I suspect when Dave and I are full retired MM will be trying to talk us into all sorts of long distance trips (carefully plotted from one interesting spot to another great road).

The issue with Texas for me is that the roads and scenery might be nice, but better can be had much closer by.

As a working stiff, I tend to get partial week holidays for these bike excursions as the bulk of my vacation must still be spend on extended family related items.   Once I am retired, I will have more time to burn.

Nice things about these bike trips is the low cost compared to other forms of vacation.  

Seriously, we are hard pressed to spend over $200 on a 3 day trip if we plan them well.

The enjoyment value for the dollar spent is simply incredible -- best trips I have ever done.

Oldfeller--FSO wrote on 09/15/15 at 05:56:45:


She is planning to come on "one of those rides", and we are not sure if she will be able to do the spring one as she isn't allowed only so many days away from work at a time. She lucked out this time because they were training a new manager so the work load was eased a bit.

Her skills are very limited, novice even. If we come up, she will only ride slow curvy roads and maybe a few medium cutbacks. If we were to come to the dragon, it would have to be in the middle of a week, when riders are few and far between, as she would be going about 15-20 miles top speed and 2-5mph in the corners. In her words " I won't be doing the dragon on purpose, or any road like it, but if we have to go on a curvy one, I will ride at MY speed, ya'll will just have to wait". LOL

The other thing.... she cannot plan too far ahead, so... she actually might have to let me driver her if the group plans on curvy stuff, leaving my bike at the camp, and as you all seen, I did not drive normally this last time.

When it gets closer to date, we will plan a little more in detail.

While we are still just popping off, let's consider size of group vs location.    Plus we need to consider the Twisted Sister run as well, since it and the early summer Dragon run get awful close together.

We can count on 3 showing up for the early Dragon Run, more than that is always a last minute sort of thing.

Next, trailer and truck hauling.   A full size truck can hold 3 adults in the front seat and it can hold two bikes and pull a trailer with up to two bikes on the trailer.   It is not like Mike and I don't own trailers .....

Mike owns a lot of vehicles (yep, a lot of them)  and we could propose a method to go to Twisted Sister and just drop the early Dragon Run completely this year.

What thoughts ya got on this idea?    Except for the 25 hours both ways crammed on a truck seat, it sounds fairly good to me.  

How many days is Twisted Sister?

verslagen1 wrote on 09/22/15 at 09:04:26:


It's like asking how many days is the Tail of the Dragon.  If all you go an do is the "feature" ride, it's nothing but a few hours.

I drug those guys around for 3 days.. and had to modify my routes as we ran out of time for one reason or another on a given day.  I can give 'em at least another couple days and never touch a road they have seen already.. and stay on pavement.

From looking at terrain maps, you can ride a lot more fun roads a lot more closer together up in the NC/TN Smokey Mountain area.
So.. don't be expecting what ain't here.

Ya'll that have done both can speak better to what makes coming to my stomping grounds worth the trip.  Springman has made a few observations on the differences.. maybe someone else can add a few more.

Not saying I don't want ya to come here and ride with me.  I would like it .. a LOT!!     Had a blast last time, and sure to have one again!

Just don't like people being disappointed...

And someday maybe we can do the Arkansas Pig Trail or the San Juan Mountain Skyway in Colorado. Heck, I hear there is some pretty nice riding in California also.

Guys, I will be 58 before the end of this year and if God gives me years and good health I hope to do all of the above and them some while still able.

What the heck, food for thought.

Hay Springman , I never heard of these ; (Arkansas Pig Trail or the San Juan Mountain Skyway in Colorado)  

But like you said  " we won't stay young and able for ever " ...  

So while I' able , I say let's do all we can .   I'm retired now  so plan one of them around your time off and fill me in on when !  

I hope to do the spring ride to Texas and The Dragon ,

I'd like to ride the Blue Ridge North till it ends but would feel a lot better about camping  in a group , for Fun and security .  

I've got a Ford Ranger that has the little rear seats , and a 6.5' bed (plus tail gate).   One time in a pinch we had 3 adults and two 12 year old's in it for a 200 mile ride (it was kinda tight !)    That said : I have a very comfortable bike that is good for 500 miles a day (10 hour day) -- would be EASY with 400 mile days.  

I'll be looking for an Almanac to check for "DRY SPELLS" soon as they pop-up at the check-out counters !  

I need to measure my Astro Van to see if a couple bikes would fit inside it .  there are three rolls of seats and it gets 20 plus MPG if treated right.  It also has a receiver hitch and Chevy's 4.3 L engine.   I'm sure windshields and mirrors would have to come off.

MM and Oldfeller. That all sounds real good. I am looking forward to getting together with as many as possible at the Sisters. I think youzguyz likes the idea also.

As regards all the rides you and I mention MM you can count on me for at least one and possibly 2 per year if finances allow. If I get a chance to retire any time before hitting 70 and we are both still in good health then I'll probably be able to do even more rides.

MM when you say you can easily do 400 miles per day are you talking about the Savage or another bike?