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As a local, I first rode Deal's Gap nearly 30 years ago. (I also usually refuse to call it 'The Dragon'. That's for tourists! ). Even had a project at Fontana for a while, rode the bike to visit the job occasionally and did a few runs on my lunch hour.

Now, it's Disney World for motorcycles. And Mini Coopers. And Honda S2000s. And Miatas. And any other wheeled club that wants to meet up and clog the road and blow turns in mass, crossing the center line at any time. Or all the Harleys setting a pace better suited for the Shriners in a Christmas parade. Or the hot shot sport riders, passing the guys in your group at random moments, scaring the crap out of you!

I try not to ride it any more, although it do once in a while. Like on a Wednesday! Too many other good roads around with less congestion!

wncbmw wrote:As a local, I first rode Deal's Gap nearly 30 years ago. (I also usually refuse to call it 'The Dragon'. That's for tourists! ). Even had a project at Fontana for a while, rode the bike to visit the job occasionally and did a few runs on my lunch hour.

Now, it's Disney World for motorcycles. And Mini Coopers. And Honda S2000s. And Miatas. And any other wheeled club that wants to meet up and clog the road and blow turns in mass, crossing the center line at any time. Or all the Harleys setting a pace better suited for the Shriners in a Christmas parade. Or the hot shot sport riders, passing the guys in your group at random moments, scaring the crap out of you!

I try not to ride it any more, although it do once in a while. Like on a Wednesday! Too many other good roads around with less congestion!

+1 Vann. I had my first opportunity in 1979 on a motorcycle tour of the Smoky Mountains and a half a dozen times since.. My how the times have changed.

Doc(Jim)

Harriman Bash

Focus Fellas

MLW has insisted that we attend.
Just got off the phone w/ the nice folks @ the Best Western and have our res for Fri & Sat.
Mapquest shows it's 855 miles from our house, so it'll be a few days down and a few days back.

We're up for meeting any other Yankee's on the way down, but we've done the last two on our own down & back so that's OK too.

Looking forward to it.

D & G

I have made the deal at work with my fellow workers. Just need someone to share the room costs.

Harriman Bash

Focus Fellas

People just need to know there are other riding options!

You've forced my hand....

Real Rides Around Harriman Bash
_____________________________

Cumberland Mountains
- Frozen Head State Park
- Obed Wild and Scenic River
- Big South Fork National River
- Cumberland Gap National Historic Park

Cumberland Plateau/Cumberland River
- Dale Hollow Lake
- Lake Cumberland (KY)
- Cordell Hull Res.
- Edgar Evans Res.
- Burgess Falls State Park

Tennessee Valley/ Mid-Continent Uplift
- Oak Ridge National Nuclear Facility
- Watts Bar Lake
- Falls Creek Falls State Park

Smokey Mountains/Blue Ridge Mountains NC
- Cherahala Skyway
- Blue Ridge Turnpike

And finally for the intrepid self-punishers: Deal's Gap

Maps on request. All routes scouted and personally approved. $1000.00 deposit for any map. No refunds. Your mileage may vary.

MikeCam wrote: Maps on request. All routes scouted and personally approved. $1000.00 deposit for any map. No refunds. Your mileage may vary.

I had to magnify to see what this was all about.
A bit high on your price Mike.
On a side note I have May 8th-19th off and plan on riding most of the days prior to the Bash visiting kin in IN.

You've forced my hand....

All part of my plan!

Oh WOW! Mike has maps! Now I don't even need to go scout it. Its a little cold anyway this week.

OU812 wrote:I have made the deal at work with my fellow workers. Just need someone to share the room costs.

If I'm still welcome to join you guys........I may be able to split the cost wit ya

That would be great!

MikeCam wrote:Harriman Bash

Focus Fellas

Not to undercut Mike, but you may want to checkout this link. I love my Streetpilot and PC, but there isn't anything better than the ability to see the whole picture in detail spread out on my kitchen table with your favorite beverage at hand. Well, maybe there is one thing, but I digress.

http://www.madmaps.com/roadtrips/products/view/38

I believe that this will cover the BB7 area perfectly. I guess I am just an old paperboy at heart.

Doc(Jim)

Jim,

Great resource. I find the area covered to be quintessential for the Bash. You should all ride those roads. I meanwhile will travel North, West and East along the KY-TN border areas of the empty roads.

Steve,

I am retired. It takes at least $1000.00 to get me to do anything for others anymore.

Well then Mike, I will not ask you for....anything!

It takes at least $1000.00 to get me to do anything for others anymore.

You mean you'll do ANYTHING for a $1000?

Phil,

No, that's the starter fee.

MikeCam wrote:... I meanwhile will travel North, West and East along the KY-TN border areas of the empty roads.

My 2 cents....I agree with MikeC.

Ride where you like.... but

It's best to ride west of I-75.

...And Minimike's advice (owner of Telllico Motorcycle Outfitters) bears repeating:

"That's the weekend of the DL650/1000 V-Strom Rally, the KLR650 "Tour de Tellico", and the Asheville Bikefest. The traffic on the Dragon Saturday will be heavy."

Mike, sign me up for those $1000 maps.... you do accept Confederate money, don't you?

jb

Nice JB!

If I'm still welcome to join you guys

johnnyjs1 - of course you are welcome! Look forward to seeing you again. Hopefully we will have less rain than the PA Bash!