To bristol, tn in 300 mph with nitromethane

[eddie98]

DAY 1(Friday 18th)
I left Woodstock just after 5pm and headed straight up 575. My first stop was in Andrews for gas and get some cash.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHSxivroI/AAAAAAAAIvs/RbFUMhDQMQ8/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20001.jpg

I continue to ride Hwy 74 after it splits from hwy129 and go thru Nantahala Gorge and the NOC. It was really nice and cool down the road and the river had fog on top.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHTiH0ShI/AAAAAAAAIv0/60at4NvAztI/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20002.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHUIgNgYI/AAAAAAAAIv8/ewHJZXBq5eA/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20003.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHUsNtrvI/AAAAAAAAIwE/JRmnSrH6gn8/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20004.jpg

After this I continue towards Cherokee, NC where I will be spending the night at Mile High Campground(or so I thought). I didn't take anymore pics for the rest of the evening as it was getting late and I wanted to make camp before dark.
I stopped in Cherokee to get some dinner, eat quickly and head back out to find the campground. My GPS tells me to get on the BRP to the campground. As I was getting ready to turn in to BRP it starts to pour rain and gets dark. It was almost 8pm by this time. I have been stuck on the BRP on downpours and it's not fun. I was not about to get into that again. I decide to take the long way to find this campground. Riding those roads in the dark and went is not fun.

I finally get to my entrance to the BRP and ride about 5 miles or so before I need to turn for the campground. I turn and my GPS tells me it's 10 miles up the road(according to the address on their website). So I start up the mountain I'm doing 30mph as I don't want a deer or anything else to jump out in front of me. I make it to the top and guess what, the road ends and turns into gravel. Just before that I had passed another campground. So I make the decission to just make camp at this place and call it at night. After setting my tent in the dark(forgot my flashlight) I ask some campers where this Mile High campground is, they tell me it's down about 8 miles and I must have missed the turn. I finally get to bed around 11pm.

Day 2 to follow later on.................................

[eddie98]

Day 2(Sat 19th)

I woke up pretty early. It was a bit cool being that I camped at 5000+ ft.
This is the Campground I spend the night
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHXtLWzII/AAAAAAAAIws/JC29OoO1xfI/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20009.jpg

Here is my camping spot
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHVYNFPQI/AAAAAAAAIwM/z4kCHleTj9k/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20005.jpg

This are my stats for the first day
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHWP7huSI/AAAAAAAAIwc/-Kmsu1oUkAg/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20007.jpg

Get all my sutuffed packed and head out. This are some of the views heading down the mountain.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHYUFQNuI/AAAAAAAAIw0/zVdAFGiErNE/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20010.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHZ5UPI3I/AAAAAAAAIxE/PRciK1IG3KM/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20012.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHaWb9rPI/AAAAAAAAIxM/CXaY37xgSWw/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20013.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHaoiuINI/AAAAAAAAIxU/NkvL92CThC4/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20014.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHbfKzzCI/AAAAAAAAIxc/OUX9-UA8IAE/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20015.jpg

I make my way down the Maggie Valley and try to find a place for breakfast but I don't see anything and the one McDonalds that the GPS told me to go wasn't there. Finally I find a Hardees in the next town and eat there.
I get back on the road and hit a bit of interstate since I needed to get up to Bristol quick. I needed to head to the next campground to drop off my stuff and head to the track. I only make one stop north of Ashville at this rest area/overlook.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHbpHPodI/AAAAAAAAIxk/fn7P7iAB8LI/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20016.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHcjByhYI/AAAAAAAAIxs/qMunCaBJ_88/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20017.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHc595rRI/AAAAAAAAIx0/8iJUBlftQGI/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20018.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHdQ3ylhI/AAAAAAAAIx8/tpzQyZlOKCo/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20019.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHetbU9LI/AAAAAAAAIyQ/WGvGef-sYoY/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20021.jpg

I continue to hit the road and my next stop is in Elizabethon for some gas. After passing this town is where the fun begins. To get to my next campsite in Shady Valley you need to get over the mountains and the road gets really twisty. Hwy 91 is what is taking me there.
I make some good time and get to my destination and here is the Switchback campground, nice place an isolated from everything else.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHfda_fdI/AAAAAAAAIyY/Pr2m7lLO8RQ/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20022.jpg

Bathhouse
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHgYDM4tI/AAAAAAAAIyk/3R7HsfYyraM/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20023.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHhNKoG6I/AAAAAAAAIys/mmByiU22Cwg/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20024.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHiJRxhjI/AAAAAAAAIy0/HOO6Pnb-90g/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20025.jpg

After unloading and taking a little break and hit the road and head for the track which was about 25 miles away. To get to the track I need to ride the famous Hwy 421( The Snake) as I get going the road starts easy but then gets fun with some switchbacks and tight turns over the mountain. I finally make it to the track, I asked the parking guy where can I park and he points "right there" I look over and see this
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHi0VCE-I/AAAAAAAAIy8/asrtF-6mH6g/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20026.jpg

I was like "next to it", yes he says I was like OK at least the bike is right there where they are and noone will mess with it and notice the port-a-potty is locked so there will be no traffic going in and out. I changed and head to the track. Won't bore you with all the pics I took inside but here are some.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHjYt_ZDI/AAAAAAAAIzE/_C2Mi3O3LEM/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20027.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHj1Q7HFI/AAAAAAAAIzM/57mUHOhOOvU/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20028.jpg

The NASCAR track
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHlGhj80I/AAAAAAAAIzc/OjejXKWcuNk/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20030.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHokobuoI/AAAAAAAAI0Q/KZ84yhhEn_g/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20036.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHqgP0XqI/AAAAAAAAI0k/64JSBSfpubk/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20038.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHwHR_iGI/AAAAAAAAI1s/tMx1N5W_LfE/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20047.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFHxfsXU_I/AAAAAAAAI18/dK6ps5W0NcY/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20049.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFH7m9RSyI/AAAAAAAAI3s/3YdTUZ3E9Lg/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20062.jpg

This track is awesome, it's carved right between the mountains and the sound just echoes all over
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIBMMJliI/AAAAAAAAI5A/8vv85ZMRdWk/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20072.jpg

After spending the day at the track I head back to Shady Valley and stop at the Country store to check it out, look at some maps and where to ride.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIDliVrYI/AAAAAAAAI5g/UiD4krwSFSA/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20076.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIEFrdQ9I/AAAAAAAAI5s/4EThN0foZ_A/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20077.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIEuqn3OI/AAAAAAAAI50/Dwg4fJ7epug/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20078.jpg

Someone hitched a ride
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIFhVWisI/AAAAAAAAI58/Si4khcDvVIg/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20079.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIGoefTAI/AAAAAAAAI6M/H4KpGh1BxnI/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20081.jpg

After hanging having a cold drink. I called Nancy to tell her I was back from track she tells me if I have gone see the "world's shortest tunnel" I said no. So I go inside and asked about it and they tell me it's 10 miles this other way. So I take off and sure there it was. It's called the Backbone Tunnel
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIHWsBxWI/AAAAAAAAI6U/1Uaj00G9H0M/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20082.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIIKmScrI/AAAAAAAAI6c/4ZJd-tcG9Gs/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20083.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIImiqWKI/AAAAAAAAI6k/r6GgxA4gL_A/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20084.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIJWxAXaI/AAAAAAAAI6s/vGMMmLU6fJw/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20085.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIKUKvrzI/AAAAAAAAI60/RNUaZNe_d-4/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20086.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIMg11LtI/AAAAAAAAI7Q/PzQTSZmjhRs/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20089.jpg

After this place it was getting dark and I headed back to camp for the night.
Here are my stats of Day 2.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFINHTH2-I/AAAAAAAAI7Y/thUMy3MiFNE/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20090.jpg

[jtryz]

nice pics, looks like fun

[eddie98]

DAY 3---- THE RIDE HOME.

I stopped again at the store to see if they had breakfast but they don't. The restaurante across the street usually serves breakfast on Sundays but this time they were not.
So I just snap a few more pics and hit the other side of Hwy 421 towards Mountain City to see what I can find to eat.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFINx9q5gI/AAAAAAAAI7g/JR-fBNedsJQ/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20091.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIORYkf-I/AAAAAAAAI7o/rjxZXBUZMsY/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20092.jpg

All I could find in the city was a McDonald's and fastfood. I was running late so I just got me a quick Micky D's and hit the road again. Looked at the GPS and just took the next Hwy heading south. Here I ran into a one lane bridge.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIP9IDNNI/AAAAAAAAI74/RJIQvay-6g0/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20094.jpg

I finally come out in Erwin, NC on I-26 and rode down a couple of exits to catch Hwy 352, 212, 208 and then make my way to Hot Springs. I was in Hot Springs about 4 yrs ago on my R6 when I hit a deer.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIQ0Fo_4I/AAAAAAAAI8I/UXWlRqOXJDE/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20095.jpg

I got to Hot springs and a couple of bike at the store where normally are more. Took a little break there and then hit Hwy 209 towards Lake Junaluska.
Here is one of the overlooks on Hwy 209.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFISQt48gI/AAAAAAAAI8Y/vcjMXjiNVzw/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20097.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIT0dBZcI/AAAAAAAAI8g/8yT1tTKWXxU/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20098.jpg

After going over I-40, I start to make my way towards Hwy 215 that pretty much goes over the mountina on Pisgah National Forest. This is a very nice road that goes up and down the mountain and crosses the BRP and comes down in Rosman. They have paved most of it now and it's nice and twisty. At this poing I start to get a little hungy and make a stop at this overlook just after crossing the BRP and have a drink and some peanuts.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIUlRI1CI/AAAAAAAAI8o/uPA2lGSzvyQ/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20099.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIVflnJCI/AAAAAAAAI8w/kX5J9TiuSP8/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20100.jpg

After Rosman I hit Hwy 64 and make my way towards Cashiers to have some lunch at this amazing BBQ place. I made it with a few mins to spare before they closed and had me some nice chopped pork plate.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIXkxmMfI/AAAAAAAAI9I/WDosYnckdNs/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20103.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIWDucVKI/AAAAAAAAI84/I5xJhZzGGf4/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20101.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIW9e65fI/AAAAAAAAI9A/ciFP0_Y_nXo/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20102.jpg

After having a nice late lunch I hit the road again, it was hot and wanted to get moving. Headed to Highlands, down Hwy 28 to Warwoman, Clayton, some backroads towards Helen. Just around Helen I spot this place, looks very new, and it’s the Goats on the Roof. Funny thing is we just came back from BC, Canada and they have one that is famous in Coombs, BC. I wonder if they got the idea from them. Anyway, here is the place in Helen and below are the pics from the one in Coombs, BC.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIYQs1-wI/AAAAAAAAI9U/Vuk0tpgWSBw/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20104.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIZDlBcOI/AAAAAAAAI9c/PUfRCVQ4UsM/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20105.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIZvO1HCI/AAAAAAAAI9k/uBfVqvzfX0k/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20106.jpg

See any similarities??
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TBQ6zSXZMtI/AAAAAAAAHM0/Z79LIsWCLbg/s800/BC%20trip11%20272.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TBQ6xTmQ2TI/AAAAAAAAHMU/RU4aUtJDj0o/s800/BC%20trip11%20268.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TBQ6ux64qgI/AAAAAAAAHLw/9zpdUUXpLn4/s800/BC%20trip11%20264.jpg
After this stop and make my way to the top of GA400 to hit the highway and make it home. 342 miles for the day
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIcNn5D7I/AAAAAAAAI9s/H6n_I7deIFI/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20107.jpg

Almost 800 miles for the weekend.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6ll272_KEvg/TCFIcpw231I/AAAAAAAAI90/uLl0jGr6U98/s800/NHRA%20BRISTOL%20TRIP%20108.jpg

[TLR67]

So did you feel your chest cave in when they launched?

[eddie98]

So did you feel your chest cave in when they launched?

every single time, at this track you can get even closer to the start line and even with earplugs your ears hurt a bit.

If you have never been to one of these races, you need to go check it out. it's loud and amazing to see a car go 300mph in such a short distance.

[ramm]

Cool little trip man. :up:

[SlimDizzleATL]

Awesome ride report. Thanks.

[TLR67]

every single time, at this track you can get even closer to the start line and even with earplugs your ears hurt a bit.

If you have never been to one of these races, you need to go check it out. it's loud and amazing to see a car go 300mph in such a short distance.


Its even more amazing to see a Boat do it in Person....I need to drag you down to Lake Westpoint one year when the IHBA is in town...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ3gzQDaGQw&feature=related

[GSX1R]

Its even more amazing to see a Boat do it in Person....I need to drag you down to Lake Westpoint one year when the IHBA is in town...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ3gzQDaGQw&feature=related

I love boat racing, didn't think many people were into it. Man I love watching them especially the unlimited hydros.

[Woodk61000]

There is a goat place like that up in Ohio in Amish country (Holmes county) The kids sell cones to feed the goats up on the roof.