sweetlu

Ok guys, talking to Tom (BrownC50) and Mark (Kittlinton) today at the Winter meet, we are wondering if there is any interest in riding down to the Smokey Mountains and riding the area.

The idea is to ride down, taking the entire Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway, stay at the Appletcover Inn @ Maggie Valley, then ride the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway & the Smokey Mountains for a few days before riding back home.

This might be a 5-6 day ride. The Drive and BRP will take at least two full days as you have to watch out for wildlife. The posted speed limit is 35/45, but I've heard the view is fantastic, so well worth the multi-day ride.

We would not reserve any rooms. Before it gets dark, we will decide on where to stay depending on how much we cover on that day.

I would suggest riding down the Drive & BRP, but if the weather does not cooperate we can slab it to the Inn and hit those byways on our way back home.

Dates are flexible. Would like to ride while school is in session and before the summer gets here. Talking to Tom, June is bad for him, so let's plan on either April or May. Just keep in mind when Easter, Mother's Day, and other days of significance occur on the calendar.

So feel free to throw out any suggestions, possible dates, length of time, if you are interested, etc....

Below are some helpful links
Maggie Valley Lodging - Applecover Inn Motel - Discount Motels Smoky Mountains
The Cherohala Skyway, a National Scenic Byway
Blue Ridge Skyline Parkway Drive
Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, motorcycle and sport car two lane tourism serving Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, Cherohala Skyway, Moonshiner28, Devils Triangle, and Six Gap North Georgia.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Western North Carolina Mountain - Scenic Highlander Driving Tours

Suggested Agenda:
Day 1 - Meet somewhere at Front Royal, VA and ride the Skyline Drive and BRP
Day 2 - BRP and stay at the AppleCover Inn
Day 3 - Ride the area (Dragon, Cherohala, Smokey Mountains)
Day 4 - Ride the area (Dragon, Cherohala, Smokey Mountains)
Day 5 - Ride the area (Dragon, Cherohala, Smokey Mountains) - possibly start going home.
Day 6 - Arrive home

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aka: "Jersey" - Honorary Louisiana Cajun

05 C50 --> 05 C90 --> 07 HD FLHX --> 08 GL1800 Airbag model / 1994 HD FXSTS Springer --> 2011 HD FLTRU Road Glide Ultra

Flylow

I would be more interested in late May or early June as we talked about yesterday mostly to help out with weather.

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2006 C50 -->> 2007 R1200RT
Previously known as "Bikingagain"

HburgVaRider

I live in the BRP area I might be able to meet up with you all in front royal and go down to at least harrisonburg area.

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2006 Suzuki C50 - Vance & Hines Pipes & FI Controler.

DCinCT

have been considering the same trip but planning on the first week in June... will watch. May also want to consider staying here...

Two Wheel Inn near Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway and Moonshiner28

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Whats the big hurry...slow down and enjoy the ride!

kettlinton

IM ALL IN Dates for me would be
APRIL-week of 9th
week of 15th
week of 22rd
week of 29th
May-anytime!!!!

I,m flexable so I can all most do any date. Just throwing dates out I know will be good for me!!!

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2007 C50(Sold)
2005 Vulcan 1600 Classic 46,568 miles and riding!!(Couch!!)

v0lusia

Tagged...... Be sure to bring some warm gear. Early mornings can be a bit chilly that time of year in the mountains. When I went last time we slabbed it from Central MA to Front Royal in 1 day.
Day 2 we did Skyline and BRP to Roanoke
Day 3 we did BRP to Ashville NC (you could probably get all the way to the Applecover, we got all the way to the SC/GA border to Chappy's place down there)

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danimal

Early April is going to be cold! Even near the end of April can be spotty.

I'd love to do this but unfortunately, I have already committed to doing a similar ride with my wife in July. I don't think I can swing the vacation time to do this one too.

Bob Penn

WARM GEAR? HEEEEEEL, bring your best rain gear look who's leading this parade.

It will depend on final agreed to date and weather pattern for me. Americade is June 4 - 9.

You mite want to contact Biker Pop he lives just outside of Maggie Valley and knows the best roads down there

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I didn't do anything yesterday and doubt I'll have time to finish the job today

sweetlu

Hey does that mean you are good the entire month of April as well???

OK here are some dates that I think are bad:
Easter Sunday - April 8
Mother's Day - May 13
Memorial Day - May 28
My son's Bday is May 29 so I can't go personally on the last week of May.

How about these dates as a possible window:
Sat, May 19 - Friday, May 25 - Tom I know you can't do June so how are these dates for you. This way you are back to enjoy the entire Memorial Day weekend and fully recover before going back to work. Everybody feel free to comment.

Tom already contacted BikerPop, so he knows Tom and Mark were going down. Obviously he can show/lead us on all the great riding in that area.

__________________
aka: "Jersey" - Honorary Louisiana Cajun

05 C50 --> 05 C90 --> 07 HD FLHX --> 08 GL1800 Airbag model / 1994 HD FXSTS Springer --> 2011 HD FLTRU Road Glide Ultra

brownC50

FYI .... Sat 26th, Sun 27th and Mon the 28th is Memorial Day weekend

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"Ah Say... Ah Say... Ice is like water, only way cooler."

2005 C50 Black .... 30,000 + Happy Miles (That's 48,280 km for our metric friends)