GWRRA Chapter NC-G

Tuggles Gap

It was Friday evening the 16^th of April to be exact when I received the call from Hal Carter. He was at work at the time but curious to know where any of the Chapter G members would be headed the following day. Although I am the chapters ride coordinator I had to confess that I was unaware of any chapter request or activities scheduled for the following day, but that I would be glad to come up with one if there were any interested takers. He said he had talked to John Robinson earlier and he was wanting to go on a day ride to break in some newly purchased rubber for the front end of his 1500. Upon hearing this information I proceeded to tell Hal not to fret I would be glad to put together something we could all enjoy since the weather was to provide a beautiful day for riding. I had stopped many times at a small restaurant to eat before getting on the Parkway at Tuggles Gap just over the Va. Line and east of Floyd with some of the friends I used to ride with and so I thought it would be a perfect spot for us Goldwingers. I sat down at my computer and set about the task of sending an invitation email to all of the chapter members and remembered to cal Melvin and Bertie too. I didn't get many replies probably since it was such a spur of the moment thing but the plan started out as a breakfast meet at Carolina Diner at 9:30 AM. The food there is good and the price is hard to beat. I was the first to arrive but it was only a few minutes before I saw John Robinson followed by Hal and Debbie Carter coming into view. We had omelets all around that were very good and the service there is mighty good not to mention real easy on the eyes too. It was around 10 o'clock when we pulled out of the parking lot heading up 311 north to US 68. Somewhere around Somerville I decided to hit the detour button on my GPS as it has never failed to give me an alternative route that is new to me and more times than not provided breathtaking scenery in the Spring like this on a perfect Saturday morning. I don't recall the names of the roads we traveled on to get to Tuggles Gap but once again the technology of GPS gave us an experience that was new and off the beaten path. We arrived at the next eating place shortly after 12 noon and the food at Tuggles Gap was just as good as I remembered from the last time I was there. I told the crew I was going to attempt to retrace a route I found simply by chance one day while I was by myself riding the Parkway. I can get on the Parkway anytime I feel the pressures of this world and lose stress and experience serenity simply by riding and enjoying nature that the Creator put here for me to take advantage of. I remembered the name of the last part of the day ride coming out on the Ararat Highway so I punched in 4111 Ararat Hwy and bingo it put me on the Parkway headed East to a road called Squirrel Spur Rd. so we were in business. After getting on the Parkway we only had to ride a short way before starting to see how Mother Nature does her pruning from time to time. I'm not kidding folks it looked like the tornado's that did so much damage in High Point had skipped straight to this part of the world only to break and twist limbs and whole trees like match sticks. I've not ever seen that much damage up in these hills not even with the heavy ice storms they have on a more frequent basis. I think it was about 17 miles to Squirrel Spur road but the twisties and the switchbacks it provides remind one of being at Deal's Gap just not as long a journey. It comes out on the Ararat Highway which follows the Ararat River going South that has beautiful scenery to enjoy and comes out in Mt. Airy, Andy and Barney's hometown. I was thinking on the way down these back roads if we were any where close to Raffe Hollister's still or would we encounter Otis stumbling down the road at the next turn we come to. Ah to be young again watching Andy, Barney not a care in the world, but this was about as good as it gets now that adulthood has taken the place of a simpler time. We headed South out of Mt Airy on Hwy 601 not wanting yet to let life catch up with us and savoring the countryside of our beautiful state. But all good things do have to end eventually and I knew that John had said he wanted to go to church with Marie this Saturday night so we parted ways off of Hwy 421 me catching 52/8 the rest og my companions venturing toward I-40. Whether it's only a few or many greater in numbers I always love just riding and enjoying each other's company. You can really get to know your friends on a deeper level by spending time with them on days like this. It is my wish that everyone of us find the time when available to really get to know one another on a deeper level so we might better understand each other. Until next time this is your humble ride coordinator signing off. And always remember to keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up.

Jimmy Quick