A long commute isn't always a bad thing...

[thirdgenlxi]

Well as some may or may not know, I lost my job about a month and a half ago. I recently started a new job up in Morganton, NC (at a much MUCH better company! Old place was a major s**thole). Only thing is with the new job is that it also comes with a hefty commute.... 120 miles/day if I take the backroads, 160 miles if I take the highway. But who would want to take the boring ass highway all that ways anyways?? Backroads everyday for me!

Here's the route on google maps...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/thirdgenlxi/commutemap.jpg

I usually leave my house around 6:35 am. I make my way out through all the apple orchards on some local backroads over to Rt. 64 and head east for a ways

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/thirdgenlxi/Commute%20Pics/DSC02128.jpg

Then head northeast on NC 9

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/thirdgenlxi/Commute%20Pics/DSC02127.jpg

Then continue NE on Old Fort Rd. I live in a valley, and my work is also in a valley, but there's a ginormous mountain in between the two. Old Fort Rd takes you up up up and to the top of the mountain, then down the other side of it

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/thirdgenlxi/Commute%20Pics/DSC02125.jpg

It's a fun road with some beautiful scenery

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/thirdgenlxi/Commute%20Pics/DSC02124.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/thirdgenlxi/Commute%20Pics/DSC02123.jpg

Gotta watch out for this stuff though.... it's all over on Old Fort Rd. Once you go through a few times though you know most of the spots where it's at, and just know to be extra mindful of it and take it real easy. It's still a fun road though even going slow

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/thirdgenlxi/Commute%20Pics/DSC02122.jpg

Lots of these, especially when you get up towards the top of the mountain

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/thirdgenlxi/Commute%20Pics/DSC02121.jpg

Definitely out in the sticks the whole way there.... sure wouldn't want to have a wreck or breakdown out here, especially since I have no cell phone signal most of the way

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/thirdgenlxi/Commute%20Pics/DSC02120.jpg

A few hairpins... those are always fun

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/thirdgenlxi/Commute%20Pics/DSC02118.jpg

Make it to work right at 8 am.... and being that my new boss is cool as all hell and also into sportbikes, I get the VIP parking spot right in my stall where I can keep a close eye on her all day long

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/thirdgenlxi/c486ab60.jpg

Then repeat in the opposite direction at 5 pm


So yea... pretty rough commute I've got there, hahahah. I don't really think of it as a commute, but more like 3 FREE hours of mandatory playtime in the twisties.... every day!! I love it here... really hope I never have to move

[derf]

Just dont drop an F150 on her and you should be fine

[Captain Morgan]

Nice commute. I think you'll end up winning the mileage contest...if you've entered.

[racedoll]

You are nuts for driving that long every day. I realize it is a great commute with the roads, but it would get old to me being in the car or on the bike that long every day. I love riding, but I do have other things I like to do.

[Rangerscott]

Very cool route man. I'll trade you.




[/QUOTE]
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/thirdgenlxi/Commute%20Pics/DSC02122.jpg
[/QUOTE]


Car + push broom.

[tommymac]

You are nuts for driving that long every day. I realize it is a great commute with the roads, but it would get old to me being in the car or on the bike that long every day. I love riding, but I do have other things I like to do.

i cant believe it but I actualy agree. I have a prety long commute as it is and no where near as fun as that one looks. Some days it just sucks if i am tired or had a long day and just want to go home and i have an hr plus commute ahead of me. I can slab mos tof it on the highway at least so the fifty something miles takes me about an hr to make it home.

[Cutty72]

Biggest probs with a long commute for me are 1. I'm in ND, so you can only bike 6-7 months of the year, so the cost is very prohibitive
2. I like to have that time to myself to do other things that need to be done.

Looks like you enjoy it and have a beautiful ride, so I'm happy for ya!

[Particle Man]

Bike is lookin' good man. How many miles now?

Commute looks like fun (I used to have a similar one that was 70 miles each direction) but that looks like deer country so watch your ass, dude.

[smileyman]

Awesome. I'd do it. love to ride, so if I could enjoy it and get better work I would at least if it looked like that route.

I have a 4 mi commute right now in town. I used to have a 14 mile one way on a really abondoned and curvy 2 lane. It was my personal race track till multiple tunr in calls to the AR St Troopers...

[racedoll]

i cant believe it but I actualy agree. I have a prety long commute as it is and no where near as fun as that one looks. Some days it just sucks if i am tired or had a long day and just want to go home and i have an hr plus commute ahead of me. I can slab mos tof it on the highway at least so the fifty something miles takes me about an hr to make it home.

Because agreeing with me is such a terrible thing :lol: (yes, I think I know why you really agree)

[was92v]

B5

[thirdgenlxi]

Nice commute. I think you'll end up winning the mileage contest...if you've entered.

I'm sitting out on the mileage contest this year... otherwise, probably would, lol


You are nuts for driving that long every day. I realize it is a great commute with the roads, but it would get old to me being in the car or on the bike that long every day. I love riding, but I do have other things I like to do.

Well.... it's either that or the alternative of having no job and zero income like I've had for the month prior. I don't necessarily "want" a long commute, as I actually enjoy being fairly close to work so I can go home for lunch, but when there's absolutely no jobs in the area you live in, you do what you gotta do. I tried finding something here locally for about 3 months prior... there is nothing. And since I doubt you or anyone else is going to pay all my bills for the next 3 months until my lease it up here, it's about the only option as I see it. I'm just trying to make the best out of a not so great situation ;)

Bike is lookin' good man. How many miles now?

Commute looks like fun (I used to have a similar one that was 70 miles each direction) but that looks like deer country so watch your ass, dude.

Thanks!! Bike is up to 181,500 now and counting very quick! LOL I haven't seen any deer yet, but lots of other roadkill and the stupid big black birds. I almost hit one the other day coming home... it was in the road eating something and didn't want to leave, finally got up and flew off right as I was next to it, and it started flying right towards me. I let out a yelp in my helmet and ducked down on the tank, thought he was gonna go straight into my shoulder, hahah. Then there was 2 fresh dead ones in the road right next to each other.... idiots, lol. I'll definitely be on the lookout for Bambi though... don't want any of that!

Looks like a nice ride to and from, in good weather. Cold, rain and snow would blow chunks. But, to be able to ride roads like that to and from work might make it worth the pay up on crap days.

Well I probably won't be living here where I'm at come winter time, so I shouldn't have to worry about that. My lease is up here in 3 months, so as long as the job is going good by that time, I'll probably look for a place up there. That should be fun... always fun trying to find a place to rent with a fenced in yard and that will allow a 70 lb dog...grrr. But in the meantime, the weather is pronominal so I'm just enjoying it and having a great time (though a little chilly in the mornings, but the heated jacket I got from Eclipse last year for winning the mileage contest works awesome and keeps me toasty! lol)

[marko138]

Sure looks like a fun ride.