GAP July 10 - 13 [Michigan to Tenn]
 

My bud and I are planning a trip to the GAP to celebrate his new job training graduation.

Ride down on Friday...

Leave hr say 10am (7.5hrs google) but with stops puts up there abt 7pm or so. Friday gets trashed pretty much besides maybe dinner.

Sat & Sun hittin the roads and seein the sights.

Leave early mon, cause I got to be back for work tuesday.

So a few questions...

Anybody want to join? Drewpy? Trip?

Also, I want a travel guide for when we are down there. Both for the non-GAP roads and good eats. Nothing too intense... we're on cruisers.

Tips on where to stay?? Its just me and one bud so we can share a room, not a bed, but a room.

I will be in for some riding most definitely. I will give you a call and give you some tips.

Sure thing Trip. Call me... I'm off till Thursday so anytime!

There's a Microtel in downtown Robbinsville that's not too bad. Fontana Lodge is a good place, too. Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge is nice, easy to get to and run by some great folks. Two Wheel Inn has a little garage right next to your room.

Better yet, go to www.tailofthedragon.com. There are links to different places to stay. If it's on Ron and Nancy's site, it's a decent place to stay. Ron and Nancy also have cabins if you get others to join you. All have garages for your bikes, and supplies to clean them up after a day's ride. Their place is on Hwy 143, just before you get on the Cherohala. The rode from Robbinsville up to their place is good since they've completed the resurfacing project.

You can also stay at the motel at CRoT.

Be sure and go by Wheeler's to say hello, grab a soda, and get your bike worked on, or just to visit.

I think I'm going to stay near Trip.

So who's going to join in with us?

well since I'm not invited... I think I'll just fuck'n crash this bitch fest! :lol:

I'll keep the dates in mind... hopefully it's one of my down weekends (3 day) so it'll be easier to get leave.

Yeah, if you book a year in advance.

Ebbs... you're not in the area so that's why I didn't list you. But please by all means COME ON UP. That would ROCK!

you know me gas... I'm in the REGION! :lol: if I can get the time off I'll be there... it's only a 9hr ride to trips...

i am game, i will actually have time and a lil more money by then so i could be possibly be down for this

SCHWING!! Just don't loose me when I'm down there.

don't worry... I'm sure we'll see the glare of chrome from a mile away

wrong bike holmes

no chrome on the new one?

Some... but NOTHING compared to the last one.

I'll be at Deals Gap 5/31 - 6/4. A bunch of friends will be there for their spring ride and I'm joining them for the first time since 99'.
I got a room at the motel but 5/31--6/3 was all they had. I didn't figure I would even get a room on such short notice.
I used to go up there almost every other weekend for years, but haven't been there in a loooong time. Guess I better pack some duct tape...

yeah but that's like being at lake Superior and saying ehh not as much water as the ocean

:rofl: Nice.

Someone want to loan me a bike? :whistle:

I'll tell Jeeps your going to be down. If his schedule allows I'm sure he'd love to get up with you guys.

For sure. I would love to meet the man.

So this is still on. I have setup lodging.

My neighbor wants to do the stereo typical things like dragon, blue skyway, cherk. skyway, devils triangle...

But I want to get in on some of the more "local" roads as well.

Drewpy... you and jenna in for at least some fun?
Ducati Diva... you and Jeeps still in for hooking up?

I'm pretty sure Jeeps is still interested. I would love to but will prob have to work (we see what times your close to our area). If you do the Blue Ridge Parkway let me know and I'll try to meet up with you. You've got our numbers just give Jeeps a call for getting together.

I might be able to meet you guys there, since you're riding during the weekend. Your friend knows Deal's Gap and the SkyWay are going to be full of traffic and cops during the weekend, right? Not discouraging taking a ride through, but I wouldn't spend all day on them (and might want to run at about 70%).

They aren't riding sportbikes, so it won't be much of a concern. You can still have fun on the weekends, you just need to know when to ride.

I was talkin to Drewpy...I'm thinking GAP, Blue Ridge, Skyway, Devils Triangle on Sat. Then the other "good stuff" via Trip on Sunday.

Yeah... check trips comment

I'm on a Ultra Classic, he's on a Honda Shadow... one run thru the GAP each way dodging sportbikes passing us the whole way. No big deal.

I can't wait... I'm getting super pumped! I just hope the weather co-operates and I don't have to wear rain gear the entire time.

I am hoping I can find a bike to borrow or find a new bike before then.

So I guess the 600 has already sold?

yeah, it's gone already. Just have the 50 and the DRZ. I don't think the DRZ is up for a very far trip on pavement with knobbies on it.

I hear otherwise, that you are just a bitch and won't let it perform. Hearsay though... I'll let you figure out who said it. :D

Well do somin... or I also have confirmed the great idea of just borrowing PCs bike! That you are about the only person that is "approved" to borrow the bike. Again hearsay.

You got a couple weeks and I highly doubt I can see you not looking hard each day.

Oh, it will work well on asphalt. It's just not comfortable on pavement for long trips and it destroys the tires.

David said he's in as long as they don't mess up his load. He's usually home late friday night if there's no delay in his dispatch. Just give him a call to work out details. I'll be at work on Sat. but if there's no major incident going on when you guys hit the Parkway I should be able to say high for just a minute.

Ok... we'll call ya say Friday evening from Trips.

Now I just have to hope on the weather.

This is the neighbor bud thats going with gas man and I can't wait to make the trip. I am totally pumped to be able make such a great trip with out the extra anchor on the back seat. I can actually ride free and safe without worrying what way the lady is gonna lean on me.
We went to Chicago last year and she actually fell asleep on me. No side armrests. No straps or seat belts. She just leaned forward and was out cold. I was wondering why am I getting so tired and arms are soar? DAMN
Nice long ride just the buds.

should have just taken a quick left and you'd never have to worry again!

This is the stranger you will be meeting once you get down here. :lol:

I am hoping to have a bike, the guy I am trying to buy from isn't the best at actually trying to sell his bike that I have ever met. You would think you would have more motivation to sell it if you were actually trying to sell it. argh...

But I think his wife would kill him once she got out of the hospital. She was in the army too! Kinda scares me... but I like it!! :D

Fuck that guy... where is the bike at?

Maryland

Look forward to meeting you! I've never understood how someone can fall asleep on the back of a bike??? Not that either of us is the "shit" but we work as a unit when we ride together. I'm as tired as he is when we get done with a day on the sportbike:lol:

But she's on the back of a honda.... nothing exciting there!! :D

:rofl: Good excuse maybe I'd fall asleep on the back of a honda to. J/K

Damn Caveman
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...nedbyagirl.jpg

Damn! :dvrofl: I'm still laughing. :lol

What part? Have OTB cruise over and motivate him.

pretty much the border with virginia. I sent him another pm, so hopefully he gets a little more motivated.

I can see how you have to work together on a sportbike with the positions and such but on the cruisers with a good back rest it is quite relaxing. I remember riding as a kid with my Dad. I used to love going on rides with him around Southern Mich.
But as for actually falling asleep I would have thought that she would have been to afraid of falling off if she got to deep. No armrests and all. I guess I could strap her to me or the back rest. Ha ha ha

Just giving you a hard time. All in good fun.
I still on ocasion ride on the back of the Harley. It is quite comfy with the back rest. Still not sure I could fall asleep even straped down. :lol:
You guys have a safe ride down!

Shit Diva... ride on the back of my ultra... you may be able to.

My wife falls asleep all the time...I dont know how she hasn't fallen off.

I bet it is comfy but I still don't think I could fall asleep. A buddy of ours ex-wife used to fall asleep on him on the back of a sport bike:tremble: She'd just lay over on his back and be gone after about 10 minutes of riding. He finally made her stop riding with him because he was afraid she'd fall off.

Guilty :lol: When I use to 2up on the Harley I would fall a sleep but normally only on long straight roads. I was sandwiched in between the luggage, backrest, and husband so I was not too concerned of falling off. She must really trust your riding.

Diva.... I'll call ya Friday evening/night when we get settled in. Set something up with you and Jeeps. Looks like Trip won't be wanting to do the skyway/parkway, so ask Dave if he wants to escort????

What ride down
 

Well we got here around 8 and damn what a shot. Prolly the longest straight run I have ever done. It was fun specially in the Kentucky Tn area doing about 80-85 through those curves was really fun. We hit a little patch of rain pretty heavy too, for a out 25 miles. :td: Hopefully the dragon will be dry. Can't wait till tomorrow to hit the Dragon. More to come tomorrow night..........:rockwoot:

As cave said got dwn with out any real event. the rain in ky sucked. looking forward to riding today.

Well we had a great trip and time with Trip. Got some pics that I need to put up.

Never we're able to hook up with Diva and Jeeps. Sat they were both working, sunday, it was raining in the morning and we never really left the gap and got out towards them. Kinda sucks cause I would have loved to meet both but weather/sked never allowed. Plus with Trip being on the DRZ the whole time we didn't want to push him too far on his 2x4 seat.

Plus, my bike would of died out in the middle of nowhere from like the engine falling out of the frame or something.

We need to boil some shrim PA next time you come down.

Glad you had a good trip and a safe trip home. I hate we missed each other but hopefully one day soon we will get to meet each other.

Truth on the DRZ being a PIA all weekend. You know, the only thing I had to do to the Hog was in Ohio on the way back, my left highway peg was a little loose so I tightened it while putting gas in it. So much for stereotypes huh.

AMEN on the shrim PA. And maybe some crawfish too!

:whosr: I was going to call you this morning... was waiting to ensure you were up. guess u are now.

Well as I said. The trip was a big success. Sure I would have wished we had more time for more things but we did what we could and enjoyed it the entire time.

I can not say how much I appreciate Trip for helping us, showing us around, and just letting us hang with him. Further, A for letting us use and abuse him all weekend. Like I said to her, I wasn't sure if I should say "sorry for having him out all day or you're welcome for having him out all day". I'll let you all guess which way she answered!

Diva... sorry we never connected. You sure sound like a hoot to hang out with. Plus I have been meaning to meet up with Jeeps for YEARS!!! I certainly enjoyed our phone conversations and your insight on certain laws. Jeeps is a lucky man for sure!!

Anyway, here's the pics I took. I will get the various online GAP pics in the near future. Already found most of them but not sure how you all steal the low res. I know I will order the high res ones, at least a few.

The Hog ready for the travel... sportin the stock tall shield and the tourpack
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09004.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09005.jpg

On the way down, Caveman, stretchin his legs out... no he's not air humpin the tank as it looks. At least not this time
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09009.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09010.jpg

The open road
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09011.jpg

A shot on 75S in KY
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09012.jpg

Taking long breaks at gas ups, it took us about 10hrs to get down. We weren't sure how well we would do so we paced our selves. Took just as long as I thought.

Sat mornin at Trips the 2 metrics needed a few things...
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...July09018a.jpg

The DRZ had already got a new tube in the rear tire, more air in the front, and a the worst was... he was leakin coolant from a crushed rad.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...July09013a.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...July09014a.jpg

The Honda Shadow just needed some more coolant and checked the cap as well
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09016.jpg

The HD was left out of this wrenching... thank god and something I'm not too use to yet.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09017.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...July09019a.jpg

A few shots from the look out at the gap... I know we have all seen way too many of these
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09021.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09023.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09024.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09028.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09072.jpg

Damn Trip was so damn fast on his dirt bike. I think this weekend convienced him he needs to super motard it out.

Saw some greatness there... like this. Trip needs to find the other side of the fun. But here's boyfriend and his great machine and gear.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09029.jpg

A tribute to Drewpy from the Tree of Shame
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09031.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09030.jpg

This had to of hurt
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09032.jpg

Standard issue GAP Store pose
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09034.jpg

The Skyway pics and top elevation pic
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09039.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09045.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09042.jpg

Check out the clouds about head level
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09047.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09046.jpg

One of the look outs on the way down.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09059.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09060.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09050.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09053.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09054.jpg

A long fall
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09055.jpg

I tell ya, if you never read the look out signs, its kinda sad.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09056.jpg

Then on Sunday I wanted to get some more pics of the bikes with nice backdrops. Regardless if you've seen a hundred of these they still make good pics
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09068.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09070.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09073.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09077.jpg

Then some from the fontana bridge (need to double check that name)
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09079.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09081.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09082.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09085.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09088.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09090.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09094.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09095.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09100.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...PJuly09101.jpg
**Not sure which set of pics is the best**

Then on Monday we headed back north. Got a few more action shots of Caveman
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/SSPX0362.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/SSPX0361.jpg

Including this one with him showing me his "guns" while we are on the Brent Spence Bridge is a double-decker bridge that crosses the Ohio River between Covington, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/SSPX0367.jpg

We made it home in 8hrs with small gas stops vs the 10hrs with longer more paced gas stops. We even made some friends along the way. Including one Toyota that was taking pics of us riding down the highway. We were having a good ole time, being goofy, and making some fast jaunts.

The trip, even though lacking some more connections, was Epic. I loved it. Can't wait that much more for the NE Rally.

I am really depressed we didn't get yall out to franklin or meetup with jeeps. Stupid rain and DRZ taking a shit. It was a good time nonetheless. A was probably happy I was out of the house and ya'll coming in gave her an excuse to get out the whip and make me clean it up some before yall got here.

Here's the whale, I thought it was a 600, but apparently she was so big, she made the zx14 look like a 600

http://www.twowheelfix.com/attachmen...1&d=1247487904

OH SNAP!! Der she blows!!! But without the rear pic, its not in the proper perspective!!

Yeah I agree, I wish we would have had more time and better circumstances to do those things as well.

Dude, the UC looks fucking awesome without the trunk. I like it.

Why thanks... you can see it first hand in a few months! I'm pumped about that too!

Wow, so this is a female? I'd hate to see any of her brothers!

DAMN, I mean, DAMN!!!! Surprised she didn't blow the damn tires out. That poor bike.

Caveman:td:

You guys don't be hating!! You know you need a big woman to keep you warm on those cold MI nights! :dvrofl: :nee:

Looks like a good time was had by all!! I so hate we missed you but there will be other times!!!

Gas let me know if you want me to send you a copy of the final paperwork on the new gun laws (if they ever quit fighting about it)

Heck Diva... I'm always interested in new gun laws. Put up a thread I'm sure I'm not the only one!

Well here's the low res proofs from Killboy

Don't mind me kicking Daryl, Trip and us stopped by and talked with him later.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/Killboy1.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/killboy2.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/killboy3.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/killboy4.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/killboy5.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/killboy6.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/killboy7.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3.../killboy8a.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/killboy9.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3.../killboy10.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3.../killboy11.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...killboy12a.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3.../killboy13.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3.../killboy14.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...killboy15a.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3.../killboy16.jpg

I need to figure out which one I want to order... and still need to download the others from their respective websites

Hey guys... what's the best way to do the screen prints of the low res pics? I was just doing us129 photos in paint and it does this when one I get it in paint off the screen print and save as a jpeg... if I enlarge it, its gets all stupid....
Attachment 5118

you arent going to be able to enlarge them without it starting to look goofy. That's the whole point of only giving you the low res.

Buy the picture you cheap bastard.

Well I was just using the low res to tide me over till my orders are completed.

Not cheap just....well ok yeah cheap
 

Gas is a little cheap but I must agree, I would like to see what it would look like a little larger.

I think she ate them :lol:

Tom

I went to sort thru the 3 sites and multiple days/corners. Then my internet went out... still haven't picked the ones to order.

But looks like its about $6 a pic for it on a CD. Talk about pricey. One of them was 10 pics for $45.

Fuckers. Thats way too much.

That's what I'm saying. Easy to scream cheap bastard till you see the price.

Dunno - seems pricey at first glance, but go sit out there all day, every day & then consider that they're taking 'pro' quality shots of moving bikes. Compared to what wedding photog's & such make for static pics?.... But I do think if they dropped the price just a bit, they'd sell a lot more - maybe around $3/pic or so. FWIW, the couple of times I've ordered from Daryll (killboy), he's thrown all the adjacent pics in a 'series' on the disc when I only ordered one - also some 'extras'.

Glad you had a good & safe ride! :dthumb:

Yeah i will order some. I just want to combine mine and cavemans pics. Probably do a 10 pics for $45 cd

Go to a track day. One pic is easily $25

That doesn't make it cheap.

They are actually really cheap in comparison for their choice of business.

It's all a big work anyway. But people obviously pay for it.

Yeah $25 just puts a different POV on it, still don't make either right.

Well last night we ordered some pics from Zee and Killboy. Just ordered high res pics on cd. I got 8 and Cav got 9. with shipping $45 each. Cool thing is Killboy sent me an email with the pics in a zip file. Kinda wish he'd offer a reduced price and just did that without the cd completely. But oh well.

Reduced due to PB but here they are.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/img_4633.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/img_4634.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/img_4636.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/img_5018.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3.../img_5019a.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3.../img_5265a.jpg


I found out IMHO, Killboy pics are all high quality, great color, focus, and just the perfect amount of zoom. Zee has the biggest quanity, with good quality, color, and light. US129, out of 20 pics, maybe 3-6 decent and the rest are junk. Some zoomed so far it, it looks like a upper body shot. Cut off ends of the bikes, chopped faces, zoomed so far that there is no background so you can't tell where you are at. Junk! So I ordered from Zee and Killboy. Spread the weath!

i like ordering from zee, the one time i think i actually bought pics, because i am sure i have drank more then $20 worth of bottled water of hers over the last few years :lol:

Yeah I even put in a comment on both orders that I was Trip's friend that hung out with them that weekend. I figure it will either be bad for me or maybe good.

Got the Zee photos in today...

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/C1102791.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/C1102792.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/C1102802.jpg
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http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/A1103795.jpg
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http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/A1201375.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/A1201377.jpg

My #1 favorite pic
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/A1201376.jpg

Cool Pics Gas Man!!! Glad you had a good time!

Boogered by Photobucket once again.

All hail the gap
 

Here's some great examples of the scenery near the GAP.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...nery/00909.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...nery/01017.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...nery/04322.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...y/IMG_0562.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...y/IMG_0578.jpg
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http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...y/IMG_5825.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...y/IMG_7611.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...y/IMG_8424.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...y/IMG_8458.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...y/IMG_8521.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...y/IMG_9034.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...y/IMG_9136.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...y/IMG_9163.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...y/IMG_9185.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...y/PICT9413.jpg

Man, gorgeous pics.

Thanks and thanks for checking them from home!

You're welcome. And you could save me the trouble and just host them somewhere other than PB. :lol:

NO WAY! Too many pics...

Mark can you get on SmugMug.com? That's another pic hosting site?