Gatlinberg 2008??

[Thundurburd]

That would work for me at least as far as I can tell now. Also I just noticed 5/26 is Memorial Day which might mean more traffic that week. Just thought I'd point that out, I'd be getting there in a minivan so traffic is not an issue with me.

[Rickster]

Traffic on The Dragon would be more of an issue on Memorial Day weekend, but that's just a small inconvenience, because even on a busy day it's only about a 15 min ride (one way end to end).

Just keep an eye on your mirrors so you din't get spooked when some hot shoe comes flying by you. How more of those guys don't get tickets is beyond me, every time I have been there, I saw at least one LEO, and on one trip I saw 3 of them.

Last year 2 GIXXER's, and an R-6 came up on me so fast that the lead rider was already passing me before I realized I even had anyone behind me. If you've never had this happen, trust me when I say it "will" spook you. A half mile down the road, all three of them were crashed. 99% of the time, in a situation like that I will stop to help, but these guys had pissed me off, and besides all 3 of them were standing up cussing at each other, so I just waived as I rode on buy.

FYI there seems to be some sort of un-written code on the Dragon that dictates you let faster riders pass if you are alone, or in a small group. This code doesn't seem to apply if you are in a large group, and you will frequently see riders pull over to the side and stop after catching a large group of slow riders, they do this to let the large group get way ahead of them, than when there is a big enough break in the traffic they jump back in and go back to tearing up the blacktop.

You will also see several places where vans are parked on the side of the road and a crew will be taking everyones picture as they ride by. These pictures will later be placed on the internet, and if you remember what time and date you were there, you can find and buy pictures of yourself Ridding The Dragon.

[tricker]

aight vinnie count me as a maybe as of right now.. once it gets above "freezing my ass off" i'll get the rest of my crap figured out... hell i only live once

[frostbitevinnie]

In 3 months it should be warm? Fishing on the boat again, oh wait I am gonna sell that piece of crap!! More money for bling!!

[Thundurburd]

Well guys, I'm in Kentucky right now and they're saying high of 57 tomorrow. That will be a bit of alright as far as I'm concerned.

[TFee3]

Hey Vinnie, aren't you in the LC1500/C90 forum, too? I thought I saw your name there! I just installed the Bully Stage III on my bike and V & H Longshots. Wow, does it ever run now!

[frostbitevinnie]

I think I posted a few times but one forum is more than enough for me.

[Rickster]

The place my friend stayed last year was in a little town called Robbinsville in North Carolina, I guess it's about a 20 min ride from there to Deals Gap, and the road is nice and twisty.

The name of the motel is "Phillips motel" Phone # 828-479-3370, their rates start at $35 per night for a room, and $125 per night for a 3 bedrrom cottage. He said it was clean & quiet, and that he would stay there again if he was in the area again.

[Thundurburd]

The east end of the Cherohala Skyway is near Robbinsville too.

[frostbitevinnie]

A friend from work wants to go which will be great but the one problem is that he cannot get more than 100 miles/tank, so frequent stops regardless.

[tricker]

nothing wrong with stopping every 100 miles..

[Rickster]

I agree, stops every 100 miles makes for a more relaxed & alert rider, the trick is to not let the stops last to long. 10 to 15 min, than on the road again. Also do some leg & back stretches at every stop.

I like to get an early start, ride 100 miles than stop for breakfast, than stop every 100 miles for gas & a short break till lunch when I stop for about an hour, than short breaks every 100 miles again till I stop for the night. I eat dinner after checking into a motel.

I drink a Red Bull (or some other sport drink) at every stop, and I keep a water bottle in a waist pac that I sip out of every 10 miles or so. Keeping hydrated is super important on a long trip.

[busa-boy33]

Originally Posted by Rickster

Traffic on The Dragon would be more of an issue on Memorial Day weekend, but that's just a small inconvenience, because even on a busy day it's only about a 15 min ride (one way end to end).

Just keep an eye on your mirrors so you din't get spooked when some hot shoe comes flying by you. How more of those guys don't get tickets is beyond me, every time I have been there, I saw at least one LEO, and on one trip I saw 3 of them.

Last year 2 GIXXER's, and an R-6 came up on me so fast that the lead rider was already passing me before I realized I even had anyone behind me. If you've never had this happen, trust me when I say it "will" spook you. A half mile down the road, all three of them were crashed. 99% of the time, in a situation like that I will stop to help, but these guys had pissed me off, and besides all 3 of them were standing up cussing at each other, so I just waived as I rode on buy.

FYI there seems to be some sort of un-written code on the Dragon that dictates you let faster riders pass if you are alone, or in a small group. This code doesn't seem to apply if you are in a large group, and you will frequently see riders pull over to the side and stop after catching a large group of slow riders, they do this to let the large group get way ahead of them, than when there is a big enough break in the traffic they jump back in and go back to tearing up the blacktop.

You will also see several places where vans are parked on the side of the road and a crew will be taking everyones picture as they ride by. These pictures will later be placed on the internet, and if you remember what time and date you were there, you can find and buy pictures of yourself Ridding The Dragon.

I've seen reports on a local news station there talking about the rate of accidents on the Dragon Tail and I was like WoW! Thats a lot!

I'd be the only Busa rider actually going slow if I get to ride it..lol

I'm not a huge fan of twisties anyways.. nor getting hassled by the man

[wildwolf]

Last couple of times I went to the area, I stayed in Maggie Valley, NC. Great little area, whole lot more lodging than just what's available in the Deal's Gap area, so you can find more lodging to fit budgets. Plus, there are roads that make the dragon seem tame.

[stp1971]

NC 28 is a great road to check out. Actually we found it to be quite the challenge to the Dragon.

Also if you were there last year we took a nice little Mini-Dragon road with almost zero oncoming traffic. It is about 8 miles of twisties but only bad thing is you have to stop at the end and turn around. Unless you are into the gravel roads after that.

[frostbitevinnie]

Another friend of mine might go. While talking the idea came up that if we have enough riders to trailer the bikes down since the more riders would reduce or equal the cost of gas, 4 riders @40mpg=ave10mpg so might as well get out the trailer. Just an idea.

So what is the "I'm in" count and the "Still a maybe count"? I am still shooting for leaving 5/30 and being back home the following Friday.

[busa-boy33]

Originally Posted by frostbitevinnie

Another friend of mine might go. While talking the idea came up that if we have enough riders to trailer the bikes down since the more riders would reduce or equal the cost of gas, 4 riders @40mpg=ave10mpg so might as well get out the trailer. Just an idea.

So what is the "I'm in" count and the "Still a maybe count"? I am still shooting for leaving 5/30 and being back home the following Friday.

Well if I might be able to meet you guys up there. So I will keep you posted on my plans also.. so 5-30-08 is the date we are shooting for?

[tricker]

Originally Posted by frostbitevinnie

Another friend of mine might go. While talking the idea came up that if we have enough riders to trailer the bikes down since the more riders would reduce or equal the cost of gas, 4 riders @40mpg=ave10mpg so might as well get out the trailer. Just an idea.

So what is the "I'm in" count and the "Still a maybe count"? I am still shooting for leaving 5/30 and being back home the following Friday.

i'm in right now

[Rickster]

I'm still a maybe,,,,,,,,,,,,,a strong maybe.

Trailer your bike??? This isn't Sturgis you know. The best T-shirt I saw out there read "I attended the largest trailer rally in the world" If you have ever been there you will know what I'm talking about, I think about 50% of the people that go there trailer there bikes.

Hi Sean (STP), havent seen you post lately, I trust all is well. Have you healed up yet from getting bit by the HD on your trip to CA.

[TWALKER]

If the plan is for Deals Gap you can definitely count me in. My dad just had a house built in Frankln, NC (probably about 45 minutes sounth of deals gap at the most), and I'm just looking for an excuse to get up there.