Eastern Meet-Up People...

[eljefe-speaks]

I thought for sre I would log on today and read everyone's stuck-in-the-rain stories.

My brother and I had just passed the Mt Mitchell turnoff on the BRP when I saw a purple cloud whipping over a mountain peak so fast it curled under like a wave. I was instantly scared. The rain hit soon after. The lightening was so close there was not a second of delay between the lightening and the thunder. It came down hard. It felt like was riding under water. I was being blown all over the road, soaked through in minutes. Luckily we made it to the Craggy Gardens visitor center where they had a wood stove buring. Felt great to warm up. Soon the place was full of maybe 30 bikers. My brother and I noticed we were the least-prepared people there in our jeans. Everyone else had on proper waterproofs. We waited about 2 hours for the storm to blow over. When we went back outide I was treated with the most beautiful view of the smokies I have ever seen with huge plumes of moisture rising into the sky out of the valleys. Damn I wish I had a picture. Then an ice cold ride back down to Asheville... in which I ran out of gas. But that's a whole other story.

So, serious, you guys avoided the rain?

[MK96xj]

So, serious, you guys avoided the rain?

Short answer. No.

The ride before lunch was good. Lunch was good. The ride after, about 1/5 into it turned to crap and cover right before the good part. Still a good day af riding and meeting some new faces

[TriumphTiger1050]

Yeah, Mount Mitchell is a different beast!  I have been up there in July and the temp was in the high 40's there......or low 50's!   Ever been up or close before shut down for the winter when a early snow hits there?????  It looks like something from the Rockies up there!

[eljefe-speaks]

Ever been up or close before shut down for the winter when a early snow hits there?????

No, but I would absolutely LOVE to. And it's actually a possibility now that I am closer. It's my favorite part of the Blue Ridge in any seaon. It is my Happy Place.