My First Trip

[dUh!_imp]

Last year I started planning my first out of state motorcycle trip. My original plan was to head to the Deals Gap area in North Carolina/Tennessee to camp out and explore the roads in the surrounding area. Cherohala, Blue Ridge, Deals Gap were among the main roads I wanted to ride. Through an odd set of events, all my camping gear ended up in Arizona; and is still there waiting for me to collect. So slight change of plans. Obvious choice; rent some sort of lodging and carry on, but then I had a change of heart. After spending time on the CB1100 forum reading of different adventures, I decided to talk to everyone I work with that rides, and extended an invite for everyone to join me. After everyone checked with their wives – a group of 9 went. 4 of us rode (Wayne Blue Harley; Billy Red/Black Harley; Kevin Red Honda Shadow; me CB1000) while the other 5 (John Red BMW; Josh Blue/White GSXR1000; Rodney Red/Black GSXR1000; Mark Yellow BMW; Mike Red 1200Monster Ducati) trailered down to a rented cabin in Robbinsville North Carolina.
My trip was planned out so I set off Tuesday August 21st. Odometer 2096
Slight rain - rolling away to meet the other 3 riding South with me
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Meet up and first refuel, rain was still light. Everyone is ready to go
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Not much to do but get miles in. Another fuel stop for us and the bikes. Just passed into Tennessee - 4rth State for the day.
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Getting there wasn’t that exciting; traveling 74 to 75. Interstate scenery wasn’t much to look at other than blacktop, and Semi trucks. Coming into Knoxville, we decided to ride down 441 to Sevierville then to Pigeon Forge. Pigeon Forge was a bit busy as expected so we didn’t spend much time there and resumed our ride to Robbinsville on 331. After riding South on the Foothills we turned South on 129 and took a rest by the Little Tennessee River before making our first run through Deals Gap.
Billy checking in
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I walked out to the dock and as I looked out to the water; movement caught my eye to the left. A biker had decided to skinny dip there for a while. Not wanting to join him I quickly retreated – and if you really need a picture to believe it – sorry – I didn’t get one. Before we started back on the road, sirens and speeding rescue vehicles passed us heading South on 129. We talked a little longer to let the rescue workers get to where they needed to be, and even gave it a little more time to ensure we wouldn’t catch up to where they were headed. We set off again with me leading the way. Before we ever reached the Deals Gap overlook; I rounded a turn and was greeted by an officer, slowing traffic and directing us to pass on the mountain side of the road. Rescue workers were still occupying the road, working on a rider on a stretcher. It was a sad sight of 2 bikes that were trying to occupy the same piece of tarmac at the same time.

Wayne and Kevin - not sure if they believed me about the SkinnyDipper just beyond the dock. I encouraged them to go look for themselves - which they did.
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Safely arrived at the Cabin where the 5 trailered bikes were waiting. Oddly enough, the cabin came with its own guard dog. She(Sway) watched over the cabin and was always on the porch waiting for the handouts of food we produced. Seems the more we fed her, the more she stuck around – go figure.
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[OldF7Guy_imp]

Great stuff. How do you like the fairing and what saddle bags do you have? Also that is a 13 right? What pipes do you have?

[Randy B]

Great stuff. How do you like the fairing and what saddle bags do you have? Also that is a 13 right? What pipes do you have?

Please note the left hand exhaust pipe. That is all.



EDIT: OK I'm a big dufus. Talk about open mouth, insert foot.

I wonder what those pipes are?

[dUh!_imp]

Friday August 22nd our first group ride – route was 129 N through Deals Gap; N on Foothills Parkway; E on Little River Rd; S on 441; W on 19; S on 143 back to the cabin. Not many miles, but for our first group ride of 9 – it took a while. It was a great day of riding. The roads, scenery …. truly spectacular. I cannot express the amount of fun I had this day. A day of riding, that will stick with me forever.

Idiot deep in thought
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Billy taking the lead for the first group ride
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It didn't happen all the time, but this one time, we were being good.
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Our Group
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After Deals Gap, I am in front looking for the Foothill Parkway turn off. I passed it doing 50MPH - speed limit 45MPH. Everyone was really happy about that.
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Finally back on track on Foothill Parkway
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part of Little River Road - Someone had his GoPro put away thinking a highway was coming up
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441 is spectacular
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Despite all the warnings - yes we all made at least 1 stupid move before the weekend was over. This time - it wasnt me. Rodney and Josh were doing something and Rodney runs wide
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[the Ferret]

Please note rainbow colored head pipes ... Those are special pipes!

Been waiting for this report Rick!

[dUh!_imp]

Did I mention that we all had a boneheaded move at 1 point in time??
Well, John who happens to be my boss, ran off the road. I know how it happened as I saw the whole thing. Being a concerned employee - I did the most rational thing. I positioned myself to capture it all on camera
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John did return to the road, after kicking up dust and jumping a water run offditch.

More DealsGap at the overlook
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I rode Deals Gap, at least 1 time everyday
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Im sure I was telling Billy how there is no way Im going to miss the Foothills turn off
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[emptysea]

Great report. Cool pics.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Great report. And, yes, some brilliant photos. Quote:The roads, scenery …. truly spectacular. You have never said a truer word. Keep those ride reports coming.

You know, one of your mates, Billy I think, bears a passing resemblance to "Mike" from Breaking Bad. Maybe he is an actor, or was he "looking after" you (boss).

Cheers

[dUh!_imp]

Saturday August 23rd route Cherohala Skyway heading West. I woke up feeling off. I honestly have never done so many miles in such a short time, and nor have I spent days just riding. My rides normally consisted of commuting and short 10Hour trips up to this point. I was feeling off, and I could tell my riding was below average, for my below average ability LoL. So , the agenda for the day – was to let everyone go their own pace knowing the group would split up. We decided to meet back in Robbinsville after doing the Cherohala both directions. Like I said; I was off this day. I have few pictures of this day, and even with the GoPro mounted and ready to go, something went wrong between me thinking I pressed the button and the recording of the ride. I did not capture anything on GoPro for this ride.

Harley Davidson at Tellico Plains


I photo bombed all the Harleys I could over the weekend
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Bald River Falls
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I have no idea why they call it that either
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All of us at the Bald River Fall
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farther up top of the falls, I clambered up to see what it looked lilke from the top
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Heading to the fall
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On the way back to Robbinsville I was greeted by a cop car sideways in a blind steep downhill corner blocking the road. After a brief conversation, the road was closed due to a downed rider. I headed back around the corner and put the CB in the middle of the road and stood there slowing traffic headed to the accident. After about an hour, one lane opened up and thru traffic was allowed in both directions, so I removed the CB from the road, and our group of 9 headed back to Robbinsville. We only made it about 2 miles when we were stopped again. The same accident – the man was moved from the crash site to a clearing where LifeLine Helicopter could land on a bridge to extract him. Paramedics worked on him for another 2Hours before moving him to the Helicopter. This is very tragic, but a reality of motorcycle riding. This is my only rant – I understand that this area is a motorcycle paradise, not to be confused with a motorcycle playground.

My prayers were with him and his wife. May they both be OK
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CB and I doing our part to slow traffic coming into the turns. Not everyone appreciated us.
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Saturday night, I was feeling a little better, or maybe not thinking at all; I decided to head to Deals Gap.I rode the Gap at night, which for me was actually a lot of fun
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No one believed I did it, until they watched the GoPro. I captured it, and it really did happen. On the way back, I didn't record, which was good and bad. I missed the part where a bat dive bombed me. It freaked me out and I almost ran off the road trying to avoid it as it came back for a second swoop at my helmet. haha stupid bat
Saturday night at the cabin, the boys being boys, stayed up rather late drinking and having a good time. I missed the excitement but heard about it the next morning.
Billy shaving creamed our boss John - after John passed out on the porch outside
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Sunday August 24th – my plan was to ride the Moonshiners 28 [url=http://moonshiner28.com/moonshiner28_roadinfo.html]http://moonshiner28.com/moonshiner28_roadinfo.html then head to the Two Wheels thru Time Museum. Being our last day, everyone headed in different directions to see what they wanted. After getting back to the Deals Gap Resort at 28 and 129 Mark Yellow BMW asked if I could help him get back to Chimney Top on 441. There was a place he wanted to go back to and look around a little more. Leaving Mark at Chimney Top after getting him sorted out with maps and a sense of how to get back to the cabin on his own, I set off with Wayne, Billy, Kevin towards the museum. Unfortunately, we did not make it in time before they closed. We did have another great day of riding.



part of 28 here
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Trying to figure out what Mark is going to do. He was the least experienced rider and I didn't feel comfortable letting him go off on his own.
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Not a lot of photos this day as I was just trying to get to the museum, so here is an assortment of photos from the weekend.

Gap overlook
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Everyone was so happy I stopped traffic for this photo inside the Smokey Mountain Park. I think they called me a name or 2 as well
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Scenic Overlook again
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North Carolina; botton of the hills before heading up into Deals Gap was a Hydroelectric Dam. Something I had to see at night
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waking up early, I couldnt wait to ride more each day
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Well, this is the last day. Monday August 25th the 4 of us set off back North for Indiana. We made a detour to ride the Devils Triangle [url=http://www.devilstriangletn.com/]http://www.devilstriangletn.com/ along the way.

I liked the road, yes - the area ... Not so much. For being called the Devils Triangle, I think there was a Church every mile along the way. I just felt out of place .... see if you can see anything in the first 2 pictures
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Both the cruisers scraped at this turn. Kicked them both to the outside of the turn .... I bet it was cooler from my point of view.
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Headed back to Interstate 75 - we saw this
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I am not too sure what this sign means, but OK
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After that, another uneventful trip along the interstate to get back home. Everyone arrived back home safely

[emptysea]

Nicely done. Think you.