Back to eastern TN/Western NC

[bpreynolds]

Okay, so no pretty Guzzi pictures to post here  but I took the big Katoom there.  Second trip to the area in the last 6 months.  This time I covered about 1200 miles in 4 days total, areas covering all the lower Smokey Mountains, whole of Nantahala Forest, and whole of Cherokee Forest, including portions of TN and North Carolina.  One day I even drove 300 miles in the area and still didn't seem to even touch what's there.  So vast, so amazing, so gorgeous everywhere.  And yeah, I paid for that stupid glamor shot they take of ya.    Top link is to the full album of photos and videos.  The KTM was just flat out amazing on those roads but as I was telling krglorioso, don't ever let anyone tell you KTM makes some wonderful seats 
http://s212.photobucket.com/user/bpreynolds/library/KTM%20Supermoto/Etowah%20TN

[elvisboy77]

Fantastic pics!  Thanks for sharing.  You are braver than me going to Deals gap.  That place is a big box of NOPES for me!

[trippah]

I so look forward to your photo shoots.  After hearing all the crap on tv about how bad we have it, I slip through your slides and am reminded of all the beauty, natural and man made, that surrounds us.

[Wayne Orwig]

You are braver than me going to Deals gap.  That place is a big box of NOPES for me!

Just go on a week day. Then you can have a more relaxing ride and enjoy everything there.
Avoid the carnival on the weekends.

[leafman60]

I've received reports that authorities have placed speed enforcement cameras along 129, the Deals Gap road.  Can anyone verify? Debunk?

It's a great road but too many people riding beyond their capabilities, especially on the weekends.

Water levels look up to top!



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[Dilliw]

I've received reports that authorities have placed speed enforcement cameras along 129, the Deals Gap road.  Can anyone verify? Debunk?

It's a great road but too many people riding beyond their capabilities, especially on the weekends.

Water levels look up to top!
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Probably to ward off the sports car clubs.  They are using all sorts of communications to clear the road before sending a pack of cars down what I guess they think is their own track.  Those packs of GT-Rs are down right scary.

[Two Checks]

The water levels fluctuate daily. They go down when electricity is generated.

[bpreynolds]

Fantastic pics!  Thanks for sharing.  You are braver than me going to Deals gap.  That place is a big box of NOPES for me!

Re-titled my thread as it may be misleading and not as broadly as I mean.  I'm not sure what specific areas "Deal's Gap" means per se but what I actually mean is all of the lower Smokey Mountains, whole of the Nantahala Forest, and whole of the Cherokee Forest as well, covering parts of TN and NC to include towns such as Tellico Plains, Bryson City, Franklin, Murphy, Tuckasagee, Highlands, etc.  Yes, from what I've seen the Dragon can be a circus if you go on the weekends but I was there riding this trip on Sunday and Monday.  But aside from the Dragon there is literally vast and VAST quantities of ground to cover and roads much more pleasurable than the Dragon to ride.  Anywhere other than the Dragon and the motorcycle population was sparse at most.  I mean between Nantahala and Cherokee alone you're talking about something close to 2000 square miles and that's not even including the Smokies.  Or, you can go to the 11 mile Dragon like I did previously at the end of October and have the whole damn road to yourself.   

[Two Checks]

I will be in Koxvegas next month meeting family (in the truck) but will be meeting friends who live there first. My son has never been to the Gap so I'm going to see if we can steal away for a bit.
Haven't been in a couple years.

[ccoli]

Heading down there on a bike  (sidecar) ride this Sunday. Taking a neighbor from up here, who will be on his Harley trike. Will be staying at our vacation rental house in Gatlinburg. http://m.chaletvillage.com/rental/house.html?ID=17
Just in case anyone would like to stay there, let me know and I will get you a discount.
Planning to ride the dragon, some of the BRP to Maggie Valley etc. Always a good time.