Beautiful Ride

[Fubar]

Today my Wife and I went on a great ride. I've made the ride before but this was my first on the FJR. We left Dayton, TN about 9am after a good breakfast at the local Huddle House. Went east through Athens, Englewood, north on 411 through Madisonville and Vonore. Turned right on 72 and then right again on US129. For those who don't know 129 it's also known as "the tail of the dragon". Stopped at Deals Gap to view the lot full of beautiful motorcycles and pick up a couple of tee shirts and trinkets verifying we tamed the "dragon". We did meet an ***** driving a tractor-trailer on the dragon. Don't know if he made it all the way without dropping his trailer in to hole, but I know he came close to the bikes that were in front of me. I just don't get it...Why take that road with a truck? Left Deals Gap at 86 degrees and by the time we reached the 5200+ altitude on the Cherahola it was 66 degrees. It was refreshing. I have made that trip when it wasn't quite so comfortable with the snow falling. 215 miles for the trip over and back. If any of the forum folks find yourself in the SE Tennessee area and would like to make the ride drop me an email or message on the forum.

Don

 

[ctfjr]

Today my Wife and I went on a great ride. I've made the ride before but this was my first on the FJR. We left Dayton, TN about 9am after a good breakfast at the local Huddle House. Went east through Athens, Englewood, north on 411 through Madisonville and Vonore. Turned right on 72 and then right again on US129. For those who don't know 129 it's also known as "the tail of the dragon". Stopped at Deals Gap to view the lot full of beautiful motorcycles and pick up a couple of tee shirts and trinkets verifying we tamed the "dragon". Left Deals Gap at 86 degrees and by the time we reached the 5200+ altitude on the Cherahola it was 66 degrees. It was refreshing. I have made that trip when it wasn't quite so comfortable with the snow falling. 215 miles for the trip over and back. If any of the forum folks find yourself in the SE Tennessee area and would like to make the ride drop me an email or message on the forum.
Don

Nice ride Don! I've done 1/2 that ride twice (once in each direction) but not yet on the fjr. Actually we stayed in Dayton one night, As I rememeber Goodman had a plant there - we used to buy from them. Hoping to get back there this summer for another run or 10!

 

[Fubar]

Today my Wife and I went on a great ride. I've made the ride before but this was my first on the FJR. We left Dayton, TN about 9am after a good breakfast at the local Huddle House. Went east through Athens, Englewood, north on 411 through Madisonville and Vonore. Turned right on 72 and then right again on US129. For those who don't know 129 it's also known as "the tail of the dragon". Stopped at Deals Gap to view the lot full of beautiful motorcycles and pick up a couple of tee shirts and trinkets verifying we tamed the "dragon". Left Deals Gap at 86 degrees and by the time we reached the 5200+ altitude on the Cherahola it was 66 degrees. It was refreshing. I have made that trip when it wasn't quite so comfortable with the snow falling. 215 miles for the trip over and back. If any of the forum folks find yourself in the SE Tennessee area and would like to make the ride drop me an email or message on the forum.
Don

Nice ride Don! I've done 1/2 that ride twice (once in each direction) but not yet on the fjr. Actually we stayed in Dayton one night, As I rememeber Goodman had a plant there - we used to buy from them. Hoping to get back there this summer for another run or 10!

Come on down.....we will ride.

 

[TILAM]

I just did the same ride last week on my annual trip and the Cherlahola is one of the best roads in the area. I did it Monday evening and we pretty much owned the road. Much nicer than the "Gap" but you have to do it too just to say you did. There's a carbon fiber dragon on my front fender to prove it.

 

[ShawnKing]

I just don't get it...Why take that road with a truck?

99.9% of the time, the trucker is a guy unfamiliar with the area. He looks at his map and sees a "shortcut" or his GPS tells him that's the fastest way to Atlanta or Knoxville. There's really only one sign telling truckers the nature of the road and it's not explicit enough so they get "caught" - and once you start, you can't turn your rig around.

 

[Fubar]

I just don't get it...Why take that road with a truck?

99.9% of the time, the trucker is a guy unfamiliar with the area. He looks at his map and sees a "shortcut" or his GPS tells him that's the fastest way to Atlanta or Knoxville. There's really only one sign telling truckers the nature of the road and it's not explicit enough so they get "caught" - and once you start, you can't turn your rig around.

What you say is true about not being able to turn around once your on the dragon, but at least on the Tennessee side there is a sign warning truckers of the road. I guess they must be talking on their cell phone when they pass the sign.

 

[gasportrider]

There is a hell of a big warning sign on the NC side as well. I'll take a picture on my next trek up on July 11 for an FJR camping gathering at Ironhorse.

Any trucker continuing onward toward the Gap ain't named Bubba, his name is Numbnuts.

Killboy.com has numerous photos of these rigs with wheels hanging off the mountain completely blocking both sides of the road.

If the state of TN wants to use enforcement for revenue, they should try this avenue for a change.

 

[Fubar]

There is a hell of a big warning sign on the NC side as well. I'll take a picture on my next trek up on July 11 for an FJR camping gathering at Ironhorse.
Any trucker continuing onward toward the Gap ain't named Bubba, his name is Numbnuts.

Killboy.com has numerous photos of these rigs with wheels hanging off the mountain completely blocking both sides of the road.

If the state of TN wants to use enforcement for revenue, they should try this avenue for a change.

Yes to the above statements. I gave the trucker a nice friendly wave on the way by to make him feel at home. :clapping:

 

[ShawnKing]

What you say is true about not being able to turn around once your on the dragon, but at least on the Tennessee side there is a sign warning truckers of the road.

True - *a* sign. If you blink, you miss it.

There should be several and they should be *very* explicit as to what awaits the trucker.

 

[keithaba]

Ahh, I love that area. Just did a trip in May, already missing it.

I'm going again in Fall, don't know when yet.

Would like to go this summer, but it's gonna be F*ing hot!

 

[BladeRunner]

There should be several and they should be *very* explicit as to what awaits the trucker.

Oh please Mr. Trucker don't sleep now!

Get off the phone and leave that girl alone.

Baaaaad JuJu ahead.

You turn around now ok?

Look at the map man! It looks like this road was drawn by a drunk riding the Tea Cup at Disney!