Deals Gap (Tennessee/North Carolina

[jerben]

Who's ridden this route?
Any tips?
Where to stay around there?
Where to eat, etc.?
How long does it take to get there?

Thinking of heading down there this summer and wanted the 411.

[clevie69]

This will be our 2nd trip this year. www.ridgetopmotel.com (http://www.ridgetopmotel.com) is where we have stayed. It is an older motel and the owners are awesome. The motel is located in Bryson City. We are going May 19-22. There is a small diner in Bryson City (cant remember the name). There's an Italian Rest. also in town that is good.

[jerben]

Thanks! What route do you take to get there? I'd like to avoid Interstates as much as possible.

[jbot]

this is the first time this thread has been created, so i am at a loss for input.

[2talltim]

We Always stay in robbinsville,nc at the microtel inn it is real clean affordable and they cater to bikers and the have a excellent breakfast area...there are restaurants, stores, gas stations, and a near by repair shop (wheelers)...we always take the freeway down so I can't help ya there

[jnor]

I go a couple times per year. The last time , I stayed at the deals Gap Resort www.dealsgap.com it was great. Prior to that I always stayed at the Microtel in Robbinsville.

I've got a good way to get there from here to Lexington, without 4 lanes, and going thru Cinci.........Take 33 to Lancaster, then RT22 to Rt159, take 159 to Waverly to RT32, 32 to Rt41, RT41 to the river at Aberdeen, from there take RT39 to Lexington at Rt75. I usually do this after work, stay at Lexington at the Ramada next to the Waffle House, then take 75 on down to Knoxville, and on to 129....

[8mmDale]

My wife and I went do there on our honeymoon. We stayed in Pigeon Forge and made the drive, its pretty close. Its alot of fun, and that part of Tennessee is beautiful.

[Beegreenstrings]

Talk to Big3

[NinjaNick]

I've heard great things about staying in Robbinsville as posted above.

[Pain636]

Went for the very first time last summer, going again this July. Took roughly 6 hours to get to Pigeon Forge Tenn, where we stayed. Lots to see, and do there, plenty of restaurants. From there I think it was about a 30 min ride to the Dragon, maybe less I'm not too sure. I can't wait till we go back had a blast.

Oh and also about 3-4 days after you ride it hit up www.killboy.com, or www.us129photos.com and check out your pics!

[walther_gsp]

Honestly, Robbinsville kinda blows. I stay up in Alcoa, TN. Better access to "civilization" and the ride to the gap is about the same. There are a couple nice chain hotels right on 129 and even our resident racist asian (jbot) approves of.

[Tonik]

Honestly, Robbinsville kinda blows. I stay up in Alcoa, TN.

That is where we always stay. Jameson Inn in Alcoa, three good resturants within crawling distance of the hotel....VERY biker friendly. Been there lots of times. Plus you get to ride the Foothills Pkwy on the way to the Dragon.

[Isaac's Papa]

"Deal's Gap"? Never heard of it.

[buildit]

this is the first time this thread has been created, so i am at a loss for input.
Sounds like a tourist trap area. :lol:

Do's:
Expect rain
watch for speed traps
pack light
explore areas outside of Deals Gap
take 23 from Columbus all the way down to avoid interstate
Be very carefull on the dragon, curves are not the greatest danger
Check out online bike friendly campgrounds, most have cabins too.

Don'ts:
Go on a weekend
think you'll be the only one there
forget the $$$ for tickets
get mad at the RVs and trucks
forget to get off the bike and explore on foot too

[jschaf]

I would suggest US35, US119, SR32, I81,SR71,US441,SR28 to Robbinsville NC. At least thats the way I went last time. US 119 is like the West Virginia Autobahn (No LEOs, no traffic & 4 lanes winding thru the hills. Fun riding but you can accumulate some miles real quick. Have fun.

[Tonik]

US 119 is like the West Virginia Autobahn

I went that way one year, EXCELLENT suggestion.

[myhondas]

I went down last august , & stayed in robbinsville at the " two wheel inn". It is for bikers only and has mini (6'x12' garages next to your room to store your bikes in . great rates, but no restaurant. It is 20 miles south of Deals Gap MC on US129.

[crf69]

i will be joining the supermoto junkies....im hoping!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[shadyone]

we tend to stay in cherokee at a camp ground forget the name.. they have small bunk houses and obviously tents.. about an hourb to the gap though..

[Bagger]

Here is the best place to find all the info you are looking for.

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

If you have a decent sized group i recommend renting a cabin/cottage for a week as that's you biggest bang for your money. I prefer TailoftheDragon: The Ridge and the TwoSistersChalet. Both have hot tubs and garages in case you need to work on the bikes.

The TwoSisters is more relaxed and nicer accommodations but smaller garage and located at the south end of the Foothills Parkway and about 3 miles from the north end of the gap. Not too far from Townsend, Marysville. Alcoa etc.

The Ridge has a nice big pole barn style garage you can easily fit a large number of bikes in with pool table, ping pong and couches..(more party freindly) but it's located farther from stores. Located around 30-40 minutes from the Dragon but also directly on the eastern end of the Charohalla Skyway.

[socaln8tv]

pigeon forge warning -- super mickey mouse. i found it completely obnoxious. gatlinsburg was a better option and has more charm imo. even then its a drive to the dragon despite the offerings of the smokey mountains. cherokee is closer by an hour

[buildit]

Pigeon Forge :lol: Now there's a tourist trap! How many knife and sword shops does one town need? It's bad enough most road side shops sell one of three items. Roasted peanuts, BBQ or gem mining. :)
I had a lot more fun running unnamed roads along the foot hills up and down the hills on the TN side. 25W also has some fun stretches and areas to avoid because of endless traffic lights.

[2talltim]

I'm planning a trip may 15th if anyone else is interested

[jerben]

Thanks everyone!

[LoneRanger]

I've stayed in Townsend Tenn which is nice and quiet. Plenty of places to stay and good food. You cut across the Foothills Parkway and you are at the Dragon from there.

I stayed at the Deals Gap resort last year. Nice place and lots of bikers to interact with. Food was so so. Robbinsville is your best source of chow from there.

Make sure you run 28 down to Highlands, SC. It's like 100 miles of Dragon. Also do the Cherhola while you are there.

[4DAIVI PAI2K5]

We stay in maryville/acola tn at a place called luxbury inn (http://www.luxburyinn.com) cheap rooms, have a car port for motorcycle parking, fresh towels to wipe your bikes off. You also dont have to trailer your bike down the gap.

[dustinsn3485]

I like staying at Fontana village in the cabins if I'm making a trip out of it.

However, now that I've moved I like staying at my house and riding over. It's only a 3 hour trip :)

[wicked94s10]

Fontana is very nice and also has some damn good pulled pork sandwiches and is very close to the dragon. And Ill have to say the Dragon is an overrated tourist trap so make sure you explore all the other good roads in that area that have less cops, higher speed limits, and reduced traffic

[socaln8tv]

count on sufficient patrolling at the dragon at very specific areas/straight aways. just be aware that they are watching!

[jerben]

Come on Kim, I'm really not too worried about that. :)

[socaln8tv]

come on kim, i'm really not too worried about that. :)

i knew you'd appreciate that!!!!!

[BudDaytonRat]

Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge Stecoach, NC.
Telephone 828-479-3864
Email Info@ironhorse.com
Good place and great people.
Have a good trip.

[jerben]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nrMQ3QwyPo

[nofear_racing1]

goldwings do get thru there fairly decent. the ones you gotta watch is the harleys with the low pipes they like to drag and causes alot of riders to go down

[FZRMatt]

This will be our 2nd trip this year. www.ridgetopmotel.com (http://www.ridgetopmotel.com) is where we have stayed. It is an older motel and the owners are awesome. The motel is located in Bryson City. We are going May 19-22. There is a small diner in Bryson City (cant remember the name). There's an Italian Rest. also in town that is good.

A buddy from back home and I are trying to get it together to go this same weekend.

[Earache]

you gotta watch is the harleys with the low pipes they like to drag and causes alot of riders to go down

Cruisers should be banned from this road. Why anyone would want to take an ill handling barge through there is beyond me. If they would just use the pull offs to let traffic pass it would be a whole lot better.

[nofear_racing1]

Cruisers should be banned from this road. Why anyone would want to take an ill handling barge through there is beyond me. If they would just use the pull offs to let traffic pass it would be a whole lot better.


there are some riders that do. mainly the harley guys that dont.

[BudDaytonRat]

James, at one time the fastest time through the Dragon was held by a Goldwing. I don't know if that is still the case. Don't kid yourself some riders on Cruisers can can handle the Dragon. Last September during our Triumph Dragon raid it seamed to me that more autos and slow moving bikers moved over or pulled off. On the other hand some of the riders in our group complained about the slow barges not moving over. The main issuse I have is the barges crossing over the yellow line into my lane.
Our Triumph Dragon Raid this year is 9/12/11-9/17/11. I put a post in the Event Forum and you can go to Britrider.com for more info. All type bikes are welcome to join the Raid.

[what]

god I want to get back down there now that I have another year and a half under my belt and no more D220 stock tires!

SVRider Rally inc?

[Earache]

there are some riders that do. mainly the harley guys that dont.

True - I was making a sweeping generalization which doesn't apply to all of course.

Followed this guy on a Jap crusier last Fall. He was a smooth but the bike just wasn't very fast. He did offer a "pass me" wave but I was having fun watching him.
YouTube - ‪Deal's Gap on 1150GS‬‏

I don't think the bike could have gone much faster without some serious grounding out issues. But he was aware of those following him and made an effort to get outta the way.

Really sucks when about 12 of the HD guys are in a line, with their newbie riding wives in the middle of the group, and they amble through at 12 mph. Won't pull over or yield at all and get all pissy when you pass them - even when done safely.

[Earache]

James, at one time the fastest time through the Dragon was held by a Goldwing..


Nope. Not ever. No way.

[BudDaytonRat]

Nope. Not ever. No way.

His picture was posted at the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort in the area where you buy shirts and other souvenirs. As stated I don't know if he still has it but according to the notation on the photo he did have it at one time.
Bud

[RSparky]

Yah way. I read about it on a couple sites. He was dragging hard parts on every curve. Believe there are some youtube videos of him. His was yellow, I think.

[nofear_racing1]

nice clip^^^

[Earache]

Yah way. I read about it on a couple sites. He was dragging hard parts on every curve. Believe there are some youtube videos of him. His was yellow, I think.


No - that's YellowWolf you're thinking of - I've passed him many times when he was honking through the Gap.
There is no way a Gold Wing can go faster than a sportbike - given the same talent of the rider- on that road. It just isn't going to happen. Trust me.

[Earache]

As stated I don't know if he still has it but according to the notation on the photo he did have it at one time.


He must have been stating it was a Gold Wing record, not an overall bike record. Not even he would claim that.
YellowWolf is prone to exaggeration and is quite a fan of himself.

[Uncle Punk]

The gap is a blast but I don't think cruisers should be banned even though they generally are the rudest riders there. I have had issues with sport bike guys there as well in fact the two biggest dick heads I've come across have been sport bike guys but they are mostly the exception. The long lines of cruisers are usually the worst but if they are acting like assholes I can accommodate them in like behavior.

Everyone there enjoys the road at their own pace and unless there are time trials everyone should be able to enjoy the road. Be careful about wishing to exclude others by skill level because you might not fit into the right group. Being courteous to others should be a simple respect that allows everyone to coexist.

There is no way a Goldwing would hold the record through there, not even close, not going to happen. A well ridden Goldwing could beat many sport bikes through there no doubt but that Goldwing rider going through there on a sport bike will beat his time on the Goldwing. That just makes too much sense to believe otherwise. Skill level can make up for lack of machinery I have passed cruisers going downhill there on a 150 scooter but by the time they catch me going uphill I am slowing them down. I look to see if they want to go around me but they are usually laughing so hard at me that they just want to watch, everyone has a good time.

[Tonik]

There is no way a Goldwing would hold the record through there, not even close, not going to happen.

I am pretty sure that the record the goldwing holds is the most number of laps in a 24 hour period. The speed record for a complete round trip lap is an average speed of about 62 miles per hour and was set way back in the early 90's before there were a ton of LEO's over there.

[Uncle Punk]

Yellow Wolf did a saddle sore ride just on the gap, crazy, something I would ever attempt. I think he finished it in well under 24 hours.

[LoneRanger]

I'm headed for the Gap next week. Should be fairly empty. Can't wait.

[yammie6]

You guys do a group ride out there? I been a few times. LOVE IT !

[LINK]

I'm headed for the Gap next week. Should be fairly empty. Can't wait.
I am going next week too, maybe I will see you there.

[LoneRanger]

I'll be staying in Townsend and headed down on Monday. Look for a silver ST1300. Plates are LNRGR

[LINK]

I'll be staying in Townsend and headed down on Monday. Look for a silver ST1300. Plates are LNRGR

I will certainly be looking for you, I am staying at the Deals Gap Resort, I should get there on Tuesday.

A white and blue Buell 1125R, or a blue Suzuki SV1000S, I think the Z1000 is staying home, if not it is white and orange, the Buell and the Suzuki are going for sure.

[LoneRanger]

Link... I'll be doing some dual sport riding on Tuesday on a rented KLR650. Wed I'm headed for Highlands down 28 and may do Cherhola over to Telico and back. Thursday I head for Little Switzerland by way of the BRP and over night in Boone. Friday it's 421 all the way to Lexington. Saturday will see me home. I'll come down to the resort Tuesday evening on the ST after I get the dirt off me. :)

[LINK]

That sounds like we will certainly cross paths somewhere, I am not sure the exact routes and what days, I am meeting a rider from VA, and he is mapping our trips, I won't know till I get there, but I do know we will be seeing some of the same roads.
Little Switzerland and the Asheville area, along with 421, will be the following week for me.

I should be riding Wayah Road with some riders from FL, MI, and VA on Wed., at least that is what I think is planned?

[buildit]

Link... I'll be doing some dual sport riding on Tuesday on a rented KLR650. Wed I'm headed for Highlands down 28 and may do Cherhola over to Telico and back. Thursday I head for Little Switzerland by way of the BRP and over night in Boone. Friday it's 421 all the way to Lexington. Saturday will see me home. I'll come down to the resort Tuesday evening on the ST after I get the dirt off me. :)

Do you know what year KLR you'll be riding? gen I or gen II?

[LoneRanger]

Buildit... Not certain, but I think they are 2009 or more current.

[ninjascott]

So I'm headin down this weekend, I'm hearing storys of cops having random checkpoints set up checkin for regisration and insurance and lisence and safety inspecting bikes. Anyone have first hand experience? we have a group of 30 or so not all have their endorsment

[Ringo]

So I'm headin down this weekend, I'm hearing storys of cops having random checkpoints set up checkin for regisration and insurance and lisence and safety inspecting bikes. Anyone have first hand experience? we have a group of 30 or so not all have their endorsment

You should probably get that rectified lol.

[LINK]

So I'm headin down this weekend, I'm hearing storys of cops having random checkpoints set up checkin for regisration and insurance and lisence and safety inspecting bikes. Anyone have first hand experience? we have a group of 30 or so not all have their endorsment
I did not see the random checkpoints, but they are patrolling it hard, State and County.
http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=1WPV001B040187&po=13&a=802377&fip=1

[Tonik]

So I'm headin down this weekend, I'm hearing storys of cops having random checkpoints set up checkin for regisration and insurance and lisence and safety inspecting bikes. Anyone have first hand experience? we have a group of 30 or so not all have their endorsment

I was down last week, went all over the place. I saw no checkpoints anywhere. Cops were out a lot though, and they flew a few people out on the weekend. So with that many injuries this early in the season the cops are not going to have much of a sense of humor.

And be careful, maybe I am getting old but I swear I have never seen bikes going so fast through the dragon as I did on this trip. I move along pretty fast and don't get passed very often..but people were blowing my doors off left and right. And they were not very good at it, lots of over the yellow line crap going on.

[FZRMatt]

My buddy and I got our plans locked down and are going 5/21-5/24. We are going to stay in Alcoa, TN. Has anyone been to the Wheels Through Time motorcycle museum in Maggie Valley, NC?

[2talltim]

My buddy and I got our plans locked down and are going 5/21-5/24. We are going to stay in Alcoa, TN. Has anyone been to the Wheels Through Time motorcycle museum in Maggie Valley, NC?
WTT is awsome be prepared to spend half a day if you want to truley enjoy this place...feel free to ask any questions to the folks there, they love to share their passion with you..we ask them "where do they work on the bikes" and they guy said " you want to see that shop" and gave up a tour of the back and showed us all the projects they are working on...we are headed down next Sat...here is the site if you didnt already have it http://www.wheelsthroughtime.com/

[2talltim]

ops

[BudDaytonRat]

My buddy and I got our plans locked down and are going 5/21-5/24. We are going to stay in Alcoa, TN. Has anyone been to the Wheels Through Time motorcycle museum in Maggie Valley, NC?

The Wheels Through Time MC Museum is a must vist. Plan on spending some time there. There is a great French restaurant in Franklin. Hope you have a good trip.

[Mick783]

We went last year and stayed at the Grand Vista Hotel in Vonore, not far from 75 or the dragon. Had a great time can't wait to go again.

[Revelstoker]

I like staying at Fontana village in the cabins if I'm making a trip out of it.

However, now that I've moved I like staying at my house and riding over. It's only a 3 hour trip :)

+1 on Fontana.

[buildit]

Don't stay at Fontana if you have dogs with you. I think they wanted almost $400 of which 300 was a security deposit. We slept in the van instead. :(