Okay guys and girlies....we should plan a trip to Deals Gap together. We could all stay at the same Motel, plan some group rides, hang at the Dragon, ride the Cherohalla Skyway and eat well. I'm thinking about late summer/early fall...arrive Thursday or Friday...leave Sunday. Who wants in?

great plan!

except one thing...I hear riding on the weekend sucks up there (summer months). Some people have to travel a long way to get there, so you might as well plan to arrive in the area on a Sunday afternoon, and ride all week. What do you think?

I'dgo in Late August Mid September!:D

Mid September might be best. After the summer rush but before the color season and fall traffic. Weekends are always interesting and not too crowded this time of year. It's fun riding the Gap but half of the fun is hanging out and looking at what's going on. The Skyway and other areas are also great rides.

I was going to try and get there the weekend of the 27th (July). I'm probably going by my self, and was thinking about riding the Blue Ridge Parkway too, maybe even up to the Skyline drive. I don't have all of the details worked out yet, or if I'm even going, but let me know if any of you will be out there then. :hellobye

i live about 2 hours away, i can go most any weekend.

My friends and I usually go about mid september. It is cool in the mornings but very comfortable the rest of the day.

I live about 5 or 6 hours away from the gap.....sounds good to me. Let me know when you guys want to do it............:D

count me in...located in indiana (about 6 hrs away)

sounds good to me I have always wanted to go to the Gap I am located in Indiana also

I live in the norther panhandle of West Virginia. A bunch of friends and I want to go. I'm in... just let me know when.

Count me in, I am 3 hours away so I can get up there just about anytime. Just post the final dates.

Larry

4 Hours away when we going?

Let's look at Friday, Sept 20 - Sunday, Sept 22. I'll check to see if anything else is going on in the area that weekend. I'm in the center of SC near the I26/I95 junction. If anyone is coming up from the South we'll put together a group to ride up. I'll put some info together about lodging and stuff...anybody here good about moving information to the forum from other sites..if so you can give me a hand . Let's ride>>>

How about August 16-18 too. There having a sport bike ralley type deal down there. It'd be cool to show up as a group of R1's.:rock

:hellobye Anybody got a big arsed boat to get us Aussie guys in on the action LOL... Or got any magician's out there that can do like a teleport trick. :D :D

Well have fun if you go guys and you better be posting a heap of videos and pictures from the event!!!

Cheers

I tried to organize something with this a month or so ago....I dont think i got one post....

i have a group going out this july, 18-21....ttyl

Never saw your post Draggin. I was actually going to try and go that weekend, but now I have plans, going to try and go the 27th now. How are you getting down there, trailer or riding? And where in Chicago are you, I'm on the south side, Hyde Park. Let me know next time your headed out for a ride.

Cool T....were southsiders too...Archer area...

tomorrow, were ridin to desplaines for a midnight city ride...im tryin to get everyone to continue riding till 6 am the next morning, end the ride @highland house, and go for breakfast... if you wanna go, email me @

aokeefe@csappraisal.com talk to yah later...

summoner is coming with tomorrow, and im tryin to get terminator to come too..see yah!

btw, do you go to 76th n stony for the races?...do they still race over there..been meanin to check it out....

also, were trailering....dont wanna be burned up by the time you hit the dragon....too much to concentrate on...:D :D

I'm only a few miles from 76th and South Chicago. I stop by there once in a while just to see whats happening, but usually don't get out there when they're racing. Guess most of the shit happens about 2 A.M. or so, and just about any nice night. I'll e-mail ya and let ya know if I can make it tomorrow.

my vote would be sometime in mid to late august??? sept seems so far away? :D

I am already planning a second trip to the Gap...

actually a third...theres a Mustang Cobra SVT meet on Oct 12th...so Im thinkin bout bringin the bad boy out there....

any time, T Pole...

your name reminds me of a guy i seen wrap his car around a lightpole (firebird) out on ....what is that, 57th dr:?...the one by university of chicago that has a few curves on it...man he wrapped her up goood....folded the car in half

do yah have an interestin story to go with tha name?

oh btw ill check my email till about....ohh...4pm tomorrow, email me anywyas and ill send you my cell..we can cell coordinate then..see yah

I LIVE ABOUT 20 MINUTES AWAY FROM THE GAP AND WE RIDE IT EVERY WEEKEND. IT FLATLY RULES !! A R1 RALLY WOULD BE AWSOME. MY DAD IS ON THE ZX12R FORUM AND THEY HAVE A RALLEY EACH YEAR UP HERE AND THE GUYS HAVE A BLAST. THEY ALL GO RIDE DURING THE DAY AND IN THE EVENINGS GO OUT TO EAT AND VISIT. IF YOU ALL DECIDE YOU WANT TO DO IT, LET ME KNOW BECAUSE I WORK AT THE YAMAHA/KAWASAKI SHOP AND WE HAD BREAKFAST FOR THE ZX12 GUYS AND I KNOW WE COULD DO THE SAME FOR YOU GUYS. THEY JUST FINISHED PAVING THE GAP AND THE ROAD IS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE. THE COPS HAVE KINDA BAD LATELY BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN A FEW MORE CRASHES THIS YEAR THAN NORMAL. THE HOTEL THE ZX12 GUYS STAY IN GIVES THEMS A DISCOUNT SO MAYBE EVERYBODY COULD STAY THERE. KEEP ME POSTED AND EMAIL ME IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS.
********** LETS DO IT !!!!!! ************

Count me in. here is a link to lots of info, but rwon may be better able to provide info.

link here (http://www.tailofthedragon.com) :cool:

Hey Guys, Just a thought, The later that we wait into the fall, the better the weather will be. If we wait to late, all the flatlanders will be up looking at the leaves, driving off the road, wandering across the lanes, etc. I would suggest sometime in mid september. Anybody have any thoughts on the date???:cool:

That looks like some awsome riding!! I'm gonna recruit a few to come down!!

Count me in, I am in Michigan so it will take me awhile, but who cares, is someone here going to check out hotels, try to get something arranged?

Szokr1

Hey guys,
I in if I get my bike back tip top before then. I don't know for sure what needs to be done since I have not seen it since it was stolen then recovered. When I get home from this deployment I will start to work on it. Hopefully it is not too bad. I really want to go, never been there. I guess it is alot like the mountains in Japan where i used to ride. You guys get a definate date, please let me know. If nothing else I will drive my truck there and watch you all have fun, and get to meet some of you. Later fella's



Dave:cool:

BTW:
I like--}:boobies

bump
:hellobye

im in. dont let this one die out. mid august would be great but im as flexible as a russian gymnast and only half as ugly. im there:rock :boobies :beer

have we decided on a date yet???? i will be there during 8-16 thru 8-18? nayone else going? there is a ride the dragon event going on. should be fun...with lots of bikes there. good time to meet and greet and get in some good rides. :D

WHAT ARE THE DATES YOU GUYS ARE THINKING ABOUT COMING TO THE GAP ? I LIVE ABOUT 20 MINUTES AWAY FROM THE GAP AND I SURE DON'T WANT TO MISS MY CHANCE TO GET WITH ALL OF YOU GUYS AND RIDE.

I would suggest either sept 14-15, or sept 21-22. Everybody let me know what you think about those dates. I will check about other events going on during that time.

Mike

Hey Mad cow, I'm thinking about going Aug 16 - 18 too for that sport bike ralley. I might even be down there this Friday or Saturday. Leaving town tomorrow morning with the bike and gonna try and make it to the gap for a few runs.

R Won or anyone else out that way, e-mail me if you think you think that you can make it out there Friday or Saturday. Lancerack@yahoo.com

I'd like to make a few trips there this year, so any other dates would be cool too.

t-pole....i will be there 8-16 thru 8- 18 - we should hook up if you go. i think we should all plan to on one specific time and have a back up date in case of bad weather??? maybe 9 -14 and 9-15 as first choice and 9-21 and 9-22 as second choice??? maybe we should start another thread to see whos up for what detes?? or a poll with everyone responding???

Originally posted by mbam
I would suggest either sept 14-15, or sept 21-22. Everybody let me know what you think about those dates. I will check about other events going on during that time.

Mike

I want in and these dates work for me.

Ok, I'm going to be a Dumbass here and ask-where exactly is Deals Gap?

B

:iamwithst

In TN. US 129
Starts in NC and goes 11 miles into TN
It is in the south east corner near NC and GA

Recieved this today from the people that run www.tailofthedragon.com:

Mike:

Here is the schedule for those two weekends in September:

September 14 Dragonball Run 2002 Honda S2000s Return to the Dragon - some 50 drivers will be testing their skills.
September 13-15 BRAG (Buell Riders Adventure Group) will slay the Dragon.
September 21st Bear hunting season opens for Blount County (Dragon)

If they are the only two weekends to choose from, go for the 14-15th. The Buell's are no problem, they are usually broke down alongside the road anyway. But the S2000's run the Dragon hard and are definitely an element. The next weekend is the opening of Bear season and there will be plenty of pickup trucks and hunting dogs on the road. So, if I had the choice between dodging S2000's or hunters in pickups with guns and dogs.... I'd take the 14-15th. The weather is usually pretty good in September.

Nanc
www.tailofthedragon.com

Looks like sept 14-15 would be a good weekend to shoot for. BRAG groups (I know a district BRAG Rep) tend to be very slo.... I meant small. Don't see many Buels or very many S2000's on the road, and they should be easy pickins for THE ONE:rock

Who all is up for the that weekend?

And who wants to stay where, Near the Dragon? Knoxville? Asheville? Maryville? Waynesville?

Point others to this thread, It would be great to have a couple hundred forum members just take over the Gap.:cool:

i am in---- sept 14/ 15 it is for me... i have been there when there are hunting season going on and i did see several dogs running across/ along the road here and there. that weekend looks good 2 me! :D

don't let this thread fall to the bottom????

sorry for the stupid question..... where is this place (town?)

Selftc,

Pull out a map that lets you see south west NC and South east TN. If you look about 45 miles south of Knoxville TN and about 50-55 miles west of ASheville NC, you should see the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Deals Gap is US 129, which is along the most southern edge of the park from Hwy 74 in NC to HWY 411 in TN.
:thumbup

thanx............

i am using mapquest to see how many miles i am away from this place. is there a town/city i can use as reference? thanx again.....

Self, Try robbinsville, nc, or Maryville. TN;)

jsut bumpin it up top....

im going to try to make 14-15....

btw, i seen you out there R WON, but you took off before i could make it over to yah...

selftc....where in KY are you. i may be of some help since i have to drive through to get there.

madcow: i live in owensboro (2 hrs. west of louisville). no prob. i found where it is at and i have gotten a "hall pass" (wife's permission) to attend. :jump :makeout i got directions from mapquest.

is there an official date yet?

look like maybe sept 14/ 15 is the "unofficial" date that most are going??? anyone else want to make it official? selftc...you will not be disappointed.

There is a good chance that I can be there on sept 14-15

Bumping Out

Let's make sept 14-15 the official date!!! If anyone is interested, I can see about a group rate at a local hotel. If anybody is interested in that, let me know and I will make some phone calls. The nearest big city is Knoxville, otherwise, we will be staying out in the stix. Preferences anyone?

i'm in for the 14/15 weekend....let mekonw if you get something going on a group rate...marryville has several big hotels and is closer to the gap. i stayed at the comfort suites not long ago for 59/ night with 24 hr pool etc...we sould maybe get it cheaper??? there are many hotel/motels around that area. keep it posted.

if you go out there after the mazda s2000s, be careful of debri (dirt and sand) in the corners. like all cars they like to drop a wheel in the corners. i went during this time frame in '01. i witnessed 1 wreck because of this, not saying you can't push it just keep an eye out. didn't see the buells even running the gap. they were there, just not riding?

i'll go 14-15th for sure. anyone check on a group rate at a hotel or something?:finger

I'd really like to go if my bike is out of the shop. I've got my fingers crossed. Does anyone want to maybe split a room to keep the price down? :)

Anyone in Tampa wanna hook up and split the driving? I've got a trailer. :D

Sept 14-15 i am IN....wife and I are going to ride to the Gap from Chicago....


I am planning a stopover to the Gap on August 15th as well..going to visit my bro in law down in Hollywood FL for a few days, riding down...its only a 100 mile out of the way trip to hit the gap on the way down....


how many others are going out to the Gap for the 15th...we need a sign up list just so we can get an idea on whos all goin...

btw...all the guys postin bout gravel in corners....i posted a pic of my little 2 year old on my buddies R6...he lowsided at the Gap on some gravel..its everywhere out there....but it is TOO much damn fun...

lastly, everything out there is dirt cheap..i rented a whole cabin that slept 8 for my wife and some friends for 80 bucks a night....it had satellite tv, AC, nice and clean, everythign was new inside...it was very nice..you cant get a cardboard box here for 80 bucks a night....okay see yahs later (on the 15th!!!!):thumbup

I'm in! Someone needs to keep a list of all that want to go and firm up exact date. Assuming the 14-15 of Sept is the date,Im in.

I'm also going September 4-8, so if anyone else is gonna be there then, give me a shout.

Hotels: Townsend has a good Best Western and in very close to the Gap. Also has a Comfort Inn. Strip bars near McGhee Tyson airport aren't too far (so I'm told, my wife doesn't allow me to go to those places).

There's not shit as far as night life or restaurants anywhere near Townsend other than Maryville (10 miles to the west).

Keep me posted!

Eric

There is a nice little Red Neck bar called Cotten Eyed Joe's about 20 min from the gap, holds about 2,000 people....

The last time that I went to the Gap (May 15-18) my friends and I stayed in Alcoa, TN. This is near the Knoxville Airport. There are lots of restraunts(including HOOTERS) and also a couple of nice bike shops with lots of goodies. We stayed at the Days Inn. Not to bad for 50 bucks per nite. It was exactly 50 miles to the CROT at the Gap from the room. Zip right down US129, then East on 321 to the Foothills Parkway for 18 miles(watch out for troopers)then left on 129 again and you are a couple of miles from the overlook. I am going to be there sometime around the 15th or a week later.

Update:

I'll be at Deal's Gap on August 15, 16 and 17th.
Also on September 12,13 and 14th.

Also planning on the R1 trip. is that Sept. 21 &22nd? (tenatively?)

Anyone that's gonna be around can email - I'll have a laptop with me.

Eric

Don't go without me...I'm down with all the dates posted...I'm in the mid atlantic area...Virginia :rock

my dates have moved around a bit, im looking at 23-25 or the 30-1 this month...

still going sept 15th...we really need to organizizeee hehehe...


i stayed at a place called motorcycle cabin....www.motorcyclecabin.com


place was nice, all by itself, slept 8 (4 king sized beds) air conditioning blew me out of the cabin, had satellite TV, etcetc...i brought my ps2 and played dvds at night, full kitchen, brought cases of beer for me n my buds we had a Great time...the place was 100 a night for all of us to stay there..and it was only 17 miles to the Gap...totally awesome....

the guy who owns the cabin, his name is John...if you guys are interested in it, call him and tell him Allen OKeefe sent yah..dont know if youll get any discounts, but I want him to know where the people are coming from...whenever I go, i will stay at the cabin, it was that enjoyable...(on rte 28 to Fontana) if you know where Country Hicks general store is, the cabin is next door...

i wish the Gap was closer, id go out every weekenddd...talk to yahs later....

Originally posted by Draggin
my dates have moved around a bit, im looking at 23-25 or the 30-1 this month...

still going sept 15th...we really need to organizizeee hehehe...



Draggin -
I'll at the Gap at the same time. Let me know if we can hook up. I'll email my cell number to you.

Eric

Last time i was there there was no Cell usage there. might have been my service (sprint).

i have voicestream, usage was spotty there....

ill let yah know when we plan to be out there Eric...im Defenitely goinggg

Cell service does suck here. I'm on a yellow Duc 916 and wearing white Dainese leathers - easy enough to spot.

Thursday at the Gap was kinda crappy. Afternoon rains pretty much ruined it as far as ridsing goes and there were very few bikes present. Only about 6.

It's about 7:30 AM on Friday as I write this and the weather looks a bit cloudy, but dry. Calling for 40% chance of rain today as well.

The Gap has tons of gravel in every corner. Right handers are assured of having gravel in the corners. The new road surface appears to be very oily - which is expected with new blacktop. I noticed no slickness to it when I rode it in teh dry. Smoother than a baby's ass , though.

Riding the Gap once this morning on the way to Route 28 - then on to Highlands,NC T.W.O. in Suches, GA after that and then back to the ranch here in Tallasee.

More later...

Eric

Guess I'm a little early for the R1 rally. I'm at the Gap now and having a blast with my R1. Man this thing just glides through the twisites. I also was at the ZX-12 ride this past April. We stayed at the Holiday Inn (Alcoa) for $67/night. Restaurants right next door and plenty of parking. Better amenties and much cleaner than anything on 129...

I already have a trip planned for August 29th - September 2nd. We plan on riding Friday 30th, Saturday 31st, and Sunday 1st. Anybody want to hookup I got a group of 5+ riders. We are staying in Blairsville, GA about 45 mins - hour from the Gap, but right in the middle of a shit load of good roads (Blood Mountain, 180, 60, and many more) Anybody interested in hooking up reply to this post.

Seeya at the GAP.

There be DRAGGIN's in the mountains!!!!!!!

Guys,

I'm reading this as most of you all are planning on the weekend of the 14/15 of September? If that is the case, I'm in as well.

I live in Atlanta, so anytime any of you are coming down to ride the Dragon/Deals Gap, buzz me. I'd be glad to meet/ride with you.

Keep this post "up". If anyone would like to "summarize" who should be in attendance on that weekend, it would greatly be appreciated. I for one, need to go to sleep, so it won't be me, at least, not tonight/early morning....

I hope to finally meet many of you. Deal's Gap is a great place to do it.

Hey 45 degrees please you still looking to go? I live in Florida and may be interested.

Let's get a running list of who's in. I will go the 14-15 of September if this is still the date. So... e-mail me if you are definately in, and I will add your name to the list.

jasonscottrobinson@yahoo.com

The list is as follows...

1)Jason Robinson Indiana jasonscottrobinson@yahoo.com
2)Rob Shrake Indidna robshrake@hotmail.com
3)Eric Blattert Indiana Eblattert@cs.com

45° Please- I'll give you a ride for sure if my bike gets out of the shop in time. I didnt want to say anything, just to not get your hopes up. I'm really excited about the trip. They ordered all the parts for my engine, but only a few have came in so far. I'll keep you posted as it gets closer. My fingers are crossed though. :thumbup :)

Has anyone picked a meeting spot and time yet?

How about the Deal's Gap Gas Station / Campground / Store on Saturday, September 14 at 10:00 AM?

If not then, someone pick a place.

Don't know how we'll recognize each other as we don't really know one another, I guess I'll just look for R1's;) .

Eric
On a Ducati 916 with one headlight, white leathers, black and white Arai helmet (see avatar).

sounds good to me...10am sat :D

This sounds cool, count me in!

any plans for sunday yet? sept 15. anyone from southern md. going. other than me.

If my bike is done I plan on being there also.

Hey guys- I just saw where all of you guys are coming in and I am really behind on the details. When are you all coming in, where are you staying, blah, blah, blah. I work at the local Yamaha shop and I will make sure we have plenty of R1 stuff. Please fill me in on the details if anyone has time to. Thanks

OK... i totally missed this thread somehow... ide really like to make this trip but i need to know if anyone from Delaware or Maryland are interested in counting me and my bike in on there trip. I can help pay for travel and so forth. Thanks ~Ed:jump

k

Okay guys...sorry...... I was away on a 5,200 mile R1 trip but I'm back. I'm planning on leaving central SC to go up on Friday the 13. Anyone coming up 95 to 26 will come right by me...let me know. Who is going on the trip? You FL guys coming up? Let's stay over around Knoxville and ride over together. Anyone going let's put it together. Post your e mail and let's get in touch. E mail me at fntstk@yahoo.com R1 under subject.

I am going up friday morning i will be at hooters or the hotel in mareville, i will be in need of some assistance getting my bike off of the truck if anyone does not mind.:thumbup

I have a black extended cab ford ranger with a silver R1 in the back.

If anyone is going up there friday morning please PM me and i will give you my cell phone # so we can hook up...

thanks...
:thumbup

I live in Maryville and I'm off on Friday, so I was planning on going up to the Gap and riding all day. Let me know if any of you need help with anything (finding the place, unloading your bike, etc), because I'll be around.:thumbup. Oh, by the way, the local weather looks great, sunny with fall-like weather conditions.:D

I'm planning on leaving central SC on Friday,will be going I26 to Asheville,I40 toward Bryson City on the Smokey Mountain Highway ,76 I think, getting off at Robbinsville or Fontana Exit to the Gap. anybody riding up? Will plan on meeting at the sign at the store at 10am Saturday. Where are you guys going to stay? Let's post a list of who is still going to go.

Who is going to go to the Gap? Post your plan..we need to finalize.

It's Saturday, 8:45 AM here in Deal's Gap. Raining now and there's an 80% chance of rain today with a 50% chance tomorrow.

SUCKS!



Eric:beer

Thats why i left the gap today, i really wanted to meet up with you guys but as usual it rained.


Maybe another time...

I did get to meet The owner from that other r1 forum.
Real nice guy and his friends where nice as well...