London to Boone 7/20

 As the crow flies this route was only around 170 miles but allowing for the twisties and detour it was 220 miles.  A fun route that I started on at 7 am since the temperature would be in the high 70’s for most of it.  

A word of warning to those traveling this route through Middlesboro.  A friend of mine got a ticket there passing through the tunnel, east to west, and it was obvious that this was a revenue generator for the town.  As you enter the tunnel from the east it is 45 mph and the second you exit it’s 35 mph.  There were 3 officers surrounding this speed trap, 2 on the west side and one on my route.  I stayed well below the speed limit.

I was originally going to travel the Mount Gilead route coming into Boone from the north but on a beautiful winding road.  Shortly after I entered TN, then VA, my gps said it was rerouting me due to a closed road.  Instead it sent me more southerly to come into NC through the Banner Elk Highway.  I have done both routes so it really didn’t matter to me,  both are fun on a motorcycle and beautiful.

This is my last night on the road.  It will be hot and muggy on the road to Cary so in the morning I will be leaving very early for the short ride home.  I am a little sad the trip is coming to an end but glad to be getting home.