Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Riding

[cabnfvr]

Beautiful day and we're in western NC, sunshine and smooth curvy roads everywhere! We decided to try and do a North South East West ride this week. Today would be south. We headed to the BMW Zentrum in Greer SC. It's interesting and makes a fine destination so off we go. First a little bit of Hwy 178 out of Rosman NC. Most of the roads in PA say curves next 1 mile. I think we saw a 6 mile sign once. It's good to be home.


After many many nice smooth curves we managed to find our destination.


Oh to be Santa.


After a quick tour, hot dog, and cookie we headed back via Caesars Head (276). This one required passing a few cars but they had a passing zone to make that easier. After a quick pass we had the road to ourselves again.


We concluded our day's ride on a local road. We're 1 1/2 miles from home. Dang we've missed this place.


March 2019 and we'll be back to stay. Until then we'll just wear out tires here when we can. Hope y'all all have a happy Thanksgiving, and oh yeah, you might have noticed.

[802Mike]

Wait, what!!!!????
Did I miss something?

[justjoe]

Welcome home my friends!

[jargon]

Did you trade Tim, or do you now have 2?

[Karlb]

Do I see a TFT Screen there? Congrats on the new sled!

[cabnfvr]

To the show that never ends... Yes, TFT screen is awesome but I kinda miss the old trip meter button. It just a learning curve so I'll get the hang of resetting things soon. (Don't "Reset al". That ain't it. )

The K1200/1300S will forever be the best Sport Touring bike on the planet. We just don't fit it like we used to. Most never knew but we've been bikeless for most of this year. Our new GS is identical to the 2015 we had but feels stronger off idle and smoother all around. We opted for the 2018. 244 miles so far. We'll likely do that much again today. Oh yeah, and never say never.

[McFly]

Oh yeah, and never say never.

You got dat right!

Congrats Tim!

[Lee]

I kinda miss the old trip meter button. It just a learning curve so I'll get the hang of resetting things soon.

It might be easier to reset your trip and fuel info on the Nav.

[Capnrip]

Congrats Tim!

[Loggiebone]

[Rob]

Congrats, Tim and Susan! Is this a 1250? That would explain the "stronger off idle".

[Lee]

Is this a 1250? ".

The valve cover looks like a R1200.
The R1250 is a 2019.

[Loggiebone]

In post 6, Tim said it is a 2018. Aren't 1250's 2019 >?

[cabnfvr]

Yep, 2018 R1200GS. The 1250 is a 2019. I went 2018 on purpose. Happy happy!

[cabnfvr]

The saga continues - we ride East

This is somewhere on US 64 heading to Chimney Rock. We used to look at photo albums (analog or digital) and have flashbacks of roads like this.

On the way east we rode through King's Mountain Military Park. The State and federal parks join and make for a nice slow ride through the woods. Susan is related to two brothers who shot and killed each other at this revolutionary war battle. War is hell on the home front too.


No battles today, just pretty roads.


Now it's lunchtime and our destination for today. RO's BBQ in Gastonia NC. Their slaw is so good people asked for a "slaw dog" so often that it's now on the menu. Just bbq slaw on a bun. We went for the slice piggy. I ordered extra slaw. Yep, it's supposed to look like that.


Yummy! Since we'd been through the woods we decided to go over the river. My brother and I used to walk to the left bank in this pic from our house growing up. Probably 5 or 6 miles away!

Next on our tour was small town America. After Turkey day we'll ride through local towns in the evenings to see the Christmas lights. Some towns like Forest City and McAdenville NC go all out. This is Mt Holly NC where we grew up. (OK, we're not really grown up yet but you get the idea.)


Another small town USA.

As you can tell we're headed back the long way taking back roads only. Some of our back roads are a bit tight. We're just relaxing today but these turns always make me grin.

Here's the sister turn just ahead. And yes, i am in our lane! Back to back 9% grade 1st gear turns. Actually fun but don't get caught out a gear too high.

The sun was about to set as we neared home. If not for Bambi this would be our favorite time of the day. Sure is pretty.

Hopefully we aren't boring you all too much. It's just FUN again to be on a bike. A lot of it is being home along with a comfy bike and sharing the ride with my buddy. One more late afternoon curvy pic and it's time to go prep the bird for tomorrow.

So for now, that's all folks. Happy Thanksgiving !!

[McFly]

Me likey?. Thanks Tim!