There's no doubt about it.

Spring and fall are my favorite motorcycle touring periods. While July and August offer more stable and predictable weather, touring when it's hot and humid while decked out in protective riding gear is less fun. Can be done, especially if I have no choice, but it's not the ideal for me. As the saying goes, some like it hot. I like it cooler. In that sense, I'm more of a mountain hiker than a beach person.

In addition, spring air is not only cooler and lighter, but the colors are often clearer, not filtered by frequent summer haze. Of course touring in the spring and fall also includes the possibility of experiencing unpredictable and sometimes more severe weather, but I find that this only adds to the sense of adventure.

I've been looking forward to the upcoming ride for some time now. My initial destination will be the Georgia Mountains BMW rally (Friday May 2nd to Sun May 4th) held in Hiawassee, Georgia. This great location is conveniently located near the junction of the states of Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

During my tour last October (The Great Gypsy Tour), I just barely scratched at this area. I was returning from the Falling Leaf BMW rally in Potosi, MO and had decided to loop south for my return home. Being on a limited schedule, I only caught a brief glimpse, a light taste, of the great roads around Cherokee, NC and knew that this area would be on my short list for a return visit.

And so it is with this frame of mind that I'll set out to attend the Georgia Mountains BMW rally.

To say that I'll be looking forward to this is an understatement. Set in the mountains, this whole area has earned the reputation of offering prime motorcycle roads and I'll be doing my best to sample as much as I can fit in.

Of course, the downside to having a great reputation is that weekends can be quite crowded as riders from neighboring states and beyond converge. Kind of like skiing at a well-known ski center. Weekends are crowded while weekdays provide low-traffic access to the best trails.

Given this, my initial plan is to arrive in the general area by Thursday and spend a day or two exploring before the rally registration on Friday night.

Unfortunately, early-week weather forecasts are not encouraging. Rain and thunderstorms are in the forecasts for the region, especially from a northern approach. On Wed. morning the forecast is still a little nebulous in terms of allowing me to make a go or no-go decision.

Finally, by Wednesday afternoon, the regional forecast is showing some promise. Rain and occasional thunderstorms are likely for Wed-Thurs-Fri, but clearing up for Saturday and Sunday. So it looks like rally weather will be decent.

Factoring in some scouting around the Blue Ridge Parkway and other interesting roads, the general Asheville/Cherokee area in North Carolina will be approx. 1,200 miles away. I opt for a go decision.


Bruno
Montreal, Canada