Rt 80 The Devils Whip

[hdspyder]

Saturday morning was overcast and humid, I decided to ride Rt 80 and ride Double Inland Rd. above Burnsville NC. I left Shelby around 8:30 heading north on 226. Stopped at the Metcalfe Station, this was a narrow gage train that ran between Shelby and Lawndale from 1899 to 1943. The railway was used to get supplies to Lawndale Mill and goods to the major railways in Shelby. It also served as a passenger train for those traveling between Lawndale and Shelby.
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Continued on 226 North towards Marion and stopped at Good Ole Boy’s store at Golden Valley and took a picture of a mural painted on the front of the old store. They are no longer in business.
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The sky was starting to clear and the sun was shining as I made my way to Marion. Took Rt 70 west out of Marion for about 2 miles and turned right on Rt 80 aka The Devils Whip. This is a very good motorcycle road that will take you to the Blue Ridge Parkway.


You will go by Lake Tahoma which is a private lake 5 miles North West of Marion, with all the rain we have been having the lake was full and the water was rushing over the spillway.phpjd9yGZPM.jpg

This is a very pristine lake that does not allow power boats or Jet Ski’s. The old casino is used for weddings and other functions. phpWoGYpMPM.jpg

The did very well taking on the whip. It was a lot of fun in the twisties. Met a couple on two Harleys from Michigan riding the mountains. They were headed to Grandfather Mountain and were trying to dodge the rain which is sometimes hard to do on the parkway.


Followed Rt 80 under the parkway and came into Micaville, turned left on Hwy 19E towards Burnsville. Just as we got into Burnsville we turned right on 197. This road has some very mountainous scenery and runs beside the Tow river. After about 8miles, we took Double Inland Road on the right. This road is one that will give The Dragon a run for its money. But on this day, as we rode, we were just behind a storm front. The road was wet and had gravel and debris in the roadway. Needless to say we took it very careful.


When we got back in Micaville we took 19E to Spruce Pine then went north on the parkway. We stopped to eat some lunch at Christa’s in Pinola. It is at the intersection of 181 and the parkway. Food is always good especially the grilled chicken and baby back ribs.phpkPY9IRPM.jpg

We took 181 to Morganton which is another fine motorcycle road as it winds down the mountain. As we got into Morganton it started to rain. We stopped to put our rain gear on and continued on Rt 18 back towards Shelby. The rain became heavy and we pulled over at an old building to seek cover as the storm was raging with lighting and thunder. As we huddled against the building a lighting bolt hit a tree about 100 yards from us. We saw fire run down the tree. That was a sight I have never witness before. It was awesome.


After a 30 minute wait we continued on and followed just behind the storm. The sun was shining as we got back to Shelby. Had a good Saturday!


　

　

[SpyRyd]

Sounds as if you had a great day! Wish there were roads like that in my back yard. Thanks for the post and great pictures. Might have to take a trip to your neighborhood for some spirited ryding (and some good vittles).

[fispyder]

I've ride 80 serval times a year. From my. House it makes for a good day of riding. I will hit the parkway head to Boone or go towards Asheville. Never been north of the parkway might have to try that sometime. I had some friends that lived in Shelby worked for Kermit it about an hour/ half from my house.

[hdspyder]

Sounds as if you had a great day! Wish there were roads like that in my back yard. Thanks for the post and great pictures. Might have to take a trip to your neighborhood for some spirited ryding (and some god vittles).

This is a great area for riding motorcycles. The Chesapeake Bay Tunnel Bridge is awesome too.

[hdspyder]

I've ride 80 serval times a year. From my. House it makes for a good day of riding. I will hit the parkway head to Boone or go towards Asheville. Never been north of the parkway might have to try that sometime. I had some friends that lived in Shelby worked for Kermit it about an hour/ half from my house.

There are some nice roads north of parkway, I too go north or south most of the time when I come to the parkway. I was down your way Friday I have a brother that lives in Mauldin. My mother worked at Kemet.

[sjcpanther]

The wife and I are spending the weekend in Linville Falls. We rode some of Rt 80 today. Very nice and twisty. The Spyder handled wonderful!

We also rode up to Roan Mountain in TN. Went through the towns of Kona and Bandana on 80, then hit 226 to circle around to Roan Mountain.

Quote chilly this morning, but it warmed up to the low 70's and sunny all day.

Just finished it off with an early dinner at Daniel Boone restaurant in Boone, NC.

A wonderful day in the mountains, and the Spyder made it even more enjoyable.

[cjackg]

This area is just about our all-time favorite... Roan Mountain, Mt Mitchell, GrandFather Mtn, Boone, Blowing Rock, etc are at the top of our list.

Fantastic scenery, endless twisties, plus all the "real" bikers are 70-80 miles away riding the Tail of the Dragon!

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