A Ride Back in Time to Mayberry

Saturday Morning and with a lot of miles in front of us, we all gathered at the Sunoco in Locust at 200 North and Bethel Church. The ride was at the request of Terry's wife and riding partner, but all four of us have been itching to ride to Mt. Airy, the inspiration for Mayberry.

We started out on a Stanly County favorite Austin Road. It takes north and east, and onto US 52. After passing through New London, we made our way to State Road 8, continuing north. We run along the eastern edge of High Rock Lake, even crossing off shoots from the lake. The air rolling across the water kept us cool, and gave us some nice vistas.

In Linwood, we veer to the left on Belmont Road to avoid Interstate 85 that lie ahead of us. After passing under the super slab, we make our way on Old Salisbury Road. Another left on Mount Carmel and eventually arrive on State Road 150.

Another left, and we cross the Yadkin River on State Road 64, weaving our way back & forth and north & west. Yearning for something a little less highway, we head north on Fort Bixby Road. At the town of Bixby, we make a jog, and continue north on Baltimore Road.

We ride through Redland, Farmington, East Bend and Tobaccoville to make our way around Winston Salem. We hop on US 52 once again, and we could take it right into Mt. Airy, but I veer off on a back road that extended our stretch, and time to get to town. Kina was able to snap a nice shot of Kasey and I riding infront with Pilot Mountain ahead of us. The diversion was long enough that Terry and Kina had to peel off for a stop.

An impromptu, but much needed stop at Joes Gas and Go. Not sure where this is exactly.

Turns out, we were not that far from Mt. Airy. We made our way through the car and foot traffic. Apparently, we were not the only ones that had the idea to come here today. We ended up finding a close parking space near Snappy Lunch, one of the few places in North Carolina to get a Tenderloin Sandwich, but they had closed for the day.

After passing a lot of the sights that makes this "Mayberry", we found ourselves at Barney's. They had a special of a pork chop sandwich, so Terry and I both decided that was for us.

We made our ways back to bikes via a few shops and an ice cream shop. The bikes were going to lug on the way back with our full bellies. We made our way to Rockford, also known as Highway 601. It feels familiar, since this road runs nearby to Locust. Always comforting to see some familiar road numbers.

We cross the Yadkin River, and then arrive in Booneville. Along the way, we fuel up the bikes, and take a small break. The day is getting long, and the skies were are headed toward are looking a bit dark.

We continue on 601 with heat building, and the dark skies looming. I decide to take a break at the Sheetz in town for a little conversation. After checking out the radar, we decide to waste about 20 minutes with a drink and some people watching.

Satisfied that the storms will pass by the time we get to them, we continue along 601 to Salisbury, and then peel off onto State Road 29. This takes us through China Grove and Kannapolis. We connect to State Road Three, and now not only does the number feel familiar, but so does the ribbon of asphalt.

Three rejoins with 601 and we ease out of Concord. We take 200 or Central Avenue, weave our way along south. Terry and Kina pull off on Mount Pleasant Road that leads to the town of the same name, where they live.

Kasey and I keep on 200 and arrive in Locust with only a few drops of rain. It felt nice and cool after a day of some pretty good heat. As I backed The Black Pearl back into the garage, I felt like I had taken a trip through time, as much as North Carolina.