2017 Rally - Ideas for Rides & Things to Do

[Steve 0080]

https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/roaringfork.htm

[53driver]

Thanks Steve!
Looks like a fun side trip.

[53driver]

Anyone else familiar with the area that can offer suggestions for a ride, interesting place to eat, or place to get inexpensive adult libations?

PLEASE POST!!!!

[53driver]

For those who like to go exploring some of the best roads in the country for motorcycling, I've found this map to be indispensable:

Butler Southern Applachia G1
https://www.butlermaps.com/motorcycle-road-maps/southern-appalachia-map-al-tn-nc-sc-ga/

It's not all about twisties and technical riding, but they're on there too...
Just lots of great roads for scenery, overlooks, picnic, small hikes to see more sights, etc.

Cheers,
Steve

(I get no kickback from Butler....)

[RickW]

A great site for motorcycle roads is.
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/Routes/Tennessee_118.html?&scenery=2&amenities=2&quality=2

We have ridden out of Pigeon Forge quite a few times and followed locals through side roads many times.
We plan on doing several rides. One being Route 25 to Route 209 (the Rattler). Great ride, curves on 209 are not marked that great for speed, but a lot of fun.
We also plan on 321 and a few other roads to I-40 then south to Asheville. We get off and take route 151 (incredible road) up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Parkway back to Cherokee.
We also plan on one of our favorites, Townsend, to Foothills Parkway, to Deals Gap, Cherahola Skyway and loop back around to Townsend and back to Pigeon Forge.

Not all these roads or distances are suited for everyone, but a person can tailor your own ride to suit your own skills and how far you want to go in a day.

[53driver]

Thanks Rick!
As always, looking forward to seeing you and I'm very interested in the F6C and what y'all have done to her!

Cheers,
Steve

[stepbill]

Rick, I too am looking forward to seeing you again and also meeting your wife!

[stepbill]

I know on one day of the rally I told my wife that we would go white water rafting and then meet up with everyone afterward.

[RickW]

Rick, I too am looking forward to seeing you again and also meeting your wife!

Not sure if Teresa is coming down for the F6B Rally.
We are coming back down one month later (October) with the trailer for a Spyder Rally in Maggie Valley. She is coming down then, we are riding for several days before the Spyder rally. She has had all kinds of people from the forum when calling to order parts ask if she was coming down. She said if we did bring the trailer and Jason and I needed help at night she would come. We will see.

[Steve 0080]

Clean out the garage and bring parts, stuff no longer used or needed and make a couple of dollars... We did this last year. Lets do it again. I have a couple of items I will be bringing!

[RickW]

Thanks Rick!
As always, looking forward to seeing you and I'm very interested in the F6C and what y'all have done to her!

Cheers,
Steve

Torq Loopz are going on the F6C this week, he has the stock mufflers on it.

[GaTeach]

So much good riding. The Smokies....where it's at.

[2wheelsforme]

Some recommended roads. Red ones are the best.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f90/2wheelsforme/IMG_4087_zpsqijhizsd.jpg (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/2wheelsforme/media/IMG_4087_zpsqijhizsd.jpg.html)

[2wheelsforme]

Due to the highest odo mileage thread I have decided we should have a prize for the most miles on a F6B. At the rally I will buy dinner or lunch for whoever has the most miles on their bike at the rally. Now I challenge someone to do the same for whoever travels the most miles to get to the rally. Yep we could have some fun with this. :icon_biggrin:

[wjduke]

Bob Penn isn't a crotchety old man, I can attest to that. Any over 70 year old that rides like he does with no helmet, doesn't fit crotchety to me! He's a little misunderstood, that's all!

[GaTeach]

Bob Penn isn't a crotchety old man, I can attest to that. Any over 70 year old that rides like he does with no helmet, doesn't fit crotchety to me! He's a little misunderstood, that's all!

You Yankees understand each other. Awwwww. :)

I agree that BobPenn rides out! He and I were rolling through the Poconos. He told me "Follow my line. I know where all the potholes are." I did and I reckon he did. We were gettin on down the road.

[Mazilla]

You Yankees understand each other. Awwwww. :)

I agree that BobPenn rides out! He and I were rolling through the Poconos. He told me "Follow my line. I know where all the potholes are." I did and I reckon he did. We were gettin on down the road.

Bob is one awesome rider! He rides his F6B like he stole it! He has got some SKILLS!!

[53driver]

Bob Penn isn't a crotchety old man, I can attest to that. Any over 70 year old that rides like he does with no helmet, doesn't fit crotchety to me! He's a little misunderstood, that's all!

Who said he was????

[wjduke]

I'm showing my age! I may have posted this in the wrong thread. Not surprised seeing what I've been doing at work lately. Time to hang it up. Just wish I could manage.

[Phantom]

:icon_mrgreen::yes:

For those of you that have never been to one of our rallies .... This is a must !

Seeing a group of like minded individuals with many F6B's in one location is a good time.

Please join us :icon_wink:

[53driver]

Okay, I'm starting to get excited about this Rally.

I spent several hours with Google Maps and several recommendations from riders, websites, and my trusty Butler Southern Appalachian map.
Here's some of the stuff I'm looking at:
(This is by no means all inclusive, mandatory, or prescribed.
This is not to test anyone's stamina or riding abilities.
This is not about whose is bigger - it's just for the fun of riding!)

These can always be run in reverse, doing the 441 Pigeon Forge to Cherokee first thing in case it is stupid crowded, and finding a different place to eat - no worries.

"Eastern Easy Day"
Museum, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Clingman's Dome
Goes east then cuts south through the Smokies.
Visit the Wheels Through Time motorcycle museum.
Take the last part of the Blue Ridge Parkway into Cherokee
Have a late lunch at Wize Guys Grille.
Stop at Clingman's Dome
Ease on back to the Lodge
https://goo.gl/maps/cucXu42gapJ2

"Eastern Big Long Day"
Features "The Rattler" and Blue Ridge Pkwy
Takes longer more scenic tour east of Pigeon Forge, goes nearly all the way to Asheville.
Fuel & snack stop there.
Hwy 151 (Pisgah Pkwy) to the Blue Ridge Parkway
70 miles on the BRP and Hwy 19 "downhill slalom" to Cherokee.
Late lunch at Granny's
Head back to the Lodge
https://goo.gl/maps/9Ls6y1jy9jT2

"Western Long Easy Day"
This features the Cherohala Parkway, one of the most scenic rides...ever.
Take 321 out of Pigeon Forge, down towards Tellico Plains.
Quick snack break and fuel.
Then the Cherohala Parkway with a quick side trip to Bald River Falls
Lunch in Robbinsville.
Smokey Mountain Expressway to Cherokee and back up the 441.
https://goo.gl/maps/g3YAGuWzP8H2

"Western Big/Long/Technical Day"
Features Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Pkwy
South from the Lodge, heading west to The Sinks - get some warm up twisties.
Continue to Townsend, Happy Valley and Chilowhee.
Turn Left to the Tail of the Dragon.
Snack / souvenir stop at the south point. Some may want to run back up and down while others shop.
Continue down 129 to Robbinsville, grab some chow at Wendy's/McDs.
Backtrack north slightly to get on the Cherohala, run that east to west. Bald River Falls detour.
Head north back to Chilowhee via the 360 & 72.
Head back to lodge, bypassing The Sinks.
https://goo.gl/maps/Go2QJNEnE5Q2

If anyone familiar with the area would like to volunteer to help lead and trail these rides, or have any other recommendations, please PM me.

Thanks,
Steve

[53driver]

Here's a few pics from last weekend from Isleen's GoPro on the 441 and the road from Clingman's Dome.
Maybe some of you will find this inspirational!!!!
Cheers,
Steve

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/h53driver/Clingman%20Dome%20to%20PF%201_zpst6fwg446.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/h53driver/media/Clingman%20Dome%20to%20PF%201_zpst6fwg446.png.html )

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/h53driver/Clingmans%20Dome%203_zpsgluqg8k1.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/h53driver/media/Clingmans%20Dome%203_zpsgluqg8k1.png.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/h53driver/Coming%20down%20from%20Clingmans%20Dome_zpsuj3xr6h w.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/h53driver/media/Coming%20down%20from%20Clingmans%20Dome_zpsuj3xr6h w.png.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/h53driver/Clingmans%20Dome_zpssafdye7n.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/h53driver/media/Clingmans%20Dome_zpssafdye7n.png.html)

[Steve 0080]

Its time to get the reservations in and get some REAL planning going! 81 days and counting... the rally will be here before you know it !!!!!

I for one can't wait!!!! I did check out the motel and looks very nice to me. Routes have been set up, time to start packing !

[willtill]

Its time to get the reservations in and get some REAL planning going! 81 days and counting... the rally will be here before you know it !!!!!

I for one can't wait!!!! I did check out the motel and looks very nice to me. Routes have been set up, time to start packing !

Time to start packing? :icon_lol: You sound like my wife... she'll start packing two weeks out.. for a trip :icon_mrgreen:

[taxfree4]

Watch the first 2:20 of this video, I think we can swing it, I'll leave it to 53 Driver to work out the logistics. A couple of the moves look a little gay, like that planking thing @ 1:04 but we can retool it to man it up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYAw79386WI

[rudymsmith]

Torq Loopz are going on the F6C this week, he has the stock mufflers on it.

Just put the loopz and some torque master pipes on my F6C - very nice note! wee bit more "juice". Love em so far.

[6gun]

Watch the first 2:20 of this video, I think we can swing it, I'll leave it to 53 Driver to work out the logistics. A couple of the moves look a little gay, like that planking thing @ 1:04 but we can retool it to man it up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYAw79386WI

Is that Steve's MSF class?

[53driver]

Oh that's cool!

But, we're going to need more Rally attendees to make that stuff work!
Start recruiting!!!!

Cheers,
Steve

[Allen Framen]

That was an excellent demonstration of how a differential works. The people who designed and engineered the first differentials must have been a hoot at cocktail parties.

af

[willtill]

That was an excellent demonstration of how a differential works. The people who designed and engineered the first differentials must have been a hoot at cocktail parties.

af

I agree. I saw that video a long time ago. Differentials are quite the mystery. :shhh:

[Steve 0080]

FYI... down the road about a mile is Bennets Pit BBQ.... Outstanding BBQ and plenty of room... maybe we can meet here for dinner one of the nights !!!!!



http://www.bennettsbbq.com


27 days and counting !!!!!

[willtill]

FYI... down the road about a mile is Bennets Pit BBQ.... Outstanding BBQ and plenty of room... maybe we can meet here for dinner one of the nights !!!!!



http://www.bennettsbbq.com


27 days and counting !!!!!

I think you posted the link to Bennett's BBQ before... and I am definitely going to consume a meal (or two) there. The hell with my diet for this upcoming Rally... :icon_lol:

[CoCoKola]

I think you posted the link to Bennett's BBQ before... and I am definitely going to consume a meal (or two) there. The hell with my diet for this upcoming Rally... :icon_lol:

yum...

[jmdaniel]

Okay, for those folks with Garmins, I have converted the Google Maps from the first post to .gpx format. They can be accessed here, downloaded to your computer, then uploaded to your GARMIN device. Rather than doing the conversion myself, I used this handy dandy little converter:

https://mapstogpx.com/

The links to these maps are:

{Removed by Moderator at OP request due to incorrect data.}

DISCLAIMER: I see no issues with these files, but I neither created the Google Maps they were created from, nor built the converter. If you want to use them, feel free, but don't come looking for me at the rally if the maps didn't work to the upmost degree. If you want to come looking for me at the rally to buy me a beer, (as long as I'm done riding for the day), feel absolutely free to do so!

[53driver]

Jeff - thank you VERY much for doing this for us all!
If anyone has any issues? They can come see me first as I made the bloody maps.
Again, thanks and we'll all benefit from your efforts!

Cheers,
Steve

[jmdaniel]

You're welcome, Steve. I'll throw another map together, to cover the route that BobR has mentioned, in case people want to ride that at a time other than he is leading it.

[blackmetoc]

I know on one day of the rally I told my wife that we would go white water rafting and then meet up with everyone afterward.

That sounds awesome!

[jmdaniel]

Moderators, can you delete the post above with the links to the Garmin maps? I can't edit the post, or I would do it myself.

After hearing from another member, I loaded the Garmin maps into BaseCamp, and found that the directions are all over the map, no pun intended. The Google Maps to .gpx converter I used gets great reviews, but in this case, it didn't work very well, so the maps shouldn't be used. Thanks.

[53driver]

Moderators, can you delete the post above with the links to the Garmin maps? I can't edit the post, or I would do it myself.

After hearing from another member, I loaded the Garmin maps into BaseCamp, and found that the directions are all over the map, no pun intended. The Google Maps to .gpx converter I used gets great reviews, but in this case, it didn't work very well, so the maps shouldn't be used. Thanks.

Done. Pity they didn't work out.
All members are advised to NOT use the links in the post.
Links have been removed.

Cheers,
Steve