The CFMOTO 450SS was a pretty good steed to take on my first East Tennessee motorcycle ride. (photo by Killboy)

When I?m traveling and tell other riders that I?m from Tennessee, they tell me they?re jealous. They talk about how lucky I am to live in a state with so many fantastic riding roads through the Great Smokies. However, before last summer, I had to shamefully admit I?d never ridden in East Tennessee.

I got the opportunity to change that in June when I needed some photos for my CFMOTO 450SS review. I?d get to spend a couple days away from the desk, experience Appalachian riding, put some miles on the test bike, and get paid for it! Talk about a win?­win?­win?­win.

As with most trips, this one didn?t go as smoothly as planned.
The CFMOTO 450SS and I spent a lot of time sheltering from the rain under gas station canopies.

I ran into my first hiccup just past Nashville. When I stopped to pull up directions for the next leg of my journey, my phone?s map wouldn?t load. I also wasn?t able to call or text. I didn?t know where I needed to go other than in a general southeast direction.

Unable to rely on my phone for navigation, I stopped at gas stations along the way to ask locals for directions. Most were happy to help, and some were so happy that they took half an hour to tell me their own motorcycling stories. I enjoyed these interactions, but it was getting late, and I was still a long way from 129 Cabins in Robbinsville, North Carolina, where I?d be ...