After the falls I started my bike but then I thought I killed it. I turned the gas off. This is what it looks like “off” 

On the old Harley’s this is on… you can see my confusion right.? 

Then we had lunch at Rocky’s grill and soda shop in Brevard, NC! I’d also like to point out that I had a chocolate malt and it was delicious 😋 

We headed to the Blue Ridge Parkway with some more gorgeous twisty roads. We came to the peak of Pisgah Mountain. The views were breathtaking. 

On the way up we saw a set of waterfalls that we had actually been to on a motorcycle trip in ‘24. But on modern bikes. I mean the picture does not do any justice.

After the peak we did some crrrraaaaaaazy twists. Some being super sharp and tight. I’m not going to lie I was nervous about it - but they were no problem. But some were surprisingly tight. I have done a lot of riding on modern bikes up here and some on the older bikes so I dunno why I get so nervous. Meh 🤷‍♀️ 

We were in 3 states today. Georgia, we made a little jump to South Carolina and ended in North Carolina. So we’ve hit 4 out of the 5? 

We arrived on time coming in so we got all of our points. 

At 6 we had an evening ride. All of us  in a big group drove the a brewery for dinner. Imagine 60+ bikes coming down a road. They aren’t quiet. We arrived at the River Arts District Brewing Company. It was a cute little place! 

Scott came up to us and said “yea this places is known for its different flavors of popcorn” and I very nicely asked how he knew that. And he got so defensive ! It was out of nowhere. He pulls out his phone and some review or something it it says “things to know before you go”. The thing said “know that is has different seasonings for popcorn”. So then we got in an “argument” about how that doesn’t mean it is KNOWN for its popcorn, just that it’s something interesting to know when you go. 

We get back to the hotel and I start looking at my oil and the guys just look at me and are like what are you doing? Why are you doing that? Even though my answer is the same… I was told to. Then when I do another thing they are like well don’t do that. And I’m like… I’m literally just making sure a hold is tight… EVERYTHING IS FINE! But you darn well know that if I hadn’t done that and it did come loose they would have been like… well why didn’t you check to make sure it was tight ?! So I’m the crabby one when I get annoyed that they keep asking me what I’m doing. 🙄😂 these guys I tell ya. 

But it’s funny- you pick up on their quirks. 

Anyway, did I tell you we landed in Asheville, NC? Well we did. Who knows what’s next? Not me. 

OH!!!!!! And there was a road called “Breezy” today 

And Scott said he was going to make a competitive blog. And him and Jerry said it was our blog. I laughed and said they didn’t help me write it. “But we give you content”. I offered to hand over the reins, they stopped real quick. 

Until tomorrow! 

breezy

Day One

 Today was a day. A lot of things happened. 

THE WEATHER WAS PERFECT!!!!! 

We started out strong. In fact, so much has happened since then that I don’t even remember. I can tell you I dropped my helmet again. For probably the 3rd or 4th time. And yes, the one I just bought. Typical Brianna fashion. BUT I did find out that Spitefire (the RN on the ride— who I’ve worked with) got the same exact helmet… Twinsies! 

(Mike and I are wearing the same outfit. Even the same brand of pants)

I do remember that right off the bat we got lost. We were right then followed some others then got more lost- but we did find our way. 

Mike and I have some intercoms and for the first part I could only hear him. He’d be saying 7, 1, 2 and I’d be thinking what the heck is he talking about. I did finally get it to work and that was kind of fun. He called mom who was with Presley and Gwennie (my nieces) who he got to talk to … he rubbed it in my face. 

If you know Connor- he’s a goofy guy- he always dressed as buc-ee the beaver. So they say “he’s here for the beaver” and for some other perverted things.. well we actually saw a sign on the side of the road, unrelated to all of this that said “here for the beaver”. 

At the second gas station one of the bikes lit up on fire.

Mike Bruso came in real quick with the fire extinguisher and it was out just as quickly. Someone else got theirs really quick too! In fact- the bike still ran and was back on the road. I believe he made all the miles! 

We got to lunch and it looked cool with all the bikes in this small downtown area.

We are at Fighting town Tavern in Blue Ridge Georgia 

We were probably the last group to show up. They give us times to go by to make it in at a certain time. You get negative points if you come in too early or too late. 

After lunch we had to go up this crazy hill with a stop sign at the top. It sucked. We were burning our clutches. To be honest I don’t really know what that means. But I get that it’s not good for it. Also- I had put my legs behind the legs to help keep it from going backward. I’ve got bruises- in case you were wondering. 

We stopped at Coopers Creek Store which had flavored crickets- I did not try any. Essentially our clock said if we leave this place by 2pm you will arrive on time. 

This is where the day made a bad turn. The roads were amazing. The exact roads you want to drive on. We had pulled over so Mike could put his jacket on as it started to sprinkle. Then a little bit later we stopped because Scott’s bike wasn’t working right. (He changed out his plugs) but then actually needed a battery. Luckily Johnny- who his motor had seized and was on the sweep truck (who has pulled up by us) had an extra one on his bike. 

In the mean time, some random guy pulls over and asked if we are with the group ahead- the loop. We said yes and he said one of your guys is in the ditch. Mind you it was kind of hard to hear him- so Mike and I drive off to go help- we are going slow looking in the ditches. Then we stop because we had gone a little bit and nothing. Well then the Stu who was driving the sweeper truck comes up and said he got a call and there was someone. So again Mike and I start going. The first thing we see is a bunch of smoke. The cops and fire department and the ambulance were all there. But they let us get through while having everyone else blocked off. I couldn’t get off my bike because well… kick stand. Mike went up and assessed. So ultimately something happened the bike was in the ditch down - Connor had pulled the rider away because the bike was on fire. The rider is okay- some broken bones. And the bike is in very rough shape - as I’m sure you can imagine. But grateful that the rider is alive and not more injured- not to say that his injuries aren’t severe. 

So after things clear up we start going again. Then we get on this dirt road that was fun and beautiful. Then we come up to the river passing. Well we see another ambulance. If you’ve never gone through a river on a bike these can be so intimidating and this one had some things you had to avoid. Turns out something happened the front of the bike flung upward and the rider fell off - then the bike landed on the rider. The rider is okay- but broken shoulder or something. At this point we just walked my bike through- I wasn’t trying to do anything insane. But the guys road theirs. 

I did go through the second one without issues. The rest of the day went smoothly. We got stuck in some traffic- but made it in. 5:02. So we were way late. Supposed to be in 3:55-4:05. Obviously we don’t care what so ever. We made our miles. 

We got a free meal. 

This was at Old Bavaria Inn Restaurant in Helen, Georgia. It was a hopping town! 

And… Icecream 

You can’t see- but this is Tim! The one with the braids- they are still holding strong. 

And the riff raff continues. This is a stick making fun of Mike Carson… I just so happened to stumble across it (after I told Tim he should add to the collection). Then I posted it on the Facebook group asking if anyone else saw it. I can’t wait to see what is said. 

Another quick story. One of the riders was working on his bike.. he took it for a ride to see how it ran. Well Georgia is a helmet state and he didn’t put it on. So he got pulled over. Then he couldn’t get his bike to start… so he had the cop try to kick start it (the rider was wearing sandals). When he couldn’t the rider had the cop push start it. So the cop followed him back and reminded him to wear a helmet- and the rider said and riding shoes not sandles. The cop ended up hanging out for awhile. 🤣

Ladies and gentlemen you can’t make this shit up. 

From Chattanooga, Tennessee to Helen, Georgia. It was only 147 miles… but damn did a lot happen. 

Welp! I tried to us my lotion to was my face so I better hit the hay. 

We hope for an uneventful day tomorrow and that everyone stays safe - and no big mechanical issues. 

Where will we go?  

breezy 

Addendum to previous

 Jerry took pic of the guys bikes 

Jerry’s knuckleheads. But he forgot that I’m still apart of that team when he posted on Facebook.. how rude. BUT don’t you worry. I told him he forgot me. 

Weekend recap

Thursday Mike and I met up with Scott and Jerry. We went to the Davenport swap meet, and it was hotter than the hell of hell.

We got back to our hotel and took Jerry’s bike out of the U-haul. The U-haul place only had the largest available so the one bike look silly in it. 

They used the hill to get it out of the truck. 

🤣🤣

 We went to dinner then worked on Bluey 2.0. 

Scott needed some shorter bolts so he asked someone at the hotel if they had anything - turns out she was being picked up by her boyfriend who brought something for him to use. Mike and I also went to Menards to grab some just in case. 

Jerry and Scott left early in the morning friday. Mike and I went back to the swap meet. Again it was hotter than crap there. We made the decision to start our journey toward Chattanooga instead of waiting until Saturday morning. 

We got to Paducah KY in McCracken County 🤣🤣 it just cracks me up thinking of McCracken. 

Saturday we all made it to Chattanooga. Our friend Vicki saw us driving, I wonder how she knew it was us? 

Jerry and Scott road all the way, no issues on the way from

Davenport. Other than it was hot. So clearly that is the theme here: HOT! 

I had started to put stuff in my side bags and get things just set up. Many people walking around and chit chatting as they are fellow riders coming into town to do the Loop. 

Today: Sunday it started off with my braiding Tim Burns hair. He said it was quite awkward asking me… or that it would be - but he fails to understand that women do each others hair all the time. I had no problem braiding it. But I can’t say I’ve been asked that at a motorcycle event. ✅

We did some little tuning up on the motorcycles. We put Scott’s “new” number plates on. 

I did the best I could with the stuff I had at home. Covering the 8 and putting a 3. 

Mike just needed to mount some things. He took it for a ride then Jerry took the same bike out. I don’t think they needed to do anything to it 

 When I was starting my bike it started to tip … the kickstand had not caught where it needed to so it kept moving and would kept tipping. Luckily Mike was there and was able to help me not drop it. Scott fixed it for me. Jerry Scott and I road our bikes to the hotel we were going to stay at. Mike brought the trailer. 

One point we went out to the bikes and I’m not sure if mine was tipped over or tipped over while being started (Mike was the one that was going to start it) but the kickstand broke off. 😑 

We aren’t able to fix it so center stand it is. 

We had our first time of displaying our bikes and had our meeting before the big day. Somehow, a “snake” got in Mike Carson’s bag. Well he then threw it at Mike, I hadn’t seen any of this happen and then I’m off my bike and getting ready to walk away from it and Mike says Brianna catch - well I see this wiggly thing being thrown at me and I definitely jump away. 

Mike Carson also said there is a bounty out of anyone who cuts Tim’s braids off. Little did he know I did them. When I told him that he said… well I’ll give you an extra 50 for each on you cut. And so the shenanigans begin- and I love it. 

Our truck and trailer had to be parked about 5 or so blocks away- and like I’ve said many times it’s hot- so we road our bikes to go get the gear we needed to start tomorrow. 

On the way back from the parking lot Jerry broke his clutch cable. Luckily another rider (Jim) had a clutch saver and it worked like a charm. We did have Scott go back to the truck to get something - then we didn’t need it. Naturally, he made a fuss that we did that 🤣 whoops… maybe he should read into it a little bit. 

Otherwise we have been hanging out - catching up with all the wonderful people we haven’t seen for awhile. 

Tomorrow we start around 0800 and we don’t know where we are going. 

One cool thing is we have 6 solo female riders, 4 female passengers, 2 photo journalists and 3 staff. Yay!!

If you don’t know- my mom always decorates the skeleton at their house. All the grandkids love coming over to see what’s the outfit. So when I saw a skeleton dressed up I had to take a picture.

I was going to get a picture of all of our bikes together but I haven’t yet… so here you go. The beauty of the trip. And because I’m the one riding it … a picture of my bike 

See how it’s on its center stand? Yea… well now I am at the mercy of the guys to help me A) get off the bike, and B) put it on the stand. You have to pull the bike back without tipping it- it’s tough. But even just getting off I have try to get my leg over without also tipping the bike as I’m doing that. So it turns out I actually have to be nice to the guys so they still help me. 

I did park away from them due to space when we parked at the hotel so I had to yell down and be like “heelllllp me I’m poor” (name that movie). Just kidding no one will get it- it’s bridesmaids. 

Anyway- I must go to bed because we get to ride motorcycles tomorrow. Wish us luck! 

Maybe you guys should start guessing where we end up every night. You won’t win anything but you would get bragging rights- and that’s pretty much the best prize 

Until manana (insert wiggly line above the first n) 

breezy 

Ope

So it begins. Jerry and Scott started out on their ride down to Davenport. They decided to ride their motorcycles to the start in Chattanooga. However, on the way they’d stop in Davenport for the swap meet. Mike and I decided to trailer our bikes down but also are stopping in Davenport. 

Mike gets a call from Scott yesterday and unfortunately Scott’s bike seized in Prairie du Chien, WI.

RIP bluey- see you when you get revived. 

So what next? Jerry drove to get a U-Haul (which they only had a big one). Then he drove to pick up Scott and the bike. They weren’t far from a guy that has rebuilt some bikes for Jerry, they dropped it off there but there was no time to fix it in time, as he was headed to Davenport as well. They then headed to pick up Jerry’s bike and headed to Davenport. 

             

THE STORY DOESN’T END THERE!! 

Mom was a smarty pants and had suggested we bring another bike just in case. The extra bike we have runs and they had already looked it over. It’s another of Jerry’s bikes. We shall call it Bluey 2.0. 

The thinking ahead really spared Mike and I (well and Scott). It was already loaded up. We would have had to go to Jerry’s and load it up then go to Davenport. Scott grabbed his things off the bike but forgot the number plates. Mike and mom still had Larry’s so we will convert 81 into 31. 

We will see how this all turns out. 

Onto a different topic, if you’ve been following since the near beginning, this story goes back to the 2019 Chase. The Loop is very similiar to the Chase as it has slightly newer bikes and there is no support crew. Well, Jerry, Steve and Mike had started on this journey in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Mike was riding the bike that he is going to ride for the Loop. However, there was this loud clanking/knockong noise that they couldn’t figure out. One of Jerry’s friends had then brought a different bike for Mike to finish out the Chase on. This bike happens to be the same bike that Scott will now ride. Coming in clutch right?! (See what I did there? 🤣)

Because of that loud noise- they had sent this motor down to the same guy that Bluey is now at. He had gone through it, everything was running good. But then they started it up when they got the bike all together and it still had that knocking noise. The bike, now fully put together, was brought back to this guy and he found that that noise was coming from the pinion gear. Once that was changed out- no more knocking! 

As our journey continues hopefully we all have minimal issues and make our miles! We are glad that Scott gets to ride with us because that would just suck if he didn’t. 

breezy