Jack Daniels Distillery, Lynchburg, Tennessee

May 22nd & 23rd

Trip Statistics:

Time Traveled - 13.5 hours (riding) 6.2 hours (stopped)
Miles Traveled - 512
Accommodations - $79.00
Gas - $18
Food (Estimated) - $50

By Dan Harvey

    Leisa Fulks, Gary and Robyn Malone, Dan Robinette, Sonny Webber and myself were all at McDonalds Exit 407 and ready to go at 8:00 A.M.. We pulled out on 4 bikes heading to Farragut to meet the rest of the group. We left  in hopes of getting to Lynchburg before the afternoon thundershowers hit. Hopefully, we might tour the distillery today as well but if not today, then in the morning. That means we would be riding a quick, direct route and we would be sacrificing scenery for speed.
    Waiting at McDonalds in Farragut  were Dustin and Kristi Malone, Bobby and Debbie Smith, Terry and Ruth Ann Elmy and (arriving a few minutes later) Phil and Kim Smith. At this point, we were 8 bikes and 14 people, but that number fluctuated the whole trip. 
    After a short rest and just as we were about to leave I got a "RING" on my cell phone. "Hey Dan, this is Ken Weaver. Are you guys coming down Rt. 70? How about stopping in Rockwood and picking me up. I will ride to Sparta with you guys." Ok....
    Today I was reminded that we need to remember the old rule about gas. Show up with a full tank at the start of the ride. One rider ran out just outside of Rockwood and I started sputering about a mile later. Reserve saved us both.
    Ken was there waiting when we arrived. This was the first time I met Ken but he has ridden with the club before. He had to do a few things in Cookeville and worked it out to ride with us on the way. Ken took the lead and took us to Sparta where we turned South.
    The ride to Tullahoma was uneventful and we got to our hotel around 3PM. After some confusion about room assignments, we unloaded our luggage and headed over to Lynchburg and the Distillery. The tour took about an hour and was very interesting. Some folks bought Commemorative Bottles from the gift shop and we learned we were in the presence of Squire Gary Malone. Apparently, Gary owns some interest in the property.
    Dinner at Applebees was discussed but was waived by most of us in exchange for the NASCAR race in Charlotte. Several folks ended up in my room for fun and cocktails. Somewhere along the line, 1/2 a bottle of JD Single Barrel disappeared and it was not me that consumed it. Finger pointing or naming names will not be made in this article.
    The next morning, some of us were slow to get started. We had breakfast at Waffle House and were joined by Bruce and Yvonne Pirtle. The rode up that morning from Chattanooga and led us back via the scenic route. We stopped at Raccoon Mountain Reservoir before going into town for lunch. Bruce led us over to Rt. 411 where we turned North and headed back to Knoxville.
    The weather was great for the whole ride except for one brief shower. The numbers fluctuated the entire weekend and we had new riders with us which helped make effort a success.