Day 3: Two Honda Trail CT125's take on the Smokey Mountain 500 prepping for the Trans America Trail

"We've got a long way to go and need a long time to get there..."

Day 3 - Suches, GA to Asheville, NC
250ish miles and 12 hours
(yup. 12 hours...)

Day three of our TAT shakedown on The Smokey Mountain 500 was a fantastic ending to a weekend of epic riding.
0:00 Intro
2:26 Riding
4:27 More Riding
5:15 Waterfall that we look at for 3 seconds
5:41 Some water crossings
6:47 More Riding
7:37 Chain Maintenance
9:10 More Riding
10:20 Charlie's Creek Rd - rutted, rocky, and gnarly (and fun)
13:45 More steep/technical sections of Charlie's Creek
17:41 Water Crossing
20:45 Tallulah River Crossing
22:21 More Riding
22:58 Entering North Carolina
26:14 Lake Nantahalla Drone Footage
27:57 We finished the SM 500
30:00 Wrap Up

Info on the Smokey Mountain 500

We stayed at Two Wheels of Suches Campground - great place and super cool owner:

John's Ride Report:

Affiliate Links to Gear

[deborahchesser]

I’ve done very few things in life that even come close to being out exploring on a bike. Between the beautiful scenery, the wind therapy and the pure feeling of freedom, it’s hard to beat. 👍🇺🇸

[earlsmithson]

Every time I see our Little Red Donkeys do the trail thing it makes me love them more. You guys are doing it well.

[chiefkirk]

I watched all 3 videos. I thoroughly enjoyed them.

[bookooc]

Nice series. Thanks for using a cam that doesn't make the viewer nauseous like many do.

[johnbale]

Thank you for taking us along on the ride. Iam in awe of what those little bikes can do.

[karloskardenas]

Great vid all the way Honda should pay you guys! You just sold me on the beast!!! Thank you guys! Safe travels☮️💜🙏🏻

[T]

Hi,
I just watched the 3 videos back to back.
Great ride.
Great editing.
Thank you.
Kind regards
Alain

[thejayman]

Great videos on the SM500. I’ve never heard of it before now and now I want to ride it. I don’t live close but I just might have to make it work next year. Thanks for the ride as always.

[marcoluoma]

Thanks for another great video. I love the scenery. I also love how your trip makes all the TAT Facebook Group arguments about minimum bike needed look silly.

[Bigmoosebelly]

I can see your getting to be a better rider thru your videos! Great job!!!

[iray]

Best touring video on the 125 I've seen. Great job and best wishes on your TAT trip.

[jscot]

By far the best video presentation I have seen on any video I've watched here. The music, the cuts, the commentary, all of it. Great job! I was pulled in at first because of my interest in the Honda Trail, then quickly realized you guys are riding on My trails lol. I'm 30 minutes from Tellico and have had a lot of great times there. I can already see I need to get back there soon because you've shown me some places I haven't ever been and they look beautiful. Keep up the great work.

[robertkoper]

Hi, great to see you doing this on simple bikes that many would consider totally unsuitable.This should shut up the GS and Tenere clan!

[gijr]

A little maintenance check after trip each night will catch tomorrow's problem.

[bewilderment]

I just got a recently purchased 1974 CT90 running. Being as l live in west Texas, there won't be too many water crossings, but l am looking forward to a little exploring of this 200, 000 acre ranch. Even with the cussing it looks like you guys had a blast. Looking forward to more.

[enfieldlover]

great videos! i think the 200 miles per day counts for everybody. i think there are certain limits on how fast can you go on gravel, in dirt, cross water. all the bikes kind of level up - if 1200 GS or your super honda. since people talk about the 200 miles and 8-10 hours long riding days then... 10 hour long day = average speed is 20 mph. with 8 hour days the average goes only to 25mph. well - i'll find out soon enough myself :p you write you do the trip end of june. so you must be there as i'm typing this. good luck guys! wishing knobby rubber down, dry feet during the water crossings lol and beautiful weather!

[kgbear]

Awesome content, honest self awareness that equates to transparency. Music is great, right volume, just enough engine sound to make me want the one I’ve got ordered at my local dealer to hurry up. I’d be out there with you guys. Good luck be safe.

[markodiorne]

Enjoyed the ride videos and the "after action" discussions. Sub'd and onboard for the TAT trip!

[KrakensGarageandAdventures]

Hello, I'm a new sub to this epic journey and thankfully YT pushed this video in my feed to watc h. Simply put is was so well produced, the music was on point but not overbearing and the narrative kept me engaged. Thank you, Eric

[LenTheFrisian]

the capacity for self-reflection is a blessing :-)