fastbikerider

hello everyone,
is anyone up for a ride to deals gap in first week of may 2010, it will be my first visit and my son will be on board, looking to stay in the area for three nights.
riding down from wisconsin.

dunedain

I might be up for that!

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ArmyStrong

That sounds cool! It'd be my first trip as well. Keep us posted.

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TigreST

I hope you find, perhaps as others have,..that "The Gap" is only a target destination and not the be all end all unto itself. With that in mind I'd suggest that the topic of the post move more to a "how to get there with the most bang (riding pleasure) for the vacation buck,..while also picking up members along the way. The Gap is the Gap and is truly a wonder of ashpalt pleasure for the would be, wan-a-be, knee dragger,..but don't forget,.."It's not the destination...but the ride."
I'll admit that I've not pushed my 1100xx through that particular 11 mile stretch of road,..but I've been there on a dated (now) 83 1100F (maybe the great great great grandfather to the XX perhaps?) and having "been there done that, got the tee shirt" would suggest that you spend the bulk of your planning on the how's and why's of the route "there". Canvas the members for a ride route from your home town to the Gap. There are many a beautiful road to hit on your way there if time permits, if you can allow the time to stay off the super slabs. You may in fact enjoy the trip there better then the actual test of the Dragons Tail (The Dragons like a working vaction in my mind). Although I've not been there in recent months/years..it seems to be best to target a mid week attack,..reduced LEO population is the reason. Given your departure date of May..the further south you get the better you'll be in a weather sense. Mother nature is never a for sure thing, but even the last few June departures from the Great Lakes area of Detroit/Port Huron Michigan that I've been a part of, have included running between the clouds to stay dry. Just something for your consideration is all...your gonna have a blast!

Tony

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vtduc

FWIW, I rode from VT down to the gap this past November on the XX. Its a cool stretch of road, but the XX is really the wrong weapon, as its very tight stuff. The XX felt piggish trying to transition back and forth....your timing really has to be spot-on to ride it fast, otherwise its just not that much fun (in my opinion). Admittedly, if I rode the same stretch over and over to learn the turns it would have been better, but I had neither the time or the inclination. A motard would be "the" perfect tool for the gap. On the other hand, the Blue Ridge Parkway was awesome, as the turns are just a bit larger, and let the bike settle down on its suspension before you're setting up for the next turn. Plus, the BRP is 400+ miles....Like everyone says, do the gap during a weekday (same applies to the BRP) as it gets crowded on the weekends. Have fun!!!!

X1rider

I would be interested in that little trip; I haven't been up there in years, it would be cool to get a heard of XX riders there. A warning though:

DO NOT RIDE IT ON A WEEKEND. Way to many LEOs and squids tossing zip splats off cliffs, with death a routine result. Check this site for current info: Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway, Graham Co, NC

Hwy28 to Franklin NC is actually a better ride, if you want to go farther south. Plus, Fatz Cafe' is there! Fatz Cafe: Where Everyone's A Regular

Near the Gap is this road which in my opinion is far superior and longer too:
The Cherohala Skyway, a National Scenic Byway

Ride it early on a weekday morning and you can absolutely RAIL those 270 degree sweepers. For 40 miles! Highest elevation is 5300 feet above sea level.

outlawgibbs

Were In Wisconsin are you from

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smurf211

on Highway 28 and the Cherhola Skyway, Great Roads. I had more

fun going up there and coming back than I did actually riding the Gap.

Deal's Gap -> No Big Deal,

with a recently imposed 35 mph speed limit! Woo-Hoo....!!! You can still have fun, just take it easy, they are trying to keep people from going over the cliffs.

You ought to do it once and make up your own mind. I would also suggest NOT staying at the inn. There are other places that are a little more remote. They told me it was a $50 fine for bringing your bike in the room. Question is: Why are people bringing thir bikes into the room? Theft and vanadlaism. This is a very impoverished area and you would do better to find one of the out of way places that have a breakfast, etc. At least that's what I'm going to do next time. To each their own. Try to go in the spring or the fall. I went up there on Father's day and it was smoking hot with humidity thru the roof. Water bottles in the tail bag for sure. Still had a good time though.

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BackStreet

I have to say The Dragon is the real deal. 318 turns in 11 miles is true but you ride almost a mile prior to the official start at the state line and when you get to the bottom there is nothing there - so it is more like 666 turns in 24 miles.

The turns are banked thus as you transition from right to left turn there is a low to high transition as well. Left to right you have the opposite. The bike can get a little light. If you are late in the turn this can happen just as you need grip. If you get it right you can use it to "flick" 700lbs plus like it was a 600RR.

I rode Rt 28 and the whole time I wondered "Why did we take the long way?"

I rode a few miles out on Cherhola Skyway, turned around and went back to The Dragon. Scenic but I did not come for scenic. I did not like the surface either.

I do like The Blue Ridge Parkway - nice ride, good road, and a nice way to travel.

PS Good hamburgers at Deals Gap. Any bike problems go to Wheeler's just a few miles up 129 towards Robbinsville from Deals Gap.

ladyninja

My husband and his friend Mike are taking their birds down the first week of May already! They usually stay at the Two Wheel Inn. That place has a garage right next to your room to keep your bikes in. Have fun down there and be careful!!!

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fastbikerider

I live in dodge county.

fastbikerider

thanks everyone for the feedback, im looking forward to the ride down there as much as the actual riding the dragons tail, coming from europe im used to the tight and twisties, and also the weather, still get blown away by the amount of straight wide roads here in the U.S. the bird is awesome

Dragonslayer

Hey Fastbikerider,
I may be interested in joining you. I usually make the trip every June but may be up for an early ride this year. When are you planning on leaving and arriving there? Maybe we could hook up along the way or while we are in the area. My buddy and I can take you on all the good loops in the area.

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XXDAD

Thanks X1rider for other options. Will be making two trips this year depending on schooling and the sort.

fastbikerider

leaving sat 1st coming back 4th may, i will be riding with a guy i work with hes on a wing, and possibly a few more, staying in gattlinsburg.
the more the merrier, hope you can make it.

TigreST

The "Dragon" got a boo boo:

Rockslide closes 1 lane on The Dragon


Tony

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Strek

THis one is funny

WBIR.com | Knoxville, TN | Video

shewie

Tell me he didn't feel like an imbecile.

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Strek

I know. What a dunderhead. I mean how do you miss something like that?
I did see some kid rear end another vehicle last night in the lane next to me. Kid was driving a newly purchased truck/SUV. I'm driving next to him and I notice that he has his head down and is actively texting on a PDA while hes driving. I'm watching traffic stop in front of him and he doesn't notice. I beep the horn hoping to alert him but it was too late. Plowed right into the vehicle in front of him rather hard. Quite a bit of damage. I stopped to make sure everyone was OK and offerred to be a witness if needed for the person that he rear ended. He wasn't hurt but his little car had no trunk area anymore. THe guy in the new SUV had air bags deployed. Another dunderhead.

Shorebird

Little correction - He is an imbecile.

fastbikerider

hi everyone update to deals gap trip new scheduled dates if anyone is interested sept 25th through 28th, this should allow enough clean up time for the gap & tdot