Ride & Rally: Cross Country MN to FLA Ep 4

Cross Country Sportster Ride Great Smoky Mountains to Charleston

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. One of my favorite parts of riding a motorcycle is experiencing the topographical changes. Not only the view’s while riding long distances through changing elevations but also the air. Riding from hot to cold, thick air to thin air, all of it. It all is part of the experience. When it comes to riding Harleys, I learned it’s hard to beat riding in the Great Smoky Mountains but luckily I had stayed the night there so at least I had the morning coming down out of the mountains to enjoy them one last time.

Heading to Charleston out of the Great Smoky Mountains it is one big downhill run to sea level. When I headed out the air was crisp and comfortable but I knew once I got down out of the mountains and into South Carolina that would change. After layering appropriately to make road side changes easy through the day I set off. Coming down out of the mountains you don’t really know how quick you’re descending until you hit what I call “the bend”. I wish I knew where this bend was but as I started riding out headed towards Charleston the road had a gentle wind down through trees between the peaks and, while I could tell the vegetation was getting less dense, it was a very gradual change. That was until I hit the bend. Coming around a left hand curve, the sign stated “Truck Warning: Steep Grade” and the view opened up into this wide expanse that went for miles. The view riding down the side of the mountain was breathtaking looking out over the land of South Carolina that continued on as far as the eye could see.

Now talk about experiencing topographical changes, the second I got out of the mountains the temperature and humidity jacked up. I took the first pull off I found and shed the mountain layers. From there it was a quick blast down the super slab to Charleston.

Charleston is one of the oldest cities in the nation and a gorgeous one at that. I couldn’t wait to see it from the seat of my Harley Davidson. Before going down into Charleston, I rode over the Ravenel Bridge that gave a great view of the USS Yorktown as I headed down to Sullivans Island to see the coast. After 1,300 miles it was great to look out over the ocean and think about how far my Sportster had taken me. On the way back towards Charleston on Coleman Blvd/703, I passed a creek that’s famous amongst locals. Shem Creek is home to restaurants, live music, fishing, boating, all things that add up for a good time and is a must stop when you’re in the area.

With a day off in Charleston, I had heard the best way to see and experience Charleston was to trade in my iron horse for an actual horse and hop on a carriage ride through the city to learn about the historical houses and the role Charleston played during some of the most pivotal historic years of the new nation. Naturally after I had learned the routes in the city I had to go see it again on my bike. While I enjoyed the carriage ride, I think I’ll stick with my iron horse.

If you are headed through Charleston on your motorcycle the best way I found to do it was to ride in the morning before it got too hot and then play tourist in the afternoons through French Quarter that hosts a multitude of sights and dining options. Some great morning rides to be had are out to Sullivans Island and Isle of Palms to the north, while to the south you have Folly Island, Johns Island, and Wadmalaw Island. All offer great scenic morning rides through countryside and through tree tunnels adorned with Spanish moss.

As much as I enjoyed Charleston, it wasn’t quite all the way across the country from my starting point. There were still two states left, and more miles to be put down before rolling into Daytona Beach, Florida.

Watch The Ride & Rally Episode Here