idphillips
Parking Attendant
Posts: 21
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posted June 08, 2008 05:24 AM
Need Any Helpful Advice on what to Expect at Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway
I'm going to ride to Gatlinburg,TN and then hit Deals Gap one day and Cherohala Skyway the next. I've never been to either of them. I've heard some horror stories and was planning on going during the week so as to avoid the majority of the squids and Miatas, but due to work schedule that won't be happening. So, any advice would be greatly appreciated on the subject. Is it safe to ride it the way it was designed to be ridden? Or is that a death wish due the other morons on the road that are riding and driving outside their skill set and their lane?
  
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fjrpilot
Parking Attendant
Posts: 11
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posted June 08, 2008 05:38 AM
If you can be there later in the day on Sunday that would be the best time. Most people from out of the area are gone at that time. Watch out for the other guy.
Later
Buzz
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted June 08, 2008 04:20 PM
 Edited By: stevewfl on 8 Jun 2008 17:23
I agre with fjrpilot. Weekdays and off-season you will see little traffic and usually zero cops. I go up as often as I can and its been a blast. here's some pics of my recent trips of the fun you can expect-
ZX14 last fall----> http://www.bikeland.org/board/viewthread.php?FID=8&TID=35917&set_time=1201666921
Yamaha this spring-----> http://www.bikeland.org/board/viewthread.php?FID=8&TID=38915&set_time=1212263733
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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drewherc130
Expert Class
Posts: 140
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posted June 09, 2008 09:59 PM
+1 from fjrpilot
Just remember at all times, you're NOT on a closed track. You can have anything in the road just past the next bend such as rocks, sand or an 18 wheeler 1/2 way in your lane (which happened to me).
You can also do a search on youtube.com for videos of people on the dragon. There are lots of them! That'll give you some great perspectives on what to expect.
Ride within your ability.
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2008 C14, flies out, Area P-Carbon, BMC, PC3, Spencer Seat Mod, Alaska Leather, Helibars with Ram GPS mount, Nuvi 250W
"Life moves pretty quick. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
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idphillips
Parking Attendant
Posts: 21
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posted June 10, 2008 01:02 AM
Thanks for the advice guys  I'll try to get plenty of pics. I wonder what Killboy charges for the pics he takes.
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted June 10, 2008 10:45 AM
on Deals Gap...go slow and stay AWAY from the double yellow.....did I mention, GO SLOW....the cops were in force up there 2 weekends ago, Had some buddies from Canada get tickets there.
On the Skyway you can be a little more liberal with speed, but dont go crazy. The skyway is usually in really good shape, and will be patrolled less during the week than on the weekend, but it still shouldnt be too bad. At the levels of elevation on the Skyway you can and do see different weather areas. A few weeks ago I was there and it was cloudy in Tellico Plains, raining about half way up, then we were in the clouds, back into rain, back to being cloudy, and then sunny......hell a few days before that they had hail.....but on a good day, that road is awsomeeeeeeee.
Keep in mind those are not the only good roads up there. I dont know what direction you are riding, but if you get a chance to ride Hwy 68 south out of Tellico Plains do it, that road rocks. If you stay on it , it will take you down to Hwy 60 and into GA. This road is great, it connects back into Hwy 129 again in northern GA. Lef on 129 takes up up Blood Mountain, then a right on Hwy 180 and then a mile into it another right on Richard Russel Scenic Parkway and its an awsome ride with great views. At the end of Richard Russel go left and take that to Hwy 75. If you go right on Hwy 75 you will go into Helen GA which is a very cool little town, look it up on the net. Before you get into Helen there is a road that turns off towards Unicoi State Park, take it down to Hwy 197 and go left, its a nice curvy road that follows a lake ( I cant remember the name of the lake) around back up to HWY 74. Go right on Hwy 74 and it will take you into Clayton GA (where they filmed scenes of the movie Deliverance. In Clayton pick up Warwoman road and take it out to SC 28 in South Carolina, and go left. This turns into NC28 and goes up into Highlands NC. On the way to Highlands you will pass Bridal Falls which is a cool picture spot. In Highlands there are a number of ways to get back over to Deals Gap or any other direction you care to go.
My point is there are roads in that area that are just as good if not better, with scenery that is just as good if not better with less traffic, and less cops......dont just stick to those roads or you will be wasteing your trip.
Jim
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted June 10, 2008 03:29 PM
+1 !
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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idphillips
Parking Attendant
Posts: 21
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posted June 12, 2008 03:17 AM
That sounds like an itinerary I'll be adding to the trip Thanks for the info guys. I got my Zumo 550 setup and ready to go. I'll try it out this weekend on a shorter ride. So far its been great and very addictive.
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