The ringing in my right ear from Ruth screaming Beeeaagglle into my helmet was enough to drive me into the ditch. Turn around quick? You don't turn a tall, top heavyish 640 lb. motorbike around quick. At least I don't. Planned and deliberate is the rule on this bike. Luckily there was a turnout dead ahead. I brought the beaST to a stop as Roo ran back to the sign and snapped away. Very cool, huh? Beagle Gap, Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, 2009. Our sport touring club was having it's national gathering in Staunton, VA that year, and Roo and I were touring on Skyline Drive when we came upon The Sign. Who says Beagles can't rule the world................
What does this have to do with my day trip to Rock Hill last Sunday? Absolutely nothing. I just didn't have any photos of my journey to post, and apparently, not one of The Sign either (not in digital, anyway). The story is real though. And this is a mototrip blog site. So here's a fun pic of the Steve McQueen of Beagles. Besides, it goes with my profile.
So Sunday. Last minute decision in the AM to take a ride to Rock Hill and visit Competition Accessories new outlet store. What a fantastic day! To paraphrase the rock band Yes; "On the first part of the journey, all was going well; there were plants and birds and rocks and things, but the road was boring as hell......." (Iceman, did I get that right? A Horse with No Name by Yes?)
So, yes, Hwy 11 from Gowensville to Gaffney was a real snoozer. But things were about to look up. My plan was to catch Hwy 5 in Gaffney and take it to Hwy 161 in York, then on into Rock Hill. A minor miscalculation on my part landed me on Hwy 18 going north. No. Been here before and this will not get me anywhere near Rock Hill. So into a parking lot I roll to engage my GPS. GPS? Bob going tech? Ha! Fooled you! GPS=Good Paper System, a map for you unitiated techies. I see an interesting squiggle or two on the map marked Hwy's 105 and 211. Looking up to get my bearings, a sign right in front of me: 105 South-Hickory Grove. Never been on this tarmac before. Ok, away we go.
Wow! Two minutes down the road as I left Gaffney behind, the scenery turned bucolic. Again, WOW! The first part of 105 took me through some beautiful forested land. The road itself is a fantastic two laner with enough nice sweepers to keep one entertained. Traffic was minimal. At times, I was the only vehicle on the road for five or ten minutes! Exiting the forest, I came into Hickory Grove, a quaint little farm community. The terrain now turns to open, rolling countryside with farms dotting the landscape. I then see my turn for Hwy 211, which took me through a small part of the Sumter National Forest. Another great two laner with scenery that makes it hard to keep one's eyes on the road. About 20 miles on this beautiful ribbon got me to Hwy 161, a straight as an arrow four laner shooting straight in to Rock Hill.
Competition Accessories is a discount outlet with an on-line presence and a smattering of stores throughout the country. Rock Hill, I believe, is their newest. Pulling into the parking lot, I noticed the building looked smaller than the pics on-line. They always do, don't they. I walked inside to a very modern, squeaky clean, well laid out store of everything moto. This ain't no 1970's motorcycle shop. This is a moto boutique! I like places like this because, obviously, you can try anything on that needs to be fitted before buying. Boots, gloves, riding suits, helmets, bike accessories........everything. If it's not in stock, they'll order it and ship it wherever you park it, cheap. Prices are real good on most stuff too. I bought a HJC helmet and a pair of cheap sunglasses. The $209.00 helmet cost me $167.00, shipped! That's a lot of scheckles left in the pocket!
I spent about an hour there, then headed back home, of course, taking the long way on mostly previously ridden, but some new roads as well. Hwy 49 north of Cross Anchor had never seen The beaST's tire tracks and was a very scenic road. Back home to the fam, a nice 220 mile jaunt through some beautiful South Carolina countryside. Would make a great ride in the fall..............
