Deal's Gap 09 - Sept 17-20, 2009

[RKR0923]

Rode the Dragon few weeks ago, loved it. Think the Dragon cures are sharper and more frequent than the snake. 318 turns in 11 miles means they are back to back to back.

[NCDave]

How thick where the LEOs at the Dragon????

[RKR0923]

I saw 3 stationary in cars. one on foot and one riding back and forth.

[usmalenurse]

Originally Posted by pappie

Done the Dragon twice in a month, now I'd like to check out the Snake between Mountain City and Bristol. I hear it has 487 curves in 12 mi. Anybody ever been there on this forum? Pappie

I've not had a chance at the Dragon yet but rode 421 last summer. It is awesome and the Shady Valley Store is neat. I don't know about the Dragon but I will say that I rode from Mountain City to Bristol and back to Mountain City and never saw a cop and very little traffic at all. Of course it was on a Thursday but at one point I stopped for a good 5 minutes to take pics and stretch and not one car passed by. Still debating about wheather to do the Dragon the end of the month or head up to the Virginia, West Virginia mountains.

Charles

[gpzrocker]

I was there on the 11th: ran it around noon, saw one leo each way. Well worth the trip, may see you up there NCDave and crew.

Not hard to figure out who I am: how many green 84 Gpz750's have you seen lately?

[NCDave]

We'll look for you.


Charles, that's a tough choice. The area around the dragon is better than the snake, in my opinion. Not that the snake isn't good. The Cherahola Skyway is my favorite. Now, WV is a whole other story. If I had an option, I'd be hard pressed not to head north to WV. Every road there is filled with twisties.

[Streaking Tiger]

Originally Posted by NCDave

We'll look for you.


Charles, that's a tough choice. The area around the dragon is better than the snake, in my opinion. Not that the snake isn't good. The Cherahola Skyway is my favorite. Now, WV is a whole other story. If I had an option, I'd be hard pressed not to head north to WV. Every road there is filled with twisties.

Last year we found a hwy 1 in WVA that was really sweet. You ever rode that one?

[usmalenurse]

Originally Posted by NCDave

We'll look for you.


Charles, that's a tough choice. The area around the dragon is better than the snake, in my opinion. Not that the snake isn't good. The Cherahola Skyway is my favorite. Now, WV is a whole other story. If I had an option, I'd be hard pressed not to head north to WV. Every road there is filled with twisties.

I know...just can't make up my mind. And I'm going to be alone so there's nobody else to give their opinion. Planning on camping so the Cherahola/Dragon area seems to be the best for that option (motorcycle specific campgrounds). I have never ridden the BRP completely on the Virginia side and thought about taking it up through Skyline Drive. From there, either 33 or 250 over to ?219 and down to the Marlinton area of WV and from there...who knows. Like you said all the roads are good in WV. I've been to WV several times but never on the bike. Just hard to decide Loosely planning both routes and will probably let the weather forecasts finalize my plans....like they're so accurate anyway..lol

Charles

[NCDave]

Originally Posted by Streaking Tiger

Last year we found a hwy 1 in WVA that was really sweet. You ever rode that one?

No, but I'll put it on my list!

[NCDave]

There's a motorcycle-friendly B&B in Marlinton WV called the Old Clarke Inn. The owner rides and has special parking, etc. it's not fancy, but it's very clean and nice. Our first time to WV we stayed there for 3 nights and used it as our central point to tour the area from. This year, we were only there one night becasue we were looping around the state.

[NCDave]

For anyone planning to go, I just made my reservations at Phillips. They still have a few rooms, but not a lot. You'll probably want to make your plans soon if you haven't already.

[usmalenurse]

Wish I could go back with you guys. Had a ball when I was there a couple of weeks ago...even in the rain. I didn't stay at the Phillips Motel but I ate dinner at the Phillips restaurant beside it and had the best steak I've had in a couple of years. Don't know about their usual fare but the steak is awesome!

Charles

[Michael600r]

Originally Posted by NCDave

For anyone planning to go, I just made my reservations at Phillips. They still have a few rooms, but not a lot. You'll probably want to make your plans soon if you haven't already.

I stayed there once. When I had to go back to pay a ticket.

[The Vol-can]

You've got a good thing going here. Just got back from a two-nighter that took me from Blowing Rock, NC (and the Blue Ridge Parkway) south to Robbinsville where I rode the Dragon and the Skyway. (pics are few and far between - I was paying LOTS of attention to that meandering yellow centerline through the mountains!)

Personally, riding the Dragon was a little like earning a merit badge in Scouts. You do it, but once it's done, it's not such a big hairy deal. It's a fun gig, but there's equally great roads in the area that don't carry the same mystique (or level of intense enforcement and ridership). Route 60 between me and Helen, GA is one such road, and there's more around Greenville, SC.

For those that can't book the Phillips Motel, I can recommend the Microtel just down the road. It's pricier, but you get breakfast and really nice rooms.

[bamavulcandave]

Hey Dave,
My little group is planning on leaving Friday the 18th and riding up to Chattanooga before the Trail of Tears ride Saturday. Wife may be riding with me this year.
I had a good time hanging with you guys last year at the Phillips and the Cherohala Skyway ride which my wife hasn't ever seen.

[wild_deuce03]

I'll be there!

[Musgofasa]

Wow lots going on in this group. We were just discussing taking a trip to the dragon about that same time. Give me the weekend to discuss it with the wife and we may just be joining you guys.

Just got back from a 6 day tour of the BRP. We left Greenville SC last Sunday and rode every inch of the parkway that was open and turned around at the entrance to Skyline Dr. I will post a thread with some pics from that ride in a few minutes. We did find a hwy 194 and then onto 19E in NC on the way back from Salem VA that was as curvy (read treacherous) as any I have been on in my life. From what I understand the Dragon, Tears, and the snake are all easy rides with the exception of heavier traffic.

If time allows, count us in though.

Catch you guys later!
Robert

[NCDave]

I made reservations at Phillips last week. They told me that all the two-bed rooms are booked for our weekend. there are still singles available.

As an added plus, remember that we're having dinner Thursday evening with Debbie and her group before they leave for home. We'll be at Phillips Restaurant around 6 PM.

[rustygunner]

Going to try to make it, but we already have several people taking vacation time at my work that week. I'll also have to take the Nomad, which corners kind of similar to a whale on two wheels.

[cinnamon]

I can't wait to try the dragon now! After this weekend and having so much fun on the twisties i'm so ready for another weekend of curves!!