The Carolinas’ Full Throttle Magazine
64
Tale Of Two Bridges Tour By: Dirty Dave Baker
Sunday, September 6, 2020 AT 8:30 am in Lexington with a quick meet and prayer for a safe ride. Shortly after the prayer, 35 bikes roared out of that parking lot towards Sanford, NC where a bit of history was going to be investigated by the Freedom Cruisers RC, Chapter 143. The Freedom Cruisers, led by President, Michael “Bone” Rathbone , Vice-President, William “Rubble” Wilson and Secretary, JoAnn “Jo” Cook Wilson , will travel toward Sanford where we will visit Gilliam Mill Bridge. There we will see in person the longest covered bridge in NC. We will have lunch and then travel to the Pisgah Covered Bridge. This is going to be an amazing ride. Both bridges are historical landmarks. Located off NC-42 about six miles west of Sanford, our first stop is Ole Gilliam Mill Park is a private, non-profit park that is open to the public and is free to visit. The park consists of the mill and bridge with other standing buildings and a pond. The 140 foot long, red roofed bridge crosses Pocket Creek and is the longest covered bridge in the state. The near-exact replica of the mill runs alongside and across the highway from the bridge which was reconstructed around 2000 on the weekends by local residents. The original mill washed away in a flood in 1928. The bridge is a pedestrian-only crossing and a favorite point to visit with motorcycles. his tale begins on
Pisgah Covered Bridge
When It Comes To Your Bike, Insurance Coverage Is Personal. It’s the difference between a phone call to an answering system when you need to make a claim and a one-to-one conversation with someone who cares about your bike as much as you do. At Encore Insurance Advisors, we can help you find the coverage you need, from insurance on your accessories to roadside assistance, and our service is always personal, friendly and knowledgeable. Before you take to the road, call Encore. We can protect your bike, and your assets, with the most competitive products available from the most reputable providers.
Gilliam Mill Bridge
NEW LOCATION . ST 1066 S. CHURCHNC BURLINGTON,
336-228-9200 • Toll Free: 1-800-371-4227
www.encoreinsuranceadvisors.com
We saddled back up and headed out to The Pisgah Covered Bridge in Asheboro for the second stop on our list. The Pisgah Covered Bridge is one of the two remaining original historic covered bridges in the state. Built in 1911 when horse and wagon were common travel and automobiles were virtually unseen at a cost of $40, this bridge is 54 feet in length and crosses the West Fork Branch of the Little River within the Uwharrie National Forest in Randolph County. This bridge was used until the 1950’s when a two lane bridge was built. The original Pisgah Covered Bridge was washed away in a flood in 2003 but most of the original materials were recovered and community partners came together to rebuild the bridge. This historic landmark has become a favorite to visit with nature trails, picnics tables and lots of exploring.
