Sidecars in the Smokies 2023

Each spring, there is a gathering of sidecars in North Carolina near Deal's Gap 

and the infamous Tail of the Dragon. 

The Tail is a motorcyclist's nirvana with curves after curves to enjoy.

But this year, the goal is different. 

There a few covered bridges in the Bryson City area. 

The weather was cooperating so decided to find them to photograph.

Riding with Todd Trueblood, who knows the area very well,

we first found this one in Highlands, NC. It has very interesting architectural details on the exterior.

However we could not ride across it as it was closed for floor timber replacement.

Then on Route 28, we encountered roadside the Bridal Veil Falls.

An interesting sight, as the roadway once curved back behind the falls. Now there are barricades rerouting traffic to in front of the falls.

Convinced Todd to ride around the barricade and behind the falls for the next photo. 

It wasn't so much worrying about LEOs as it was for the falling rocks.

Wear your helmet Todd!

He survived the falls without being hit by anything harder than water.

On the next day, located one more covered bridge

 at Granny Squirrel's place on Hwy 19.

This bridge could be ridden across.

Those are the keeper photos from Sidecars in the Smokies 2023. 

Until next year, 

Ride safe, ride far...

CCjon

Spring East Texas Louisiana Sidecar Muster

This year, our semi-annual gathering of sidecars riders in Texas/Louisiana happened at the KOA Campgrounds in Rusk, TX. We were here a few years ago. The campground owners took such good care of us we decided a return visit was in order.

Friday night was renewing friendships and meeting new riders around the campfire.

Campfires and sidecars go well together. This KOA has tent camping sites, tepees, cabins,

 and RV hook-up sites. Plus a swimming pool, playgrounds for kids, and live music 

Saturday night.

Saturday morning the sun was bright, the sky was clear, and all forecasts for rain had dissipated overnight.

We rode to a small wedding venue south of Rusk in a renovated turn-of-the-century Schoolhouse/Chapel 

in Lone Oak, a community that does not exist on any map.

We were greeted by Ruthie, who, with her husband Jackson, are renovating the old chapel in the wild.

Ruthie and her husband Jackson are slowly renovating this structure to serve the community.

After they purchased the acreage, they found out they also acquired the chapel and the surrounding grounds.  After discussing what to do with the falling structure, they decided to bring it back to life once again as an affordable country wedding venue. It is a labor of love for them.

Ruthie welcomes the sidecar group to Lone Oak Chapel.

From the chapel we rode to visit the historical society museum in Rusk where they display the history of Cherokee County.

That evening, we shared a potluck dinner in the KOA clubhouse. 

With rain on the horizon, we all quickly departed Sunday morning for home, hoping to beat the rain.

It was a fun time to see so many other sidecarists all in one location, sharing friendships, 

recanting tales of sidecar rides and adventures.