292 miles, 3 states, rocks, streams, curves, geocaches FIXED

[katoranger]

I just got home from my little ride. I took some pictures that I will work on posting.

The lifan performed flawlessly considering how hard I pushed it.

I covered 470km or 292 miles today. About 20 miles on forest service roads/trails.

100 miles of Interstate/4 lane highway. And the rest mountain 2 lane roads with lots of peg dragging curves. I didn't drag any pegs though.

I started out by leaving my house at 7am and sitting in traffic. I rode to Tallulah Falls, GA about 75 miles. Stopped and took some pictures.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010085.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010086.jpg
The gorge is 750ft deep and there is a total a four waterfalls.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010087.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010088.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010089.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010090.jpg
I then rode to Clayton, GA and filled up for gas and coffee. Attempted a geocache in Clayton, but I couldn't find it.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010091.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010092.jpg
I continue on to the edge of NC and then to my first plan destination of Rabun Bald which is back in GA.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010093.jpg
This is the road to Rabun Bald after the pavement ends. I had to walk the last .7mile of trail.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010094.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010095.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010096.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010097.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010098.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010099.jpg
Rabun Bald is the second highest point in GA at 4696ft. The tower was built by the CCC as a fire lookout and later converted for public use.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010100.jpg
On a clear day you are suppose to be able to see GA, NC, SC, and TN.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010101.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010102.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010103.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010104.jpg
Next destination was another geocache in Black Rock state park, but after I got to the trailhead I decided against this one as the walk was about a mile each way and the temp was near 100.
Here is the lifan at Black Rock Lake.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010105.jpg
After Black Rock lake I finally found a geocache in the Warwoman Wildlife Management area. It was a short walk of about 700 feet from the forest service road.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010106.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010114.jpg
I then went to another just fun forest service road destination. This is Sarah Creek Rd also in the Warwoman Dell area. There are alot of stream crossings and this old bus that my friend told me "the trail ends shortly after the bus". He was right.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010115.jpg
Those roads look like easy riding, but the gravel is really loose and the "slicks" were not hooking up on it.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010116.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010117.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/P1010118.jpg
That is the last of the pictures. It was getting late and I was going to meet friends for dinner back home. I decided to go through SC yet and add another 100 miles of riding. Warwoman Rd has alot of twists, curves and hairpins which mays it interesting on a china bike. I completed the trip with about 40 miles of riding on Interstate 85 from the SC border to my exit for home. I enjoyed the right lane at 65MPH.

Allen

[parallax]

wow...beautiful...great pics...awesome location!!

Your bike rocks...you are getting your money worth!!

I realy liked the pictures of the gorge!!

I have a few questions for you...if you don't mind?

1st...where can i get that seat cover?

2nd...Got any video?

and third is more of a suggestion...convert your pics to a res of around 1024x768 for big, 800x600 for medium...and 640x480 for normal...or whatever in that size range...the pics will still look huge even on monitors with res's of 1600x1200...although most people are running 1280x1024...or even 1024x768...and your pics are three times that size... 8O

Plus it'll be alot easier and faster...to upload them to photobucket or whatever...

If you have MS Office...there is a real quick way to convert pics to a smaller res...it's called the microsoft office picture manager...just drag and drop your pics into the app...highlight them all...then choose the picture tab...then choose resize...then pick a size in the right column...then hit ok...then go to the file menu...hit save...it'll have saved new versions of the pics to the desktop or your my pictures folder...just upload those to photobucket...or whatever...

There are million other ways to do this including a few worthy free apps...but most people have office...and that method is very fast and produces great results and utilizes the simple drag and drop method...lol...

Just a thought...

Anyway...great job...more, more, more please!!

:lol:

[madmaximum]

Great pics, Looks like it was a blast. Those trail look like they were a ton of fun. I'm adding you to the iron butts list, that was a long ride.

Parallax, that seat cover is from Walmart.

[AZ200cc]

AWESOME RIDE!

Great pics, Hope You had all of Your shots if You went inside of that Bus :lol:

[parallax]

walmart...realy? what section will i find it in?

Man that rules if i can get it locally at a walmart price!!! :o

[knothead]

Hey! I've been to some of those places before! Last time I passed that North Carolina sign I was 9 hours ino a 3 hour trip..... :lol: :lol: (I got sidetracked, it was fun!)
I actually have a pic of two of the same falls.

[madmaximum]

parallax, look for helmets, they should be close by. They are rolled up with a paper wrap around them. I paid less than 20 bucks for it.

[katoranger]

wow...beautiful...great pics...awesome location!!

Your bike rocks...you are getting your money worth!!

I realy liked the pictures of the gorge!!

I have a few questions for you...if you don't mind?

1st...where can i get that seat cover?

2nd...Got any video?

and third is more of a suggestion...convert your pics to a res of around 1024x768 for big, 800x600 for medium...and 640x480 for normal...or whatever in that size range...the pics will still look huge even on monitors with res's of 1600x1200...although most people are running 1280x1024...or even 1024x768...and your pics are three times that size... 8O


Anyway...great job...more, more, more please!!

:lol:

The seat cover is at most wal-marts for $14. It is called an ATV seat cover. I stuffed some additional foam under it to flatten it out more, but I did that the night before I left and it needs improvement. I cut the foam out of an old car seat. It did help alot.

I don't have any way to take video at the moment. My camera is too old for that. I am looking at a cheap camera to use for video that I can strap on and not worry about breaking it.

And since I was scolded about picture size I changed them to thumbnails so that you all can click to see the full size version. I am spoiled with fast internet.

Allen

[katoranger]

parallax, look for helmets, they should be close by. They are rolled up with a paper wrap around them. I paid less than 20 bucks for it.

The have an ATV section. It was rolled up with paper around it. Made by Stearns and cost was $14.

Also I did not go in the bus. Things are probably living in there. I am up to date on shots since working on katrina cleanup. Lots of nasties there.

Oh, butt is still sore. 8O

Allen

[parallax]

Thanks for the info on the seat...i'm gonna try to grab one asap...

Again...great pics!!!

[parallax]

we may not have that at my local wal-mart?

I checked online on their website...it isn't there...

I'm still gonna go there today at dinner time...but i may ask one of you southern guys to grab one for me and ship it to me if you don't mind? :?

Let me know if that is an option?

Thanks?

[pumpkin]

i have checked both super wal-marts in my area and they don't have them . i figured in west virgina at least one would have it. so i went on line to no avail. after the 300 plus mile ride i did awhile back i'd love to git one or something similar.

by the way thanks for the pics and ride on.

[ob1]

Sweet ride!

Re: clickable thumbnails, cool by me! helps page load times for slow connections.

Lemme know if you ever make a run into Charleston SC, we'll have a beer!

[gyjoe]

Looks like a ride worth starting up the bike for--thumbs up!

[katoranger]

Sweet ride!

Re: clickable thumbnails, cool by me! helps page load times for slow connections.

Lemme know if you ever make a run into Charleston SC, we'll have a beer!

I am still interested in that dual sport ride in Jan. Still happening?

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Parallax, if you can't find one up there PM me and I will get one for you.
Just for the record. My butt is still sore.
Allen

[parallax]

Thanks Kato...I just got back from walmart...they did not have one...

Would you mind getting me two of them? Let me know what I owe you...add a couple bucks for your troubles...and add shipping costs of course...and i'll paypal you as soon as I hear from you...you can pm me if you want?

Thanks man...this could really help my "assagony"... new word copyright 2007 parallax... :lol:

[ob1]

The January DS ride is not quite written in stone yet, but one a little later in the spring most definitely is. The Jan one is in conjunction with our enduro, while the spring DS is held elsewhere {is a charity ride as well}.

As I get the info, so will y'all. Being on the club board, I get it quick!

[katoranger]

Parallax, I will PM you.

Ob1. I am interested. Keep us posted.

I am planning another ride for next week, but I think it will be shorter with more geocaching.

Allen

[madmaximum]

If katoranger can't get enough seat covers for everyone that wants one, I can help out.

[katoranger]

I bought two today and they had another box of them on the shelf yet. Price was $14.88.


I am working on next's weeks ride. It is going to be close to home with about 20 geocache stops.

Allen

[IronFist]

Very nice ride brother. I am very down just now and thought checking out some nice trips might help. nope. :cry:

[katoranger]

I need to do this again. Except I believe I will trailer the bike to the mountains.

Allen

[SpeedSouth]

I need to do this again. Except I believe I will trailer the bike to the mountains.

Allen

Any chance you're free this weekend?

I'm heading up Friday. North to Clayton, to the end of Warwoman, turn left and cross into NC...Blue Valley on the left. Stay to the left and I camp in the very last site all the way at the end (on the left about 1 mile before the end of the road).

I'm meeting a friend up there who doesn't have a bike, but I'm taking mine and plan to ride for several hours on Saturday, if the weather holds. It almost always rains up there a little anyways, but last year it snowed on me and got down to 18 degrees. Brrr!



Nice pictures and ride report. I've been camping up there for about 10 years now, and I've wanted a bike on Warwoman road every time! :)

[Dragon]

I'd like to know the kind of tools and parts that you brought on the trip. I'm planning something similiar in central Texas.

[katoranger]

I'd like to know the kind of tools and parts that you brought on the trip. I'm planning something similiar in central Texas.

I packed some spare gas, tube, zipties, duct tape, screwdrivers, few wrenches. I carried a cell phone, but service was spotty.

I was mostly concerned about running out of gas.

Speedsouth, not this weekend. I wish.

Lots of FS roads to explore that are perfect for china bikes.

The ride up to Clayton was pretty easy, but I think next time I will put the bike on the trailer and park it in Clayton some place.

Allen

[katoranger]

Looks like my pics are not working anymore. Bringing this back up for Jakhack.

[JTCAndrew]

Yeah just came accross this thread and saw you had pics - but unfortunately they no longer are there :(

[katoranger]

I will have to go search them out on my computer and send them to photobucket.

[SpudRider]

I will have to go search them out on my computer and send them to photobucket.
Please do try to retrieve the photos, Allen; I would love to see them! :)

Spud :)

[katoranger]

I am sure I have the on my computer or in the backup drive.

[2LZ]

I will have to go search them out on my computer and send them to photobucket.
Please do try to retrieve the photos, Allen; I would love to see them! :)

Spud :)
Me too, Spud! Dangit! :x Have to see Kato's World in flying colors! :D

[katoranger]

Found them. I will get to putting them in the right places on the original post.

http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/

[SpudRider]

Found them. I will get to putting them in the right places on the original post.

http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/katoranger/mtn%20trip/
The photos look great, Allen! Please do let us know when you get the photographs placed back into the thread. :)

Spud :)

[katoranger]

I got them in place. Might be one off or so, but its close.

[SpudRider]

I got them in place. Might be one off or so, but its close.
Thank you, Allen. :) I just read the entire thread from start to finish; it was wonderful! Thank you for re-posting the great photos! :D

Spud :)

[MICRider]

+1, beautiful scenery! Thank's for sharing :D

Cheers,
Stew

[katoranger]

I may have to repeat this ride on the elite. :lol:

[Weldangrind]

Thanks for re-posting those pics Kato. We have a waterfall about 30 miles from my place that's also called Bridal Falls; it's stunning.

It looks like there were a few good people around the time you originally posted your pics that don't check in anymore. Shame.

[SpudRider]

Thanks for re-posting those pics Kato. We have a waterfall about 30 miles from my place that's also called Bridal Falls; it's stunning.

It looks like there were a few good people around the time you originally posted your pics that don't check in anymore. Shame.
I think "Bridal Falls" is a popular name. I seem to remember a "Bridal Falls" I visited in the Columbia River Gorge, near Portland. ;) I agree; it's a shame when nice people move on, and don't check into the forums any more. :(

Spud :)

[katoranger]

Alot of people have come and gone, but I will still be here.

[SpudRider]

Alot of people have come and gone, but I will still be here.
Thank goodness! :D

Spud :)