Article and Photos by Blake Scharine

Previous installments: The Journey Begins | Part II | Tail of the Dragon

The week of riding has been remarkable.. especially the rain! 

Well, the timing of it, that is. So we got some rain at least 6 different days & only one modest rain for 15 min just before our lunch stop. The rest were the very end of a full days ride.

In fact, one day we saw a strong storm right in front of us, obvious heavy downpours, dark clouds and red on the radar and decided to gather under an entrance to a dialysis center. Fortunately, they were closed… we waited out the storm for almost an hour and stayed dry on the 30 minute ride back to the lodge. 

On Wednesday, a bunch of us went on the “Dealer Loop” heading south into the northern burbs of Atlanta. We visited 2 Harley and 2 Indian dealers and picked up some tees. Our ride back to the lodge took us on the southern portion of Highway 129. This section of highway was “nameless” not like the dragon, gauntlet or moonshiner etc. but is worthy of a name like “twisted twenty” as it was an equally fun piece of pavement as the others.

About 20 minutes from the resort the rain cut loose but we found shelter on a big porch of a BBQ joint that was closed on Wednesdays. Hmm, you think this stuff is coincidence? I don’t think so. His provision time and again.

Our last day of riding before heading back north was the Hiawassee Lake loop. Tremendous ride with lake views and challenging rolling hills with twisties we wont forget. All this topped off with an impressive Hiawassee Dam park and viewing area. We enjoyed a dinner together at the flying trout restaurant at the copperhead lodge.

The days are flying by!!