The day started out with a Waffle House breakfast, then a straight cruise down I-40 to around Knoxville. It was pretty uneventful and a little warmer than yesterday. I stopped in Nashville to meet up with Michael for lunch, had a great time chatting with him, and things are afoot that might get us all back together in July. After that I topped the tank off and got on the last leg of the ride out. The elevation’s changed, and the roads aren’t as straight as they were, which are good signs. I pulled in to the hotel at around 5:00 local time, met up with Heather, then got the bike unpacked and changed up for dinner.

We went to the Smoky Mountain Brewery‘s Maryville location, had some great ribs and some tasty brews. The town’s getting a little crowded with bikes, and it turns out that it’s because the Tennessee state HOG rally is this coming week. I hope the Dragon’s not too crowded…