|
SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-30 /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1454499524 Message started by Dave on 02/03/16 at 03:38:44 |
|
Title: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 02/03/16 at 03:38:44 This thread is for discussing and planning a ride in the NC area. This event is just a bit later than in previous years....as June is a pretty wet month for the area. The Deals Gap area was the base of operation in the early years, more recently it has been moved to the Blueridge Motorcycle campground which is more peaceful, has a more agreeable reservation policy, and has access to some very nice riding. The "base camp" can be moved to satisfy the wants/needs of folks wanting to attend this gathering - and if the majority want to stay at Deals Gap and experience the thrill of the circus at "Dragon Central".....it is OK with me. I will most likely be able to come in around Wednesday July 27th and stay through Sunday (I still have that "job" that gets in the way). |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 02/08/16 at 04:29:45 MMRanch has told me that he would like to ride the Blueridge Parkway for a couple of days at some point in his life. http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/upload/blrimap-2.pdf The Blueridge Parkway is approximately 460 miles long....it could potentially be done in a single day - however with traffic, fuel and rest stops, and stops for sightseeing.....it would be 2 longs days or 3 average days of riding. Starting at either end would still result in the other end a long way from anybody being home. (For me either end is 6 hours away form home.......for MMRanch the south end is 5 hours away and the north end is 9 hours away). There is nothing that requires us to ride the entire length - and it could be a 1 - 3 day excursion (both ways) and we could ride whatever length we felt comfortable doing - some of the best trips are done by must "winging" it. We could all meet in Waynesville at the Blueridge Motorcycle campground for a night and then head for the Blueridge Parkway. Does a Blueridge Parkway camping trip interest anyone? I suspect that when you are not in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area the traffic thins out a bit. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Art Webb on 02/08/16 at 07:09:52 Not at my skill level, I still remember the Dragon trip I might go do it on my own someday, but not with a group I ban't keep up with |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 02/08/16 at 12:43:34 The prettiest part of the parkway is between the two of you. Mebbe do it twice (once in each direction) in separate years, starting at one persons end and riding to the other person's end? I hate to say it, but the parts further past the Virginia boarder begin to get kinda "flattish" and mebbe not altogether as breath taking as what lies below ??? This trims it down a bit to allow for travel time to and from. Plus, knowing that you are going to be spending a lot of time in the saddle, you could take your bigger more comfortable bikes. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 02/08/16 at 14:16:59 What an Idea ! ;D Does anybody we know live along the Parkway that might join in for a day or two ? :-? My first thought was to : Find camp a site in Northern third One night on the south end , one 150 miles from the North end . Day one Southern camp Day two Northern camp Day three Northern camp Day four Southern Camp That would be (460 miles x 2 ways ) in four days . Any other ideas ? |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 02/08/16 at 16:20:55 MM, Dave gets Weds noon - Sunday night as his biggest off work stretch. Say you get on your end of the Blue Ridge Parkway (Cherokee at Hwy 411) on Weds AM to go north and meet Dave at a spot on the Parkway that Dave picks on Wednesday night, then Thursday - Friday both of you go tripping north as far as Dave feels like going into Virginia. Spend the night and then he can run back home on major roads and if you wanted you could continue on north for several more days of Blue Ridge Parkway changing to Skyline Drive and then going north all the way up to Washington DC where the Skyway ends. This give you the long long jaunt you want and gives Dave something that he can fit into the 3-4 days of time he has off. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 02/08/16 at 20:36:17 Its more Fun :o if a bunch of us take a trip . ;) We'll see if more folks want to join us for a ride . July is still a ways off. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by badwolf on 02/08/16 at 20:58:14 If you folks are doing the B.R.P., you should take Rt. 80 down to Rt. 70 and back. It' a ways east of Mt. Mitchell down to Marion. I have gone up it 3 times on a bicycle, switchback city. Would be great on a M/C. The rides I did started in Spartinburg, SC, and ended on top of Mt. Mitchell. We rode down in old school buses. They don't corner like a M/C, SCARRRRRY! |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by LANCER on 02/09/16 at 08:32:54 27343231232424460 wrote:
Art, riding the Blue Ridge Parkway is a much more laid back and easy going ride than the Dragon like roads. I don't think you would have any problem with the ride. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 02/09/16 at 10:51:50 Here is an interactive map to the Blueridge. You can use it to mark fuel stops, camping areas, museums, etc. http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/map.php Here is some planning help for motorcycle riders, and it lists some good rides adjacent to the Blueridge Parkway. http://www.blueridgemotorcycling.com/ A feller could spend months planning a trip! |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 02/09/16 at 12:14:31 0F020D0006115154630 wrote:
Art, riding the Blue Ridge Parkway is a much more laid back and easy going ride than the Dragon like roads. I don't think you would have any problem with the ride.[/quote] Lancer, remember that first trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Ed's busted rotor side casing, Ed busting off both of his footpegs off with the arches of his feet, them huge fern root ball dirt chunks he tossed out all over the road using his rear luggage rack as a fern scooper, Ed co-rotating up there in the air with his bike in a slow mo ballet, with his spinning rear tire skinning his jacket up and leaving a very clear tire track mark up his back, and all of the rest of it. After 10 years, we tend to think of the Parkway as tame (and to us it just means go faster) but to somebody on a new to them scooter/bike, struggling somewhat to keep up with the group, mebbe not so tame to them. Ed was like that, you know. He got caught out by surprise by a decreasing radius corner set and he simply didn't know how to change his line of attack in mid curve. He only saw the bunch of ferns he was headed towards and he visually locked in on them instead of watching the road like he was always told to do. ::) ..... easy and laid back except for the first 10 miles of it from the southern entrance, that is. That is fairly exciting to do in the rain with the clouds breaking over the ridgeline line crest looking like the bottom side of a surfer's wave curl. And remember, DO NOT WEAR SUNGLASSES in them unlighted tunnels. :o ack !!! It is all black in here ..... |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Art Webb on 02/09/16 at 16:49:01 considering everyone said the dragon run I went on was laid back, too, I tend to agree with OF, although the scooter changes direction much more easily that the S40, it's not super stable at lower speeds, and decreasing radius curves are my nemesis]I was a decreasing radius curve that dumped me into the wall on the Sister ride (luckily at low speed) it was the decreasing radius turns that scared the mess out of me on the roads all around NC, and I still don't like them much (I have a few around here, but not as tight as the ones in NC) MM rides his Savage with NO HANDS ON THE GRIPS on roads and at speeds that I found very intimidating, that's why I won't let him blow any happy smoke up my tushy about my ability to keep up, and I really do wonder if you remember following me on the road TO the Dragon, where I held the group up as well If I ever ride the Parkway, it'll be with a group of riders who have a similar skillset to my own (if any such low skilled riders exist outside a BRC) TOUR GLIDES were eating my tushy on the Sisters last time |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 03/10/16 at 22:23:44 OldFeller sound familiar : If you folks are doing the B.R.P., you should take Rt. 80 down I remember somebody being low on fuel and instead of going up to Mitchell we went down to the next town on Hwy 80 to Marrion to fuel up. I also remember a couple Harley types that wanted to keep up with that grandPaw ridding Ma's motorcycle. Best I remember only one of them made it past the next bend in the road . I waved friendly as I could to the other one as he slowed to turn around and check on his buddy , while I was trying to keep up with my buddy. Some folks just can't stand to be passed ! :-X When will they ever learn ... ;D I think Hwy 80 is better than the Dragon ... and has a 55mph speed limit ! ;) |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/11/16 at 08:14:40 Now now ---- another one of them stories where I was gone and never saw it ..... All my very best stories take place AFTER I have left the area, apparently. Did this one spin round and round & round because his engine was still running and the throttle lock was still set? (I like that one the best --- it has the sparks flying off the exhaust as it scrubs along the pavement and the big Hurley motor roaring and the bike jest keeps on spinning and spinning around while the injured rider hops up and down on his one good leg) ::) Some people shouldn't use throttle locks, huh? |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Art Webb on 03/11/16 at 08:57:12 throttle locks are for straight highways, not the snakey roads I saw around waynseville ::) |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/13/16 at 07:19:50 Some of the sweeper roads are like the Cherohala Skyway which have 45mph general speed limits that could be throttle locked by Hurley people not wanting a ticket --- then they could concentrate on the scenery and not worry about them gentle sweeping curves. Other people see the same road as more challenging but are doing it well above the speed limit ..... Rule of thumb --- twice as fast as the turn is rated gets you up into the exciting range. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Art Webb on 03/13/16 at 08:24:59 0221292B282121283F4D0 wrote:
or smeared across the scenery I lowsided on the sisters at about 1.5x the posted speed for that corner Target fixation and ham fisted braking ;D |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/13/16 at 10:17:53 Wasn't it exciting though ???? Your life flashing before your eyes as you struggle on through the turn while I am busy passing you on the inside ????? AAAuuuggh !!!! That's a drop off edge !!!! A long long way down ..... EEEEEEEK !!!! :o (could have been worse, you know -- it could have happened inside a strongly curving completely unlit dark narrow arsed Blue Ridge Parkway Tunnel) My exhaust is REALLY REALLY loud when I crank it open in those narrow tunnels, BTW --- baffle is about shot I am afraid. Plus it is DARK in there -- you can see my half a foot of full-ON-thottle blue flame and see inside the glowing hell of my full on muffler's white hot glowing guts and watch that 4 foot expanding diameter donut-shaped BLAM flame blast out, reaching out towards your face when I shut the throttle off when I am just pulling back in just barely in front of you. (use of the kill switch is optional, you know) The first half of my muffler is all blued out for a reason, you know ....... my Stage 1 cam pushes a lot of unburned fuel out the pipe and it lights up inside the muffler at the first baffle turn when the muffler guts get hot enough to self-ignite the fuel vapors. Them dark-arsed Blue Ridge Parkway Tunnels can be fun, you know. ;D |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/13/16 at 18:57:57 Seriously now are you going to have a starting spot and a starting date/time and a planned duration so people can put in for vacation? If it is a carry a tent and bag and Camp wherever we find trip you need to say that and simply get the start Point tied down good. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 03/13/16 at 19:16:36 Seriously now are you going to have a starting spot and a starting date/time and a planned duration so people can put in for vacation? If it is a carry a tent and bag and Camp wherever we find trip you need to say that and simply get the start Point tied down good. :-? If this is mine : I need to find somebody who want to do the same ride , and plan it with them , then invite everybody else . :) |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/13/16 at 19:21:50 It's yours, you pack the tent and tell me where/when to meet up with you. Pick a spot to leave a car and a trailer ...... could be your house, you know. I solemnly promise not to terrorize Jeb if your bring him, nor anybody else for that matter. I am now just a little old slow poky old geezer any more. [smiley=engel017.gif] |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 03/13/16 at 19:28:58 ::) Has your Dr. and Wife'y OK'ed this ? We've had some really cool trips , that started with just you and me . 8-) |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/13/16 at 19:32:28 I am cleared to go back to work on the 21st of this month and am already driving a car and riding my motorcycle. My ticker is just that -- it clicks and ticks along jest fine. All my holes are at the scabbed over and shrinking to pimple sized stage. Need a start date/time, meet point and duration time. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 03/13/16 at 19:59:52 OldFeller Is the nine day trip (from my house) to Texas and back too long right now ? I need to plot out the summer on a Desk size calendar so I can see it more clear . How many days can you be gone ? You remember Al-from-NH. Best I remember he would make two or three days between NH. and the Dragon. The way he told it was , after the Blue Ridge ends then another parkway starts up , then another ,and goes North to some more mountain stuff. You remember any of those pictures of the Northern Appalachians Mountains ? or the name of the parkways after we get north of the "Mason-Dickson" line ? ;D |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/13/16 at 21:13:43 Worry about your Texas trip first -- lots of time to plan another trip after the Texas trip is over. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 03/14/16 at 03:42:39 Well I am in for some portion of the trip. Maybe meet at the start point and ride for a 3-5 day portion.....or intercept you somewhere along the way. The weird part about the Blueridge.....is that both ends are about 5 hours from where I live. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/14/16 at 04:35:08 Here's an idea (just a thought) -- pick at it all you want, its free to pick at all you want. :D Dave likes to start on Wednesday afternoons since that works well for his job stuff. Dave will likely ride his bike to his most likely Join Up Spot since he is going to break off at some point in time and head for home. I expect to see a big comfortable Honda show up (with lots of bag space). MM is going to load up a tent and ride his Sporster up the Parkway to the Join Up Spots anyway. [color=#0000ff][b]He can ride to the start portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway and come up the Parkway to the first Join Up Spot and pick up Dave. Skyline Drive used to be the name of the Blue Ridge Parkway once it got up into Virginia. Now the whole thing is the Blue Ridge Parkway all the way up to just about at Washington DC. The Shenandoah Skyline portion used to require a fee to get on it, I am not sure about that any more. This stuff changes from year to year. You got over 469 miles of very pretty 45 mph road to oggle at. People claim that the Virginia portion gets to be very very mild compared to the higher steeper NC portions. Dave and I will break off at some point to ride back for home. Likely we will get to Friday sometimes and talk about heading on back. Dave will bust out on to an interstate at that point in time and make him some better time heading home. I doubt I'd ride the parkway all the way back, but might pick some faster secondary roads that led back quicker to my house. Can we do the whole length in 2 days one way? Yes, it will be low traffic weekdays and we can go faster than the speed limit in some of the sections. If we do that, the trip will be more risky, but would be a much more satisfying ride. Issue really is that the whole enchilada is a two way trip of at least 4-5 days from the way MM is looking at it. The rub is that when it gets all flatter up in Virginia Shenandoah hills area -- you have to ask yourself "Whats the point?" The Shenandoah Skyline wasn't ever noted as being a real motorcycle road anyway ('cept mebbe for a big Hurley group ride). ===================================== I will ride my Savage straight up north to the Roanoke area and pick the up group up there at my designated Join Up Spot and just ride the bike north for a few days, then back South and exit at Roanoke again. My open road miles will be perfectly doable that way. So, around Roanoke area pick a Join Up Spot and name a time span for me to be there and I will be kicked back reading a paperback book when you get there. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 03/14/16 at 04:59:27 With the trip being late in the month - I have a lot less meetings and I might be able to get away a little longer than usual. I was not able to get away much last year, and I have a lot of carryover vacation time to use up this year. The only thing I need to worry about - is if I have any construction projects that need attention in late July. And if the thing is a moving camping trip - I will most likely have the Honda ST as my ride. My Cafe' conversion is a great bike when we are riding around Waynesville or Dragon Central - but it isn't good for hauling any luggage. This will be my first motorcycle camping trip - last year was the first trip where I actually rode a motorcycle to the event....instead of hauling a bike down on a trailer. The interstate ride down was really hot and the traffic in Knoxville was brutal (Full sun, 95 degrees and an hour traffic jam) - so in those conditions I like having a car, AC and a radio! |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/14/16 at 05:13:23 Dave, where do you see the best spot for you to meet up with MM? Realize it needs to be a spot where you can wait comfortably since that is likely from what has happened in year's past on these roving type trips ...... |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 03/14/16 at 05:24:13 If the goal is to stick to the Parkway....the south end is near Cherokee and the ride for both MM and I to get to that location is a similar distance. If we are going to meet at MM's house....that is about the same length of ride for me as it is to Cherokee. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/14/16 at 05:27:39 My best join up spot is the Bojangles on HWY 220 (alias Franklin Street) which will be a couple of blocks north (3,000 feet) of the Roanoke Blue Ridge Parkway exits (ya got two of them exits in Roanoke both on HWY 220 alias Franklin street, so you can actually miss the first one and it does not matter at all whatsoever as the second one works just as well). The Bojangles is located at 4440 Franklin Rd, Roanoke, VA 24014 (540) 206-2711 I will give you the number for the cell I will be carrying at trip time, since that number shifts around depending on the phone I choose to carry due to best reception. Might even be my wife's phone, she has unlimited data reception off of either T-Moble or Sprint towers. Google Fi, gotta love them. Makes the handle bar Google map thing very easy to do. Now all you need to do is get up a meet up time that seems reasonable to you and text it in to my cell phone that night when you stop for the first time. Or call me. Dave will be with you by then and his phone works really well with my phone. How is that for flexible? As long as you can tell me the approximate Roanoke meet up time up at least four-five hours in advance I can roll to hit it pretty much on the dot. And I will be sipping tea, reading a paperback and enjoying AC comfort during my wait time. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 03/14/16 at 05:51:00 That location is very far up north on the Blueridge.....it is about 7.5 hours from MM's house and about 6.5 hours from my house if we made that the starting point. If MM and I met on the south end near Cherokee we both have about a 5-6 hour ride to Cherokee - and we would get a few miles up the Blueridge and camping for one night. Then on the second day we could get to Roanoke. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/14/16 at 06:02:05 It's not a starting point, just a pick up point. Where you and MM meet up at is the starting point. Once you settle in for the night give me a call or a text and allow for me to take 4-5 hours to get to the pick up spot in Roanoke. I can ride before dawn if needed, so just see where you guys light that first night and call/text me from there. You can plan out your travel time to Roanoke more accurately once you are at your sleep over spot. This is everybody all riding bikes, and does not require a return to pick up cars/trailers so it works better for a roving trip. Everybody can take their best path home when it is all over. It also allows some other people to see how they can "slide into the ride" since that Parkway covers several states and lots and lots of list members live within reach of the Blue Ridge Parkway/Shenandoah Parkway. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 03/14/16 at 06:41:09 OK....so MM and I need to schedule the first leg of the trip and get a tentative schedule. Anyone that wants to jump in/out of the trip at any point let us know, and we can see how to make that work. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/14/16 at 06:48:29 I think we are proto-typing something that might work out well when used on cross country trips as well. We just need to do it once and see how well it really works. MM and I have done roving trips before with up to 4 people joining up, so we know about how well it does back in the age of "just paper maps". Not all that well, I am afraid. Paper map differences suck, BTW, unless everybody is using the exact same paper map. Them tourist attraction type maps are plumb DEADLY as they are oversimplified and just plain wrong most times. Which is why I actually give out the right paper map to folks like Art who are likely to get separated -- it is a kindness to give them the right KNOWN GOOD map that is well known to work well. Key thing is having a known spot to meet and the slide in guy is there waiting patiently, ready to roll when the group shows up. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Art Webb on 03/14/16 at 07:53:14 785B5351525B5B5245370 wrote:
As I recall I only saw you at meet up points, the rest of the time you were WAAAAY out ahead of me ;D and this Your life flashing before your eyes AAAuuuggh !!!! That's a drop off edge !!!! A long long way down ..... EEEEEEEK !!!! pretty well sums up the trip in it's entirety ;D Maybe I've just come off bikes a few too many times |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Art Webb on 03/14/16 at 07:55:21 7F5C5456555C5C5542300 wrote:
Having that proper map in my jacket pocket was very reasuring as I watched the taillight of the slowest rider (aside from me) pull away through the corners ;D |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 03/14/16 at 08:22:36 Wow guys ! :o I got away from my computer one day ... you fellers about got the details worked out. I'll get on that Start Date thing today. I might get to ride the BlueRidge north of the Carolina's this year ! :) How about we pick the "Dry-est and Hot-est time of year" the mountains/Parkway are cool and shady anyway . ? |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 03/14/16 at 08:36:28 The tentative date is July 22nd to July 30th........ I just looked at the map....and just before Roanoke we pass through a "hot spot" for Old Time String Band music.....Galax has a great music festival, and Roundpeak has a style of clawhammer banjo playing named for the area. And Mount Airy..........more commonly known as "Mayberry"! We will be 2 weeks to early for the Galax Music Festival. http://www.oldfiddlersconvention.com/ |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/14/16 at 08:52:55 Dave, want to know what is really neat about roving trips? They can shift at will if something becomes known that is neat that the guys do want to go do. You spotted something you want to do that is two weeks off the original dates. Let's shift it some. Changing stuff for good reasons, that's always OK. Remember I picked those original dates off of stuff we aren't going to do at all, so instead Dave is now going to propose some new stuff and new dates that DOES fit what you now know you want to go do. And its great, the trip just gets better and better. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/14/16 at 08:58:36 Camping fee is $80 per space per day. Can we stay somewhere nearby that is a lot cheaper? That price is way on up there in the hotel room $$$$. Quick Google search shows up over 20 campgrounds in the general area of Galax Va. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 03/14/16 at 09:25:22 The festival is something that will have to wait until I retire.....I have 3 City meetings that will be held in the 2nd week of any month. And the Galax festival is a big deal....you most likely can't get a hotel room or camping spot anywhere in the area. And if you fellows are coming to my place at the end of August.....I can't be taking off that much time in one month. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/14/16 at 09:33:43 Art, In my unregenerate days I used to pull off in little hidey holes and let the group go on by and then I'd blast back up through them again and again and again. (they was going sooooo slow) One time I snuck up behind Serenity into his blind spot and pulled off into a gas stop literally a foot off his bumper. He took his helmet off and proceeded to ask if anybody knew where I had gotten off to -- and everybody started grinning at him and laughing. He was puzzled until I answered his question. Unregenerate, that's what I was -- MM used to pray for me sometimes out loud. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 03/14/16 at 11:14:08 Unregenerate, that's what I was -- MM used to pray for me sometimes out loud.] Nothing has changed execpt the "Sometimes" part ! ;D |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 03/14/16 at 11:25:51 Quick Google search shows up over 20 campgrounds in the general area of Galax Va. Dave , if you went east from you house --- how far is the Parkway ? If me and OldFeller was headed North on the Parkway for one day from Ashville area then would we be about your latitude ? :-? |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/14/16 at 11:51:45 Dave is 6 hours from Roanoke heading slightly south of east on major roads Kelly is 5 hours from Roanoke going straight north on major roads ============================== MM, I think Dave has given up on the fiddle fest as it conflicts strongly with some of his most busy times at work. I am flexible and can get picked up at Roanoke no matter what else you guys choose to do. You and Dave dice out where you will call your meet up point. ..... and as the remaining unregenerate of the group, we will just have us some fun doing whatever it is we wind up doing ..... us unregenerate types can always have fun anywhere that Hurleys go as getting fresh brown icky sticky spots to magically appear on Hurley seats is what us unregenerates do best ..... |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 03/14/16 at 12:21:47 MM. I think the best approach for us to get a bunch of riding in - is to meet at Cherokee and start riding the Blueridge. It is about 6 hours for me to get to Cherokee, and about 4.5 hours for you to get there. We most likely could meet in the early afternoon - then have another 3-4 hours of riding to find a spot to camp for the night. For the first night I don't know that we need a formal campground - we likely can just find a good spot in the woods somewhere, or maybe stumble across a decent priced campground....we will be passing right by the Blueridge Motorcycle Campground, and that is always affordable and would be a good place to stay the first night - so anybody else that wanted to come on the ride could meet us there. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/14/16 at 13:06:01 Blue Ridge Motorcycle campground to Roanoke Va is 6-8 hours on the parkway. That's most of a day. (ain't nothing straight on the NC Blue Ridge Parkway, all turns all the way all the time) Once in Virginia the roads do straighten out some ...... you will likely need another day going up to the bitter end then two days coming back if you take normal roads on the return loop. ...... lots of riding ...... |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 03/14/16 at 20:08:08 Dave , how about we spend the first night at Blue Ridge Motorcycle campground . That is about a days ride from my house. I'll start looking for campgrounds in the Roanoke area , I'm ok with camp just off the road (long as we don't get busted) . I have an alarm to wake me up if someone approaches camp , to cut down on surprises . :) Best I can tell its about 300 miles from Cruso,NC to Roanoke,VA. Three hundred miles on the Parkway is a Fun Days Ride. 8-) ..... and as the remaining unregenerate of the group, we will just have us some fun doing whatever it is we wind up doing ..... us unregenerate types can always have fun anywhere that Hurleys go as getting fresh brown icky sticky spots to magically appear on Hurley seats is what us unregenerates do best ..... I may ride the Savage ! ::) |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by springman on 03/14/16 at 20:27:18 Hey Old Feller. I just want to say I am glad to see you have had such a quick recovery. Nice to know you are back to your old self. Live long and prosper. And thump on my friend. :) |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/14/16 at 20:57:01 Going back to work on March 21. Going to see how the daily grind does for a bit before the first NC to Virginia trip actually comes up. Think of it as a trial run. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by springman on 03/14/16 at 21:05:31 Good luck to you OF. I expect you'll be making that trip and enjoying the heck out of it. Heck, I wish a could join you guys but I believe it is going to have to be at another time. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 03/15/16 at 04:52:45 Here is the event list for Mount Airy (Mayberry). There are Old Time Music Jams....and Moonshine Tasting events! (You will have to scan forward to August....the cut and paste just gets the current calendar). http://www.visitmayberry.com/calendar/ http://www.visitmayberry.com/category/attractions/mayberry/ I don't have a strong "need" to go to Mayberry.....but if we need a place to get off the bike for an hour or so - this might be worth a visit. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 03/15/16 at 07:28:47 Dave : I watch Andy on the "CW" station out of Huntsville almost every night at 10:30 . ;) If it works out to be convenient for us I'd like to check out the little town and see if its somewhere where Marcia might like to go visit sometime . ::) she enjoys the Andy show too . 8-) They have live entertainment on the 23rd and then again on the 30th. ! :) |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/15/16 at 07:43:28 MM, pick a campground in Mayberry. You will get to see the town and eat in it, etc. There is no law that says we can't hit multiple itches with the same scratch, you know. If we have a known campground I'll meet you guys there that afternoon and we can go eat dinner together. ;) Mebbe we can eat at Aunt Bee's place ...... |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 03/15/16 at 07:52:03 Camp Grounds in the Roanoke are : There are plenty ! This one $12.00 per night and check out the view ! http://www.visitroanokeva.com/listings/peaks-of-otter-campground/5700/ :) There are several right off the ParkWay . |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 03/15/16 at 07:55:18 so is Mayberry right off the Parkway too ? I'll start checking . :-? |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 03/15/16 at 08:38:45 Here is a great map for planning and discussion. http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/upload/blrimap-2.pdf It appears that the Blueridge Motorcycle Campground is about 40-50 miles from the south end of the Blueridge. From there it is about 240 miles to the Mount Airy (Mayberry) area. The Roanoke area is about 80 miles farther north. It also appears at the north end the Blueridge Parkway turns into something called Skyline Drive, and it looks like a similar kind of road on the map. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Art Webb on 03/15/16 at 20:13:28 1F3C3436353C3C3522500 wrote:
I have zero problems believing this ;D |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 03/15/16 at 21:50:44 HAY ! I think I found the Jack-Pot of MayBerry Campsites . ;D http://www.mayberrycampground.com/rates.html $20.oo + tax ! ;) http://www.mayberrycampground.com/site-map---gallery.html |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 03/15/16 at 22:13:27 Possible Northern end camp ?? :-? SHENANDOAH RIVER STATE PARK, VA http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/shenandoah-river#general_information Near Waynesboro We get back from TX. , then we should pick one . |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/16/16 at 04:03:53 Ok, so I meet you guys at Mayberry Campground on the afternoon that you get that far. Sounds like a plan. Dave, you need to spot us some good music taking place near by and help refine the date accordingly. I still want to eat at Aunt Bea's for breakfast ....... ;D |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 03/16/16 at 04:21:53 Oldfeller: Aunt Bee's serves breakfast all day - so it sounds like you can have your breakfast there anytime. For music.....that area is bound to have something going on. When I worked as the Music Coordinator at the Cincinnati Appalachian Festival I hired Kenny and Amanda Smith from Meadows of Dan, VA. Jim Lloyd and Elizabeth LaPrelle from Rural Retreat, VA. Steve and Penny Kilby from Mouth of Wilson, VA., and Wayne Henderson from Galax, VA. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 03/16/16 at 08:06:37 Ok : OldFeller , tell ya what - I'll buy ya breakfast at "Aunt Bee's" . ;) Seems like I owe ya a few meals ! |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 03/16/16 at 08:24:23 594B594B46555A575C140 wrote:
Be careful with that.....I was buying Oldfellers meals on one trip in exchange for him paying to rent the cabin. It looked like Oldfeller was my "date" for the entire trip! |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 03/16/16 at 08:40:14 Well , he is kinda "CUTE" --- in his own way ! ;D I was looking for the picture of OldFeller in the Jail where he bought us dinner but didn't find it yet . ;) |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/16/16 at 10:26:50 No, he is not cute, he is mean and ornery. All wrinkled and ugly. Very suitable for a mug shot .... ;) |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/16/16 at 16:17:02 https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g49371-d3244393-Reviews-Aunt_Bea_s-Mount_Airy_North_Carolina.html http://https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDQpf6avFKRsNeHcZjvnOnbwdFcoAlkACbFpVBaK0jNbhUYR4A Well, according to the reviews breakfast is about the safest thing to order -- hard to mess up breakfast. Too many Yankees doing reviews for the BBQ ....... no consistency there at all. http://https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/f4/61/e8/statue-outside-building.jpg Floyd's Barbershop and the Mayberry Courthouse is there as well ....... MM can pay to have me locked up all over again. ;) |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 03/16/16 at 20:08:45 Hay : I took you to jail once already --- I can do it again ya know ! ;D |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 03/17/16 at 04:39:56 We have never had problems finding good places to eat, and I expect this trip will end up the same way. Aunt Bea's may not be all that great.....heck they don't even know how to spell "Bee" (Most likely a change in spelling to avoid Copyright issues). |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/17/16 at 06:51:48 Yup, looking to see the size of the crowd has ALWAYS worked to spot the good eateries. You see, you and MM will be all beat up from doing the nastiest slowest curviest portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway (the one we have ridden both ways 6 different times, dark tunnels and all) and when I show up all fresh and frisky at Mayberry with my new bionic ticker clocking along at 120 BPM you might jest have problems keeping me in check ..... Might have to give Barney his single bullet and send him out to go get me .... :D Then we are OFF INTO THE NORTHERN UNKNOWN, WHERE NO SAVAGER HAS VOYAGED BEFORE ...... I gots nubbies on my new front tire --- nubbies !!!! I can't be having nubbies or chicken strips -- both are not allowed on my bike !!!! |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 03/17/16 at 18:15:32 Then we are OFF INTO THE NORTHERN UNKNOWN, WHERE NO SAVAGER HAS VOYAGED BEFORE ...... ;D All the way to Canada ;) ;D no wait Let's not go into Canada ! :) |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 03/17/16 at 19:09:04 Al, from New Hampshire, flat out loved where we are going -- he would plan two extra days just to drive up or down the Shenandoah Skyway. I think it is going to be nice. Here is the little seafood place my wife and I ate at tonight -- local and nice. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 04/23/16 at 06:36:38 Next up in 3 months ....... |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 05/02/16 at 13:43:15 183B3331323B3B3225570 wrote:
|
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 05/02/16 at 20:16:57 Busy , Busy , Busy --- trying to get the "Chores all done up" ... :P |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 05/03/16 at 05:39:13 5E4C5E4C41525D505B130 wrote:
Yep....me too. Grass to cut, porch to seal, cut grass, columns and doors to paint, trim grass around pond, garden to plant, weed wack steep bank along road - cut grass! The trip is still on for me.....and I just got a lighter socket to mount on the NT700 so I can power my GPS and charge my cell phone. I need to start figuring out what to pack, and where to pack it! |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 05/03/16 at 15:06:08 Re: Any savages at the Dragon May 13 weekend? Reply #4 - Today at 17:41:11 Quote Dave wrote on Today at 17:16:31: So.....ask me again next time you go.....or come with us to the Blueridge Parkway ride at the end of July. Stewmills of Alabama replies: I'll definitely post here any time I am headed that way. If things with work and home continue to go well, I really hope to make the Blueridge trip. Definitely need to make it a point to connect with you all this year. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 05/04/16 at 01:28:27 OK, we are less than 2 months out now -- time to get serious on MM's Blue Ridge Parkway wanderjar. Dave, you are much closer in now and might see your scheduling conflicts with work much better. Pick us a start date. On the start date MM rides from his house to the southern mouth of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Dave starts from his house and does whatever he does to meet up with MM at the mouth of the Blue Ridge (good luck with the timing that, guys, it will be more fun than it would look like going in). Their current plan is MM and Dave to wind up at Blue Ridge Campground to spend the first night -- I can help with that once we have a START DATE tied down good. I will rent Cabin #4 for one night and we can converge there along with Stewmills or whomever else is coming on the evening of the first day. I will show up at Blue Ridge Campground the afternoon of Day 1. Next morning, we go off into the great unplanned unknown following MM. This plan allows Dave to pick his start day and we have a good landing spot for the end of that day, which is also a good congregation spot for all the latecomers if there are any. ;D |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 05/04/16 at 04:16:51 My last evening meeting that month is on Wednesday the 20th, so I could potentially leave on Thursday the 21st. It is about a 7 hour ride for me to get to Cherokee (with a stop or 2 along the way), and it appears the ride for MMRanch is a bit over 4 hours if he chooses the MapQuest fastest route....so he would have to leave just before 11 AM if he didn't plan any lengthy stops. It appears that there is about an hour or so of riding on the Parkway from Cherokee to the Waynesville area. If I left around 8 AM, I could meet MMRanch in the Cherokee area around 3 PM to ride the first leg of the Parkway and get to the campground....most likely by 5 PM. I have no problem delaying the departure to Friday July 22nd if that helps with the scheduling for others. Dave |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 05/04/16 at 05:24:08 Going on Wednesday the 21st and stopping that night at Blue Ridge Campground would give us enough time to do the entire length of the trip without having to burn ourselves up over getting back home. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 05/04/16 at 05:37:50 6340484A494040495E2C0 wrote:
Thursday the 21st? I have an evening meeting on Wednesday the 20th, and it often lasts until 9 PM......the earliest I would be able to leave is Thursday morning. I have no problem extending the ride into the following week....(Mon/Tues/Wed). |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 05/04/16 at 13:35:27 Blue Ridge Parkway Ride OK, Thursday July the 21st through the 26-27. We will go up the Blue Ridge Parkway from the south end all the way up into Virginia. Thurs Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues and that way we will have lots of time to go side explore some. Wednesday is optional if we are running late getting back. ;D ...... yes, it means if we get really lost again ...... Please note: folks can join this trip in progress and we will post our location nightly and if we are picking up somebody that we know about we will post changes to pick up schedule right here on the thread. This trip covers a "pick up area" of the entire South & Mid East and remember, you can pick us up on the return trip as well. http://https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQw7z6lVkOtS3wJMqHPz3ZfKhmqaHk0VnS_tceW1yNRrb9gjwET And here is your weather forecast for the days in question. http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/canton-nc/28716/july-weather/344623?monyr=7/1/2016 |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 05/05/16 at 09:59:51 I just changed the dates in my phone to 21st -26th. :-? So do I understand it right --- I'm going to BlueRidge Camp Friday the 21st , and then Smile and Ride for 5 days ? :) Sounds Good ! |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 05/05/16 at 11:32:47 Cabin #4 is reserved for the 21st of July. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 05/05/16 at 15:14:58 On the subject of Blue Ridge, Simple Life, cabins and pricing. Currently Blue Ridge is raising our effective price per cabin by rigorously charging for any extra people staying in the cabins. Although #4 can sleep 4, it is priced at $45 for two per night. Each additional person is $9.00 extra. At $54 effective for 3 that comes to $18 per person per night, which is still doable. Still within a close shot of the pricing of putting up a tent at some places (and still cheaper than most of the up the Blue Ridge places we will see on our trip). Big Dawg at Simple Life has gone up a bunch requiring at least 2 days of rental at $118 per night. This is bad, because it used to match Blue Ridge's pricing but now it would require us to get 7 people to equal Blue Ridge's pricing. As such I am questioning whether we want to try to do a Big Dog trip this fall as I do not think we will find the required 7 people, and I think we maybe would really fit better at Blue Ridge both for group size and pricing. I think Dragon Lodge thinking is spoiling the Big Dawg for everybody. Good lord knows what Dragon Lodge is charging now ....... $124 for 6 people We used to plan for about $15 per person per night for a cabin -- better start using $20 per person per night for low cost cabins. Some tenting sites are charging a lot more this year than last year too so we will get a bit of sticker shock on this trip. ======================================= New info -- Simple life took all the 4 man cabins and took out one vertical bunk bed and put in a bathroom -- rooms now sleep 2 and are $38 to $68 a night. This includes the little Rooster Pen cabin we stayed in, it is now a $38 two sleeper in vertical bunk beds. Simple life only has one cabin that could fit 3 people any more, apart from Big Dog that requires 6-7 to be economical. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 05/06/16 at 05:02:25 One fall my wife and I went to the Bluegridge and stayed a few nights in their $ 40 cabin, and she loved it. When they got booked for the weekend we had to leave and find another place to stay, and unfortunately there was some kind of a Gospel Sing Convention in the area that weekend, and Cherokee was the closest we could find a room - and it was $ 100 a night, and not nearly as cozy as the cabin. If we want to keep going on these rides, we are just going to have to pay what it costs.....we can bounce around between the Deals Gap Inn, Simple Life, Blue Ridge Campground - or other places in the area. There are lots of places we have not tried - last night I talked to a fellow that has been going to the area for years, and they stay in a hotel in Franklin and ride a lot of the roads in Northern Georgia, go to the Dragon and Cherohola Skyway, up RT 28, and to the Highlands....he believes that Franklin is a very good place to establish as the "base" for exploring the area. Speaking of which.....is everybody bringing a tent" Both MM and I have a tent that can sleep 2 (with gear) comfortably - and 3 gets pretty snug (ask Steve/Springman/ArtWebb). Seems like if it is 3 (possibly 4) of us - we only need 2 tents. On this trip, the only thing I know for sure is that we will be at the Blueridge Motorcycle Campground on the 21st....after that we will just have to see where the journey takes us. Maybe I am being a bit naive - but I don't think we will have any problem finding a place to put up our tents at the end of the day. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Art Webb on 05/06/16 at 07:04:30 The tent me me Steve and Springman used at Waynesboro wa a bit tight for 3 but not unduly so now if we'd had to hunker out an all day rain in it it might've been sorta claustrophobic |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 05/07/16 at 04:28:50 Franklin, NC is interesting. There is a motorcycle good type of road between Franklin and Robbinsville called Waylan road -- a farm road that goes around and about a bit. One that you could do at speed and have a little private fun. There are lots of camping places in Franklin and it is far enough off the beaten road to perhaps not be poisoned by the Dragon Lodge elevated pricing. This place rents cabins for $30 a night. http://www.mimountaincampground.com/Campsites-Rates.html This place looks interesting ..... https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/113862179807952761001/photos/@35.15874,-78.9005331,15z/data=!4m3!8m2!3m1!1e1 We need to go to Franklin intentionally and just see what sort of stuff is really there. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by old_rider on 05/07/16 at 12:33:41 Still following the post although I won't be there this year :( But the county road? 28, is a two laner, black topped and looks pretty clean. (I did a google street view and followed on it just for a bit) Next time I am up in that area, I think I will make it a point to ride it :) |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 05/07/16 at 12:54:05 You have ridden part of it -- it is Fontana Dam Road. We have poked around in these areas before on little day trips, just never lit to stay there. I must admit we need some more choices of places to stay and Franklin looks good for that. Old_Rider, think you'd be up for an exploratory run up into that area, specifically cruising around checking out the cabin bearing campgrounds? How about you, MM? |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 05/07/16 at 13:19:06 28 from Franklin up to the Dragon is a greeeeeaaaaat road! Lots of curves, not much traffic, lots of fun. And if I am not mistaken....the road that Oldfeller wanted to name....was Wayah Road MM and I tried several times to find it, and we finally got to ride it one evening last summer. I might be able to ride down and look around with you on a weekend in June. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 05/07/16 at 18:45:52 Pick your weekend and we can all see if we can match it. Sounds like you and MM are more familiar with the area than me (first time for me, I think). |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 05/09/16 at 05:57:26 4B6860626168686176040 wrote:
The only weekend that I could not do it....is the June 11/12th weekend. Other than that.....watching the weather could help in making a decision. For this "quickie"...I could drive down on a Thursday evening, ride Friday/Saturday....and a bit of Sunday and then head home. If we stay in a cabin/hotel....there is a lot less packing up to be done on Sunday morning. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by badwolf on 05/09/16 at 06:55:22 Route 106 from Highlands to Dillard is a awesome ride!!! (unless it is after midnight and thick fog,but I won't go into that) I have a reunion thing going on the first week of July in W. N.Y. and a bunch of relatives to visit in Va., Ky., Tn., and N.Y.. Am starting to think might spend the whole month of July on the road. Hooking up with you guys for a day or two sounds like fun. Be another week or two till I can nail down dates, but I have friends south of Franklin in Clayton, Ga. and have spent time in Cashiers as well. Most of the roads in that area are great on a m/c, but the summer traffic is wayyyy more than normal. They say Cashiers has a pop of 1,200 in the winter & 12,000 in the summer. I am super busy this week (for a retired guy) but should be able to do some serious planning in the next week or so. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 05/09/16 at 12:40:30 http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1462822697 New thread on the Franklin NC exploration created to cut down on confusion. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 05/14/16 at 06:47:08 Just put in for vacation for Friday June 17th -- should have no issues with that as we are in summer vacation period then with only summer school running. As far as Mi Mountain goes, Mi Mountain is very loose on reservations, you just call and they write your name on the calendar. They don't take credit cards, they only take cash and checks once you get there, so cancelling a reservation is just an easy phone call. If we decide we like Mi Mountain, we also have a Mi Mountain reservation to start the Blue Ridge Run from the Franklin side (only a 20 minute breakfast run to the southern start point of the Blue Ridge Parkway so we can all go roll the entire thing from beginning to end together). I can cancel either the Blue Ridge motorcycle campground $54 cabin or Mi Mountain $30 cabin once we know something by actually going and trying Mi Mountain's $30 low cost 4 bunk bed cabin out. But the key thing is that we now have more choices and are developing a more mobile posture for the future. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by LANCER on 05/14/16 at 16:29:38 I like that "more mobile posture" ! |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 05/14/16 at 16:46:07 http://https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81J8KmzOlML._SL256_.jpg How is this for "more mobile posture". Believe it or not this is a wee little tiny fast high volume sort of air mover that can suck an air mattress totally flat & empty inside 2 minutes. It will fit inside my saddle bags or it could get wrapped up inside the rolled sleeping bag in beside the pillow. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 05/14/16 at 17:37:05 http://www.amazon.com/Zaltana-Single-Size-Air-mattress/dp/B007WX609S?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00 Here is the Amazon Warehouse Deals sleeping bag sized 73 inches tall, 29" wide 7 1/2" deep air bed for $12.95. I bought 2 at the reduced "damaged packaging" price, thinking that they are the sort of thing that likes to go dead on you unexpectedly in the middle of the night. I can roll two of them up with the bed roll, pillow and inflator and jest keep on trucking. Mouth blow up is very possible to do, but the little 12 volt air inflator is simply so much a better idea for getting it sucked all flat again. http://https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQmVjTHRbtvCZrdvcy3LbLsN9s_Uh-8jCrkJLt3e8Hfsao-98TGhg |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Art Webb on 05/15/16 at 08:27:06 Air mattresses are very nice to sleep on, so long as they hold air You given that one an overnight test yet? better to discover it leaks at home where you can crawl into a real bed, than out on the trail where all you have is the mattress or the cold hard ground |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 05/15/16 at 09:21:55 That's why we have two of them, for when one craps out. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by old_rider on 05/15/16 at 10:42:00 I should get two, instead of the one single I have... that way it would be "taller" and I would not have to crawl around on my hands and knees in my tent, LOL :D |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by LANCER on 05/16/16 at 04:24:09 686B63756E636275070 wrote:
Better get 4 so you have a spare ! |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 05/16/16 at 06:20:34 69646B6660773732050 wrote:
Better get 4 so you have a spare ![/quote] Wouldn't that be a spare-spare? :-? |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Art Webb on 05/16/16 at 08:14:27 486B6361626B6B6275070 wrote:
I've never had one 'crap out' I've simply never had one that would stay inflated all night I love air mattresses. they stay cool, they support well, and they're super comfy to me, but only untill they lose enough air to start sagging, then they suck, and all of them I've owned lost air overnight |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 05/16/16 at 08:42:02 Art, an air bed is better constructed and it is extra deep (7.5" deep vs 4") on purpose so if it does lose a little air it isn't fatal. Dave, you want to float from place to place or just stay at Mi Mountain for two nights next month? If we float, we jest take whatever we can get at quitting time wherever we are. Might be a hotel room, who knows? |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 05/16/16 at 09:33:58 I am open to whatever you and MM want to do. I will have my trailer with me, and I am certain that I can find a place to park it and sleep every night....even if it is just a truck stop or rest area. I don't know what else might be going on that weekend, and how fast lodging sells out. When my wife and I went to Waynesville on her fall break - we had a cabin at the Blueridge Campground for Wed/Thur...but they were full for the weekend and we had to find someplace else to go. We checked all the local places and they were sold out - we finally found a place in Cherokee.....turns out there was some big Gospel Music convention going on that weekend, and all the places nearer to Waynesville were full. If were are not going to be centralized and we will be wandering around to TN or Georgia - then I may need to re-think the car/trailer/bike thing and bring something that I don't need to return to each night. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 05/16/16 at 11:24:03 I texted MM to get him to read and answer your question. I don't know if he plans to go on the weekend explore or not at this point in time because he's been out cutting hay and pouring a concrete pad and has been missing for the last week. I plan to just ride in and out, that way I can better judge my real ability to withstand 5 days of MM/Blue Ridge Wandering. Plus, I needed to develop the tent camping tricks I will need for the longer trip. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 05/17/16 at 19:49:14 OK , Got text , need to catch-up on reading .... |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 05/17/16 at 20:36:16 Red -up ! :) Yea , I got brother "Kent" to help with the concrete last Saturday , I've got another buddy and his helper here tonight ready to start construction on a new car-port tomorrow --- then hay to cut soon as the weather has 4 or 5 days of sunshine in a roll (maybe Monday) , then more hay , then sell some calfs , them maybe some more hay ... seems like a busy time of year . I will be SsssOooo ready for a ride by time July gets here . I've got the 21st on my calendar but I can change it if necessary . That "Mi-Campground" looks just fine to me if ya'll would rather meet there ... I'm easy to get-a-long-with :P , anywhere is "OK" . :) Heck - some Sunny Days and good Ridding Buddy s will make all that work disappear into a distance memory . I remember looking for a few campgrounds north of NC. and will haft to hunt them up again before we leave . right now I've got my attention on getting chores done-up. Kinda like get the "Honey-Do-list" before I get to do the "my-bucket-list" sort of thing ;D That reminds me of something I've noticed : I've noticed the more things I do on my bucket list --- The LONGER the bucket list gets ! ::) The dash light on my S-40 burned out in TX and I haven't got around to fixing it yet , think I'll change oil twice this year (4000 miles this year already) and check the valves again , might even give all the bolts a checking while I'm at it. ! |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by stewmills on 06/08/16 at 07:45:22 Hey gang...what's the latest and greatest plan for this ride (I'm jumping in really late in the discussion). I have a few things to juggle and prioritize so I don't get in trouble with family, but I really want to try and make this event so I can meet up with you all this year. Final ride dates are really my main question as i may have to truck up late Friday, ride Sat and Sun and truck home late Sun night...if that would fit in the ride schedule. Lodging, well, I don't mind sleeping in my truck as long as there is a bath house I can use at my leisure. Stew |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 06/08/16 at 08:22:10 We are currently thinking about checking out Mi Mountain in Franklin NC as a gather spot so we can all start the Blue Ridge Parkway together. Another place to visit to check out is Big Don's Cabins ..... another undefined sort of location with no web site and no reviews except some dubious tweets on twitter. Next weekend Dave and I are going there to "reality check" it out, along with some other alternative start spots. Start date is going to be: ============================= Blue Ridge Parkway Ride OK, Thursday July the 21st through the 26-27. We will go up the Blue Ridge Parkway from the south end all the way up into Virginia. Thurs Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues and that way we will have lots of time to go side explore some. Wednesday is optional if we are running late getting back. ;D ...... yes, it means if we get really lost again ...... Please note: folks can join this trip in progress and we will post our location nightly and if we are picking up somebody that we know about we will post changes to pick up schedule right here on the thread. This trip covers a "pick up area" of the entire South & Mid East and remember, you can pick us up on the return trip as well. http://https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQw7z6lVkOtS3wJMqHPz3ZfKhmqaHk0VnS_tceW1yNRrb9gjwET And here is your weather forecast for the days in question. http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/canton-nc/28716/july-weather/344623?monyr=7/1/2016 |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by stewmills on 06/08/16 at 08:39:17 Thanks Oldfeller. If you guys don't get any confirmation from me on this thread for arrangements, etc. as time draws near, PM me so I'll get a ping on my phone (email) and respond...just in case time gets away from me and I don't pay close attention to this thread. Hope to see yall there this year! |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 06/08/16 at 12:41:02 This makes 4, we will need MM and Dave to each pack a tent. :) |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by stewmills on 06/15/16 at 07:11:59 Oldfeller, I'll be driving up in my truck, so I can bring anything that is needed for me to lighten the load for all the bikers, so don't carry any extra stuff on my account. I can bring anything necessary to help others in any way, just remember that I'll roll in sometime after midnight on Friday and be headed home Sunday after sundown. As long as there is a bath house (potty) for me to take a break once I arrive Friday, I'm perfectly fine dozing off in the truck. However, if final arrangements dictate that there is a spot somewhere for the taking, I can bring my cot and sleeping bag. Just let me know what the final arrangements look like after you veterans of the area nail it down. I'm good with anything and everything so feel free to make executive decisions on my behalf. I'll chip in my fair share as needed, no worries. Stew |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 06/15/16 at 11:08:08 Stewmills: The ride in July is a "traveling" event.....it will start on the south end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and we will be riding farther north each day and making stops along the way. Trying to catch us as we ride north might be confusing.....and then each day you will get farther away from where you parked your truck. If you are rolling in around midnight on Friday, riding Satruday, and riding back on Sunday....I am not sure how that will work? Oldfeller and I are riding the Franklin, NC and north Georgia area this weekend....maybe it will be such good riding that the July trip will be changed from a camping/riding trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway (trucks, buses, campers SUV's)....to a trip on less crowded rural roads in Georgia. Let's keep planning........hopefully we can get you up here to ride with us some weekend. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by stewmills on 06/15/16 at 11:40:45 Sounds good, Dave. Let's keep planning, and I am not scared of last minute arrangements/decisions on the fly. Kinda makes it more fun. I hadn't looked that the planned route on a map or anything, but if it were such that I could find you guys on Friday night wherever you land and rest in the truck, pack a small bedroll for Saturday night sleeping, and then at some point split off from you all late Sunday to head back to my truck (or maybe the route is such that we looped back in a relative vicinity of the truck) that's a thought. I don't mind that at all, I just like to have companion riders for as much of the ride as possible because it's more fun that way, and it makes me feel safer not being in unknown territory by myself. However, as I now look at the Blue Ridge Parkway map I see the "Northern" route and it would be a hustle to try and catch you all in Boone or somewhere North of that in WV. Franklin/Cherokee is about 4 hours drive late on a Friday night and anything beyond that start's getting cumbersome. If you come down into Georgia, well, that's getting closer to my backyard...but don't do it on my account. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 06/15/16 at 11:44:22 333425372D292C2C33400 wrote:
Well in that case........pack up you truck tomorrow night, and when you leave work on Friday........you can drive to the Franklin area and ride with us this weekend! :) |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by badwolf on 06/15/16 at 12:31:26 Dave, Ive got my bike modded-up for my moth of July cruze, and hope to meet-up with you guys on the Blue Ridge. I will have my small tent and sleeping bag. Will check-in with you as the date approaches. This weekend, if you're south of Franklin, check out the ride tween Highlands and Dillard. A great ride and views on a bike. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by stewmills on 06/15/16 at 13:12:16 And if you haven't, Warwoman Road (34°56'24.4"N 83°11'27.0"W) is a good ride, and the ride through the mountain on 28 (North to South, then connecting to Warwoman) leading up to it is a pretty good ride. Did that twice when I was up there a few weeks ago. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 06/15/16 at 13:52:35 A friend named Dean has given me his map....and suggested the road through Dillard and Clayton, Warwoman, Blood Mountain, and something called the Russel something or other. He has been riding in the are 2-3 times a year for the past 14 years.....he prefers the area to the busy Blue Ridge/Dragon/Pigeon Forge areas. He also suggested that we shouldn't be too concerned about riding somewhere....then taking the same road back. He said the views change, in one direction the road will be an uphill climb, and the other direction it will be downhill.....and you won't even know you are riding the same road. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 06/18/16 at 20:45:19 This is post start of trip exploration time --- Dave and I actually went and checked it out. With better information now being available, perhaps we need a bit of a replanning discussion? http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1462822697/67#67 |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 06/19/16 at 14:55:46 Due to body/joints concerns I am going to have to drop out of the full protracted trip and just perhaps be picked up for just a sliver of the whole pie. I will ride up with you for a day, spend the night then ride back for home the next day, thus staying inside my somewhat smaller 'soft wrought iron butt' limits. My best join up spot is the Bojangles on HWY 220 (alias Franklin Street) which will be a couple of blocks north (3,000 feet) of the Roanoke Blue Ridge Parkway exits (ya got two of them exits in Roanoke both on HWY 220 alias Franklin street, so you can actually miss the first one and it does not matter at all whatsoever as the second one works just as well). The Bojangles is located at 4440 Franklin Rd, Roanoke, VA 24014 (540) 206-2711 I will give you the number for the cell I will be carrying at trip time, since that number shifts around depending on the phone I choose to carry due to best reception. Might even be my Google Fi phone, it has unlimited data reception off of T-Mobile, United Cellular or Sprint towers so it gets everything other than AT&T towers. Google Fi, gotta love them. Makes the handle bar Google map thing very easy to do. I just ordered me a larger phone holder with corner keeper elastic thingies, so now I can use my big phone without playing catch with it. :o :o :o :o :o Now all you need to do is get up a meet up time that seems reasonable to you and text it in to my cell phone that night when you stop for the first time. Or call me. Dave will be with you by then and his phone works really well with my phone -- we proved that on the last trip. How is that for flexible? As long as you can tell me the approximate Roanoke meet up time up at least four-five hours in advance I can roll to hit it pretty much on the dot. And I will be sipping tea, reading a paperback and enjoying AC comfort during my wait time at the Bojangles. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 06/19/16 at 16:22:16 If we changed this July event from a end to end ride of the Blue Ridge Parkway.....to an event from a base.......who would come? Weigh in folks and tell us if you want a traveling circus.....or one that is more permanent and has camping/cabins? I stopped by this place on the way home today and talked to the owner. It is located in Stecoah, NC....about half an hour south of the Dragon on Route 28. It is not too far of a ride from anywhere...and the location would make a great spot for accessing most good ride areas. He said the cabin rates run about $ 22 each person per night....the bunk house has 6 beds. Kickstand Lodge: http://kickstandlodge.com Dave |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 06/19/16 at 16:44:24 I agree with Dave, unless we have some takers (folks ringing in on this thread discussing what they want to do) then this is an exercise in futility. I have a gut feel that we have done too many items of late that were too closely spaced and what we really need is some time off pending getting us some folks ringing in with firm commitments to attend these events. Cancellation penalties for reserving some of these places are running from 50% all the way up to 100% now, so you can see why us event organizers are getting a little skittery. I can't afford to have more of these impromptu "free weekends" due to having committed to a cabin early enough to get one and finding we only have 1-2 people going after all the chatter stops. BTW Dave, I just called the Mi Mountain guy and cancelled the reservations for next month. We have no entanglements that I know of now and are all the way back down to ground zero. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by badwolf on 06/19/16 at 18:09:10 Dave, I'm in! If you want to stay at a base cabin that's fine with me, I won't need to carry a tent around for a month. I'm leaving on the 30th of June. Be coming to NC from Johnston City, TN. A niece moved there a year ago and I haven't seen her in 5 years or so. I'll be in NY, PA, VA, TN, and KY. Should do about 5k or so in July. I'll be around for 3 or 4 days with you guys. Might take me that long to ride what you do in 2. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 06/19/16 at 18:13:08 I plan on going to the NC/TN area 2-3 times a summer.....and my enclosed trailer makes it so I can go anytime I want.....it is easy to stay in the back of the trailer and I don't need a cabin. But as you say.....when you make it a group event that requires a cabin or bunkhouse....it gets financially risky. If tent camping.....then there is no need for advance planning, as most places have room for us to throw up a tent. There is no risk with the August event at my house....if it rains out and nobody comes....nobody pays! The roads up here are just as good as the ones we found in GA....the scenery offers hills instead of mountains. For this thread on the July trip.....we just need to know if anyone additional would come if we actually had a permanent location and weren't traveling. Some may only make it for a day or two, and that is fine - but it makes it far easier to hook up if we have a location where they can easily find us. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by badwolf on 06/19/16 at 18:22:47 The KSL looks great. Cheap enough, Just a little more than camping. And a whole lot better when it rains. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by stewmills on 06/20/16 at 06:37:21 5A616C7B6A667D7B6068657A090 wrote:
Same as we've recently discussed, I'm in for an event based ride as I can only drive up Friday night and ride Saturday and Sunday, drive home Sunday night. I'm flexible, so if arrangements change last minute in my favor I'll be ready. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 06/21/16 at 02:33:28 Guys, the ones who are committed to going are the ones who plan the trip. You have provided Dave only 3 people so far to plug in against a proposed cabin that sleeps 6 people. This math devolves into a tent trip, or a 3-4 person cabin which will have to be found. Since you are inside one month of planning horizon during prime vacation time, your odds of getting into a cabin on a weekend go way way down ...... |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 06/21/16 at 04:11:21 If the event is a traveling circus on the Blue Ridge Parkway....then likely we will be living in tents and not need any reserved lodging. We will just take our chances on finding campgrounds that can provide a place to pitch a tent. For this event I suspect that MMRanch and Dave(me) are the only full time participants....Stewmills likely will drive up Friday night and ride Saturday....then on Sunday he will have to ride back to his truck/trailer......Oldfeller may not be up to the trip. If the event morphs into a stay at Stecoah and the Kick Stand Lodge - then I suspect the participants are MMRanch, Dave, Oldfeller, and Stewmills for the Friday night lodging/Saturday ride,Sunday morning ride. I will have a City Council meeting again on that preceding Wednesday July 20th, and I likely will again just leave after the meeting and drive down and arrive late in the night.....and be ready to start riding on Thursday July 21st. I will bring my trailer again and I can sleep in it....so for me lodging is never a problem. If we want a cabin at Kick Stand Lodge...we could reserve one and it has 2 double beds, somebody could sleep on the floor, and I can sleep in my trailer. And I can pack my tent and cots.....and we really don't need a cabin if folks are willing to sleep in tents. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 06/21/16 at 05:29:23 Badwolf just emailed me that he will be traveling and will stop by at the July gathering to ride with us. Tally so far is: (Will be updated as folks commit). Dave - Thursday 21st - Sunday 24th. MMRanch - unknown Oldfeller - unknown Stewmills - Friday night July 22nd - Sunday 24th. Badwolf - Thursday 21st - Sunday 24th. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by badwolf on 06/21/16 at 05:40:57 I'll get wherever we start on Thurs and leave for Richmond on Sunday morning. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by stewmills on 06/21/16 at 08:14:36 Don't make special sleeping arrangements on my account if that's what ends up being the structure for Friday and Saturday night sleeping. I am not opposed at all to sleeping in the truck, be it in the cab or in the truck bed shielded from the dew under my quick pop-up tent. I can sleep anywhere and don't mind roughing it at all. However, if it works out that there is an extra bed that will go unused, I'll help spread the cost and take one to help out, but let me be a last pick for someone that 'needs' a real bed. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 06/21/16 at 12:37:01 You have comfortable "easy carry" tent capacity for 4 right now and you have 5 showing on the list. I can help make this fit better by bowing out early on, which also suits the mgrs at work who are swapping up my schedule even as we speak. By playing "Let's make a deal" I can protect the August trip dates up to see Dave's Farm, which I value a bit more than the BRP from end to end. So now you got the fitting mix of tent spots and people to fill them. Still got to get MM to ring in ..... |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 06/21/16 at 12:54:34 I may go tent shopping...see if I can find a big ol tent that sleeps a bunch of folks. My little tent is supposed to sleep 3 - but it is really not suitable for that many folks and riding gear as well. It is a nice size for my wife and I and the dog, and sets up pretty easily. I am coming in a car with my trailer....so hauling an oversize tent is not a problem. We really can be a lot more flexible if we don't need a cabin - and can bail out and have a rain date if the weather turns bad. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by badwolf on 06/21/16 at 13:14:59 I'll be pretty much self contained w/tent & s bag. No one has to bow out for me, I'm just tagging along. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 06/21/16 at 13:36:21 My bowing out has to do with my legs, hips, post surgical body and the fact the folks I work for are changing everyone around again -- I am actively protecting the next trip because I have seen the BRP before and I haven't seen Dave's catfish pond before ... ;) |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by old_rider on 06/21/16 at 13:45:31 Dave If we were to purchase say a 12 person tent.... would MiMountain or BlueRidge charge extra? or just the standard tent fee? If a few of us were to throw in $20 or $30 bucks it would not be to hard to get a 12 person one from Ozark Mountain or some such. It would be quite roomy for up to 8 folks and after that it would turn into sardine can sleeping..... But normally we only have about 6-8 guys on a big trip.... Just an idea, since a few of you guys trailer the bikes anyway, so throwing a big tent into the mix wouldn't take up too much more space would it? :) EDIT: Ok seen you already had that in mind.... but if you would like a donation towards the purchase, just message me... |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 06/21/16 at 13:50:35 old-rider: I don't know if the camp ground charge by the number or size of the tents....or just by the campsite. I will poke around a bit and see what I can learn. I seriously doubt if we will ever to go MiMountain again. The folks that run it are very nice folks, and the bathrooms wre nice and clean - but the neighbor has a couple of dogs tied up or in a pen....and they bark constantly at all hours of the day and night. It really is a nuisance, and I doubt of the place will ever get any repeat campers until the dog problem is resolved. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 06/21/16 at 15:58:51 Ditto on not going back to Mi Mountain -- I am very glad we went to check it out before going there en-masse. NO DRINKS FOR SALE ANYWHERE, you had to drink water from the tap if you got thirsty (it was good water though, fresh and cold and crisp) |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 06/21/16 at 16:11:23 :-? I'm a little confused --- or behind on whats been happening ? I've got a 8'x10' x 72" tent that fits on a bike triple tree really nice. So I've not been to MiMountain yet ... what it's near ? If we need to have a base camp and do "Day-Rides" then "That's always been fun in the past ! :) |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 06/21/16 at 17:09:56 MM, You'd have felt right at home, the two uppermost up the mountain cabins were built just exactly like your oldest barn and were of the same vintage of rough sawn pine, complete with internal termite destruction, wood borer bees and general dry rot. The man at Mi Mountain said the cabins were already quite old looking when he bought the place 20+ years ago, and they got no newer looking in the interim. Mi Mountain is a "Don't look back, it may be gaining on us" kinda place. I think your barn is a little more solid looking than those two cabins were. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 06/22/16 at 03:42:02 0E1C0E1C11020D000B430 wrote:
MM.....the most current discussion is the thought of changing our roving Blue Ridge trip in July......to a stationary location at the Kick Stand Lodge in Stecoah. The Kick Stand Lodge is very nice, and it is located on 28 about 10 miles south of the Deals Gap/Dragon location. It would be far easier for us all to gather together that way, and the day rides can get is to some of our favorite roads to ride. The lodge at the Kick Stand appeared to be very well stocked with drink items, and there was a restaurant within walking distance where we could get breakfast. An 8'x10' tent sleeps 2 fine....3 can be jammed in - but with gear included it gets really tight. Kickstand Lodge from the street: http://i65.tinypic.com/ra9ufs.jpg Stecoah Diner about 300 yards north: http://i65.tinypic.com/2wp6t8h.jpg |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 06/23/16 at 01:16:07 Work just posted the switch up schedule and a new 16 hour training block called "Unarmed Security Officer Certification" which I am required to pass to keep my job (training days include the 21st). I am officially out of this current trip by direct mgmt actions, I am afraid. The change up schedule makes all my old free weekend days into "requires a vacation day" days, so I also need to conserve some time off for catfish wrassling. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 06/23/16 at 01:25:02 Dave. food for thought. I have a 8 full size man tent, an old style 3 room tall rectangular canvas jobbie that I used to use to support AWANA PALS trips (think old style Boy Scouts). If you want, I can bring it up when I come to wrassle catfish and we can see if it is all together still. If you are considering hauling a massive tent around, this one fits the bill ..... (massive that is) If it fits the need, I will give it to you as the SS Trip Tent (support the cause and all that). |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 06/23/16 at 05:06:03 Our family had a canvas tent when I was a kid......I really don't think I need/want another one. It was heavy, required 2-3 folks to assemble and pack it. It might be better for me to just get a larger "modern" tent that Deb and I can use on car trips.....then bring a few smaller tents along and we can just set up as many tents as we need. |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Oldfeller on 06/23/16 at 05:10:47 I agree, it takes 3 people to put it up. Not exactly "user friendly". |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by MMRanch on 06/23/16 at 08:25:22 Well , :) I guess we'll stay at Stecoah ! ;D Should I bring a tent ? :-? and What day are we meeting ? |
|
Title: Re: July event in Waynesville NC area - July 22-30 Post by Dave on 06/23/16 at 09:00:14 OK.....with MM's approval.....we are now staying at the Kickstand Lodge. I will change the thread title, and I will call Kickstand and let them know we are coming. I will be arriving in the area around midnight or a bit later on Wednesday, July 20th, and I plan on riding all day Thursday, all day Friday, all day Saturday...and bug out before noon on Sunday. It appears that Badwolf is bringing his own tent, Stewmills will sleep wherever we allow him to, I will most likely be sleeping in my trailer, and if you don't want to pack your tent I can bring the one I have that sleeps 2 (you and Stewmills). The Zipcode shows Robbinsville to be the nearest weather report.. http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/july-weather/12174_pc?monyr=7/1/2016 |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 06/23/16 at 09:10:20 Sounds like a plan to me. Dave, if your trailer's rockin' should we not come knockin'? :-? |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 06/23/16 at 09:19:55 222534263C383D3D22510 wrote:
If I sleep in my trailer.....it might be a secret. I just looked at their rates and they charge $ 20 for a the first person and $ 5.00 for each additional person.....and $ 38 for an RV (and they do consider any kind of trailer an RV). So....for the record....I am one of those folks sleeping in a tent! I would assume that it means $ 20 for "each" tent.....and $ 5.00 for each additional person in the same tent. (I might need to find a tent that can sleep the 4 of us). Tenters First person $20.00 additional people $5.00 each Add power for $5.00 per night RV (see definitions) $38.00 KSL Definitions: RV... If you tow it behind a cage and sleep in it, it is an RV. If it has air conditioning, it is an RV. A piggy back on a pick up is an RV. A conversion van is an RV. Tent... If you pull a pop up behind a bike, it is a tent. If you sleep under a tarp, it is a tent. If you sleep under the stars, it is a tent. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 06/23/16 at 09:39:32 Betcha the first person IN EACH TENT is $20, $5 per each additional person per tent. Dave can reconnoiter some and find out the particulars ...... but I betcha I am right. If I am right, the BIG tent makes sense. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 06/23/16 at 09:51:17 OK ;) Its not trouble to put my tent on under the headlight , but , no point in wasting a $20.oo . Any body want 1/2 of a 8'x10'x 72" tent ? I normally bring a cot to sleep on and use also as a chair with my gear under it. ::) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by badwolf on 06/23/16 at 11:16:25 OK, I am bringing a small tent & sb. But if it's $20 to tent OR sleep in the bunk house, I'm inside! Rain, even a little bit, is no fun in a tent. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 06/23/16 at 11:50:28 I have not made any attempt to reserve the bunkhouse......it sleeps 6. I don't know if the bunkhouse gets reserved by a group, or is open to anyone until it is full. The weather in this are most likely has a rain shower at some point during the weekend - I can postpone my arrival until the next weekend if the weather is a washout.....I don't know about the rest of you. At this point the weather just looks pretty good....but we are still a month away. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 06/23/16 at 14:09:56 I can most likely postpone due to weather, if it comes to that. Also, I am actually going to be about 10 minutes down the road from Kickstand Lodge this weekend rafting with my family at the Nantahala (no motorcycle). Is there anything I can scope out while I'm there in the neighborhood? |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 06/23/16 at 15:40:03 Stew I've taken my Scout Troop to the Nantahala twice. Both times they all had a blast ! :) Those little Funyaccks are great ! Where ya staying at ? |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 06/24/16 at 06:23:43 7D6F7D6F62717E7378300 wrote:
It's a great family affair. Turkey Creek campground just North a few miles. I've spent a lot of time up in that area...me and my siblings got big into whitewater kayaking a while back and that's a good starter river in the little play boats. I haven't paddled in a few years though. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 06/24/16 at 06:39:25 I got a response from KSL, and they are OK with our tent needs. He did say they are making dinner Friday/Saturday evening. I really don't know what to tell them about that. When MM and I have ridden together - we generally find ourselves about 2-3 hours away from camp when dinner time arrives, and we end up eating someplace on the road. If you folks are up to a 300+ mile trip - we might take the loop that I did on the last day I was in Franklin. We could ride down 28 through the Highlands and into Georgia, then take Warwoman west to Clayton, then knock around on some roads and get to Wolf Pen Gap and take it to the Two Wheel Inn. From there we can ride up to Tellico Plains, do the Cherohala Skyway over to Robbinsville, then take 129 up to Deals Gap. If anyone wants to ride the Tail of the Dragon we can do that, then the KSL is about 20 minutes south on 28. This might be a good ride for our first day - as it does have a lot of big open turns and highway....with a few twisties thrown in to keep us awake. On Saturday we might set a route that takes us onto Wayah Road......I don't believe Stewmills has been there yet. Dave |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 06/24/16 at 06:48:23 300 miles is my idea of a "Day trip" ;) ;) Sometimes the miles roll up faster when your having fun ! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 06/24/16 at 06:57:58 52696473626E757368606D72010 wrote:
Yep, been that route too and it was fun ;) Last year and this year when I rode with the HD gang we pretty much hit all of the big (and some small) riding roads up there primarily because they have the big bikes and big tanks and can run all over creation with ease...but Black Beauty, as I call her, kept up with the big boys just fine. Anyhow, I am all for putting in as many miles as the group is acceptable to and I am impartial to where we go...Any riding is good riding as far as I'm concerned. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Steve H on 06/25/16 at 15:09:47 You guys really plan on doing some riding. I haven't done 300 miles in a day on the bike in probably 30 years. There have been plenty of times I would have loved it...life just gets in the way and I never seem to have the time. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 06/25/16 at 15:42:59 Steve, when you want to take a break, you speed up even with the leader and point at your gas tank. It is our universal sign language for get gas, take a piss, get something to drink. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 06/28/16 at 09:01:20 Wait a minute OldFeller --- What if you can't catch the leader ? ;D Oh... ::) never mind I almost forgot your not going this time ! ;D ;D ;D |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 06/28/16 at 09:39:15 The weather forecast for our trip was horrible a few days ago.....and it has improved a bit. I realize they can't predict more than a few hours reliably......and we are still a month away. Still.......there is the option of having a rain date and moving the event to the following week if it turns out that it will be raining all weekend. http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/july-weather/12174_pc?monyr=7/1/2016 |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 06/28/16 at 11:48:45 180A180A07141B161D550 wrote:
People complain about you too, not being able to get up even with you. And once, you sent me after Dave when he blew past us when it was raining and he was aching for hot shower ..... |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 06/28/16 at 12:09:36 I caught up with MM once on the Dragon (I think I caught him napping in the saddle)..........then just as I was about to pass he did that "Group Ride Leader" thing where he raised his left hand.....like happens when the Cavalry is all supposed to come to a stop. I fell for it.....and just followed behind like a good Lemming! (We had caught up to a group of slower riders and I guess MM didn't want to embarrass them). |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 06/28/16 at 14:43:56 Bacon !!!!! ;D |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 06/30/16 at 08:49:44 You right Dave , some of them had there wises and hole families with them. ;D Seems like there were a long line of them , we could have made it 1/2 through all them before the next turn off . ;) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/01/16 at 06:58:36 I think I'm bringing my big bike, this way we can all ride together and don't have to worry about the hot rods speeding away from the rest of the pack. I'll buy the gas, but you have to pack your own lunch :o :o :o |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/01/16 at 08:42:40 He's planning for 8 people to come on the trip I see. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/01/16 at 08:44:58 From the looks of that rig......we won't be able to stay at the Kick Stand Lodge. That thing won't make it around some of the corners on 28.....and certainly won't make the turn into the driveway. Having a second engine isn't a bad idea......you can always limp home on just one engine if you lose the other one. (How do they get the power from the front engine to the back wheel?). |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/03/16 at 20:07:17 I think I got it ! ;) The front engine just idles with an extremely loud muffler for that traditional Harley sound and the rear engine does all the work with an extremely quiet muffler . ::) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/04/16 at 10:06:52 Looks like Dave will be really really quick on this trip. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/04/16 at 19:12:26 Looks like Dave will be really really quick on this trip. why you say that ? ::) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/04/16 at 19:16:12 Cause Oldfeller thinks I ride really fast in the rain....and the current weather forecast shows the weekend to be a washout! We need to review the forecast a few days before we leave....and decide if we should postpone a week or cancel the trip. I really have no desire to ride in 3 days of rain. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/04/16 at 19:58:52 Wooow Ok , I'm OK with all the above .... matter of fact is : Our CMAUSA group is planning our annual Ride and Pick-nick to a local orphanage the 23rd of July , but I'm in for the Stecoah trip if its on. 8-) so if it rains in NC. I hope it don't in TN. --- |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/05/16 at 02:54:19 If you reschedule away from my training weekend, to something a little dryer, I too might be able to come. Check with your other participants and see what days they like, or throw up a copy of the weather forecast so they can spot the really drizzly spots and avoid them. Here, I can do that for you. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/05/16 at 04:03:18 http://suzukisavage.com/yabb2.2/Attachments/Screenshot_at_2016-07-05_055606.png FOR EXAMPLE, the previous week (the one with the over 100o thermometer symbol on Friday) If you picked say the 13th - 17th I could take the whole week off as I have Mon-Tues with the wife already. Weather is hot, but relatively clear during this period of time. Excellent super hot knife store visiting weather, strip all the rubber off your tires on the Dragon kinda weather in other words (this is assuming the guys at work will not have a scheduling conflict with the last minute vacation change) (I asked -- nobody else has requested next week off) You need feedback from the other guys who are supposedly following this thread and who helped pick the first dates. Last minute rain shifts are such a pain to do, sometimes. Roll Call |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by badwolf on 07/05/16 at 06:31:22 Hi guys, I have been on the road for six days now,(1520 miles the first 2). I can go with whatever is the consensus is, but need to pin it down THIS WEEK. I am in WNY now and need a couple of days in western KY before NC. ( Might look up Dave on the way by.) The weather looks only marginally better the week earlier, but whatever we decide we need to pin it down soon! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/05/16 at 07:08:03 Please, everybody state the days you are referring to in your comments. On a Roll Call we are seeing who is really coming, and exactly when. We may also need to set up extra tents to accommodate your arrivals, etc. Example, Dave generally comes in on a Wednesday night and is riding every day Thursday through Sunday morning. He is here all along, sometimes staying in his trailer. Someone who is coming in say just for a day or so on a weekend needs to say what days they are shooting for or else their comments could get misunderstood sometimes. Current planned dates we are discussing (perhaps modifying) because the 20th - 42th got all soggy on us. Dave says I will be arriving in the area around midnight or a bit later on Wednesday, July 20th, and I plan on riding all day Thursday, all day Friday, all day Saturday...and bug out before noon on Sunday. It appears that Badwolf is bringing his own tent, Stewmills will sleep wherever we allow him to, I will most likely be sleeping in my trailer, and if you don't want to pack your tent I can bring the one I have that sleeps 2 (you and Stewmills). The Zipcode shows Robbinsville to be the nearest weather report.. http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/july-weather/12174_pc?... |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by badwolf on 07/05/16 at 07:14:40 I am planning on getting there on Thu and staying thru Sun morning, whatever week we choose. I have my own s/b and tent, or can stay in the bunkhouse if we are at the KSL. My tent is a 3 person, but, really 2. I will have room in mine for one more, or two( but it would be real friendly!) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by badwolf on 07/05/16 at 07:43:12 The weather looks like no matter which weekend we choose, we will be riding some, then sitting in a BBQ eating pulled pork, then riding some more, repeat. Still not too bad, I like BBQ! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/05/16 at 08:37:25 My availability is free to drive up (remember, I'll be in my truck carrying the bike) around midnight Friday 7/22, ride as much as we can Saturday 7/23 and Sunday 7/24, and drive home as late as I want Sunday night. I'll sleep wherever after everyone else has their place. If we reschedule to the weekend of 7/29, I might be out or be able to only ride for a day as I might have a family event that Sunday. HOWEVER, if the majority feel like changing the date is necessary please don't hold off on my account. I know other folks may have much tougher of a time making this trip whether it be for work schedules or just being in the area only at a certain time of the summer. I'll do my best to fit in with whatever we end up with. Stew |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/05/16 at 09:41:06 It really doesn't matter to me what (dry) weekend we go. I am flexible on the dates. If the weather is dry I bring the Cafe', if it is forecast to be a bit soggy at times - I will bring the Ninja. If it is forecast to be a washout....I really don't see a need to go. I think we need to watch the forecast and see that it does.....I don't see how it can get any worse - so it has to improve? :-? |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/05/16 at 10:23:59 http://suzukisavage.com/yabb2.2/Attachments/Screenshot_at_2016-07-05_055606.png Some folks are not looking at the dates and are not looking at the rain calendar map. MM is the only one not ringing in, but I think Dave has stated a good general premise. We can all agree that the original dates (20-24) look quite soggy right now. This close in, two weeks, the weather forecast is generally pretty accurate, so I am rolling all my vacation days to the somewhat better bet in August. If it is a weekend only trip, any dry weekend is good. So far the driest to be found is the 15th - 17th. If it is a Wednesday-Sunday longer midweek trip, so far the only semi-decent weather showing so far is the 13th - 17th. All you guys need to read these dates and look at the calendar rain map and quit confusing after vs before on the original trip dates. There is nothing AFTER, only this next upcoming weekend. If you can't do next weekend, then we will await your final "funeral" announcement on the original 20-24 trip dates. I will already be in the mountains with my wife for her vacation trip by then, and quite "out of pocket" and unreachable by then. Rescheduling a bike trip gets more difficult the more people who are involved, it's always been like that. This is why they generally dangle along until they have to be cancelled at the last minute instead of rescheduled in a timely fashion. And yes, the 13th - 17th weather period is not perfect, but it has the best shot of making a trip out of it of any long weekend period showing in July. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by badwolf on 07/06/16 at 07:02:50 Just checked the weather with Old feller's above link, and the original dates are starting to look better. The forecast is pretty much the same all summer. I think the weathermen use weather dice. Kneeling in the corner yelling "Come on sunshine!" |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/06/16 at 12:23:26 OldFeller wrote : This close in, two weeks, the weather forecast is generally pretty accurate, so I am rolling all my vacation days to the somewhat better bet in August. sorry your going to miss this one old buddy ! :-[ I'm purity much with Dave's idea ... one day of damp weather ain't too bad if its not all day , and we have WiFi ::). The dates don't matter much but I don't need to leave hay on the ground at time to bale it. Why don't we stick with the original dates unless it looks like rain two days out ? :) if it does we'll cancel and hope for better weather at Dave's . But I'm OK with postponing a week too . :) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/06/16 at 17:01:03 There are hidden advantages, like not having to struggle full out to try to keep up with them fast arsed Hurleys that are running around all over the place. You don't need a bacon eater along on this trip ..... more peaceful that way. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/07/16 at 04:07:46 It is a bit of a crap shoot....however it doesn't look like a wash out at this point. Let's just keep the original July 22-30 dates (Badwolf and I will be there on the 21st)......and we will deal with the weather the best we can. http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/july-weather/12174_pc?.. However.....if the weather forecast changes in the next two weeks and the forecast is for a weekend washout - I most likely won't go. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by badwolf on 07/07/16 at 05:40:23 Dave, Time to pin things down. I am going to make a reservation in the bunkhouse at KSL for Thursday night the 21st this afternoon. And everything I do from there I can change on the fly. I am in WNY now and have to get back to S Fla sometime, and know I'll hit some rain somewhere. Just a matter of where, when, and how much. Plan for the worst, and hope to be pleasantly surprised. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/07/16 at 06:02:30 6361726C727068616972000 wrote:
PINNED.....July 21st through 24th. Rain or shine! (Except for a 100% chance of a 4 day washout may cause me to stay home). |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by badwolf on 07/07/16 at 06:26:36 If worst comes to worst, we'll find some wifi and watch flat track racing on my tablet, I got a BIG b/u battery! That fanschoice.tv site is cool! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/07/16 at 06:46:00 6361726C727068616972000 wrote:
I'll be in my truck, and can always bring one of my generators (unless they aren't permitted due to noise restrictions, etc. 8-) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by badwolf on 07/07/16 at 07:12:26 The b/u battery I meant is for electronics, but the truck battery IS a LOT bigger! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/07/16 at 07:34:46 The Kick Stand Lodge has a very nice indoor clubhouse - and a covered kitchen/bar/seating area on the side of the clubhouse. It appears there are plenty of electric outlets to plug in your computer and phone to charge them up. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/07/16 at 09:26:24 Waddya' guys think about this tent? http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/for/5670734602.html Looks to be about a $ 150 tent at Walmart http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-3-Room-10-Person-Vacation-Tent-Red/34109020 |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Steve H on 07/07/16 at 10:43:57 Not that's a tent! Almost like an easily moveable cabin. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by badwolf on 07/07/16 at 15:58:46 That tent would be great IF you're carrying it on a truck, if you strapped it on the back of your bike it would be like giving a ride to 2 fat chicks at once! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/07/16 at 21:07:26 So Dave : Is that That would be great to have us all in the same bunk-house , makes me think of the place we stayed in Texas ! :) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/08/16 at 04:25:16 That tent is sold - and I do believe it might be just a bit too big. I will look around for another tent and see what comes along. We really don't have to have one for this July trip.....we will have plenty of tent space for the 4 of us.....I can bring 2 tents and Badwolf is bringing his tent. If I buy a bigger tent.....I want one that my wife and I can also use for just the 2 of us and our dog Lily. I took Lily camping last Friday night on my way home to visit my family over the 4th of July weekend, and the dog seems to like sleeping in a tent! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/08/16 at 05:52:09 Ack !!! Back to the rat gnawed duck canvas tent SS Trip Tent ..... |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/08/16 at 06:06:08 486B6361626B6B6275070 wrote:
"We don't need no stinkin' canvas tent"! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/08/16 at 07:39:25 I have a "3 room" tent that sleeps 5 or so that I am happy to bring...the problem is that I won't be there until midnight-ish Friday and leaving Sunday night. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/08/16 at 08:00:14 535445574D494C4C53200 wrote:
We really don't have a room problem on this trip, and I expect that we will have tent room for you when you arrive late on Friday. Badwolf is bringing his own tent, I can bring a 6'x8' tent that claims to sleep 3 but really sleeps 2 better, and I also have a 2 man backpack tent that works great for a "loving couple" - but is a bit tight for a "non-conjugal" couple. If space gets tight I will most likely just sneak off to sleep in my trailer when nobody is looking. I have a big problem paying the KSL $38 a night for me to sleep in my bike trailer that is going to be parked in their parking lot - but I will pay them for my tent space. (Same thing might apply if you you sleep in your truck....their definitions for what is an RV include anything with wheels that you sleep in). I will look around in the next few weeks and see if I can find a good 4-6 man tent that sets up easily and will work for my wife and I to "car camp".....and I can bring it on these bike trips when I drive a car. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by badwolf on 07/08/16 at 08:00:26 Weather report is starting to look better! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/08/16 at 08:06:34 2022312F31332B222A31430 wrote:
Yep.....I saw that. I hope the trend continues. 8-) http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/july-weather/12174_pc?. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/08/16 at 08:17:40 09323F2839352E28333B36295A0 wrote:
What? Oh...I was just looking for my wallet in the glove box and fell asleep! What time is it?!?!??! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/08/16 at 09:11:52 Dave , my 8'x10' say's "sleeps 6 " but 2 cots or twin air matrices fit nicely ! ::) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/08/16 at 09:21:17 http://suzukisavage.com/yabb2.2/Attachments/stinking_badges.jpg Looks like ol Pedro was sleeping in his sombrero and the Caribbean wharf rats nibbled the brim of it some ....... ;D |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/08/16 at 09:24:53 726072606D7E717C773F0 wrote:
Yep.....the advertised "sleeps" photos show the people lying shoulder to shoulder. I really can't imagine that would work for anyone with gear.....or needing to go visit the bathroom a few times each night. I looked at the website for the campground, and it appears in the Tent Area 1 I can likely get my car and trailer near the campsite. Tent area 2 is for motorcycles only. If that is so, it will be easy for me to just jump in my trailer to sleep. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by badwolf on 07/08/16 at 09:25:59 Trying to reserve a spot in the bunkhouse for the 21st, but can't get a answer on the phone. I'll try e-mail. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by badwolf on 07/08/16 at 13:40:47 They were having phone problems, they have pencilled me in for the 21st. Didn't want a card# said just bring cash! My niece from Johnson City stopped by here in WNY today and gave me her address for afterwards. COME-ON SUNSHINE!!! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/11/16 at 04:46:25 The weather forecast just keeps getting better and better! http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/july-weather/12174_pc? 8-) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/13/16 at 07:00:25 OK.....somebody hit the "lock" button, and make this forecast permanent! http://i64.tinypic.com/vz77zp.jpg If anyone else wants to come for a day or two....this looks like a "good weather" trip! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by badwolf on 07/13/16 at 08:40:11 I'm grinning! See ya Thursday evening at the KSL! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/14/16 at 02:46:04 And Friday and Saturday I will be sitting in a 2 day long certification training course. <sniff> :( |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/14/16 at 04:32:26 0221292B282121283F4D0 wrote:
Well look at the bright side...you will most likely not get any bugs splattered on your face shield in the training! :-? |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by badwolf on 07/14/16 at 05:19:55 How about a one week out roll call, who is going to try to make it? I'm in, arriving Thursday evening and leaving Sunday morning. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/14/16 at 07:48:28 I will be arriving really early Thursday morning. I am leaving right after my Council meeting, and that usually results in my arriving about 1 - 2 AM on Thursday morning. I will go to the KSL first thing Thursday morning and get the campsite rented, my car and trailer parked, and my bike unloaded. I expect to be reading to go riding before noon. Dave |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/14/16 at 08:02:06 Arriving Friday night around midnight-ish (in my truck with the bike). Ride all day Sat and as long as you all can ride Sun, then drive home late Sunday night. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/14/16 at 08:03:39 I'm leaving Thursday morning for the KSL , about 5 hours latter I'll be looking for Dave's trailer/tent to unload my gear . So are we in a cabin or Two tents --- one big tent ---- do I even need to bring a tent ? I'm planning to ride the Savage. :) I've also been informed of a birthday party in Leesburg AL. I have to attend Sunday afternoon. Its 181 miles one way. Could be a day ride ? |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/14/16 at 08:13:06 67756775786B6469622A0 wrote:
Only concession is that they hafta have enough cake for everyone ;D |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/14/16 at 08:13:40 MM....don't pack a tent, as I can bring enough tents for everybody. Badwolf has his own tent if he needs it, I can use my trailer...we might only need space for two. (I might pick up a bigger tent this weekend that will sleep 3-4 comfortably). I will plan on returning to KSL in the afternoon on Thursday to pick you up.....then we can knock around for a few miles until Badwolf arrives. I don't know if we have any cell telephone service in that area. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/14/16 at 08:17:52 Correction : Sunday Afternoon ::) there should be plenty of cake and maybe even a hamburger ? My brother's granddaughter's 8th. birthday . :) Sounds good Dave . I can bring my 8x10 if need be , it might be a little tight for three but it would work ! :D |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/16/16 at 19:15:50 My wife and I went to Cabela's and got a new tent last night. The timing was perfect as the exact $ 320 tent I wanted was on sale for $ 223.99. It has a 9x11 sleeping area, and a 9x6 screened area. It is supposed to be a 6 person tent - and you could pack that many in shoulder to shoulder. It will however sleep 4 comfortably, and if the weather is dry and warm the screened area would be a nice place for somebody....as it does have a rain fly on the top and screened walls. It really does require 2 people to set it up - so I will have to wait for MM to arrive before I set it up. If I get to the KSL before he arrives...I can get it laid out and the poles in place...ready to stand things up. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/16/16 at 20:38:07 Can-Do buddy ! 8-) I'm still planning on having a leisurely ride on US-64 all the way to US-129 then up to Dragon Central . Then a nice smooth/quick ride out NC-28 to KSL . :) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/17/16 at 07:13:16 MM: On Thursday morning I can ride out to meet you......Why don't we plan on meeting in Robbinsville for lunch. We can meet at The Hub. It is that little place we stopped to eat when we stayed in Robbinsville at the Simple Life campground. The address is: 664 Rodney Orr Bypass, Robbinsville http://www.killboy.com/the-hub/ What time do you think you will be in that area? |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/17/16 at 19:28:40 I'll check on map quest . Then add an hour ! :D |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/17/16 at 20:22:35 Dave , MapQuest says : about 100 miles of Super-Slab followed by about 90 miles of (Hwy-74 , 64 , and 129) I,m guessing 5 hours-ish . ::) ... So if I leave about 08:00 hrs , I'm meet ya about 13:00 hrs. and be ready for lunch ! :) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/18/16 at 05:37:11 MM: Mapquest says the Kick Stand Lodge is only 15 minutes away from The Hub in Robbinsville.....so I am going to have the shortest ride. Most likely I will get to the KSL in the morning, get my car/trailer set up at our camping spot, and then unload my bike and go for a ride up to the Dragon and back (Thursday mornings should be pretty calm up there). I will meet you at the Hub for lunch, then we can ride up to the campground and unload your bike. We can then go for a ride, and return in the evening to set up the tent and watch for Badwolf to arrive. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/18/16 at 07:57:15 Trip attendees; Just as a reminder, I will be driving up from central Alabama Friday after work (hauling the bike). Coming up through Atlanta, Marietta, Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Murphy to Wesser via 74. If anyone is traveling late Friday in proximity to my route and wants to stay connected in the event that you may need assistance, PM me here and we can swap phone numbers. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/19/16 at 09:06:05 Stewmills: Is there a ride you want us to save and do on Saturday when you are riding? Are you more fond of the tight/twisty mountain roads....or more into just cruising along and enjoying the scenery? On Thursday morning I plan on riding up 28 to the Dragon, and riding it a couple of times before I meet MMRanch in Robbinsville at 1 PM. After lunch we will ride the 15 minutes to KSL and unload his stuff, then most likely go for a ride until early evening we will return, set up the tent, and wait for Badwolf. One potential ride is to head south on 28 through Franklin to Clayton Georgia, then take Warwoman west, and ultimately ride over to Wolf Gap Road and eat lunch at the Two Wheel Inn. From there we can head north to Tellico Plains (bit of a boring ride between those 2 places), but then we can ride the Cherohala Skyway, then up 129 to Deals Gap, then we can ride the Dragon or just ride south to our tent. A second trip would be a 145 mile loop that goes onto Wayah Road, through the Nantahala Gorge, through Cherokee and Maggie Valley on 19, then west on 74 back to 28. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/19/16 at 09:32:06 Dave et al, I am cool with anything you want. I like the twisties, but I like the Cherohala type ride as well. I think I have been on most of the roads/routes you have mentioned (they get confused in my head as to which was which) and they are all good in my book. My only request is to at least hit the Dragon once as I missed it on my last trip as we ran out of sunlight. Other than that, I'll smile as long as I'm up on two wheels with the shiny side up. 8-) Did the TWI get the restaurant open yet? They were still working on it when I was there late May. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/19/16 at 09:45:28 I ate at the TWI when I was in Franklin last month. The lunch was a good burger and fries, at a good price. The Wolf Pen Gap road on the way to the Dragon was a really fun road (unfortunately it was a bit clogged with bicycle riders - but even on a Ninja 250 they were easy to pass when going uphill!). I could spend a couple days just running north on 28 to the Dragon, then south to Franklin, then west to Wayah Road.....then ride the route in reverse.......repeat as long as the daylight lasts! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/20/16 at 05:17:03 My bike is in the trailer, the car is loaded up with the tent and supplies, and I will be leaving tonight as soon as my Council meeting is over. Weather forecast looks pretty good. http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/july-weather/12174_pc? The temperatures look to be really warm during the day. On Saturday afternoon we may need to dodge a scattered shower here and there (if possible). As Saturday approaches we might want to watch the forecast and plan our ride to go north/south of the showers.....but I believe what happens is the humid conditions and daytime heating result in pop up showers at the higher elevations. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by badwolf on 07/20/16 at 05:48:14 I know the Clayton area some, have friends there. There is a restaurant in old downtown in a converted gas station, great huge burgers! Some of the roads around there are around lakes and are NOTHING BUT CURVES! I'm in western KY now, and will be leaving Thurs AM. Going across I40 and cutting down to the KSL. See ya tomorrow! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/20/16 at 21:17:16 I'm loaded and ready to leave in the morning ! :) If I could "Just remember what is is I'm forgetting " ... ;D |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/21/16 at 06:36:38 Got the bike washed, oil changed, new plug, vacuum line fixed and my new (old $25 Garmin off fleabay) GPS and battery tender Jr. mounted and plugged in for on -the-go charging. Not that I really need the GPS, but it's mostly there just in case I do for some strange reason...and for $25, why not. It'll be cool until I hit a big bump and it bounces off down the highway. I think I'm ready ;) Also, I made sure that the back of the bike is extra clean since that's what most of you will be looking at all weekend :o :o :o :o :o :o :o |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/21/16 at 10:40:54 7D7A6B79636762627D0E0 wrote:
Why - you expecting your bike is going to quit running and we are going to have to push your bike around? I got to Deals Gap at 3AM, and showered and slept in my trailer until about 7:30. I then got breakfast and drove down to KSL, and got the bike unloaded and rode the Dragon twice. I am in Robbinsville waiting for MM to arrive - we didn't anticipate he rode through a time zone - so his departure time was going to get him here at 2, and he should be here in the next 20 minutes. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/21/16 at 12:59:29 I switched up my hauling plans. I'll be towing the truck instead of the bike 8-) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/21/16 at 17:51:30 Well, the anticipated shift changeover has occurred and I am working weekends now, 12 hour shifts to boot. Still have my August block of vacation all squared away and I am still aiming to show up towing the bike and carefully (legally) carrying some fire arms. I had to buy some rifle cases and padlocks since my Cube lacks a trunk. Reviewing the situation with the local concealed carry trainer showed me that just putting the rifles on the floorboard and covering them with a blanket as I did last time isn't a "good legal means of transport" so I spent me some money to get the needed cases. You, however, can lock your stuff up inside a car trunk and be legal, just have the ammo stored somewhere else in the car such that you cannot get to it easily or quickly. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/22/16 at 04:27:26 MM arrived and we had a nice lunch a the Hub, then headed to KSL to set up the tent. As we pulled in we saw a black S40 parked at the lodge.....Badwolf had arrived earlier than expected. We visited a bit....then the riding heed had to be addressed. We rode down to Franklin and caught the east end of Wayah Road, and it began as a normal ride....however long too far in the road were wet in spots from a recent rain. This was the shady side of the mountain in the evenings and the road was dry in spots - but every now and then you would come around a corner and find a really wet spot of pavement...we had to ride a bit slower than normal. Once over to the west side and down by the lake the roads were dry and the riding was great as normal. We rode into Robbisnville and at dinner about 8, then back to the campground. As we pulled into the campground we got a few sprinkles, and we could see lightning flashes in the distance - but thankfully nothing showed up here and we stayed dry. Not sure what the riding is today.....the others aren't up yet to help plan the ride yet. We are planning on including the Dragon on Saturday....so that Stewmills can show us his freshly cleaned backside! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by RaleighGuy on 07/22/16 at 04:55:53 Keep the updates coming, Dave. I can't speak for everybody else but I, for one, am living vicariously through you guys this weekend since I will be mowing grass, baby-sitting the grandson, grocery shopping, etc, etc, etc. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/22/16 at 06:46:54 19222F3829253E38232B26394A0 wrote:
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-) I am loaded up and ready! Heading that way after work today! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by old_rider on 07/22/16 at 10:35:00 UPLOAD PICS! OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN! LOL :) yeah I shouted..... :D |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/22/16 at 19:09:31 In Murphy. Last pit stop. ETA about 11pm. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/23/16 at 18:57:36 Somewhere in NC... |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/24/16 at 05:54:47 What is your ride order? |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/24/16 at 15:16:53 Dave and MM fight for first. I usually take last, that's what I like best. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/24/16 at 15:18:23 Stew is back home safely in AL! MM should be at the Bday party shortly and Dave has a few more hours to go. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/24/16 at 16:50:06 Stewmills, did you pass a few of them nasty fast Hurleys? |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/24/16 at 18:16:39 I am home.....I arrived at 8 PM and it took about an hour to unpack the car and trailer, put the bike in the garage, and hose off the tarp. It is too dark to unpack the tent to dry, that will have to wait until tomorrow night. The Kick Stand Lodge was a pretty nice place. It is a dry county....so they have coolers filled with different kinds of beer at no charge - but there is a donation jar where you can leave money. It is a very casual place that is lot less fussy then Phil at the BlueRidge. You can wash your bike anytime you want, there are washer and driers for free, and there is WiFi access and cell phone service. More tomorrow.....I need to spend some time with my loving wife! (The same one that lets me hang out with the Savage guys a few times each summer). :) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/24/16 at 18:47:31 193A3230333A3A3324560 wrote:
Maybe just a few. I'm not quite as brave as Dave and MM (they weren't stupid, just more agile), but I did scoot past a few when it was wide open and they were being nice and yielding to me. If they wanted to be turds I just let `em be turds. I agree with Dave's brief review. Cool, casual place. As long as you act like an adult and pick up behind yourself you can sorta run around the place and do what you want. Nice people running the place. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/24/16 at 19:45:02 Pics or it didn't happen? It happened ;) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/24/16 at 20:59:48 Little girl's 5th Birthday party's be really good if there is Good BBQ being served ! ;) My sister in law even sent some of it home with me ! :) And the 5 hour ride to get there was nice too ! I got hot enough that the two showers I ran through were a welcome cool down . :D Then I had another 3 hour ride home after dark that wasn't bad either . Just North of SkyLine AL. I had a car come up behind me doing a lot over the speed limit then slow down instead of passing. ... >:( ... so I drop-ed five mph and motioned it around ---- it stoped and did a u-turn ;D who do ya think it might have been ? :-/ Some JERK probably ::) . I wasn't speeding any to begin with . ;) So , all is well but I'm not unpacking till tomorrow , I'm thinking a quick post , a quick shower , and a long nap ! :) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by batman on 07/24/16 at 23:27:49 The car was a cop, that's my bet, followed you to see if he could make you panic and run.been through it myself.I was doing 45 in a 50(my top speed in deer country after dark) and he still followed me two miles before doing the u turn. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/25/16 at 03:35:02 Standard cop trick is to go really fast and pull up behind a speeder to collect good data from them before pulling them over for the ticket. If they didn't speed a bunch, they'd never catch up to you, right? ;) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/25/16 at 04:08:53 It was a good trip.....a little bit wetter than I would have liked, as we got rained on both Friday and Saturday - the storms would build up and just wander across the mountains all afternoon. The KSL is a great location for riding up around the Dragon, Cherohala, and all points on that side of the Blueridge Parkway. The Blueridge Motorcycle campground is still a better location for stuff over on that side of Cherokee. I kept hearing motorcycles on the road behind our campground.....lots of them at all hours. I figured it might be a really nice road or something - so MM and Stew and I rode back there late Saturday night after washing the bikes - so we could heat up the engine and get the water out of the brakes. Turns out the Iron Horse Campground was a couple miles back there......and it looks to be the "Club Med" of motorcycle campgrounds. It was really fancy, paved driveway and parking lot, well groomed grounds, really nice fire pit area with fancy chairs and a running stream....and lot so folks sitting around talking calmly. The front of the lodge has a covered porch for parking the Harleys...with a metal strip on the ground conveniently located at the exact point where the Harley kickstand is located. The camping prices are $ 15 a night per tent (single occupancy), and each additional person is $ 5....this make it exactly the same cost as the KSL. They serve breakfast (reservations required by filling out a card the night before), and dinners on weekend nights. This place might be just a bit too fancy for me....... http://ironhorsenc.com/ We found a really cool road that is just south of Sylva. We took 107 out of Dillsboro over to Sylva and then south. We stopped at a gas station, and while we were there a couple from Canada stopped and asked if the road (281) right next to the station was gravel...as their mapped showed it to be. The fellow at the gas station said it was paved, and we took the road....it was a great road with lots of twisties, hills, and very little traffic. Stemills is a good rider, and he managed to scuff up his tire tread and both of his pegs while riding the Dragon. As usual, we saw an accident or two just about every day. One Harley rider slid out on a really steep downhill decreasing radius turn and took out two other riders, a car went left of center and punched another car in the back fender (it appeared to be Mustang and Honda week at the Dragon). We went to the Dragon before noon both days to try and avoid the worst of the crowds. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/25/16 at 06:59:02 I'll have to let Dave and MM tell the story, but here are some pics I took with my phone before the "evidence" got washed off: |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/25/16 at 06:59:41 Another |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by verslagen1 on 07/25/16 at 07:34:04 hopefully it was no bigger than a possum... couldobeen the brother of the mother that OF took out, looking for revenge. :-? |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/25/16 at 09:13:16 MM had to do it......it was "self defense"! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/25/16 at 09:16:31 That first picture kinda looks like a Rabbit's Left Nut ??? ;D |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/25/16 at 09:27:15 MM, check your trunk bag. Look real hard in there for a surprise ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/25/16 at 09:30:47 :-? :-? be right back ! :-X |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/25/16 at 09:35:51 I wonder what a Bunny Testicle smells like after 2 days in a hot trunk? :-[ |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/25/16 at 09:41:17 Let's see, the infamous MM wildlife "deathwish" PETA list jest grows longer and longer ..... 2 squirrels 1 chipmunk 1 Wraskely Wrabbit? In MM's defense, he does try to dodge them, but since he likes to be up in front all the time he gets them dodging rights & responsibilities as part of the package. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/25/16 at 09:49:33 Ohhhh Noooo :-[ I had the wrong end of the Rabbit ... But it looks like something the Rabbit had a pair of --- and its not the Ears ! :P It looks like they are still fastened together somewhat ? And OldRider you do not want to see a picture of this ! :-X So , I believe I did the Rabbit Gene-Pool a good deed by taking this one out. It was headed off the road to safety but then turned around at just the wrong time . I should have brought that Road-Kill home --- apparently it was the perfect Head shot !!! exploded :o |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/25/16 at 13:58:53 He destroyed one end of the Wabbit He destroyed one end of the Wabbit Give him the Elmer Fudd award for culling the defectives from the bunny gene pool. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Art Webb on 07/26/16 at 07:33:31 is it Wabbit season in NC? |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/26/16 at 07:44:10 6B787E7D6F68680A0 wrote:
The suicidal wabbit seemed must have thought it was. ::) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/26/16 at 21:21:30 Hay .... what can I say but ... it was me or him ! ;D There was one guy who lost his Harley on a Hwy 28 down hill curve and sent it flying into two on-coming bikes going up the hill/curve. Had traffic backed up before we got there , then one of the fellers working the clean-up told us 45 minutes more. We turned around and ran 28 back to the dragon and went down 129 , that was even more fun than going on out hwy 28 ! :) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/27/16 at 05:03:16 I do believe that the Stecoah location of the Kick Stand Lodge has a lot to offer. Access to the Dragon is up 28, and it is a really fun road, 129 south to Robbinsville is a very fun section of road as well....and that provides access to the Cherohala pretty quickly! The only downside of the location is for the times we want to go explore over in the Waynseville area - however I really enjoyed the ride on the Bluegrass Parkway to access the good 215 and 276 roads down form the Parkway (except the rain we had to ride through). Access to Maggie Valley, Brevard, Waynesville, etc. does require us to spend an hour more on the 4 lane civilized roads.....or a much longer ride along the Blueridge Parkway. I liked the location.....perhaps in coming years we could break up a longer stay and spend a couple nights at the Kick Stand Lodge - and then move over to the Blueridge Campground to explore the roads over there. Currently I am only to come and play for long weekends - I just can't get away for an entire week during the peak of the construction season. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 07/27/16 at 08:35:49 Let's not forget the dead-end road that MM took us down. I think he was trying to get us back in there away from all civilization and steal our lunch money. :o |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/27/16 at 09:13:36 MM and Oldfeller have been known to take us into the fiery depths of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg......or onto a steep washboard gravel road in search of riding Nirvana! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/27/16 at 15:45:35 Yea ! What Dave said ... :-? Nirvana! Is that the place where the sun shines and warms to the road to the point where the front tire cant slip ? If so , then thats what I was looking for !! ;D |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/27/16 at 18:54:42 Yep, I remember those sweaty hot trips to the Knife Store to pick up replacement cheap pocket knives to replace what jumped out of my pocket while I was at work. Times sure change -- it is now a felony to carry ANY sort of blade on a college campus. If you take a kitchen knife out of the kitchen area -- felony. You brandish a knife (show it unfolded) in reference to somebody else, felony assault with a deadly weapon --- or worse should you attempt to cut somebody, attempted murder, battery, assault with a deadly weapon. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Art Webb on 07/28/16 at 07:10:58 Mights well just choot 'em |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/28/16 at 08:26:46 Art wrote : Mights well just choot 'em I hope your referring to the GOONS that passed that law ! !! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Oldfeller on 07/28/16 at 12:10:36 Carrying guns to scoot and shoots Don't laugh -- and remember to put your guns out in the open inside your locked trunk area if you have one, or inside a locked case if you lack a trunk space to lock them up inside. If you have a trunk, you don't need padlocked case as the trunk itself locks. Do not throw a blanket over the guns or wrap them in blankets if they are inside a common space of the car -- this makes it a concealed carry item and upsets the police greatly. Keep the ammo stored separately (in a different part of the car, in-accessible relative to the guns). A locked suitcase works good for that, or a tool box if your truck has one. When approached by a cop, put hands 10:00 & 2:00 on the steering wheel in plain sight and politely tell the officer that you have rifles stored in the car and where they are (he'll ask where, so tell him but then be firm that he has no right to search your trunk). If he asks where the ammo is, tell him where it is but be firm that he has no right to search that part of the car either. A traffic stop gives him no right to search areas not in plain sight, unless you are dumb enough to give him permission. Don't do it, as highway patrol people are especially bad about stacking up a ton of little violations if given permission to go looking for them. With all the shootings lately cops are VERY concerned about people going from A to B carrying weapons. Be very polite, but firm --- no searching your car. If they insist on searching anyway, ask what gives them reasonable cause to do so and do not refute what they say as you ARE going to court now and YOU WILL NEED A DEFENSE LAWYER . It is time to ask for your lawyer as you disagree that they have any probable cause and then SHUT UP TOTALLY. Faced with a dubious car search of a knowledgeable, lawyered up traffic stop, most cops will give up, write you the ticket and let you go. Unless you did something to give them probable cause, that is -- so drive somewhat carefully and don't do anything stupid. You are living in the Obama Age -- be smart about it. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/28/16 at 15:39:32 :-? So what do we bike riders do ? Not get stopped ! ;) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Art Webb on 07/29/16 at 06:27:17 130113010C1F101D165E0 wrote:
actually I was referring to anyone you might be compelled to 'show' your knife to in the eyes of the law it's about the same thing but the goons'd be a good choice to choot, too ;) |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by MMRanch on 07/29/16 at 08:02:28 Yea ! ... What was it that Cain killed Able with .... O Yea it was a knife -- No -- it was a gun --- No -- it must have been a Stick so we need to Out-Law Sticks ! ::) or was it a Rock ??? :) Well , what ever it was , I'm sure Hillary will find a way to outlaw it and save us all :-? ! Kind of like when my son was a toddler , sometimes he would trip or bump into something and then pronounce : The floor hit me :-[ or That door knocked me down :( most folks grow out of that stage , but some never do ! |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Art Webb on 07/29/16 at 11:38:22 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D perfect analogy |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by Dave on 07/30/16 at 04:15:46 I checked the weather for this weekend....just to see if we would have stated drier. Nope....same forecast for spotty Thunderstorms. It seems you stand a good chance of gettng wet down there in July. http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/july-weather/12174_pc? |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 08/01/16 at 15:11:37 I bit the bullet and got a couple of pics from this trip. Enjoy. |
|
Title: Re: July Stecoah NC trip (near Dragon) - July 22-3 Post by stewmills on 08/01/16 at 15:11:52 Another one |
|
SuzukiSavage.com » Powered by YaBB 2.2! YaBB © 2000-2007. All Rights Reserved. |