[akunochi]

So I am moving to Japan due to my work in the military and am unable to import the Ducati's there. So I decided I would ride it to the storage location at my parent's house.

The rules were simple. No highways, no whining and only carry what would fit in my Kriega US 30 dry bags. I spent the first day traveling from my old house to the Tail of the Dragon. I've spent the last couple days here and will likely stay until Tuesday. Here are a couple pics from the trip...Sorry I don't have anything philosophical, but maybe Antihero will stop in and say something enlightening.

Leaving my house in Spring Lake, NC around 3:30. I had already been up since 5 trying to get the house emptied, keys turned in and clean...add this to the wife's needs, loading her bike in the truck, and a two year old daughter doing what two year olds do. I was exhausted, but couldn't imaging staying one moment longer in the area.

I made it to Troy, NC pretty quick following the familiar back roads.

From there I worked the back roads as fast as I could without going to jail...then it got dark just about the time I entered the mountainous side of North Carolina. To say it was a pucker factor is an understatement.

I entered Lake Lure and the road was suddenly as twisty as the Dragon, but I was all alone and the LED headlights seemed inadequate. I continued to follow 74 until it met with the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Only later did I learn that the cops in Lake Lure are famous for seizing bikes with loud aftermarket exhausts...which I believe the SSTK header qualifies as oops.

As you can see by this photo it was very very dark that night as well.

I continued along the Blue Ridge until nearing my final destination the Kickstand Lodge on the Moonshiners Highway. For those of you that have never been here Mo and Bobby are first class. This is a home away from home for bikers. The beer is cold, the food is hot and typically barbecued or smoked and there is always room for one more tent.

However, a smooth arrival was not in the cards as I was stopped by a wonderful officer 1.5 miles away from my destination...it was 11:00 PM at this time and I had ridden several hundred miles. He remarked at how nice my bike was, how damn fast I was going (???? I WAS???) and then gave me my admission ticket to the Tail of the Dragon

 

[akunochi]

I finally made it to camp and grabbed a beer....then set up camp!

Awww the Kickstand...a welcome sight.

And my humble camp. For those that have never heard of them Hennessy Hammocks are absolutely awesome for motorcycle traveling when you need to maximize space.

 

[akunochi]

Today I took off early to hit the roads around here. I immediately went up HWY 28 (Moonshiner) and hit the Dragon knowing it would be empty this early in the morning. Of course Natalia had to pose a few times along the way!

I ran the Dragon up once and then back down. It was beginning to get a little more crowded, but I hadn't seen any cops yet (odd) so I decided to go back up once more and continue over to the Cherahola Skyway.

During that last run up I placed my knee to the pavement as I went past Killboy's photography station...and met a cop traveling the other way...oopsy. Anyway I knew he couldn't turn around and I wasn't gonna wait for him to figure out how. Regardless I am going to have a sweet photo of me dragging knee past the cop once they get uploaded.

Then I was off to the Skyway! What a ride, almost 63 miles of continuous sweepers and hairpins. Just look at the vast expanse.

Of course the 123 mile loop of twists from camp -> HWY 28 -> HWY 129 -> HWY 72 -> Hwy 360 -> Skyway -> camp left me pretty worn out...so with that I am ending this portion of the trip and will post up again when I move on.

 

[PBR]

Hey Akunochi,

Nice ride review! I rode those same routes this June on a 1199S. I dig the paint scheme your Panigale is sporting. I see you've got the DP Comfort seat and some other tasty mods. Cherohala Parkway is magnificent. Of course the Dragon was a treat as well but Cherohala is less travelled and the roads have a nice flow to them.

Looking forward to the rest of your story!

PBR

 

[PBR]

By the way, I noticed the carbon fiber tank guards. Who made them and where did you get them?
I've not seen the likes before.

 

[Seeya]

Gotta support the piggies fat paychecks and pensions. $188 court costs lol. Just another victim to the organized thuggery that is the "traffic citation." It's not about safety- it's about revenue for the gestapo. Oh well, enjoy the rest of your ride!

 

[akunochi]

By the way, I noticed the carbon fiber tank guards. Who made them and where did you get them?
I've not seen the likes before.

Over on the 1199 forums there is a guy named Zohix that gets them. The origin started from some guy in a garage that was handy with carbon fiber. They work great and really protect the tank during crashes. (I took these off my buddies 1199 after he totaled it.)

Gotta support the piggies fat paychecks and pensions. $188 court costs lol. Just another victim to the organized thuggery that is the "traffic citation." It's not about safety- it's about revenue for the gestapo. Oh well, enjoy the rest of your ride!

Hey the court fees are fucking retarded. Especially when I'm not appearing in court.

 

[BudDaytonDuc]

Great pictures and recap of your rides in Motorcycle Nirvana. I'm taking the EVO and heading down to the Triumph RAT Dragon Raid on Sunday 9/6/2015. I look forward to seeing Killboy's photo.
Thank you for your service to our country.