Deals Gap and other stuff - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

TNM50 · 08-01-2009, 11:34 AM

Just been riding for 3 months now but I took a 3 day trip around the mountains of TN/NC with some friends. Down to Asheville, Cherokee, over to Gatlinburg, down to the Dragon, and back to Asheville and then home. It rained the whole trip except for late yesterday and this morning. I learned alot on this trip and how to deal with alot of situations. Even had to cross a flooded road where the water was over the pegs and my shoes. Learned that I need more and better wet weather gear. Learned not to drop to second gear to fast when taking a steep curve on the Dragon (rear end slid sideways on me). The guys I was riding with were all experienced and were a great help and patient, especially with my slow riding on steep downhill curves. They all had big engine bikes (1200's and up) but I only had trouble keeping up when going up the on ramps on the interstates. It was a great trip and I hope to go again before winter. I'm glad I drove the Dragon in the rain, gave me more respect for the steep curves and taught me how to handle them at a slow and steady pace. One of my friends drove ahead of the rest of us and took some cool action pics while on the Dragon. I'll post them when he gets them to me. Here are a couple of "scenary" shots. The sun was out on our trip back across Deals Gap so I got the camera out of the ziploc bag.