We rode the rest of the way to Elijay. Mike and Rich were headed off to a hotel nearby. We talked about trying to hook up for dinner depending on where I landed. We had each others text so we bid farewell. I tasked myself to finding a campground. Most were closed or were too far away. I knew it was going to be cold tonight so I was not trying to be exposed. I rode through town after striking out at a couple of places. I saw a county sheriff at a gas station. I asked him for some advice on where to camp. He struck out a few places before sending me out to Diamond Lure. I had called there earlier but they didn’t answer.
I rolled up and the office was closed. I contemplated just finding a spot and paying in the morning. Around the corner in a side by side the owner comes riding up. We go back to the office and get paid. I even bought some firewood. She drove the bundles to the site. I asked for a spot out of the wind if possible and she obliged and put me in the trees.
I got a text from Mike and Rich and they decided to skip dinner since we at a huge late lunch. Good thing cause I wasn’t riding anywhere. They were going to get an early start since Rich had to get home tomorrow after riding back to Suches.
It took me too long in town finding a campground and I didn’t get a chance to find a grocery store. Dinner was going to sparse tonight. Hot tea and some beef jerky was all I had with me. I need to change that.
There was no need to hang out too long outside the tent. It was gonna get downright cold tonight so I bundled up and went to bed.

I didn’t have the temp for my location but nearby it was going to drop to 24.
In the morning I needed to stay out until it got warm enough. After it broke freezing, I made myself some oatmeal. Some Quaker maple and brown sugar with Earl Grey tea is a fine choice after no dinner the night before.
It was very cold last night. My campsite had a water spigot and power post. Maybe that’s why it cost 30 bucks. Anyway, when I went to get my water out of the spigot, I got nothing. It worked last night. I guess the cold was serious enough to freeze it up. I tended the fire for a few minutes with the tap open and it started to drip and eventually it flowed.
In the dark last night I I put my Fire Maple pot on with the koozie and pot scrubber still stowed in the recess in the bottom. Essentially I melted them together. I guess I need another one.
I walked up to the bathhouse and snapped a pic of the site as I walked back. The campers that were there did not have occupants that I could see. I lingered around the fire longer than normal. Party to absorb the warmth and partly to avoid the cold I knew was out there.
Overall, it was a good site and campground. I prefer more private and remote spots that are often associated with state or Corps of Engineering ran venues, but in a pinch, this place would do. It had everyone it needed including table, fire ring, level tent pad, water, power, and a good bathhouse. I guess 30 bucks is still a good deal.
I got going and stopped to plug the jacket in. It’s actually 9:54. I don’t allow the GPS to swap time zones since home is only 7 miles from EST and I always get confused.

It was only about 90 miles to Suches. I was hoping for more off road to keep the wind chill down. I used the jacket sparingly and watched the voltmeter. It would fluctuate between 14.4 and 13 before I shut it down. The bikes electrical system is just not robust enough to run a 90 watt jacket on full blast unless you are revving the engine at highway speeds. And there is the problem heat or wind chill. I only had to monitor it for 25 min before getting back onto some dirt.
I didn’t get a text from the guys so I figured they slept in or were heading back on pavement.
I made it to the much heralded Old Bucktown Road. It was mentioned many times during the BDR movie. Zoom in to the sign for the warning about regular cars.
I wasn’t particularly worried because this was not an optional hard section. But no other roads had any warnings.
The road climbs steadily into the national forest.
The track surface was perfect
Tacky red dirt with no leaves on the trail made for a fast track and provided good sight lines to keep a rapid pace.
A few spots the road was washed out but nothing the 450 couldn’t handle. I had a Michelin Starcross that was built 04-07. Yeah you read that right. I bought it for 20 bucks #1 because I am cheap and #2 to test the theory hat old tires will kill you. My rear is a Tusk D Sport. If you wonder why I buy that tire, see #1 above. It just works.
It progressively got worse.
It also got progressively cold the higher I climbed.
The 450 just ate everything up. Even with 31 lbs in the GL coyote bag and another 10lbs combined in the tank panniers and tail bag, it never stumbled. I crossed over 5K miles on the trip. It has been retuning almost 50mpg over that time in mixed running. It has a vortex ECU and full exhaust system.
The leafless trees afforded great benefits to see the surrounding landscape.
I searched the road for obstacles but also was getting some signs of other bikes on the trail. I wondered if Mike and Rich were ahead somewhere.
I got to do something I didn’t think I would do. Breaking through a puddle with ice was not on my bingo card. Bit today was my lucky day.
Old Bucktown road was great and did not disappoint.
Just hard enough but still rideable without wearing me out. I have ridden plenty of more treacherous roads on the KAT, Arizona. or in the Black Hills but none of those times did I have 41 lbs on the bike.
The crash site for Richard Schoolbred was nearby and a few people were hiking in the area.
This seems to be the apex of the mountain as most of the next miles seemed all downhill.
I didn’t see where this couple parked their car, so maybe they spent the night on the mountain.
Still some frozen seeps along the track.
Conclusion tomorrow, it’s late, time for bed.
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