Ride to Pisgah Covered Bridge 1/30/20015

[tripod]

Beemerbob, thebroz and I made a dash Friday to Albemarle for Mexican lunch and on through the Uwharrie Forest to see the bridge. It was a beautiful Carolina day for riding but at times the crosswind gusts were absolutely vicious. The aftermarket sway bar on my Spyder paid for itself a number of times as the trike tracked straight through unflinching despite some severe gusts. The bridge, such as it is, is one of two remaining covered ones in the Old North State. It certainly isn't like the Amish country or New England covered bridges but beggars can't be choosers. To prove we were really there here's a picture of Bob.

[Bob]

Yep, a beautiful sunny winter day for a ride, the UV rays were doing their thing. Man, that Spyder seemed much quicker than I remember from the last ride. Or maybe it was the rider.
Hooligan.

[LeeDavis]

Sounds like a fun ride. Nothing like a good, strong crosswind to keep you on your toes. I enjoy Uwharrie but the I-77 corridor is quite the obstacle to get there from here. 3 of us had a nice ride Saturday but no pics so it didn't happen. We also didn't have lunch at a new-to-me place, north side of Marion on NC-70 called Moondoggies Diner. Our kind of restaurant - tasty, cheap, plentiful and fast.

[Bob]

Lee, how's the weather protection on the new bike? If the FJR is a 10, whats the FJ?

[LeeDavis]

I'd give the lower fairings a 9 and the same for the front cowl - surprisingly good - I wasn't expecting it. The handguards are OK - a 7 or 8. There isn't much to the stock windshield. My helmet and arms are in the wind (some people like that). I'll replace it with something bigger but there are only a couple of aftermarket options available so far. I want to see more offerings and try to get a feel from other people's feedback which one to get.

I was fine Saturday morning with heated jacket and gloves - nothing to complain about.

[Bob]

The Laminar Lip (or generic equivalent/homebrew)) seem to work quite well in kicking the airflow up over your helmet. I made one for my KLR and it made it as quiet as my GS. And the Givi shield on my GS also uses that concept with 2 smaller shields, one in front of the other, and its very quiet but if you reach up with your hand and cover the rear opening between the 2 layers, the rumbling starts big time. I think it may even help some with side winds.

[Broz]

Hey Lee & other foot hill riders we have a route for you to make it to Charlotte so you can "feel our pain". It sure was nice to do a 155 miles and not have 85 miles on the front and back end of it just to make it to The Gate.
Broz

[Bob]

It sure was nice to do a 155 miles and not have 85 miles on the front and back end of it just to make it to The Gate.
Broz

That it was!

But as soon as it warms up a little.......

[LeeDavis]

Hey Lee & other foot hill riders we have a route for you to make it to Charlotte so you can "feel our pain".

I've already been to Charlotte twice in 3 years living here and don't want to wear out my welcome.

[Brick]

Hmmm... I don't remember Lee or myself telling you that you had to live in Charlotte? Did you ever say that Lee??

Hey Lee & other foot hill riders we have a route for you to make it to Charlotte so you can "feel our pain".

I've already been to Charlotte twice in 3 years living here and don't want to wear out my welcome.

[LeeDavis]

Hmmm... I don't remember Lee or myself telling you that you had to live in Charlotte? Did you ever say that Lee??

No, that would be cruel and mean spirited.