N.GA trip / road report - 2/13/11

[Il Sinistro]

Thought I would post this for anyone who might be considering a ride in N.GA.

Last Sunday, thanks to the favorable forecast and some unforeseen free time, I got in an unexpected few hours of 2-wheeled enjoyment. Hoping to avoid cooler temps, traffic, lingering black ice, etc., I shyed away from the typical WNC routes & planned a N.GA route including the Ellijay / Suches / Helen, GA areas.

Thumbs-up's for the day:
- Weather!; could not have been better - sunny and highs around 60.
- Traffic; Very light before noon on the rural 2-lanes between NW-SC and NE-GA.

Thumbs-down for the day:
- Pea gravel; in massive amounts. Hwy 129 south of Blairsville to Turner's Corner has pea gravel "off line" - essentially everywhere except in the auto tire tracks. SR-180 / Wolf Pen Gap Rd is essentially "walking speed only" unless on a dual-sport bike. Not sure if this is GA's approach to wintry road conditions, prep for upcoming repaving, or what?
- Law Enforcement; LE parked in plain sight perpendicular to road on 129..indicated 39 MPH on my speedo when I see him...lights me up...has to follow me a mile thanks to no shoulder & inch-deep pea gravel to ask "what's my hurry"

Cheers,
Mike

[Desmodude]

Nice ride. I travel around those parts frequently.

Yeah, the pea gravel's going to be in the the intersections and road sides for a while after all the sand trucks deposited their contents on the excessive snow we've had this year. Keep an eye out when you're gettin close to the shoulder in an apex.

Sweet black & gold 900SS in your signature pic. I had an 82 just like it back in the 80s.