Just back from Dragon

[NightShadow]

I took a group down and stayed at deals gap for a week.We had 1 trailer
and 5 bikes that rode down. We had 1 hour of rain for the trip down
and one afternoon of rain on the Wed and got caught on the south 28 near
Franklin & Highlands. Within 30 seconds were soaked to the bone. A small
tornado had passed through north of where we were.The ride back saw
leaves and branches everywhere. Took us awhile to get back but we did make
it- wet and all. Not one of my riders complained of the rain as they had
enjoyed the ride up till that point. We had gone down into GA and come
back up. By the next day all tree's had been removed and all leaves cleaned
from the roads by noon. Where are you going to see that?
As to road conditions? It was very hard to find a pot hole.
The roads were fabulous everywhere. As to all the hills - curves - twistys -
sweepers & switch-backs, what a great place to practice your riding skills.
With all the riding we did, I only managed to do the Dragon 6 times. I had
some buddies chase me down or up the dragon with my go pro. Got some good
footage.I also got some footage of my other riders as well. As to the 28 ride
south - was a nice easier pace and more sweepers then anything else. The cherry
cola ride is amazing. There is nothing tight on it but the sweepers in some
places are very long and a lot of fun. As to the Blue Ridge ride - we did only
part of it from the Smokey's to Ashville. It was a 100 miles of pure joy &
smiles. These people don't know what a straight away is. You will not find
very many down there & the ones you do find are very short. I now see why
Omni (I think it is ) goes down twice a year. I have never had so much fun
in my short riding career. A bud of mine & I are already planning a return
visit for late Sept or Oct to get in more riding time and do some of the other
roads we didn't get a chance to do.


A side note

The people down there are fabulous and go out of there way to make your stay
very enjoyable and help in any way they can. We noticed that in every place
we were in.

This is a must trip for anyone with a bike. Just ask anyone that has gone down.

The ride down - It is a long ride - So if on a sport bike you will get sore.
- I ride a cruiser and it was not to bad.

Monkey Butt - Some of my riders used it and say it does help. (LOL)

Most of my riders are from this site . We also met some other GTA members
down there as well.

[woobie]

Cherry Cola? I'm guessing Cherohala? It's one of my favorites down there.

I'm trying to talk a buddy at work into going down there one of these summers, I've been going down yearly for 5 years now. The roads, food and people are all great down there. Glad to hear you also took some time to do some roads other than the dragon, There's so many awesome roads, miles and miles are glorious twisties.

[NightShadow]

Cherry Cola? I'm guessing Cherohala?

Yes Woobie - I had one rider that kept forgetting it so we made it Cherry Cola. Made it much easier to remember. LOL

Yes you are right - one of the nicest road & ride . I can't wait to go and spend more time exploring .

[Locknload]

I also came back from the dragon last week. We went down the 219 through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina and then west to the dragon. My buddy that planned the route picked some awesome roads in North Carolina. If you are ever there try the 421 and the 16 located around Boone N.C. After doing those roads the dragon was not as bad in terms of radius of turns. The above roads were all mountain climbs with tight left and right handers followed by a few switch backs with banked roads. Stopped at the top of one switch back and watched a guy on a gixxer and full leathers go knee down at about 80k where we were doing about 30. All in all a great ride with pristine roads and as the OP mentioned very friendly people. I'd go back there again.

[woobie]

We went down the 219 through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina and then west to the dragon.

How was US219?

I'm heading down Friday, maybe Saturday and was thinking of splitting it into 2 days and taking 219 most of the way down to Deals Gap. Better than droning alone on the interstate 71,75 or 79?

[canadianshark74]

Greg,
It was nice to meet you at Deals Gap. I have to agree, the roads, the people the mountians.
They are all amazing. We are planning a trip back in June again next year.
cheers
Paul

[Beastess]

I took a group down and stayed at deals gap for a week.We had 1 trailer
and 5 bikes that rode down. We had 1 hour of rain for the trip down
and one afternoon of rain on the Wed and got caught on the south 28 near
Franklin & Highlands. Within 30 seconds were soaked to the bone. A small
tornado had passed through north of where we were.The ride back saw
leaves and branches everywhere. Took us awhile to get back but we did make
it- wet and all. Not one of my riders complained of the rain as they had
enjoyed the ride up till that point. We had gone down into GA and come
back up. By the next day all tree's had been removed and all leaves cleaned
from the roads by noon. Where are you going to see that?
As to road conditions? It was very hard to find a pot hole.
The roads were fabulous everywhere. As to all the hills - curves - twistys -
sweepers & switch-backs, what a great place to practice your riding skills.
With all the riding we did, I only managed to do the Dragon 6 times. I had
some buddies chase me down or up the dragon with my go pro. Got some good
footage.I also got some footage of my other riders as well. As to the 28 ride
south - was a nice easier pace and more sweepers then anything else. The cherry
cola ride is amazing. There is nothing tight on it but the sweepers in some
places are very long and a lot of fun. As to the Blue Ridge ride - we did only
part of it from the Smokey's to Ashville. It was a 100 miles of pure joy &
smiles. These people don't know what a straight away is. You will not find
very many down there & the ones you do find are very short. I now see why
Omni (I think it is ) goes down twice a year. I have never had so much fun
in my short riding career. A bud of mine & I are already planning a return
visit for late Sept or Oct to get in more riding time and do some of the other
roads we didn't get a chance to do.


A side note

The people down there are fabulous and go out of there way to make your stay
very enjoyable and help in any way they can. We noticed that in every place
we were in.

This is a must trip for anyone with a bike. Just ask anyone that has gone down.

The ride down - It is a long ride - So if on a sport bike you will get sore.
- I ride a cruiser and it was not to bad.

Monkey Butt - Some of my riders used it and say it does help. (LOL)

Most of my riders are from this site . We also met some other GTA members
down there as well.

Cool~maybe next year I'll join you.

[BusaBob]

it's a great place to visit. wonderful roads, scenery and people.

[l84toff]

How was US219?

I'm heading down Friday, maybe Saturday and was thinking of splitting it into 2 days and taking 219 most of the way down to Deals Gap. Better than droning alone on the interstate 71,75 or 79?

Just got back from the Dragon, was there on the 6th. Coming back I did all 469 miles of the BRP. I would highly recommend taking this incredible stretch of road. I thought 219 was quite tame and almost boring in contrast. But it certainly does beat any of the interstate hwys.

Although I did most of the BRP the one day, I had some motivation in 2 BMW's that came up behind me and helped me blur about 65km of it. It was the most exhilarating riding I have ever done. I have never pushed my ST more. I would recommend not flying through it in a day if you want to enjoy the beautiful scenery. It's as much fun if not more than the Dragon. And it's 469 miles!

Well worth adding to your itinerary.

[woobie]

I did part of the BRP parkway last year, we took it north until Willville. I'm just looking for a less boring ride down this year and 219 looks better than the interstate.

I was going to do the same in reverse this year, Get south as far as possible Friday on 219 then, BRP Saturday to get down at the dragon around 4-5pm. Then do the reverse the following week to get home.

[Don.]

Cherohala skyway was my favorite too.
You can't really go wrong down there, a 'bad' road is better than anything we've got here.

[too much]

I was also looking for sombody to do a Dragon trip (did it twice last year) ... unfortunatelly I cannot do long weekends, and some of my weekends are allerady booked. Maybe in August, if I can find a partner I would try a 5 days trip to the gap, slabing it for a day 1/2 to and from and spend 2-3 days around there ....

[frekeyguy]

was there from june 29-july 1st....that road is spectacular. next time im waking up at 5am and hitting the gap at 6pm. I was WAY too hot for me....

[frekeyguy]

more pics....

the lil rascal with her big sister.....

[frekeyguy]

If it wasn't so hot, I would've gone up then down the dragon and really made the tires chaff....

these pics show you how much fun the dragon can be...

[ajaxguy]

I wanna go sooo bad!! been riding sportbike for 12 years now and have never been!! ugggggh!

Are most of you guys that have gone or going, trailering your bikes down? I would be interested in going if someone wants some company. I would ride, i have no issues there, but obviously trailer is best!

Lemme know plz!

[frekeyguy]

I wanna go sooo bad!! been riding sportbike for 12 years now and have never been!! ugggggh!

Are most of you guys that have gone or going, trailering your bikes down? I would be interested in going if someone wants some company. I would ride, i have no issues there, but obviously trailer is best!

Lemme know plz!

We trailed it, its quicker to get down there this way....less effort to get back home as well....

[ajaxguy]

I guess I could rent a trailer and do it up! How many days total were you gone?

[BusaBob]

Cherohala skyway was my favorite too.
You can't really go wrong down there, a 'bad' road is better than anything we've got here.

well, yes it's a beautiful road, but if things go "wrong down there" (and I know what you mean, but am playing on your words), they tend to go very, very wrong.

There is little to no cellphone reception on cherohala. if you have a spill, it will be awhile before EMS will be able to get to you.

just something to keep in mind.

also, there is the odd trail of dirt strewn across the lane by cars pulling back on from the shoulder. just be careful not to get too caught up in the fun.

[bjturner]

we go twice a year and wouldn't miss it. There are so many awesome roads and things to do while we're there. It is so much more than any videos or pictures can represent. I was surprised how much more intense it was in person.

We trailer down so we're not too tired to ride fresh the next day. We're going again in early September for the women's sportbike rally.

and a shameless plug. We bought property down there because we know we'll go every year.

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum...-at-Deal-s-Gap