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. 

After 50 days on the road and no rain it is raining on me!  There were many days over the last 7 weeks that I wished for rain but nada.  I usually enjoy the rain and today was one of those days. 

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 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.