Nashville TN: On the Road to Music City
It used to be the Road to Nashville meant a slow process of cruising down US Highway 70, whether you came from Memphis or Knoxville. Today, it's just a quick, fast shot down I-40.Sash and I got a late start leaving Memphis on a Friday afternoon, June 28. We would have taken that US-70, and enjoyed better scenery, curvier riding, and glimpses of small-town Tennessee. But already at 2:30pm in the afternoon, and about 210 miles to Nashville, it meant arriving late into the evening.
So, the Interstate it was.
The 50% chance of rain the weather forecast called for seemingly never materialized. It was mostly sunny skies the whole way. And while that usually translates into great motorcycle riding weather, we were hoping for cooler temperatures after spending a week in Memphis' 90+ degree humidity.
Hence, Sash opted to remove layers of clothing and surf the Interstate like Annette Funicello on a Beach Blanket movie. Certainly you could argue that riding tank top with shorts on the superslab is an unnecessary risk, but then again riding a motorcycle is an unnecessary risk when there are safer forms of transportation.
For Sash, motorcycling has become a form of self-expression.
And ultimately, isn't that what motorcycling is for many of us? Self expression.
If it was all about the transportation, we'd drive our cars. If it was all about cheap vehicles, we'd buy used scooters. If it was all about high gas mileage, we'd pedal bicycles. But when we buy motorcycles costing $10,000 and up, with 100+ horsepower, and drop another $10,000 in upgrades, farkles, and gadgets, it really comes down to self expression.
After Sash spent much of her adult life in a domestic, stay-at-home role, raising a daughter, trying to fit in with the other soccer moms, and remaining submissive to two previous husbands, riding a motorcycle in this fashion is where the River delivered her.
And now it seems like there's nothing to hold her back.
Even as I held my speed steady at the posted speed limits, there were times she cranked the throttle, roared past me, and got every bit of the 59.1 horses that Kawasaki says is possible from Katy Scarlett's 498cc parallel twin. And with Asphalt Annie strapped to the back, waving her delicate little hand "bye-bye", Sash drew a lot of stares and photographs from other tourists en route to the Music City.
No, the Interstate is not challenging riding, unless you consider keeping your eyelids open a challenge. And after awhile the green grasses, the green trees, and the green water flowing down the creeks and rivers, tends to draw a "ho hum" as we passed by at 70mph.
But there's a certain kind of mystery about Nashville, that has you on the edge of your motorcycle seat when you see that "Welcome to Nashville" sign. The glimpse of skyscrapers on the horizon gives you the final sense of deliverance, we've finally made it. We're in Nashville.
Leaving the home of Ed & Juliet, who hosted us in their house the week we were in Memphis. |
Sash with Michael Hall, General Manager of Honda-Yamaha of Memphis, who had Blackbird ready with new brake pads, new tires, and new headlight the day we left Memphis. |
Sash going tank top and shorts down Interstate 40 |
Temperatures were in the low-90s the day we left Memphis. |
Even Asphalt Annie was going squid down the I-40 |
The leather half-chaps from Lissa Hill Leather still gives Sash some leg protection from bugs and other flying debris. |
For the most part, I led the way to Nashville |
Even with 8,000 miles now under Sash's belt, I'm still keeping an eye on her. |
Downtown Nashville at night. |
It sure Looks Like you got the hang of that Bike! Awesome! You go Girl!
ReplyDeleteThank you Margarita! I'm in love with that bike. But traveling like this sure makes me realize what's important. I miss you and my good, good friends in Menifee. Dorothy Gale was right; there's no place like home.
DeleteI love you my friend!
Sash
I think she's starting to get the hang of this motorcycling thing. Be careful out there, that's not a good combo to go sliding down the interstate on. Looks cute though, I bet she caused a couple of lane swerves from the cagers.
ReplyDeleteThanks LNGRDR!
DeleteI have no intention of sliding down any interstate. LOL! But then again, no one ever does, huh?
Thanks for the compliment. It's so flattering to read. My husband needs to find other things to take photos of besides the woman he loves. I'm sick of seeing myself! LOL!!!!!
Sash
www.SashMouth.com
Nashville's a great city. Enjoy yourselves!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy W. We sure did. That's a place we intend to go back to visit. It's awesome!
DeleteSash
Nashville is a great city. Enjoy it!
ReplyDelete