SCAR DAY 2
Conquering the South Carolina Adventure Route on KTM 690 Enduro-R’
DAY 2: JOCASSEE OVERLOOK, SASSAFRA & more
SCAR Alternative Extravaganza!
January 18th, 2024
Temperature: A chilly start at 36°F, maxing out at 48°F
Another day, another freezing start, but nothing can stop us, not even temperatures that would make a snowman shiver. Me, armed with enough layers to rival an arctic expedition, Jager’s rocking a hoody and windbreaker—because why not? Today’s mission: Jocassee Overlook via the Jumping Off SCAR Alternative.
Fuelled by tales from Piney Mountain Bike Lounge in Greenville, we embarked on a technical route, marked by a “green line” on our trusted onXoffroad map. Because in our book, green means harder, and harder means better!
Horse Pasture Road’s gravel and ice didn’t deter us. Sure, caution was the name of the game—no one wants a gravel-induced close call. The route was a delightful mix of winding switchbacks and icy challenges. Once at the overlook, the view was worth every chilly breeze.
Now, the SCAR map suggests turning back, but who needs directions? We kept riding, following the road like our own personal yellow brick road. The journey down Shooting Tree Ridge Rd to Ceo Chapman Highway and back to SCAR Segment 3 was an unplanned yet thrilling encore. I would recommend everyone take this route, its more gravel switch backs, with rolling ‘Jumps’ and it was great to get the back end of the bike kicking around the corners, by the end of this route our 690’s felt like fat dirt bikes behaving just how we wanted!
Post-ride analysis: ABS and traction control off equals happiness, stock tires may be sketchy but roll with it, and all green sections on onXoff road lead to an amazing ride! And remember, when in doubt, just keep following the road.
