| Author | Message | ||
     Norrisperformance |
Are you hassled by law enforcement? Is traffic better mid week? A friend told me that traffic is so bad it’s not worth the trip, and sport cars were a big problem. How’s the visibility on most of the stretch. Thanks Mike (Message edited by norrisperformance on May 08, 2005) | ||
| Jlnance |
Mike, If Deals Gap is too crowded for your tastes, there is a similar section of highway 421 near the NC-TN border. It's only about 2/3 the length of Deals Gap, but its nice and twisty. And you can always run it twice to compensate for the length. Here is a link to a store which sits at one end of the run: http://www.shadyvalleycountrystore.com/country_store_001.htm Thanks, Jim | ||
| Bluebuellxb9r |
I would recommend going during the week for pure riding enjoyment, and on the weekend to check out the scene - check out www.killboy.com , Daryl always has some good info re. cops on his site . I havent had a problem with anything the last few times Ive been, but, its been on like tuesday or wednesday - its still worth the trip ! If for nothing else, you can get the infamous t-shirt ! | ||
| Dilysi73 |
OK dumb question. What is Deal's Gap? I've only started ridding here in hawaii, so I know nothing about good roads and tracks in the states. I will be moving back to florida next week, and my bike will be there and fixed about mid july. So what is deal's gap and any good track days in florida? Thanks Aaron  | ||
| U4euh |
www.dealsgap.com when you get your bike, start planning for a trip! | ||
| Whodom |
Dilysi73- "Deal's Gap" refers to a section of U.S. highway 129 in NC and TN that is considered just about the curviest section of paved road in the U.S.: 318 curves in 11 miles is the claim. It's pretty much become "motorcycle Mecca" in recent years. If you want to find it on a map, it's southeast of Knoxville, TN. Read more at http://www.tailofthedragon.com | ||
| Mrvvrroomm |
As stated above, ride it during the week, stay for the show on the weekend. The cops are rabid during weekends. The traffic sucks on weekends, the squids are plentiful on weekends. As far as visibility? LOL You most likely won't get your bike out of 2nd gear. If you snap up the wheel for ANY length of time, you'll probably blow the next curve. It's unbelievable, but it's also not the only road down there. It's why everyone goes, but spend some time exploring and check out the Cherohala Skyway. It's worth the trip...during the week. We always head down on a Wednesday and load up the trailer to come home on Sunday morning. You'll love it! | ||
| Tatsu |
There are very little curves here in Hawaii. The longest is maybe a 3 mile semi curvy road called snake road. Also known as the killer, cause many people have crashed and died there. Deal's sounds interesting. | ||
| Cataract2 |
I'M GOING IN AUG!!!!!! Got a big trip planned. | ||
| Court |
>>>Cherohala Skyway Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh | ||
| Rocketsprink |
A lot of people have a trip planned in August too. It's the Braggin' at the Dragon 2005 trip. Everyone is welcomed. | ||
| Emscityx |
> Are you hassled by law enforcement? I was subjected to a friggen license check roadblock on the Dragon....during a week when the BMW Riders Association had its rally nearby. There were a lot of pissed off lawyers (like me), judges, and law enforcement officers among the BMW riders that were subjected to the roadblock and helicopter surveillance. The sheriff in charge of that has since died, so maybe proper karma has been restored. > Is traffic better mid week? Yes. There are a lot of overhanging trees, so be sure to give the morning dew time to dry. > A friend told me that traffic is so bad it’s not worth the trip, and sport cars were a big problem. It is still worth it, even if you dont get to do it super fast. And you can get some cool "I rode the dragon" T shirts ! > How’s the visibility on most of the stretch. For what ? You will be too busy looking through your next turn to see anything else. If you mean visibility to see cops, fuggetaboutit. (Message edited by emscityx on May 09, 2005) | ||
| Clydeglide |
I'll be at Deal's Gap from May 22-28. With the bikes. I'll post some info before I leave on the trip.  | ||
| Nevar |
If you're going, be careful. This was posted on the Guzzi website.... ====================================== Just a heads up. www.tailofthedragon.com May 7 2005 "...We found several corners on the Dragon that were deliberately oiled. Thanks to the several riders and Tenn. DOT who did their best to clean up the mess. There is recovered evidence. If you have any information that leads to an arrest we are offering a $500 reward. " _____________________________________________________________ Killboy said on a Tenn forum: "The 4 oil spots are clearly intentional and definitely done Thursday night. Pieces of the glass containers used to hold the oil can be found near three of the oil spills...two were mayonnaise jars and one was a small glass bottle like Olive oil might come in. One of the jars had a "Laura Lynn" label, which is the generic food line of Ingles grocery stores, suggesting this person lives in Robbinsville. The fluid was not automotive...smelled like used/burnt cooking oil and the same fluid was on the glass fragments. The TDOT guys came out and spread sand across the spills. I posted orange flags near the 2 worst spills, one has "SLO" painted on the road right before it, and the final one is not in a bad spot. I spent the majority of the afternoon sweeping away the sand. I felt it was safer to hit some residual oil than piles of sand. We're taking every action possible to bring charges to this person's attempt at murder." | ||
| Shred |
This kind of stuff has happened before! Ga. hwy 60 has been hit with anti-freeze by a local home owner. His statement was 'Tired of people racing and passing over the double and loud pipes. Any person caught should get a felony charge and serve jail-time and pay for any damages. Ride safe! | ||
| Rocketsprink |
The kick in the @ss is that no one lives on that stretch of road. Good idea to do something like that to keep all the revenue from going there or coming back. Some people are just plain F'd up and stupid. Hope they catch and hang the jagoff. | ||
| Bomber |
this DOES happen from time to time -- did my very best Srpingsteen impression at the Buell Adventure a few years ago, thanks to oil on the apex -- the reason given was that it was bear season, and the hunters were upset at the riders scaring off the bears -- good idea to take it easy the first pass through a good road anyways, just to check if the pavement's fallen apart or to check to conditions . . . . . | ||
| Diablobrian |
Any racer will tell you that even on the track you do a "sighting in" lap before you really push your bike, or yourself. Even if you are using tire warmers and it's not the first session of the day. Even in a controlled environment there can be road hazards. Be careful and remember it is NEVER too hot to wear all of your gear.  | ||
| Norrisperformance |
Thanks for all the great info!!!! I think I'll plan a trip. (Message edited by norrisperformance on May 09, 2005) | ||
| Koz5150 |
Because of things like that it is all the more reason you should spend your money on a track day rather then trying to "rip up" public highway. By no means do I think it was right what that person did, but you just don't know what kinda hazards you may come across. My friend here at work nearly lost his head when someone had tied a rope across a wooded parkway he stops at regularly for lunch. His neck still has scars from that. | ||
| Norrisperformance |
Yeah, track days are the best if you really want to ride hard. And the ambulance is already there. But 200 bucks plus all the other expenses is hard to cough up every time you want to go riding. Since I live here in NC and have never been, I think I’ll go check it out. lol | ||
| Koz5150 |
Track day I signed up for is $135. And the beginner class requires nothing special. Gloves, helmet, jacket, pants (two pairs of jeans also qualifies you). It just that if you want to ride and not have to worry about cars driven by teenage girls talking on cell phones, dirty corners, police, speed limits, and the occasional pothole, it's worth every penny. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Norris, you'll love every minute on the track. I predict you will become hooked and one of the biggest proponents of track day riding, IF you make the opportunity to go. Everyone else, keep it sensible on the street. Racing has a time and a place....the street aint it. I won't preach, just keep it in mind next time you round your favorite apex and a minivan comes the other direction half way in your lane..... remember even if your wheels are on the proper side of the double yellow doesn't mean your head is. 'nuf said  | ||
| Nevar |
Everyone else, keep it sensible on the street. Racing has a time and a place....the street aint it. I won't preach, just keep it in mind next time you round your favorite apex and a minivan comes the other direction half way in your lane..... remember ========================================== Halfway a lot of the times. Sometimes on Mt.Lemmon they are ALL the way in your lane. Tim in Tucson | ||
| Norrisperformance |
I've done a Ed Bargy and a PCS school and a few track days. On a ZX9R and it loved to chew up rear tires on the track. None on the Buell yet. And I do love it. | ||
| Ingemar |
Mike, Try and plan your trip in the first week of august. See here.. I believe Tank_Bueller is still looking for a roommate so you can split the costs. | ||
| Norrisperformance |
Thanks Ingemar | ||
| Cataract2 |
I can not wait for Aug......... | ||
| Ingemar |
Hey Cataract, I'm sure I've asked before and thought you weren't able to make it for the Braggin' event. Are you going? I'm really looking forward to meet you guys and terrorize the Smokeys with an army of Buells.  | ||
| Gman |
I am headed down tomorrow. I am going with a friend and his R6 discussion group. I believe we will be in N.C. and N. Georgia, mostly. I can't wait as this will be my 1st time. I would like to make it to the Braggin at the Dragon event as well. It would be nice to be with "family". | ||
| Rocketsprink |
I would like to make it to the Braggin' at the Dragon event as well. }Please do! | ||
| Diablobrian |
Hey Norris, I stand corrected. Just wanted to throw that out there, and not nessessarily just for you either. Too many of us haul a big ego out to these roads. It ends badly eventually. Just trying to add the voice of reason. No slight, insult, or offense intended. I'm sure you took it in the spirit it was intended.  | ||
| Bomber |
just got a heads up from a friend -- there are motor officers cruising the gap almost constantly, according to him -- very close to unmarked HDs, riding in such a way so as to make you bust the limit if you pass em -- word to the wise, and all | ||
| Spike |
I must be short of coffee this morning . . . I was severely struggling to figure how and why you would impersonate Bruce Springsteen on a Buell. I thought to myself, "he was dancing in the dark? his jeans were too tight? he was doing the "80's" dance?" Then I realized you were probably referring to Jay Springsteen. Maybe I've been watching too much VH1. Mike Luddy, Jr. '04 XB12R (on track this weekend!) '05 Mazda3s (Message edited by Spike on May 12, 2005) | ||
| Bomber |
Spike -- yer right, of course, I was talkin about JAY Springer btw, I ONLY dance in the dark, to spare the children years of therapy, my jeans do seem to have shrunk a bit {smile}, but, still, I was talking about #9 (the second one, actually), one of the greatest racers known to upright human kind, my personal hero, Jay (funny post, though, thanks) |
