Deal's Gap for newb's - Q&A

so i've never been to the Gap, never heard much about, never thought much about it until now. i'm trying to debate whether or not i should go this year w/ the gathering in June. first, i live in Texas, so i'd be making the ~15 hour drive in a truck and towing my bike. is it truely worth the drive? (if i went i'd wanna stay the whole week) second, i've been riding for a little over 2 years (~42,000 miles in the saddle) and here in Texas the only twisties are on/off ramps and maybe a 4 or 5 turn run every 30 miles. how newb is too newb for the Gap?? should i even try it? would it be better to wait and do a couple track days closer to home? are cops as bad as some of the YouTube vid shows them to be on the Gap? third, none of my friends own bikes, and the few people i used to ride with wouldn't want to make that haul and take off work for a whole week. do you find it better/more enjoyable to go with friends, even if going to meet up with the group (R1/R6 forum peeps)?? and lastly, what would you do if you were in my shoes???? i'm 22, graduating college in May, i'll be keeping my current job, working 1-2 days a week as needed to pay what few bills i have, living with my parents mouching off them as much as possible lol. so, money not being the issue, just time/travel/experience: would you make the long haul to the Gap, or would you wait and just spend money on track days. any and all info/input would be great, thanks!

so i've never been to the Gap, never heard much about, never thought much about it until now. i'm trying to debate whether or not i should go this year w/ the gathering in June. first, i live in Texas, so i'd be making the ~15 hour drive in a truck and towing my bike. is it truely worth the drive? (if i went i'd wanna stay the whole week) second, i've been riding for a little over 2 years (~42,000 miles in the saddle) and here in Texas the only twisties are on/off ramps and maybe a 4 or 5 turn run every 30 miles. how newb is too newb for the Gap?? should i even try it? would it be better to wait and do a couple track days closer to home? are cops as bad as some of the YouTube vid shows them to be on the Gap? third, none of my friends own bikes, and the few people i used to ride with wouldn't want to make that haul and take off work for a whole week. do you find it better/more enjoyable to go with friends, even if going to meet up with the group (R1/R6 forum peeps)?? and lastly, what would you do if you were in my shoes???? i'm 22, graduating college in May, i'll be keeping my current job, working 1-2 days a week as needed to pay what few bills i have, living with my parents mouching off them as much as possible lol. so, money not being the issue, just time/travel/experience: would you make the long haul to the Gap, or would you wait and just spend money on track days. any and all info/input would be great, thanks! I live in Florida, we dont have curves, my first time to the Gap I had only been riding for about a 1 year, maybe 5k miles, I was in aww, it was a 10 hour drive for me, worth every minute As for the cops, all depends, but bikers look out for one another, you see someone do the helmet tap, slow down, if you can even go the speed limit. This group is one of the best to hang with, you will make friends there the first night(Anubis might get real friendly)! If you really want to get going, do a trackday soon, then go to the Gap in June(that rhymed)

sweet. that builds my confidence. EDIT: just read the other thread about the campsites so never mind on that question.

Dont worry about coming Solo.... you will have a bunch of folks to talk to who all share the same passion as you do. Your riding exp. is fine. Just dont do anything stupid, you will have to be the judge on what that is. And being 22, just graduating from college..... you deserve a nice week off!!!!!

Deals Gap newb here! 08 first timer!

Pretty much echo what GPD270 and Aron213 said. The group is awesome. No matter how good the riding, just hanging with these folks is a fantastic time. There is a lodging info thread and a couple others pertaining to the events that will be going on all week. Well worth checking out. And as far as making the trip. Post a thread that you are looking to split expenses if you can fit another bike. There are people all over the place. I'm sure you can find someone to split the trip. Look forward to seeing y'all out there (you too J$) :thumbup.

Just realize it's not a competition. There are no trophies give out. Ride your own pace and you'll have fun. If you're worried about cops, try to follow GPD270 or Solidus. (both LEO) and hope they can talk the local LEO out of giving you all tickets with professional courtesy. :crash

I'm in South Central Florida. It's a 12 hour drive for me. My first time there was in '04 and I knew no one at all. I can tell you I have met more good friends it's not even funny. Many of them I now do track days with. You will love it and should at least try it one time. The R1/R6 guys won't leave you out to dry. There are so many different groups going out all throughout the day. It's easy to find one you like. Some ride fast and some ride slower. Also, keep in mind there are so many other roads to ride than Deal's Gap. You will need to ride the Cherohalla Skyway for sure. It's not near as techical as the Gap, but it's much faster with tight sweepers. Also, just doing the Robbinsville loop is a blast to ride. As said above, just ride your own pace. The best riding is through the week and Leo coverage tends to be less than the weekends. Word gets out pretty quick if there are leo's in the area. The evenings are spent up on the hill at Shuckstack Rd. This is where we all relax and BS everynight. Food is served here if you decide to eat with us. Lot's of rot gut booze going around too. Just watch out for the "Stushine" it goes down easy, but bites real hard. LOL....

Look forward to seeing y'all out there (you too J$) :thumbup. Me too man! Im looking forward to that More than the ride! But im sure the curves , will be just as good! LOL...

Deals Gap newb here! 08 first timer! Good to hear J!!!!!

so i've never been to the Gap, never heard much about, never thought much about it until now. i'm trying to debate whether or not i should go this year w/ the gathering in June. There is no debate, you should go. first, i live in Texas, so i'd be making the ~15 hour drive in a truck and towing my bike. is it truely worth the drive? (if i went i'd wanna stay the whole week) Yes, if you had to drive 2000 miles and eat nuthin' but maggoty bread for three stinkin' days... It'd still be worth it second, i've been riding for a little over 2 years (~42,000 miles in the saddle) and here in Texas the only twisties are on/off ramps and maybe a 4 or 5 turn run every 30 miles. how newb is too newb for the Gap?? should i even try it? would it be better to wait and do a couple track days closer to home? The gap isn't a race, there are people of all levels of ability out there and there are groups for every speed. There is only newb, no too newb at the Dragon. Hell you'll probably be passing Bogie by the second day. (j/k Bogie) are cops as bad as some of the YouTube vid shows them to be on the Gap? Last year the heavy LEO presence didn't show up until the first week in July, well after the convention was over. It'll hopefully and more than likely be the same this year. third, none of my friends own bikes, and the few people i used to ride with wouldn't want to make that haul and take off work for a whole week. do you find it better/more enjoyable to go with friends, even if going to meet up with the group (R1/R6 forum peeps)?? Your current friends are worthless wusses, get new ones and bring them. j/k, yeah it's more comfortable to come with people you already know but really, you'll make plenty of friends just for showing up. and lastly, what would you do if you were in my shoes???? i'm 22, graduating college in May, i'll be keeping my current job, working 1-2 days a week as needed to pay what few bills i have, living with my parents mouching off them as much as possible lol. so, money not being the issue, just time/travel/experience: would you make the long haul to the Gap, or would you wait and just spend money on track days. Nothing is more pathetic than hearing some old guy saying, "coulda', shoulda', woulda' " when talking about what they missed out on in life. DO IT, do it now before you get a whole new raft of responsibilities... job, wife, kids, mortgage, etc... Trust me, nothing feels better when you're forty something and can look people in the eye and say, "I raced Daytona when I was twenty, did Bike Week in '81, '82 and '86..." rather than saying, "Well I coulda' raced but the service wouldn't let me", or "I shoulda' gone in '82 but I didn't have a bike at the time (I borrowed a Harley) or "I woulda' gone in '86 but my wife would of had a cow" (boy was she pissed). What will you be saying 30 years from now? "Damn, the Gap trip when I was 22 was a frikken' blast, what a party, what a great ride, lemme tell you about...". Or, "I had a R1 in my early 20's and coulda' gone to the Dragon, but I had this shitty part-time job and none of my friends wanted to go. Got a real job and a wife by the next year and well...never got the chance again". Which sounds better to you?

Me too man! Im looking forward to that More than the ride! But im sure the curves , will be just as good! LOL... Oh yeah... gonna be some seriously good riding. Not just the Dragon. We will have people heading in all directions. Meet up and make arrangements on Shuckstack, have a drink or two, wake up the next morning and ride. Then go to Shuckstack... rinse and repeat :lol.

Just Do It.

Good to hear J!!!!! Same here man! Ive been on here Causin Rukus for long enough, W/o Actually meeting you guys! Maybe after the GAP i'll become a Lifetime member! :epimp. Oh yeah... gonna be some seriously good riding. Not just the Dragon. We will have people heading in all directions. Meet up and make arrangements on Shuckstack, have a drink or two, wake up the next morning and ride. Then go to Shuckstack... rinse and repeat :lol. Cant Fggn Wait!

so i think i'm gonna go now w/ all of your advice. thanks! one last question: how much does a cabin cost? the deadline is in like 1-2 days so i'd have to book a room/bed soon ps: derrickwade - i love your avatar. i could stare at it for an hour lol

so i think i'm gonna go now w/ all of your advice. thanks! one last question: how much does a cabin cost? the deadline is in like 1-2 days so i'd have to book a room/bed soon ps: derrickwade - i love your avatar. i could stare at it for an hour lol Glad your coming.

I just saw this thread.... It's GREAT to hear that you're going to make it. My first year I rolled down solo (well, brought the family and the in-laws but no friends from home) and had the time of my life. :fact So much so that I've hit every one since, except one which the military kept me away from. It doesn't matter if you roll in solo or with a bus full of friends, you'll definitely have a good time, make some new friends and put faces with names you NEVER would have guessed in a million years. :sneaky:hammer: As was mentioned above, just ride your own ride don't try to keep up with the fast groups, they ain't going nowhere but to the other end and then turning around and they'll usually wait for you before they head out again. Then venture out and check out he other roads in the area, they're just as good and usually less crowded. I look forward to meeting you this year at the convention! One last suggestion, EAT EARLY... put some food in your stomach, cause after the sun goes down the drinks just start "appearing" from no where. :fact

so i've never been to the Gap, never heard much about, never thought much about it until now. i'm trying to debate whether or not i should go this year w/ the gathering in June. first, i live in Texas, so i'd be making the ~15 hour drive in a truck and towing my bike. is it truely worth the drive? (if i went i'd wanna stay the whole week) second, i've been riding for a little over 2 years (~42,000 miles in the saddle) and here in Texas the only twisties are on/off ramps and maybe a 4 or 5 turn run every 30 miles. how newb is too newb for the Gap?? should i even try it? would it be better to wait and do a couple track days closer to home? are cops as bad as some of the YouTube vid shows them to be on the Gap? third, none of my friends own bikes, and the few people i used to ride with wouldn't want to make that haul and take off work for a whole week. do you find it better/more enjoyable to go with friends, even if going to meet up with the group (R1/R6 forum peeps)?? and lastly, what would you do if you were in my shoes???? i'm 22, graduating college in May, i'll be keeping my current job, working 1-2 days a week as needed to pay what few bills i have, living with my parents mouching off them as much as possible lol. so, money not being the issue, just time/travel/experience: would you make the long haul to the Gap, or would you wait and just spend money on track days. any and all info/input would be great, thanks! Bro I have been thinkin about going too. Im 23 and I'll be graduating this time next year (hopefully). I want to make it down to the gap this year to, but don't know if I'll be able to make the trip! My money has been tight lately, but maybe by the time late March or early June comes around I'll have more money! Hopefully everything works out!

Bro I have been thinkin about going too. Im 23 and I'll be graduating this time next year (hopefully). I want to make it down to the gap this year to, but don't know if I'll be able to make the trip! My money has been tight lately, but maybe by the time late March or early June comes around I'll have more money! Hopefully everything works out! You should take a look and see if anyone from the Indy area is heading down and split the cost of the trip with them. I'm pretty sure there are a few folks that pass fairly close by there.

Bro I have been thinkin about going too. Im 23 and I'll be graduating this time next year (hopefully). I want to make it down to the gap this year to, but don't know if I'll be able to make the trip! My money has been tight lately, but maybe by the time late March or early June comes around I'll have more money! Hopefully everything works out! Hope you can make it!

Hope you can make it! :stpd: I hope you get to make it too... Bring the wife/gf/sig other, she'll have a good time too (unless you forget your anniversary cause you're hangin with the bros drinking and talkin shyte, then she'll be a lil upset, but not bad...TRUST ME)

My anniversary was during the Gap trip last year. Take a half day trip to Gatlinburg with her, drop a couple of bills on her and all will be good. Trust me! :fact

My anniversary was during the Gap trip last year. Take a half day trip to Gatlinburg with her, drop a couple of bills on her and all will be good. Trust me! :fact Where was this "advice" in '05???? I completely forgot about the anniversary and the wifee came marching down to Shuckstack and called me out in front of EVERYONE... Still got some later, but still get heckled to this day about it.

Where was this "advice" in '05???? I completely forgot about the anniversary and the wifee came marching down to Shuckstack and called me out in front of EVERYONE... Still got some later, but still get heckled to this day about it. I got repeated death threats before even arriving at Fontana. Had I failed to do anything for the anniversary the fallout may have taken out all of us. man, if the wife had to call me out in front of everybody the ownage that would happen online would scar me for life. :lol

I got repeated death threats before even arriving at Fontana. Had I failed to do anything for the anniversary the fallout may have taken out all of us. man, if the wife had to call me out in front of everybody the ownage that would happen online would scar me for life. :lol Tell me about it. :fact

As long as you don't ride beyond your skill level, you will be fine. If it's a busy day, no need to worry about going fast.

My anniversary was during the Gap trip last year. Take a half day trip to Gatlinburg with her, drop a couple of bills on her and all will be good. Trust me! :fact Works everytime.

As long as you don't ride beyond your skill level, you will be fine. If it's a busy day, no need to worry about going fast. Agreed. Once the traffic starts....... By the end of the week, you'll have gone from a worrying "noob" to slowing to a crawl to let the groups ahead get far enough away that you can cut loose for a few turns:sneaky It's hard to pass 15 Harleys in blind turns, or trucks towing boats....and not advised. You'll be fine if you ride smart.

My questions is: Will my ass be safe, are all the gay guys on the interent going to be there at the convention?..lol

YOu gotta watch out for those old guys though. They're kinda sneaky sometimes.

We came down from Montreal in 2006 and it was worth every mile and every $...the group is great...just dont accept any mystery shooters from anyone!!!:finger...LOL

You coming this year??

not sure yet..gonna see how the cash flow is gonna be...buying the ''ring'' soon and taking the little lady on vacation for a week in may...ill keep ya'll posted!...btw congrats on hooking up with gaybian!

not sure yet..gonna see how the cash flow is gonna be...buying the ''ring'' soon and taking the little lady on vacation for a week in may...ill keep ya'll posted!...btw congrats on hooking up with gaybian! :argue:rant:finger Hope you can make it! Just don't highside the cooler this time!! :lol :lol

:drunk:LOL..I'll do my best!