Final Thoughts

This trip has fulfilled my desire to ride some of the twistiest roads in the U.S. The Dragon's Tail, the Snake, Wolf Pen's Gap, and Cherohala Skyway all lived up to their expectations. Also, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah Skyline drive were also very scenic and provided a nice contrast to the serious twisties and provided very leisurely drives.

The drives through the mountains near the streams were the most relaxing and calming part of the trip for me. Drives on these roads can make all the other worries and concerns of your life disappear (at least for a little while).

The bike was well up to the task. Part of the reason I liked this style of bike is because it does provide both the touring capability to put on the type of miles I did on this trip but also because it is a "blast" to drive on these types of roads (as well the roads around home).

The weather again has cooperated. There were a few nights when it rained but I stayed dry in the tent. There was very little rain during the day during riding time. I only had to put on rain gear a few times and the rain only last about 15 minutes each time.

How would I compare this trip to the trip I took last year out west in the Rockies? I would say different trips with different purposes and both exceeded their expectations. The Rockies trip was focused on seeing the beauty that part of the county has to offer. This trip was focused on the twisty roads to be ridden.

Discussions with various people during the trip:

• A guy from Florida that just purchased land near Telico Plains Tennessee (heart of the twisties) that he plans to pay off in the next 4 years when he retires and then more there (with his wife) to spend more time riding
• The guy and his nephew (first motorcycle trip) from Florida on their way to a family reunion in Tennessee
• The guy on the lawn mower that is planning to ride (his motorcycle) along Route 66 to California in 2013 (now that is planning ahead!)
• The guy on his Gold Wing that runs a car tire on the rear wheel (many people say they really like that!). He had also added an additional gas tank on the rear of the wing plus pulled a camper trailer -maybe that's why he needed a car tire rather than a motorcycle tire
  
• Same guy above that was riding in the rain (before he had a Gold Wing) and missed a corner on a freeway exit ramp and hit the guard rail 3 times and kept going. He later stopped to check the damage and only had scratches on his engine guard (now that lucky)
• The guy that hit a deer with his 2 month old Harley. It was so damaged that the only part that wasn't damaged was the engine. The strange part: the bike was repaired. Harley manufactured a new frame and put his frame number on it so it matched his original. After 4 months, he got his like new bike back. How does this make sense from an insurance perspective?
• Person at Ohio visitor center that said the governor has the state in such a financial mess that they can't even give out state highway maps at the visitor centers. Instead you get a "Travel Atlas" that has some highway information and lots of paid advertising.
  

Statistics:

• States driven in (in order): (13) Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, West Virginia, Ohio, Iowa
  
• New States I Have Ridden In: 7
  
• Miles Driven: 5,430
  
• Average Miles per Day: 417
• Longest Day: Day 2, July 19, 593 miles
• Shortest Day: Day 12, July 29, 191 miles
  
• Total Cost: $723
• Fuel: $285
• Lodging $192 (2 stays with Trisha, 1 hotel, 9 nights camping)
• Food: $175
• Gifts: $64
• Misc: $8
  
• Average Cost per Day: $55
  
• Gallons of Fuel Consumed: 117
• Observed Cost of Fuel: Between $2.10 and $2.70
• Average MPG: 45
  

I hope you have enjoyed following my trip almost as much as I enjoyed taking it! I know to many of you this doesn't sound that enjoyable while to others you wished you could have joined me! To each their own, but to me, this was a great opportunity and great experience!