Talley Ho Conference Room

[Mr Bill]

We have the conference room Saturday and Sunday night at the Talley Ho Inn.

The cost of $120 per night is offset by $5 each room we have reserved so it may end up costing $0. Do we have 24 staying there? Please post here if you have a room so we can get a headcount. Don't post on each forum like I'm doing - just this one please.

When you check in be sure to tell them you are EOM.

Should we get an idea of when to meet up there on Saturday? What does everyone think of 7pm. Thats a half hour before Sunset I think.

 

[Grumpy]

I have a room, Mr. Bill.

Grumpy (Jim)

 

[quicksilver]

I am there Fri, Sat, Sun nights.

 

[FJRocket]

Also staying at the Tally Ho Fri, Sat and Sun.

Just one of me. May be more, but they are off the cuff.

Perhaps you should start a new thread and title it Saturday Night or Tally Ho Head Count, or something to that effect. Perhaps folks just aren't interested in reading about the conference room?

 

[smthng]

I believe the Tally Ho has totally booked up the room block we had allocated for the EOM. I don't know who made that arrangement, so I don't know how many that is, but it should go a long way to reducing or negating the cost.

If there's is a cost, what does everyone think about having some kind of "entry fee" to help cover it? Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking to make any money here, but so far we have ZERO dollars in the bank and I don't want to get stuck with a bill when all is said and done. I'm guessing that 2 or 3 bucks per person would easily cover everything *IF* there is any cost at all.

I don't want to say "You must pay" because that wasn't part of the original set up and I don't want people thinking they aren't welcome if they don't cough up a couple bucks. I'm just looking to cover our assets. Of course, we could also do a raffle for some of the door prizes or something to help cover any costs incurred (I'm just kind of thinking out loud here and regurgitating some of an email Mr. Bill sent me about this).

*IF* we determine that this is neccessary *AND* there's money left over, how does everyone feel about donating any excess to a charity of some sort? I could ask the Townsend Chamber of Commerce (they've been quite helpful to me, BTW) if they have any local charities so we could say "thank you" to the area that's hosting us, or we could pick a national or MC related charity if that's preferable to everyone.

Anyway, like I said, I'm just kind of thinking out loud. Feel free to pontificate publicly and/or shoot me down as neccessary.

 

[Mr Bill]

Perhaps you should start a new thread and title it Saturday Night or Tally Ho Head Count, or something to that effect. Perhaps folks just aren't interested in reading about the conference room?

Ok I started a poll. When I made reservations early on there were 17 rooms left open.

 

[FJRocket]

When I made my res a month or two ago, I got the last non-smoking room, so I was told.

Who booked the thing and how big was the block? How many rooms do they have and how big was the block? If there's at least 80 folks coming, there should be plenty to share the burden, even though not all of them are staying at the T.H..

I'm not opposed to sharing the cost of the conference room. Are we eating dinner in there? Is it just for a gathering place?

 

[FJRocket]

Ok, I called them. Yes, I stuck my nose where it does not belong.

25 rooms reserved and the conference room is FREE. The manager told me the room is FREE. He also stated that we had a block of around 35 rooms reserved. Perhaps there were even more reservations outside that block.

As long as most everyone shows, there should be no issue. Baring catastrophic circumstances, the room should be freebie.

One less thing to worry about.

 

[smthng]

Hey FJRRocket... do me a favor. Give them a call when you get the chance and ask what happens if we have to cancel it at the last minute. I'm not anticipating any problems, but we did have a nasty little hurricane roll through there last year on the weekend we're going. If the same happens again, I'd hate for someone to get stuck holding the bag for any cancellation fees or anything.

Just for the record... I did two days up and down the Blue Ridge last year during that 'cane (had an FZ1 at the time, so didn't know about the FJR meet). If the roads are open, I'll be there regardless of the weather. But... if everyone else chickens out and there ends up being only a dozen or so of us, there's not much point in a conference room. :S

 

[Mr Bill]

Ok, I called them. Yes, I stuck my nose where it does not belong.
25 rooms reserved and the conference room is FREE. The manager told me the room is FREE.

FJRocket,

Thanks nosey! I called yesterday and they did not know how many rooms. Well I guess all this polling is a waste of time now :eh:

The guy that answered yesterday gave me to a woman who said she was manager.

 

[FJRocket]

The guy I talked to SOUNDED like a manager. He knew EXACTLY what was going on. He didn't say he was the manager. But I liked his style. No bullshit. Johnny on the spot. I was off the phone in less that 2 minutes. My kinda guy!

He also told me they were completely sold out for the weekend. I think they'll be so busy, the won't even know what's going on, let alone care about the conference room.

At the other end of the spectrum, that means the GAP and the Dragon is going to be REALLY busy.

I may lean towards the off the beaten path for Saturday, and try to do the Dragon late or early, or maybe both, and probably Sunday. Maybe even Monday before heading for home. Anyway, just thinking outloud again...

 

[Mr Bill]

FjrRocket

The roads will be busy I'm sure, I'm planning to ride Foothill/Dragon/Cherahola early Sunday before most wake up.

I think sunrise is around 7:15

I'd want to leave so I can run the dragon in the early twilight before the sun comes up and hits me in the face (heading East on Dragon) and then hopefully find a coffee/breakfast stop before heading South on the Cherahola Skyway. Thats my thoughts anyway...

 

[FJRocket]

Is the road dewey that early in the AM or does it stay fairly dry?

 

[Mr Bill]

Is the road dewey that early in the AM or does it stay fairly dry?

I think the road may stay wet for a while if the dew point is reached. Very wooded area here in the Smokeys. Ride careful!

Um do you know how the Smokey Mountains got that name? It ain't from smoke, but because if there is rain anywhere near this place gets it. I suggest everyone bring raingear just in case - at least there will be no hurricane starting with the letter I (Irene is going to be long gone).

My FJR has gotten wet in the Shenandoah and Smokey mountains every fall since I picked it up in 2002 - maybe this year will be different

I have the details for miles and times on the dragon:

Talley Ho to Foothills Parkway 8miles 15min

Foothills Parkway to 129 18miles 25min

129 to Fugitive Bridge 18miles 50min

Looks like I'd have to leave at 6am to avoid sun in the face, but that would be very dark. I'm thinking have the sun shades ready and leave at 6:45 and then breakfast in Robbinsville around 8:30 or 9am

Any tips from people who know this area?

 

[toophast]

I have a room reserved fri, sat , sun. for my fiancee and I, don't know if she will be riding her bike or pillion on mine....

I think the Dragon would be Toooooooo challenging in the dark, but many out there have more experience than I

 

[FJRocket]

Is the road dewey that early in the AM or does it stay fairly dry?

I think the road may stay wet for a while if the dew point is reached. Very wooded area here in the Smokeys. Ride careful!

Um do you know how the Smokey Mountains got that name? It ain't from smoke, but because if there is rain anywhere near this place gets it. I suggest everyone bring raingear just in case - at least there will be no hurricane starting with the letter I (Irene is going to be long gone).

My FJR has gotten wet in the Shenandoah and Smokey mountains every fall since I picked it up in 2002 - maybe this year will be different

I have the details for miles and times on the dragon:

Talley Ho to Foothills Parkway 8miles 15min

Foothills Parkway to 129 18miles 25min

129 to Fugitive Bridge 18miles 50min

Looks like I'd have to leave at 6am to avoid sun in the face, but that would be very dark. I'm thinking have the sun shades ready and leave at 6:45 and then breakfast in Robbinsville around 8:30 or 9am

Any tips from people who know this area?

Yes, I thought the Smokey part might cause some lousy visability and wetness after dark, and perhaps long after dawn, regardless of rain. Just thought I'd bring it up. When I was riding down there the other day, it was quite damp in some of the shaded curves on the Dragon, and it hadn't rained. Yet.

That afternoon, it poured. It was pretty cool (literally) to be up top of the mountain and watch a thunderstorm roll in at about eye level. We got outta there FAST. Well, not too fast once it started raining. That was on the Cherohala Skyway. It was gorgeous, even in the rain. Got to ride through a cloud, too. That was a first without the airplane.

I second the motion that we all bring jackets and rain gear.