Exploring on the Honda XR150L: Buzzard's Roost - PART 1

Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/3L9NlabeaQZK9peS7jfPyu?si=RulWtkRHSYuzJCAwBqLfYwOff- Amazon Wishlist https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/6J9KNDTCCMKP?ref_=wl_shareRoad Rodeo Logo Links to Everything! https://linktr.ee/offroadrodeo Decathlon https://www.decathlon.com/?rstr=offroadrodeo ____________________________ GPS File of Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43952247 ____________________________ PART 1 OF 3: BUZZARD'S ROOST In August, Tyler made a quick run up to Asheville with his fiancé, Alicia, to nail down some final details before the wedding in October. Alicia was going to be occupied for a few hours which gave Tyler and I the perfect opportunity to get some riding in. Because we were low on time, we opted to load our bikes into the back of Tyler's Toyota Tacoma and drove out to Harmon Den. We parked at the Harmon Den parking area with the intentions of riding a 75-mile route that would wind its way up to Buzzard's Roost, into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and then along I-40, before reaching our final and most important destination: Hurricane Creek Road. The ride to Buzzard's Roost was fairly straight forward, besides the switchbacks and twists along the way. After crossing the Pigeon River we rode gravel for a minute or two until the first switchback presented an alternate adventure. A rough dirt path presented itself and led us to what's marked on the map as "Dual Sport Camp" - a beautiful little camping area next to a slow-moving part of the river. We took some photos here before turning back around and continuing our adventure. Within a few miles of twisty roads we were at our target, Buzzard's Roost. The only indication that you are there is a small Adventure Riders of North Carolina tag on the tree. We parked our bikes and walked down the steep trail to the overlook. It was wild. You really don't realize how high the elevation is until you're standing at the edge of a cliff looking down on the highway you arrived on. We snapped some more photos of each other before hiking back out and hopping onto the bikes. This is where things got interesting. I think both Tyler and myself assumed this part would be boring and we would just be cruising into GSMNP with realtive ease. However, as we made a left onto FS 287, the road gradually got worse. It became steeper, more muddy, and obviously less traveled. At one point Tyler slid sideways. I did my best to follow him, but found myself stuck near the top of the mountain with my motorcycle stalled. Tyler thought it was running rich, but we were able to get tit revived and carried on with our adventure. We came down some steep and technical trail and onto Old Cataloochee Turnpike in GSMNP. We took a moment to reconvene before heading down the road. To be continued.... ____________________________ Product Links!! If you use these links it really helps the channel!! ELECTRONICS iPad 9th Gen, 64GB https://amzn.to/3OA4L14 Garmin Zumo XT https://amzn.to/3tXmbLx Jackery https://amzn.to/3EC3Mci Garmin InReach https://amzn.to/3AJL3u1 Phone Tripod https://amzn.to/3K4E02u GoPro Hero 9 Kit https://amzn.to/3tt57xq GoPro Hero 9/10 Media Mod https://amzn.to/3at82ja Sony Lavalier Microphone https://amzn.to/3IsYoK6 Dango Design Gripper Mount https://amzn.to/3NXqNsD Garmin Edge 530 GPS (Navigation Enabled) https://amzn.to/3wZ1UIl USB Plug-in (Updated Design) https://amzn.to/3yySdRc ________________ CLOTHING Fly Armored Tech Hoodie https://amzn.to/3i1S3vS Bell SRT Modular Helmet https://amzn.to/3VostzJ Decathlon Forclaz Trek 100 Down Jacket https://www.decathlon.com/?rstr=offroadrodeo Hawk Motorcycle Pants https://amzn.to/3OPLrgJ ________________ PARTS AND TOOLS 45L Motorcycle Top Case https://amzn.to/3gypPZg Shinko 244 3.00x17 Tire https://amzn.to/378fpeo Motion Pro Beadpro Tire Levers, Alloy https://amzn.to/3kLghZH Motion Pro BeadBuddy https://amzn.to/38EsOeh JTF 273.13 13t Sprocket https://amzn.to/3LAKWnF