Deals Gap run

[Rickster]

Sounds good to me Sean, (I just loaded it into my GPS,) but why not stay on Patton Rd all the way over to 23, and not go on 64 at all?
If Patton Rd is blacktop that looks like a more scenic route.

Hitting Georgia might be cool, it would give most (if not all) of us northern boys a chance to add another state to our list of states we've ridden in.

[frostbitevinnie]

This trip just keeps getting better. Thanks for your help STP!!!

[Clint]

Here's the short version of Sean's route. Man, that looks like some sweet riding! 155 miles may not be enough, so we'll either do it twice or add on, I suppose.

Google Maps

[Thundurburd]

In case some people new to this thread might have missed it I linked to some maps back in post #81. I've never been to the area but it seems to me there are good roads all over the place.

The Google mapping function is really neat. Lots of fun to play with.

Just some ideas guys, I won't be there.

[stp1971]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Here's the short version of Sean's route. Man, that looks like some sweet riding! 155 miles may not be enough, so we'll either do it twice or add on, I suppose.

Google Maps

Well if you guys want to get an earlier start we can do this route. In it's present form we would run it in reverse and you would get to run US 129 north to Deals Gap then turning south on Hellbender 28. Follow 28 down to where it becomes NC-28/US 64. Stay on 28 down to Warwoman Road going over to pick up Hwy 197. Then pick up 356 cutting through Unicoi State Park scooting to just North of Helen.

We then would take Alt 75 back over to US-129 to run north to ride Blood Mountain. For those that like clean pavement with tight bends this is a good road. Let's just say the first time I scrapped my pegs on the V-Strom I was running this road. We will get to go by Vogel State Park and then pick up Hwy 180 aka: Wolf Pen Gap Road over to Suches where T.W.O. is.

Then back on Hwy 60 north (really West) to Skeenah Gap Road to Blue Ridge Highway and head East. Then pick up 515 briefly over to US-129 South back over to 180 East to 17 north to 76 west. Next turn is 175 to Hwy 64 East to Patton and then onto Wayah Road. Follow Wayah back over to 19 South to Pick up US-129 back to Robbinsville.

This route is about 325 miles. We would need to be ready to go early Sunday morning. The GPS says it will take 6 hours and 50 minutes. Figure a few fuel stops in there along with lunch and we are talking about 10 hours.
We can cut out Hellbender 28 and save an hour by just taking 143 over to 28.

But if we did this route I would like to get on the road by 8:00 at the latest. If we also eat something on the fast food side of things then we should make good time. Review this route and if we want to cut out parts of this let me know. This would cut you deep into Georgia and will hit several of the many popular roads in Georgia.

But here is the link. Thanks for posting the first route Rowdy. I was able to figure out how to do this I think for this one. Can't figure out how to clean up the link but it works. Just have to ask yourself how many curves are going to be too much?

from:Rodney Orr Bypass @35.328930, -83.807860 to:US-129 @35.464660, -83.920870 to:GA-28 @34.940270, -83.189869 to:Warwoman Rd @34.879170, -83.396780 to:US-76 @34.873115, -83.565751 to:GA-197 @34.757826, -83.603581 to:GA-356 @34.710990, -83.740503 to:

[stp1971]

Well I cleaned up the previously posted route and it cut it down to 319 miles and the GPS says 6 hours and 45 minutes. I also deleted the Hellbender 28 portion of the route and it cuts it back to 291 miles and it says it saves 30 minutes to the trip.

So we can run this four ways.
#1. Run the long version of the original route which cuts you into Georgia breifly and incorporates Hellbender 28. We will call it the 185'er.
#2. Run the short version of the original route which deletes Hellbender 28. We can call it the 155'er
#3. Run the new route which incorporates Hellbender 28 and alot of the roads that are among the Georgia favorites. We will call it the 319'er.
#4. Run the new route which is the same as the 319'er but deletes Hellbender 28. It is the 291'er.

Now if you guys want to delete something or have ideas to change around the route let me know. I can re-run the routes and get them programmed in.

Just let me know which ones you want to try. Keep in mind the average speed for these roads are about 35 to 45 miles per hour. There are parts that we can get up to 55 or so but not many of them.

[Thundurburd]

I plotted Sean's map a different way which eliminates many of the little green flags and makes a less cluttered print out. The driving directions are kind of a mess but who uses those anyways. I don't think this way saves time, it's just a different way to map the route.

Map is here.

Instead of dropping destination flags I simply drag the route with the mouse and place it with the left button, that's what the circles are on the map. It's a matter of preference I suppose.

Sorry guys, I don't mean to be a pest, but I having nothing else to do today.

Sure wish I was going to be there.

[Clint]

Thanks for the help, Mike. We're bummed for you, too.

We should talk a bit about how much we want to ride Monday and Tuesday. I'd fully appreciate a short day to recuperate and socialize. I'd probably keep the other days under 400 miles or so, and maybe average 250-300.

[stp1971]

I think the original route is a great route to do. The 185'er would be a pretty long route that would have alot of bang for your buck. I will toss around a few more ideas and see how far we can dip into Georgia.

If you guys are staying in the area anyways than you will get a chance to run NC 28 and some of those roads. How about I plot out a good North Georgia run and cut out most of NC-28.

Let me throw some more ideas together and see what I can do. I think you guys would love Blood Mountain and some of that area. I might cut out WOlf Pen Gap as it is kinda the Dragon for this area as far as your weekend speed racers go.

Back to the drawing board.

[stp1971]

How about 253 miles and 5 hours and 30 minutes by Garmin's standards. Leave out at 9:00 am and we should be able to get back by 5:00 pm.

New route I have plotted is listed below. If you want to go in and clean it up that would be cool. GPS shows it to be 253 miles and 5 hours and 30 minutes. Google Maps show it to be 252 miles and 6 hours and 58 minutes. One fuel stop at 120 to 150 miles and lunch we should be able to do it all in 8 hours.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...2&ie=UTF8&z=11

If we leave out at 8:00 then we definitely will be back in Robbinsville by 5:00 pm. Maybe even 4:00 which will be right on target for grabbing some dinner and a good evening for you guys. I figure if we can pace the route at 40 mph for an average that is 6-1/2 hours. 30 minutes for a fuel stop and then an hour for lunch equals 8 hours.

With this route you will get to run Highway 60 through Suches by T.W.O., US-129 and Blood Mountain, Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway, Warwoman Road, Highway 28, and Wayah Road. Plus some other cool little roads. If we had more time I could add in more. But that right there is alot of twisties. This route will give you a good idea of what we have to offer in Georgia. There are alot more but this should give you rights to say that you rode a pretty good ride in Georgia.

I am definitely bringing the Wee-Strom and my brother will be bringing the SV650. Heck we might even hit Helen by lunchtime or we can stop in the Highlands for lunch as well.

I figure that we can leave the Cherohala Skyway, HellBender 28, the Dragon, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Foothills Parkway, and the Smokey Mountain Parkway (US-441) for you guys to explore. Since you will be based out of Robbinsville then these are all viable options for you all. You can also run over to TN-32 which is on the top northeast edge of the Smokey Mountain National Park. This is the road that we ran last year as the Little Dragon. 147 curves in 7 miles. Rick will remember this one. Alot of clean pavement but it turns to gravel at one point which you will need to keep an eye out for.

Let me know if you guys like this version better or do you want to stick to the first version of the route.

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Thanks for the help, Mike. We're bummed for you, too.

We should talk a bit about how much we want to ride Monday and Tuesday. I'd fully appreciate a short day to recuperate and socialize. I'd probably keep the other days under 400 miles or so, and maybe average 250-300.

Clint, you are going to be really surprised at how tired 250 miles on those roads will make you, 400 miles would be an epic day easily the equivalent of 3 times that far on the super-slab.

Sean, judging by the routes you came up with the last two years, I'm sure I'll be happy with whatever route you put together. Having a guide that knows the area is worth it's weight in gold.

[tricker]

i think this is the point where i nod my head and smile

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Rickster

Clint, you are going to be really surprised at how tired 250 miles on those roads will make you, 400 miles would be an epic day easily the equivalent of 3 times that far on the super-slab.

I know, but I didn't want to come across like a pussy.

[Rickster]

We do a bunch of 300+ mile days down there & I'll be the one needing the Kitty litter.

[stp1971]

Originally Posted by Rickster

We do a bunch of 300+ mile days down there & I'll be the one needing the Kitty litter.

Do I need to bring that or will Oil Dry be sufficient?

How early do you guys think we can depart on Sunday? With us having to be back to work on Monday it is limiting how long we can ride on Sunday.

I might trim that route down some too and cut out the Highway 60 portion leaving the Richard B. Russell and the Blood Mountain part. I will see what I can do to trim that down to around 200 miles.

You guys that were there for the first trip will remember that was 250 miles the first year. The second year was around 200 if I remember right.

[cms58]

Time is a issue that I cannot control. I will not be able to get off Monday or Tuesday, so Sunday is the only day I will have off. I have to work noon till 11 pm here @ the hobby store in Dville. Hopefully I will have the energy to ride up there Sunday and ride with pack!!! I am trying to find a trailer to tow the bike up there so I will not have to ride the whole stretch. With a new seat I have not tested the endurance ride yet, so it will be a nice ride up from Lithia Springs to meet yall. My buddy in Marrietta has a trailer, but it is hard to get in touch with him, so try I must. I really want to be there to ride.

[stp1971]

Originally Posted by cms58

Time is a issue that I cannot control. I will not be able to get off Monday or Tuesday, so Sunday is the only day I will have off. I have to work noon till 11 pm here @ the hobby store in Dville. Hopefully I will have the energy to ride up there Sunday and ride with pack!!! I am trying to find a trailer to tow the bike up there so I will not have to ride the whole stretch. With a new seat I have not tested the endurance ride yet, so it will be a nice ride up from Lithia Springs to meet yall. My buddy in Marrietta has a trailer, but it is hard to get in touch with him, so try I must. I really want to be there to ride.

Whoa dude. You are like 5 minutes from my brother and about fifteen from me. PM me or email me.

I have a new route. Google Maps seems to have a little better idea of what the time frame is. Allowing another 30 minutes for fuel and an hour for lunch then it puts this route out to 7 1/2 hours from start to finish. If we can leave around 8 am then it shoud put us back in Robbinsville by 4:00.


http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...1&ie=UTF8&z=15

[ShonR]

Hey Rowdy. Has the original route down changed? I think I followed it right through the Dragon on our way to the hotel.

Second, I don't recall the exact mileage of our daily rides from last year, a little over 200 i thought. I do, however, recall everyone happy to get a shower and food. To STP and Rickster, could the group hold up for a 300+ mile ride Sunday? Especially since some will have done 400 - 500 the day before.

last. I'm just throwing out ideas. If noone is interested, no problem. Is anyone interested in going to Cherokee for shopping and/or the casino??? Maggie Valley for whatever they're popular for???

[Clint]

Check post #1 for the latest route that I drew. I'm not sure if there have been suggestions to change that since then.

[tricker]

i can ride forever... i'm invincible!!!!