5 day mountain excursion - Page 2 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

1badbaker · 08-17-2008, 10:27 PM

We started out in some drizzle this morning. Took the interstate from Charlotte, across South Carolina and into Georgia. Cut across on the Applachian Foothills Parkway and then headed to 129.

We rode Blood Mountain for the second time, today we took Wolf Pen Gap across to 19. Wolf Pen is pretty gnarly. Not quite as bad as the Triangle, but it's a mean road. Stopped and got shirts/patches/stickers and continued down to Suches and Dahlonega.

The GPS routed us really crazy on a bunch of state highways until we finally got to 212 and took that all the way through Monticello and finally ended at my place in Milledgeville.

Total today was 393.4 miles. My camera lady took the day off today so no new pictures. Looks like the pics from sickboy and us129photos should be up tomorrow. I'll post total mileage, what the gas mileage looked like, favorite roads and all that stuff sometime in the next couple days. Time to enjoy my own bed.

womper · 08-17-2008, 10:35 PM

sweet... good to know you had a safe and fun trip

m50riderga · 08-18-2008, 04:53 PM

Looks like you guys had a great time. Thanks for posting the pics.

geoffsimpson · 08-18-2008, 05:47 PM

It always blows me away how Wing riders can get them things to handle like that. I think i'm a good rider, but i gotta wonder what my skill would be like on one of those "Wing'a-bago's.

Looks like fun dude.

1badbaker · 08-20-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoffsimpson

It always blows me away how Wing riders can get them things to handle like that. I think i'm a good rider, but i gotta wonder what my skill would be like on one of those "Wing'a-bago's.

Looks like fun dude.

I saw two pretty amazing displays of bike skills on this trip. One was papa running blood mountain and wolf pen gap pulling the trailer behind the 'wing. Full lean throwing sparks by the way....

The other was a guy riding two-up on a sport bike. He was in a full lean, knee on the ground and the girl on the back was just leaning right along with him and still waved at us as we were passing them in the opposite direction. That was insane!

1badbaker · 08-20-2008, 07:06 PM

So here's the final damage and my thoughts on some of the roads from this little adventure.

Total Mileage: 1,468.5 (I'm going to guess that only 300-400 was on the interstate)

Left: 0920 Wed. 13 Aug
Returned: 2015 Sun 17 Aug

Nothing was left in a ditch, on the road, or hung on the tree of shame!!

The Roads:

The Dragon: This is the road for the twisties. Those that have road it will agree. There is nothing like this. It's in good shape and it's well known. Ride it, get the shirt, get the patch, tell your friends. I'm looking at a little one day run up there and back this weekend, just because....

Link: Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway, Graham Co, NC

Cherohala Skyway: Another good run close to the dragon. The kid at the Deal's Gap store was telling me there's more accidents and deaths up here than on the tail because of the straightaways and the sweepers. Not so many tight twisties, but the view is amazing and the road is fun. Oh yeah, I think that kid said something about getting his Lincoln up to 130 coming down one side of the skyway....

Link: Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway, Graham Co, NC

Devil's Triangle: I'd never heard of it until my dad mentioned we were riding it. The route is insane. It's just about as curvy as the dragon and it's even more dangerous. There's uphill/downhill switchbacks, 15 and 20mph twisties and almost no guardrails

I only remember seeing 2 rails heading up the side we went up the mountain on. Parts of the road are tore up and little bit, theres some gravel in spots, and there are lot of good 'ole Tennessee Hillbillies out there. We came across several riding around on 4-wheelers...

Link: Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway, Graham Co, NC

Wolf Pen Gap: This is another crazy one that really isn't in the greatest of shape. There's some pretty gnarly patches of road, there's some gravel, it's pretty rough in some spots. We ran across more wildlife here than on any other road. Think we saw 3 deer and 8 dogs. It's a fun one though...

Blood Mountain: This one's a good warm-up. If you're coming from central Georgia you get to run it heading to Wolf Pen. It's in really good shape and there's a few sections that are actually multiple lanes going through the tighter twisties making it a little safer and easier when you're trying to get around soccer moms in minivans

Blood Mountain/Wolf Pen Link: Georgia Motorcycle Roads & Routes - Wolf Pen Gap - Blood Mountain | OpenRoadJourney.com

Warwoman Road: Don't really remember too much about this one. It's in pretty good shape, there's some decent views, but it doesn't compare to the ones above. I do remember some pretty good twisties mixed in here.

Blue Ridge Parkway: Beautiful. The views are the greatest. The road is well maintained, the traffic isn't that heavy. It's not the toughest road out there, but it's one of the best. We did 70miles on it and ate at the Pisgah Inn. Good Food, amazing view...

NC28: Don't think this one has a name. It's any interesting ride though. Runs through the mountains, you'll pass along creeks, rivers, lakes, waterfalls. Most of the road is in pretty good shape. There's a few sections here and there with lots of gravel, broken pavement, tar snakes, etc. A good road to take to avoid the interstate, there are some sections of twisties that pop on here that are pretty fun too.

Link: The Hellbender 28: North Carolina Motorcycle Rides

All in all it was a crazy trip. We spent the large majority of one day to ride several of these roads. Totalled 319mi that day, almost all of it leaned over

Found out that my modified seat doesn't quite make the grade. The stock M seat gets a D, my modified seat gets a B-, but I have an Explorer on the way...

If anybody would dare to doubt it, the M50 will carve up any of these roads without a problem. I road this whole trip two-up and she never flinched.

Next time anyone on here's heading down this way, let me know, if I can swing a day or two off work, I'll ride them again any time.

womper · 08-21-2008, 01:27 AM

awesome ride report... gonna keep that one for the books...

hats off to your wife

being passenger on those would freak the hell out of me i think...

GeorgiaRoller · 08-21-2008, 05:49 PM

Awesome Post Ben!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Really solid!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You confirmed for me what I had thought. Personally I think the BRP is the best, for road condition, speed variety, curves & views which is what excites me the most.

I'm definitely going to plan a October BRP run. Thanks for the info.

jgreth · 08-22-2008, 05:01 PM

That's one hot woman ya got there. Lucky man!

womper · 08-22-2008, 11:13 PM

he's right though...

1badbaker · 08-22-2008, 11:20 PM

Thanks guys....she likes to remind me I'm lucky from time to time...

GeorgiaRoller · 09-28-2008, 09:26 PM

Instead of me posting a new thread for the Cherohala Skyway ride that I took today I'm going to post a few pix on Baker's thread because it's all the same area. He's such a cool guy that I know he won't mind.

I really enjoyed this ride. The road is in near perfect condition. It was 2-1 cruisers to sportbikes. Deals Gap 129 gets all the Pub (and traffic) but the Cherohala is very scenic (similar to the Blue Ridge Parkway) but doesn't get hardly any traffic at all. It was a sunny low 70 degree Sunday afternoon and I rode the entire stretch from Tellico Plains, TN to Robbinsville, NC without one vehicle or bike in front of me. I don't understand why this road isn't as popular, but I'm glad that it isn't. Met several people at overlooks. A couple guys who rode up from Miami, FL and a lone Goldwinger one his way home to Pennsylvania to name just a few.

Also as a side note TN68 from Copperhill, TN to Tellico Plains, TN is a very fun ride.

-

1badbaker · 09-28-2008, 10:17 PM

Go 'head and add on...it's cool with me

Cherohala Skyway is definitely hard to beat for the view. There was very little traffic when we were on it as well. Wish I coulda made it up there with you guys.

GeorgiaRoller · 09-28-2008, 10:53 PM

Just a few more pics. Rode a total of 498.2 miles today & well worth it...................I'm tired now.

BTW: The "Thunder Mountain General Store" is apparently for sale if anyone is interested. It's just north of Robbinsville, NC on your way to then entrance of the Cherohala.

-

stp1971 · 09-29-2008, 09:10 AM

So is Deal's Gap. They are trying to sell it, the store, the hotel, and even their house.

Rickster · 09-29-2008, 11:06 AM

BTW: The "Thunder Mountain General Store" is apparently for sale if anyone is interested. It's just north of Robbinsville, NC on your way to then entrance of the Cherohala.

If I'm not mistaken, that's the place you can rent a bike, (Kawasaik KLR 650) so if you happen to be going through the area in your car/truck and want to get a ride in, that's the place to go. That is if the new owners continue that practice.

GeorgiaRoller · 09-29-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickster

BTW: The "Thunder Mountain General Store" is apparently for sale if anyone is interested. It's just north of Robbinsville, NC on your way to then entrance of the Cherohala.

If I'm not mistaken, that's the place you can rent a bike, (Kawasaik KLR 650) so if you happen to be going through the area in your car/truck and want to get a ride in, that's the place to go. That is if the new owners continue that practice.

You are correct sir!

-

harryson · 10-01-2008, 12:38 AM

i thot just adding my monday n tuesday trip (with my wife) to helen and around into this thread.
from home to helen (filling up at madison gas station near chaos,people honk their horn like stupid).

took 441 all the way pass commerce and then took 17 all the way to helen.
overheard people saying only one gast station at helen got gas, it was true and had two wait 45 minute in line.

spend a night at helen, and tuesday morning headed to N75 toward hiawasee then took 76, nice road, good condition, some really nice twisties, and then took 197, very very nice twisties (quiet enjoyed it till wife squeezed my jacket hard), n excellent road condition, passed lake burton (good looking lake) and took 255 try to find Old Sautee Store, but couldn't find it, prob missed it.
that road brought us back to 17 and then headed back home(today 7 hours ride plus a lot of stops). total 286 miles.
turned out to be a better ride than i thought, got to see mountain, rode some nice twisties, and a lake.
got some pics and hope ben and nathan wouldn't mind me sharing in this thread.

harryson · 10-01-2008, 01:28 AM

1

harryson · 10-01-2008, 01:34 AM

2

08-17-2008, 10:27 PM	#21 (permalink)
1badbaker Can Ride And Chew Gum Join Date: Jan 2008 Bike: 05 Black M50 Location: Milledgeville, GA Posts: 1,987	Final Ride We started out in some drizzle this morning. Took the interstate from Charlotte, across South Carolina and into Georgia. Cut across on the Applachian Foothills Parkway and then headed to 129. We rode Blood Mountain for the second time, today we took Wolf Pen Gap across to 19. Wolf Pen is pretty gnarly. Not quite as bad as the Triangle, but it's a mean road. Stopped and got shirts/patches/stickers and continued down to Suches and Dahlonega. The GPS routed us really crazy on a bunch of state highways until we finally got to 212 and took that all the way through Monticello and finally ended at my place in Milledgeville. Total today was 393.4 miles. My camera lady took the day off today so no new pictures. Looks like the pics from sickboy and us129photos should be up tomorrow. I'll post total mileage, what the gas mileage looked like, favorite roads and all that stuff sometime in the next couple days. Time to enjoy my own bed.

08-18-2008, 05:47 PM	#24 (permalink)
geoffsimpson Throttle Jockey Join Date: Jun 2006 Bike: 2009 Suzuki Boulevard M109r * 1983 GS750E Cafe Racer project Location: Prince George BC Posts: 3,169	It always blows me away how Wing riders can get them things to handle like that. I think i'm a good rider, but i gotta wonder what my skill would be like on one of those "Wing'a-bago's. Looks like fun dude. __________________ Please Note: All opinions contained herein are worth exactly what you paid for them. It's true that every time you hear a bell ring, an angel gets its wings... But what they don't tell you is that every time you hear a mouse trap "snap", and Angel gets set on fire... 2009 Suzuki M109R * RoadBurner Velocity Pro 2-1 Exhaust * Kuryakyn Scythe Mirrors * Raw Designs adjustable lowering bones * OEM Zuki Engine Gaurds * National Cycle Vstream Tour Windsheild * GiPro ATRE w/ Gear Indicator

08-20-2008, 07:06 PM	#26 (permalink)
1badbaker Can Ride And Chew Gum Join Date: Jan 2008 Bike: 05 Black M50 Location: Milledgeville, GA Posts: 1,987	The Aftermath So here's the final damage and my thoughts on some of the roads from this little adventure. Total Mileage: 1,468.5 (I'm going to guess that only 300-400 was on the interstate) Left: 0920 Wed. 13 Aug Returned: 2015 Sun 17 Aug Nothing was left in a ditch, on the road, or hung on the tree of shame!! The Roads: The Dragon: This is the road for the twisties. Those that have road it will agree. There is nothing like this. It's in good shape and it's well known. Ride it, get the shirt, get the patch, tell your friends. I'm looking at a little one day run up there and back this weekend, just because.... Link: Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway, Graham Co, NC Cherohala Skyway: Another good run close to the dragon. The kid at the Deal's Gap store was telling me there's more accidents and deaths up here than on the tail because of the straightaways and the sweepers. Not so many tight twisties, but the view is amazing and the road is fun. Oh yeah, I think that kid said something about getting his Lincoln up to 130 coming down one side of the skyway.... Link: Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway, Graham Co, NC Devil's Triangle: I'd never heard of it until my dad mentioned we were riding it. The route is insane. It's just about as curvy as the dragon and it's even more dangerous. There's uphill/downhill switchbacks, 15 and 20mph twisties and almost no guardrails I only remember seeing 2 rails heading up the side we went up the mountain on. Parts of the road are tore up and little bit, theres some gravel in spots, and there are lot of good 'ole Tennessee Hillbillies out there. We came across several riding around on 4-wheelers... Link: Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway, Graham Co, NC Wolf Pen Gap: This is another crazy one that really isn't in the greatest of shape. There's some pretty gnarly patches of road, there's some gravel, it's pretty rough in some spots. We ran across more wildlife here than on any other road. Think we saw 3 deer and 8 dogs. It's a fun one though... Blood Mountain: This one's a good warm-up. If you're coming from central Georgia you get to run it heading to Wolf Pen. It's in really good shape and there's a few sections that are actually multiple lanes going through the tighter twisties making it a little safer and easier when you're trying to get around soccer moms in minivans Blood Mountain/Wolf Pen Link: Georgia Motorcycle Roads & Routes - Wolf Pen Gap - Blood Mountain \| OpenRoadJourney.com Warwoman Road: Don't really remember too much about this one. It's in pretty good shape, there's some decent views, but it doesn't compare to the ones above. I do remember some pretty good twisties mixed in here. Blue Ridge Parkway: Beautiful. The views are the greatest. The road is well maintained, the traffic isn't that heavy. It's not the toughest road out there, but it's one of the best. We did 70miles on it and ate at the Pisgah Inn. Good Food, amazing view... NC28: Don't think this one has a name. It's any interesting ride though. Runs through the mountains, you'll pass along creeks, rivers, lakes, waterfalls. Most of the road is in pretty good shape. There's a few sections here and there with lots of gravel, broken pavement, tar snakes, etc. A good road to take to avoid the interstate, there are some sections of twisties that pop on here that are pretty fun too. Link: The Hellbender 28: North Carolina Motorcycle Rides All in all it was a crazy trip. We spent the large majority of one day to ride several of these roads. Totalled 319mi that day, almost all of it leaned over Found out that my modified seat doesn't quite make the grade. The stock M seat gets a D, my modified seat gets a B-, but I have an Explorer on the way... If anybody would dare to doubt it, the M50 will carve up any of these roads without a problem. I road this whole trip two-up and she never flinched. Next time anyone on here's heading down this way, let me know, if I can swing a day or two off work, I'll ride them again any time.

08-21-2008, 05:49 PM	#28 (permalink)
GeorgiaRoller Leaned over, knee down Join Date: May 2008 Bike: Twisted 05 M-Fitty Location: Lurking in the shadows Posts: 4,648	Awesome Post Ben!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Really solid!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You confirmed for me what I had thought. Personally I think the BRP is the best, for road condition, speed variety, curves & views which is what excites me the most. I'm definitely going to plan a October BRP run. Thanks for the info. __________________ Subscribe to TVGeorgiaRoller on YouTube.

08-22-2008, 05:01 PM	#29 (permalink)
jgreth Mr. Threadjack Join Date: Aug 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki GS500F Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 3,089	That's one hot woman ya got there. Lucky man! __________________ What the hell am I looking at? When does this happen in the movie? You're looking at now, sir. Everything that happens now is happening now. What happened to then? We passed then. When? Just now. We're at now now. Go back to then. When? Now! Now? Now! I can't. Why? We missed it. When? Just now. When will then be now? Soon.

08-18-2008, 04:53 PM	#23 (permalink)
m50riderga Seat Tester Join Date: Jan 2007 Bike: 2005 Suzuki M50 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 83	Looks like you guys had a great time. Thanks for posting the pics.

08-22-2008, 11:20 PM	#31 (permalink)
1badbaker Can Ride And Chew Gum Join Date: Jan 2008 Bike: 05 Black M50 Location: Milledgeville, GA Posts: 1,987	Thanks guys....she likes to remind me I'm lucky from time to time...

09-28-2008, 09:26 PM	#32 (permalink)
GeorgiaRoller Leaned over, knee down Join Date: May 2008 Bike: Twisted 05 M-Fitty Location: Lurking in the shadows Posts: 4,648	Instead of me posting a new thread for the Cherohala Skyway ride that I took today I'm going to post a few pix on Baker's thread because it's all the same area. He's such a cool guy that I know he won't mind. I really enjoyed this ride. The road is in near perfect condition. It was 2-1 cruisers to sportbikes. Deals Gap 129 gets all the Pub (and traffic) but the Cherohala is very scenic (similar to the Blue Ridge Parkway) but doesn't get hardly any traffic at all. It was a sunny low 70 degree Sunday afternoon and I rode the entire stretch from Tellico Plains, TN to Robbinsville, NC without one vehicle or bike in front of me. I don't understand why this road isn't as popular, but I'm glad that it isn't. Met several people at overlooks. A couple guys who rode up from Miami, FL and a lone Goldwinger one his way home to Pennsylvania to name just a few. Also as a side note TN68 from Copperhill, TN to Tellico Plains, TN is a very fun ride. - __________________ Subscribe to TVGeorgiaRoller on YouTube. Last edited by GeorgiaRoller; 01-16-2009 at 09:40 AM.

09-28-2008, 10:17 PM	#33 (permalink)
1badbaker Can Ride And Chew Gum Join Date: Jan 2008 Bike: 05 Black M50 Location: Milledgeville, GA Posts: 1,987	Go 'head and add on...it's cool with me Cherohala Skyway is definitely hard to beat for the view. There was very little traffic when we were on it as well. Wish I coulda made it up there with you guys. __________________ 2005 M50 Black: "Black Betty" John's Kit Forward Controls/Saddlemen Explorer/Kury Iso-Grips/Stiletto End Caps/Kury Throttle Boss/De-Paired/De-Badged/pac50t Naked Jug Kit/PCIII USB/Cobra Streetrod Slashdowns/Saddlemen Bags/Cobra Sissybar/Metz ME880's/Slipstreamer Windscreen/C50 mirrors Blacked Out: Headlight Bucket, Mirrors, Front Signals, Radiator Cover, Neck Covers, Speedo Cover, Tank Cowl, Fender Rails, Sissybar, Saddlebag Supports

09-28-2008, 10:53 PM	#34 (permalink)
GeorgiaRoller Leaned over, knee down Join Date: May 2008 Bike: Twisted 05 M-Fitty Location: Lurking in the shadows Posts: 4,648	Just a few more pics. Rode a total of 498.2 miles today & well worth it...................I'm tired now. BTW: The "Thunder Mountain General Store" is apparently for sale if anyone is interested. It's just north of Robbinsville, NC on your way to then entrance of the Cherohala. - __________________ Subscribe to TVGeorgiaRoller on YouTube. Last edited by GeorgiaRoller; 01-16-2009 at 09:40 AM.

09-29-2008, 09:10 AM	#35 (permalink)
stp1971 May 2007 Member of the month Join Date: Mar 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Intruder 1500LC Location: Douglasville, Georgia Posts: 7,966	So is Deal's Gap. They are trying to sell it, the store, the hotel, and even their house. __________________ No Signature needed.

09-29-2008, 11:06 AM	#36 (permalink)
Rickster Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul Mn Posts: 4,215	BTW: The "Thunder Mountain General Store" is apparently for sale if anyone is interested. It's just north of Robbinsville, NC on your way to then entrance of the Cherohala. If I'm not mistaken, that's the place you can rent a bike, (Kawasaik KLR 650) so if you happen to be going through the area in your car/truck and want to get a ride in, that's the place to go. That is if the new owners continue that practice. __________________ 2009 BMW, R 1200 GS 2008 DR 650 2006 HD Road King 2008 1250 Bandit ABS 2003 KTM 525 EX/C 2005 Santa Cruz Heckler

10-01-2008, 12:38 AM	#38 (permalink)
harryson Seat Tester Join Date: Mar 2008 Bike: '07 m50 Location: lake oconee, ga Posts: 99	add on ride i thot just adding my monday n tuesday trip (with my wife) to helen and around into this thread. from home to helen (filling up at madison gas station near chaos,people honk their horn like stupid). took 441 all the way pass commerce and then took 17 all the way to helen. overheard people saying only one gast station at helen got gas, it was true and had two wait 45 minute in line. spend a night at helen, and tuesday morning headed to N75 toward hiawasee then took 76, nice road, good condition, some really nice twisties, and then took 197, very very nice twisties (quiet enjoyed it till wife squeezed my jacket hard), n excellent road condition, passed lake burton (good looking lake) and took 255 try to find Old Sautee Store, but couldn't find it, prob missed it. that road brought us back to 17 and then headed back home(today 7 hours ride plus a lot of stops). total 286 miles. turned out to be a better ride than i thought, got to see mountain, rode some nice twisties, and a lake. got some pics and hope ben and nathan wouldn't mind me sharing in this thread. __________________ na na na na ride... sally... ride.... Last edited by harryson; 10-01-2008 at 01:01 AM. Reason: pics

10-01-2008, 01:28 AM	#39 (permalink)
harryson Seat Tester Join Date: Mar 2008 Bike: '07 m50 Location: lake oconee, ga Posts: 99	here are some pics 1 Attached Thumbnails __________________ na na na na ride... sally... ride....

10-01-2008, 01:34 AM	#40 (permalink)
harryson Seat Tester Join Date: Mar 2008 Bike: '07 m50 Location: lake oconee, ga Posts: 99	2 Attached Thumbnails __________________ na na na na ride... sally... ride....

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