THE BACK OF THE BACKROADS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Brrrummmppp. Brrrummmppp. Click, click, click, click, click. Shit. And so it went on a beautiful autumn morning. Bright sunshine, leaves golden and swirling through the cool breeze, temp in the low 50's, and the beaST was dead.  " Hail to the beaST, the beaST is dead. Long live the 250." Long live the 250? I woke Roo from her slumber to help me push the ST uphill back into the garage. She wearily crawled back to bed as I rolled the Suzuki down the driveway. This is where having two motorbikes in the stable is justified.

We purchased a new Suzuki TU250 in 2009 for Roo, and lately, I have found myself riding it a lot as well. This bike is a blast to ride! Light, agile, quick, on road and off road (fire roads) capable, I go places on this bike I would never dream of taking the ST. When roads turn to dirt, I don't worry about it. If things get too hairy, I can almost pick her up and turn her around to get out of any situation. Loads of fun!

So, already kitted up, I swung a leg over "Betty" (Roo's name for her-more on that later), and headed out to explore the back of the backroads in my own backyard.
My route starts in the itty bitty hamlet of Pumpkintown, SC. What better place to ride on a autumn morning than a town called Pumpkin? It's a beautiful 50+ miles of backroad curves to get there from my house - the perfect roads for this motorbike. I pull into the parking lot of the Pumpkintown Opry House and start my journey with a delicious latte. Getting my route sheet in order, I then head out for my back of the backroads adventure.



Pumpkintown Opry House
A great place for respite when riding around the Upstate of SC

 Within minutes of getting off the main drag, I'm swooping around the beautiful backroads that make up this area of SC. Up ahead is Table Rock State Park, and it's namesake rock face looms right ahead of me.



Table Rock road - up ahead is Table Rock



Table rock - a great hiking destination

 Another stop is in order as I pull off into Aunt Sue's for a water break and to see if any other motorbikes are around. Aunt Sue's is a haven for motorcyclists with a restaurant on site and a unique, down home, country atmosphere. They also serve up great ice cream during our hot, South Carolina summers. As I roll through the parking lot, I notice a derth of motorbikes for such a beautiful riding day. A handful of Harley's are parked out front and that's about it.

"Betty" at Aunt Sue's

As I am sipping from my water bottle, a couple come out of the building and make their way towards the Harley's parked right near me. Now, I must preface by saying that when I'm riding at this time of year, I wear my full leather riding kit. It's warm, it's protective. and it's cool factor just goes with this retro styled bike. Most riders who straddle HD's will wear jeans and leather chaps, which only offer protection to your legs should you fall off face down, and do absolutely nothing to keep you warm in cool weather.
So, as this couple approaches their bikes, the woman breaks off and starts towards me. As she approaches she says "Howdy! Where d'you git them britches?" I kid you not. Seeing as I had my helmet on and earplugs in, I thought I didn't hear her right. I flipped up my visor and said "Excuse me ma'am?" She repeated "Where d'you git them britches? Them ain't chaps are they." I said "No ma'am. They are full leather riding pants. I bought them years ago in a motorcycle shop in Greenville." She replied " I gots to get me some. These chaps leave me freezing to death out here. That's a nice little bike. You have a good ride." "Yes ma'am. You do the same." With that, she walked back to her partner, I jumped on "Betty" and continued on my way. I know you readers north of the Mason Dixon line are chuckling and shaking your heads right now. Have fun with it.
Off I go on more backroads, revving up the little 250 and having a blast. Here are a few pics from along the way:

This may look like a driveway, but it is not. It is a 1 and 1/2 lane road that started high, twisted down to this straight section, then around that curve ahead it twists back up. A true back of the backroads road. Riding along, I come to a T intersection. Right in front of me was a most amusing sight, so I had to pull over and take this photo:

A goat condominium! Is that not a hoot? Note the antique auto to the right. Old buildings and old cars like this abound here in the Upstate. Goats too.

Homesteader history is all around here when you get off the main drag. Oh, the stories and secrets these old buildings could tell.



One horsepower. I think "Betty" has a few more.



Another beautiful back, backroad.

All too soon my loop route takes me back to Pumpkintown Opry House. From there, another 50 miles home on some different roads. A fantastic day exploring some "little" roads I've never ridden before, and the perfect route for this "little" 250.
So, what's this about "Betty"? Well, Roo named her bike after Betty Page, the notoriously vixen pin up girl of the 50's and 60's. Beautiful and naughty, befitting this motorbike as is, but even more so after this winters bike project. The plan is to convert the Suzuki into a cafe racer theme bike, the theme being of course, Betty Page. All changes will be cosmetic, no work to be done on the engine. Heck, she returns 70 miles per gallon, the perfect vehicle for the new economy that's right around the corner. Stay tuned to this site for pics on the "new" Betty.
It's been a great riding season. See you all next spring. For those of you who ride, ride safe and stay vertical.

P.S: The ST, thankfully, just needed a new battery. She is alive and well. The beaST never sleeps.

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