MOA GETAWAY FONTANA - April 2013

Fontana Dam, NC
April  26 - 28   (965 miles)
Trip Report by Tony and Jill Barcia

We left on Friday morning, our route was 74W turning at Polkton to 218N onto 485 Outer, 85S and back onto 74W.   From there the roads are scenic with beautiful mountain views.  74W joins I-40 for some miles and separates back to 74W again.  28N takes you to Fontana Resort which is where the rally headquarters, lodging and dinners were.



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We had wonderful weather for the ride to the resort but by Friday night the rain was with us.

Beautiful day at Fontana Lodge

Friday evening the rain has arrived

Friday night the MOA hosts gave a reception and we enjoyed meeting everyone and getting to know some of the directors of the MOA and learning more about the Salem, Oregon rally.  We also found out where the 2014 rally will be held ... Minneapolis, MN.

Escorted rides were planned for Saturday each with a lunch stop, but the weather was not looking good.   Saturday morning was wet and overcast but not raining ... yet.  Because of the weather forecast the decision was there would be one escorted on-road ride and two off-road rides.   The Thunder Road route would keep us out of the high elevations which might keep us from too much rain or fog.

Before we started that route we took a side trip  to Fontana Dam, a few miles from the resort with our friends Bill & Nancy from Knoxville.

Their club is BMW Riders of Knoxville (ROK) and if you want to attend their rally it is at Two Creeks camp in Del Rio TN. Sept. 6-8. Check it out in the May BMW ON.

Tony, Nancy and Bill

View from the overlook at Fontana Dam

The dam was built in 1942 because of the urgent need for electric power during WWII and was finished in 36 months.  There are some wonderful views from the pullouts and the top of the dam.

Arriving at the visitors center at Fontana Dam

That's the appalacian trail crossing the dam

The Thunder Road route was a beautiful ride through the Nantahala Forest and along the river.   Despite the weather there were many people canoeing down the rapids, some of which were quite treacherous.  We ate lunch at Lakes End Diner overlooking the lake and marina.

Just as we went in for lunch the rain started.  Unfortunately, from there on it never stopped.   Fortunately for those on ride the rain was manageable and we were back in an hour to a cozy warm resort for our dinner, door prizes and fun.   Both Friday and Saturday we could test our skills on the road safety simulator in the reception room.

Back from Saturday's ride

Saturday night's dinner was pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, beans and cobbler (very filling and tasty).  Lots of door prizes and fun after dinner with our great MOA hosts and all the other riders. 

  While at the rally we saw Bob Snipes and George and Judy Bridger from our club.

Bill ( BMW ROK)  Bob (CCBMW Riders)

Sunday we left the rally in moderate to heavy rain.   The rain never stopped and after 3 hours we got to Shelby.   By then our rain gear had mostly given out and it was time to stop.  There are not a lot of motels so we stopped at the first convenient place.  Two of the best developments of that rainy day was that we were able to park the LT in the covered hallway between the buildings and there was a guest clothes dryer.  We spent the rest of Sunday drying clothes and watching the still pouring rain.

Monday morning we left on wet roads and very overcast skies.  To our amazement we made it home without any more rain.  It was a great ride with periods of sun and 70 degrees.   A nice ending to a very good rally.

BIKE FLORIDA - March 2013

Orange Blossom Express
Lakeland - Claremont - Lake Wales

Cheryl and I packed two bikes and all our "indoor" camping gear into the Accord (we have done it before ... it works) and got on the road at 7:30am.  We arrived Friday night after 11 hours (lots of traffic passing through Orlando) at Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland.  Our home for Friday, Saturday and Sunday night was in a big airplane hanger decorated with beautiful murals.  Something we didn't expect ... there is no place to change clothes in a hanger!

By Saturday morning everyone in our group arrived.   Pete, Paul, John, Joseph, Terry (the CFC gang) and Jack (my Ragbrai friend who lives in Pittsburgh).  I had volunteer duties Saturday morning and Jack was arriving that morning so Jack and I went for an afternoon ride around Lakeland and its various lake communities.  After getting lost for a few miles that ride was about 32 miles.

Sunday the CFC group did the 40 mile loop (Cheryl, Joseph and I stopped for coffee to warm up).

Sun 'n fun also housed the Florida Air Museum which was free to Bike Florida.  Lots of great planes in the museum.

Saturday night we were bussed to Bartow (a 20 minute bus ride).  The town had a street party and the city courthouse was open to visit and inside was Don Stewart who 10 years before had ridden his 1890's bicycle from coast to coast in 44 days (averaging 77 miles a day).

Don Stewart

Sunday night our entertainment was a bus ride to what I will call "Mayfare."

On Monday we said goodbye to Lakeland and rode 67 miles to Clermont.  Florida was cold and getting colder.  50's in the day, windy but sunny.  Tuesday night was 39 degrees.  Jack, Cheryl and I had warm, cozy indoor camping in Clermont Middle School while the "guys" (minus Terry who stayed at his Father's house) tented in the cold.

 Tuesday night there was a concert in the park at the band shell in a beautiful setting by the lake in downtown Clermont.  Pete, Cheryl and I went to the lake to hear them ... the band was wonderful but we couldn't stay long as we did not bring "winter coats" to Florida.  It was cold!

Tuesday was our assigned Volunteer day.  Cheryl stayed at Bike Florida headquarters in Clermont and I ventured out to rest stop #2 which was for all three routes.  Cheryl and I were lucky to be  volunteering that day as this was the coldest (in the 40s) and windiest (25mph at least) of the week.  Tuesday's routes were known for BIG hills, see below what I pulled off the internet about Clermont hills.

"When you think of Florida you think of flat land cycling but there is a place in Florida where the hills have names. This area is called Clermont. The hills in Clermont have names like, “The Wall”, “Buckhill”, “Sugerloaf”, “North Ridge” “Ambulance Hill” and “Grassy Lake” and they are tough for even the best cyclist.  There is a race in this area called the Horrible 100 (http://www.horrible-hundred.com/). It is a very challenging ride that draws thousands of participants from around the country."

My rest stop was at the top and around the corner.  This is Sugar Loaf hill.

Wednesday we moved on to Lake Wales, a 65 mile ride.  The three of us stayed in Lake Wales High School.  The weather was beginning to warm up and Wednesday night Lake Wales had a block party downtown with an antique car show, vendors and a great band.  Lake Wales is known for its large murals painted on buildings aroundtown.   I found one so big I had to video it.

Thursday we rode to Lake Kissimmee State Park (a 32 mile ride) and went to an 1870s cow camp and learned about Florida crackers    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_cracker 

Florida Cracker

Friday was time to pack up and go home.  50 miles back to Sun 'n Fun with some good rest stops (especially thankful for the delicious Florida Natural grapefruit and orange juice ... yummy).  By then there were only 5 of us left due to attrition for various reasons.

'Back to sun 'n fun after 7 days

 Cheryl and I made it home at 1:30 am without hitting bad traffic on Good Friday.