Smokie Mountain trip

[choptop]

Booked a room in Maggie Valley for 7/28/17 - 8/4/'17. Going to go w/the Lost 202, the group I went to Yellowstone last year, Pennsylvania this year and Sturgis many times. Should be a good time.

[jm21ddd15]

Hello ChopTop. Trip sounds fun. Is Your group planning an interstate ride to get there? Your trip is about 1000 miles, by the interstate, and that's going thru Chicago, Indianappolis, Louisville, and a few more cities. Sounds like a couple days ride, if your going to avoid those places. About like the route to Franklin, NC, a couple years ago. How many in your group?

[choptop]

Hey jm21ddd15, how are you doing ? Their plan is to trailer down, drive straight threw, they have 5 rooms booked now, it is in the planning stages. I just booked mine on my own and at this point am planning on taking a couple of days riding down. If something else comes up and I change my mind I don't screw things up for the others, that's a long way off. I here they book up fast, motels that is. Hoping to have the party again this year w/a band. Maybe you can make it.

[jm21ddd15]

Doing fine, Chop Top. Really enjoying the warm November weather. Getting lots of late season Wisconsin riding. But, all good things come to an end, as possible snow by Saturday. Keep us posted on the trip to Maggie Valley. I'd like to get down that way again, and maybe continue on to the coast. Love the fresh seafood. :yes:

[choptop]

Will do !

[wjduke]

May I suggest...The Cherohala Skyway, The Smokey Mountain National Park, Foothills Parkway, The Blue Ridge Parkway, The Dragon, Rt 64 between Highlands and Franklin and The Moonshiner-Highway 28, as beautiful rides you won't regret.

[Bigcityd]

Chop Top, not sure where you're staying, however my riding mates and I stayed for a few days this past summer at the MicroTel in Maggie Valley, where we "Shamrocked" to local roads. They are very bike friendly, have a bike wash set up and rags for you to clean the dew off of your ride as well. They have a nice pool and a decent complimentary breakfast each morning. There is a little coffee shop across the street next to what was touted as a new distillery. The coffee was very good. Here is a map of some of the rides we did. I highly recommend these in addition to the others mentioned above.
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[choptop]

Staying at Travelowes in Maggie Valley, looks like they have a pool, note to self to bring speedo:yikes:, and a picnic area w/ a couple of tables and a grille... The gentleman that is putting together the trip picked out the place to stay.

[ReserveBum]

In Gatlinburg, what a mess. Smoke all day yesterday. About 8 last night resort office calls saying shutting off gas, no hot water but all else OK. Less than hour later all hell breaks loose. Alarms, yelling, people running. Look behind the building and the hill is on fire! Already packed so throw our shit in the car but road closed and we can't get out. Take a very small single lane forest trail barely wide enough for the car with dropoffs either side. Don't know if we are going into or out of fire. Finally snakes us out to a real road where fire on both sides. Plus heavy winds knocking down trees. Park closed, only way out is North. On way to Pigeon Forge smoke heavy with flames both sides of roads. Evacuating so traffic is standstill. Reserved room in Johnson City, took almost 5 hours but safe. Our clothes and bags smell like smoke. What a night!

[ReserveBum]

In Gatlinburg, what a mess. Smoke all day yesterday. About 8 last night resort office calls saying shutting off gas, no hot water but all else OK. Less than hour later all hell breaks loose. Alarms, yelling, people running. Look behind the building and the hill is on fire! Already packed so throw our shit in the car but road closed and we can't get out. Take a very small single lane forest trail barely wide enough for the car with dropoffs either side. Don't know if we are going into or out of fire. Finally snakes us out to a real road where fire on both sides. Plus heavy winds knocking down trees. Park closed, only way out is North. On way to Pigeon Forge smoke heavy with flames both sides of roads. Evacuating so traffic is standstill. Reserved room in Johnson City, took almost 5 hours but safe. Our clothes and bags smell like smoke. What a night!

Home at last. After leaving Gatlinburg spent a couple of days in Johnson City. Saw a red F6 with a top box. Then on to W. Virginia then to Buffalo to visit friend. Car still smells like smoke and found out place we were staying at burned down that night. We were some of the last ones out of that place and were pretty fortunate.....a vacation (35th wedding anniversary) to remember. A lot of folks down there are hurting, having lost everything.

[choptop]

Can not imagine being in that position, thank God you guys got out ok.

[ReserveBum]

Can not imagine being in that position, thank God you guys got out ok.

It was a memorable night! Was actually good for the marriage as we had to work together as a team in some really trying circumstances to get out of there. Brought us a little closer together

[choptop]

Well the Smokie mountain trip is getting closer and I am trying to decide whether to go or not. The other 8 or so people in the group are trailering down and I did not want to spend 20 hours in a vehicle w/anyone so I planned my trip separate of them as not to disrupt their vacation should something happen and I could or should not want to go. I know it would be beautiful riding and be fun but the 1,000 miles down, 5 days of riding and 1,000 miles back and I will be riding down and back on my own, prefer to ride w/someone. I still have time, would leave July 27th, so have time to mull on it. If I don't go to the Smokies I would go to Sturgis w/ another group to put a wreath were our Club President passed last year while we were down their.
Words of wisdom would be great .

[wjduke]

Well the Smokie mountain trip is getting closer and I am trying to decide whether to go or not. The other 8 or so people in the group are trailering down and I did not want to spend 20 hours in a vehicle w/anyone so I planned my trip separate of them as not to disrupt their vacation should something happen and I could or should not want to go. I know it would be beautiful riding and be fun but the 1,000 miles down, 5 days of riding and 1,000 miles back and I will be riding down and back on my own, prefer to ride w/someone. I still have time, would leave July 27th, so have time to mull on it. If I don't go to the Smokies I would go to Sturgis w/ another group to put a wreath were our Club President passed last year while we were down their.
Words of wisdom would be great .

I did the exact same mileage, trip and location last September, only from New England...and had the time of my life. I rode alone, enjoyed every mile. I did almost 800 the first day. I just couldn't stop. Finished the next day by noon. Did the same return trip, but did break it up a little more evenly coming home. Four days travel, five days in Maggie Valley. I had just turned 60, so no spring chicken. What can I tell you...I say ride!

[choptop]

I did the exact same mileage, trip and location last September, only from New England...and had the time of my life. I rode alone, enjoyed every mile. I did almost 800 the first day. I just couldn't stop. Finished the next day by noon. Did the same return trip, but did break it up a little more evenly coming home. Four days travel, five days in Maggie Valley. I had just turned 60, so no spring chicken. What can I tell you...I say ride!

Thanks wjduke !!

[WEGI]

Hi Choptop

I just returned Sunday night from Laconia, NH bike week. Stayed in Lincoln, NH few miles north of Laconia. I rode from Port St Lucie FL to Pittsburgh, staying in Fayetteville, WV first night after about 850 miles. My first long ride. Also was alone as I was meeting two friends in Pittsburgh. Two day Group ride to NH (three of us). Rode around four days then headed back to Pittsburgh, again two days riding. Stayed an extra day then headed out to FL early Sunday morning. Rode straight through to Port St Lucie, FL getting home about 10:30 pm. Long 16 1/2 hour day! About 1070 miles... One tired puppy. Didn't ride through to prove anything, just one mile after another. Surprised me that it was so easy on the F6B. Also my first long trip on the B.

So i would say go for it, don't sweat riding alone. I found it much easier to ride alone than with others, you may have different experience.

Good luck,
WEG
PS The F6B was a 70th birthday present to myself in March.

[Bighutch14]

Hi Choptop

I just returned Sunday night from Laconia, NH bike week. Stayed in Lincoln, NH few miles north of Laconia. I rode from Port St Lucie FL to Pittsburgh, staying in Fayetteville, WV first night after about 850 miles. My first long ride. Also was alone as I was meeting two friends in Pittsburgh. Two day Group ride to NH (three of us). Rode around four days then headed back to Pittsburgh, again two days riding. Stayed an extra day then headed out to FL early Sunday morning. Rode straight through to Port St Lucie, FL getting home about 10:30 pm. Long 16 1/2 hour day! About 1070 miles... One tired puppy. Didn't ride through to prove anything, just one mile after another. Surprised me that it was so easy on the F6B. Also my first long trip on the B.

So i would say go for it, don't sweat riding alone. I found it much easier to ride alone than with others, you may have different experience.

Good luck,
WEG
PS The F6B was a 70th birthday present to myself in March.

Impressive! 70....1070 miles. Good for you.

[WEGI]

Thank you BigHutch14, much appreciated...

[choptop]

Hi Choptop

I just returned Sunday night from Laconia, NH bike week. Stayed in Lincoln, NH few miles north of Laconia. I rode from Port St Lucie FL to Pittsburgh, staying in Fayetteville, WV first night after about 850 miles. My first long ride. Also was alone as I was meeting two friends in Pittsburgh. Two day Group ride to NH (three of us). Rode around four days then headed back to Pittsburgh, again two days riding. Stayed an extra day then headed out to FL early Sunday morning. Rode straight through to Port St Lucie, FL getting home about 10:30 pm. Long 16 1/2 hour day! About 1070 miles... One tired puppy. Didn't ride through to prove anything, just one mile after another. Surprised me that it was so easy on the F6B. Also my first long trip on the B.

So i would say go for it, don't sweat riding alone. I found it much easier to ride alone than with others, you may have different experience.

Good luck,
WEG
PS The F6B was a 70th birthday present to myself in March.

Yes impressive, ok I will stop kinda whining at almost 66. lol Thinking I will do it.

[choptop]

Well the Smoky Mountain trip is right around the corner. Plan on leaving the morning of the 26th and arrive Maggie Valley on the 28th, the rest to arrive late/early on the 29th/30th, they are trailering. Not planning on a scenic route like the one to Franklin last year, will be solo and just blow down, 94 east, 39 south, 74 east, 65 south, 64 east, 75 south, 40 east into Maggie valley, will get plenty of scenic riding while down their. Staying at the Travelowe's in Maggie Valley. Leaving on Friday the 4th.:icon_biggrin:

[choptop]

Left home last Wednesday morning, averaged 400 miles a day, got to Maggie Valley Friday early afternoon.
Ride master planned Some beautiful rides, we did Tail of the Dragon today, was more impressed with the previous days rides, but it's a good excuse to sell t-shirts and other shit at the end of the ride.
Was looking for some 6's in the parking lot when a black one rode by me a, followed him down to the gas station said hi ,and here it was Mr. C.

[GaTeach]

Left home last Wednesday morning, averaged 400 miles a day, got to Maggie Valley Friday early afternoon.
Ride master planned Some beautiful rides, we did Tail of the Dragon today, was more impressed with the previous days rides, but it's a good excuse to sell t-shirts and other shit at the end of the ride.
Was looking for some 6's in the parking lot when a black one rode by me a, followed him down to the gas station said hi ,and here it was Mr. C.

I'm really bummed I can't get up there and ride with y'all. Kids came back today and it might be a little suspect if I call in sick to work already! I hope you're enjoying the Smokies. My favorite.

[choptop]

Teach, the riding is beautiful, resting up today for the long ride home beginning tomorrow morning.

[choptop]

Just a couple of pics from the Dragon...2577725778