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Dodging the Roadkill: Riding Into Fall

Dodging the Roadkill - A Biker's JourneyClarksville, TN – Living in Tennessee presents very distinct seasons.  Our winters are cold, our springs are filled with storms and tornadoes, our summers are the epitome of heat and humidity, but then there’s the fall.

SWEET GLORIOUS FALL!

Without question, this is my favorite time of the year.  It always has been, even before I became a biker.  But I never thought the fall would be so fabulous until I started riding.  

I absolutely LOVE getting out early in the morning, hitting the coffee shop, then taking off with no particular destination in mind.  Temperatures in the mid fifties to low seventies are the absolute best. 

Riding in the Fall
Riding in the Fall

Many of you live in parts of the country where a heat wave is 80 degrees, but let me assure you, the summers get hot down here.  Sometimes I think the Devil lives right next door. 

I didn’t mind not being able to ride for a few weeks due to my injury, because the heat is brutal, but now that I’m trying to get my “sea” legs back, the temps have been cooler and it’s been amazing.

Day trips are the best.  Taking off for one of the many state parks here and in Kentucky is always a good ride.  Just down the road, I always love riding through Paris Landing State Park, and riding through the Trace.  

Just north, I go to Mammoth Cave.  Just a couple of hours away, but a beautiful place to ride.

And of course, there’s the wonderful Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee.  I’ve ridden that area many times and all the usual haunts like the Devil’s Triangle, Tail of the Dragon, the Rattler and other great rides. 

When the leaves start to change colors, there’s nothing more beautiful than the Smoky Mountains (ok, I’ll agree, Colorado is breathtaking), but when you blow through the Foothills Parkway, you just want to shout for joy.  I guess the older I get, the more I appreciate all that surrounds me and how magnificent it is.

I’ll also say that the bikers I meet are in a better mood.  Not having to battle the heat and travel in sweltering conditions tends to change the attitude a little.  Throwing on a warm leather jacket, nice pair of leather gloves, and a face shield, and you’re good to go.  

I LOVE IT!

So let’s enjoy it while we can before Mother Nature decides to put a little “frost” on the cake and we start complaining about the cold and snow.  Taking each day and each ride for the blessing that it is.

Ride safe my friends and thanks for following my journey.  One day we’ll all ride together.

Hank Bonecutter
Hank Bonecutterhttp://www.clarksvillesmotorcycle.com/
Hank Bonecutter is a retired broadcaster and media consultant based in Clarksville, Tennessee. His career includes stints at WKDA/WKDF and WKQB Rock 106FM, WLAC-AM in Nashville. He concluded his career as owner/talk show host at WJZM-AM in Clarksville. Currently the President of Bonehead Promotions, he's an advertising consultant and media strategist. An avid motorcyclist, Hank blogs about his travels exclusively at www.clarksvillemotorcycle.com and www.clarksvilleonline.com You can follow Hank on on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dodgintheroadkill/, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/?lang=en, and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dodgetheroadkill/?hl=en  
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