Deals Gap Countdown
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Deals Gap Countdown
FYI
I was up on the BRP last week. There are multiple detours. At one point I was coming up near Sylva and the road was closed - no detour signs, no nothing. You were on your own to find a way to get back on near Asheville. There was still some snow on the ground, so may have been closed due to ice that morning.
There is a huge detour beyond Asheville taking you back onto I 40 E for many miles, then winding up 226 to get back on the parkway. IMHO not worth the hassle
My point is you may want to just skip the BRP or at least pick it up north of Boone.
I was up on the BRP last week. There are multiple detours. At one point I was coming up near Sylva and the road was closed - no detour signs, no nothing. You were on your own to find a way to get back on near Asheville. There was still some snow on the ground, so may have been closed due to ice that morning.
There is a huge detour beyond Asheville taking you back onto I 40 E for many miles, then winding up 226 to get back on the parkway. IMHO not worth the hassle
My point is you may want to just skip the BRP or at least pick it up north of Boone.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 1
From: North Jersey
RE: Deals Gap Countdown
Me and the wife will be heading down to Robbinsville NC to take in the Dragon as well as the other roads and sights. The Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley is a must see I will get over to as well. After we spend a couple days riding as much of the Smokies as we can we will be taking the Blue Ridge Parkway back up north and homeward bound.
After hearing and reading so much about the Dragon it is something I have to see for myself. But that alone would not draw me down there. My understanding from riders who have been to the Great Smokey Mountain area is that every byway down there is awesome. The Dragon is just one of the most notorious. But how can you not be attracted to it? All in all we will have just one week to get down there from North Jersey, ride as much as we can and get back home. I'm really looking forward to it.
After hearing and reading so much about the Dragon it is something I have to see for myself. But that alone would not draw me down there. My understanding from riders who have been to the Great Smokey Mountain area is that every byway down there is awesome. The Dragon is just one of the most notorious. But how can you not be attracted to it? All in all we will have just one week to get down there from North Jersey, ride as much as we can and get back home. I'm really looking forward to it.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 935
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
RE: Deals Gap Countdown
ORIGINAL: Redmondp
Just don't get it. Why is this such a magnet. Is it just to say you have been there. I have been down into the Black Forest and it will put Deals Gap to shame. No LEO's or rockets going to the extreme that they lose it. When and if I do get back to the states I think the dragon is one place I will have to pass on. As many have said, there are just too many other forks in the road to take.
From what I have read on this site about the dragon, it just sound like a place for posers and rubs, I guess a bunch of people that just want to say they have been there. Big deal.
WTF is the big deal about the gap. Grow up and be the one to take the other road.
JMTC.
Just don't get it. Why is this such a magnet. Is it just to say you have been there. I have been down into the Black Forest and it will put Deals Gap to shame. No LEO's or rockets going to the extreme that they lose it. When and if I do get back to the states I think the dragon is one place I will have to pass on. As many have said, there are just too many other forks in the road to take.
From what I have read on this site about the dragon, it just sound like a place for posers and rubs, I guess a bunch of people that just want to say they have been there. Big deal.
WTF is the big deal about the gap. Grow up and be the one to take the other road.
JMTC.
So, the Draon (IMHO) could be a "Drag". End of story.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 56
From: north of Daytona
RE: Deals Gap Countdown
Going to Maggie Valley mid-June.
I may ride the Dragon....I may ride Cherhola?
My G/F wants to pan for gems...
It is a vacation destination. I live near daytona Beach....and wonder
"why would anyone want to come here?!"
I am sure there are people in Maggie Valley that will appreciate me...
so I am going. I appreciate all you that come to Daytona.
And YUP......I want the T-shirt. (Muholland be damned)
I may ride the Dragon....I may ride Cherhola?
My G/F wants to pan for gems...
It is a vacation destination. I live near daytona Beach....and wonder
"why would anyone want to come here?!"
I am sure there are people in Maggie Valley that will appreciate me...
so I am going. I appreciate all you that come to Daytona.
And YUP......I want the T-shirt. (Muholland be damned)
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,801
Likes: 13
RE: Deals Gap Countdown
ORIGINAL: TxDeuce
T-minus 6 days and counting! Hoping the weather holds up!
T-minus 6 days and counting! Hoping the weather holds up!
Ride safe,,,,,,,,,always remember, if you can't see what is around the next corner, then neither can the IDIOT coming the other way!!!
Banned
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 725
Likes: 0
From: Fort Mill, SC
RE: Deals Gap Countdown
Deals Gap is an OK ride, but there are far better rides in the area, I'm assuming your heading in for the Survivors Rally, what a real waste of $35.00, Cops at every turn and they put up with nothing, they consider the rally their "income" days, dry county so you better bring your own, the ceremony grounds is tiny as hell and you park your bike amoung the drunks wearing chain wallets. I enjoyed it last year but if it wasnt fairly local would never consider going back. Enjoy and be careful, keep in mind NC is now a DOT helmet state and they will tow your bike if your helmet does not pass the test with the guage they have, this is the first rally in NC since the new law took effect on 1-1-8, this could be the test!!!
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville, Fl.
RE: Deals Gap Countdown
Thanks for the heads up. Actually, not going to rally. Deals Gap is just 11 miles in a 430 loop through NC. Thanks again.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,763
Likes: 371
From: North of Hell, South of Heaven
RE: Deals Gap Countdown
I rode the Dragon Saturday. The cops are trying to slow things down. Probably need to.
The Gap isn't my favorite - I'm a little spooked with all the crotch rockets wanting their and your lane. Plus, it tests my meager cornering skils... Personally, Hellbender is more fun.
There's so many good roads and the scenery is awesome!
Have fun and ride safe.
The Gap isn't my favorite - I'm a little spooked with all the crotch rockets wanting their and your lane. Plus, it tests my meager cornering skils... Personally, Hellbender is more fun.
There's so many good roads and the scenery is awesome!
Have fun and ride safe.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,476
Likes: 3,002
From: Charleston, SC
RE: Deals Gap Countdown
ORIGINAL: billk
+1 Why the mistique? Ain't no Einstein, but if I calculate (11 miles, 318 curves), that comes out to about a curve every 182.64 feet, on average. Well I like 'twisties' also; however, getting behind a 'semi', or grandma and grandpa driving...I now have about 182 feet to pass...in certain areas, and 'smokie' will be waiting (he knows the areas), to hand me a $$$ full of tickets (remember acceleration/deceleration requirements). Would I do the Dragon...yes, in a heartbeat. Would I go out of my way to get there. NO. Perhaps I have some preduices...I live a few miles away from Mullholland Drive, Encinial Canyon, Grimes Canyon, PCH and others. I can't enjoy being 'out there' andlook the scenery if I am 'cranking left and right' every 182 feet. PS, I don't even want the T-shirt.
So, the Draon (IMHO) could be a "Drag". End of story.
ORIGINAL: Redmondp
Just don't get it. Why is this such a magnet. Is it just to say you have been there. I have been down into the Black Forest and it will put Deals Gap to shame. No LEO's or rockets going to the extreme that they lose it. When and if I do get back to the states I think the dragon is one place I will have to pass on. As many have said, there are just too many other forks in the road to take.
From what I have read on this site about the dragon, it just sound like a place for posers and rubs, I guess a bunch of people that just want to say they have been there. Big deal.
WTF is the big deal about the gap. Grow up and be the one to take the other road.
JMTC.
Just don't get it. Why is this such a magnet. Is it just to say you have been there. I have been down into the Black Forest and it will put Deals Gap to shame. No LEO's or rockets going to the extreme that they lose it. When and if I do get back to the states I think the dragon is one place I will have to pass on. As many have said, there are just too many other forks in the road to take.
From what I have read on this site about the dragon, it just sound like a place for posers and rubs, I guess a bunch of people that just want to say they have been there. Big deal.
WTF is the big deal about the gap. Grow up and be the one to take the other road.
JMTC.
So, the Draon (IMHO) could be a "Drag". End of story.
Do this. Get a plane ticket. Fly to Ashville. Get a bike somewhere.
From Ashville take 74 to 19 to the beginning of 129. Ahhhh that was cool. 19 is a nice one.
Now take 129 up through Robbinsville and to the Dragon. Now, go ahead, do the Dragon cause you ain't skeerd (go ahead and get the T-shirt too cause you know you want one).
After, keep going straight into 72 and stop at 411. Go left and find 360. Take360 to the Cherohala Skyway.
Butt sore? Left coast coffee break? Starbucks people? Nah.. keep going!
Take the Cherohala Skyway back to Robbinsville and then on to Hellbender 28.
28 is an awesome road, can't say enough about it. Take 28 back to the Dragon. Get another T-shirt. One size bigger than you cause they shrink.
Go over the Dragon again and take a right onto the Foothills Parkway. Nice....
At the end of the Foothills parkway go right on 321. Go until you find the Little River Road. This cuts through the Smoky Mountains National Park. Way nice.
At the end of Little River Road go right on 441. Take 441 up to Clingmans Dome. Elevation... pretty cool.
Now take 441 to Cherokee. Get the Indian picture...smile.
Now go back to Ashville and take your butt back to Cally and Europa and TRY to talk ***** about our fine fine roads here in the general vicinity of the Dragon...
That was only 300-400 miles of great roads I've mentioned. The Dragon is only 11 of that. When we say Dragon, we mean all those great roads.
Also, there are a ton of great cities and townsin the area to check out. Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Cherokee, Bryson City, Maryville, Robbinsville etc.
DONT KNOCK IT TILL YOU TRY IT.....
lp