Great Smoky Mountains Adventure Ride - October 28-29, 2006

[dualsport]

OK, everyone, this ride is ON!!! This ride will take us over two days over the Cherohala Skyway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Deals Gap, The Dragon, the Blue Ridge Parkway and other parts of the Nantahala National Forest. Foliage should be peaking this time of year so it should be beautiful. Route details and related web links can be found on the attached MS-Word document.

We will camp Saturday night 10/28 at the USFS Appletree Group campground, a private and large reservation-only site with real bathrooms, showers, large pavilion and campfire ring. We have reserved camp site "C" which is a large and fairly level site. The campground has hard packed limestone gravel roads which will should be quite acceptable to bikes. The campsite will hold up to 50 campers, so there is nothing holding us back!

The total camping fee of $100 will be split equally amongst the participants.

Also, please be aware that the weather can be VERY unpredictable this time of year. I vividly recall getting hit by a rainstorm-turned-blizzard on Blood Mountain, GA (which we will pass) on November 1st. So, be a good Boy Scout and BE PREPARED!

Please e-mail me at the address shown below (rather than posting a reply, to keep the number of threads down) if you plan to participate. Let me know:

1. Name of the rider or riders if more than one.
2. The mileage range of your motorcycle
3. Whether you plan to camp at the Appletree site Saturday night
4. Where you want to meet up with us if the Wagon Wheel is not convenient (alternative location is Morgantown at the GA 60/US 76 intersection).
5. Any special concerns or needs you have that I should be aware of.

Thanks for your interest in what should be a great weekend!

[dualsport]

I've received the confirmation letter from the Forest Service. They want my money by July 17, so I need to send it in by Wednesday of this week.

Since the date was moved out by one week from the original proposal, I'd like to get some reconfirmation of interest before I send in the fee.

So, who's in? How 'bout YOU?

[BeemerPilot]

I'll be there Sam.

[dualsport]

Hey all, pretty quiet out there. Maybe some of you that have never ridden the Dragon are thinking - what's the big deal? Well, take a look at this photo and then remind yourself that there are over THREE HUNDRED curves like these in just 11 miles! :eek:

[Lynne']

Just got back from there and looking forward to going again!! Have you been down the Nanthahala(sp.) River to Wayah Rd. yet???Goes from the put in at the river over the mountian to Franklin. When is the cut-off date to register for the ride? Not sure this early where I'll be on my bike, but I've got your ride on my calendar!!!!

[dualsport]

Hi, Lynne. Yes, in fact we'll be taking Wayah Rd. to get to the campground. It also leads to Wayah Bald, which is a side trip worth considering for Saturday as we may get to the campground a bit early. One writer on the web thought enough of it to call it the "Hidden Jewel," for what that's worth.

Glad you are interested in joining us. I'm really looking forward to riding in cooler weather for a change. There is no "deadline" or anything like that, but I'd like to know say a week ahead of time.

[Visian]

Sam - I might join you all, but could possibly come separately from a different direction.

I notice on your ride plan that the camp is behind a gate that gets locked. If I were to show up separately, will I be able to get in?

Ian

ps => the link to the ride map in your ride plan document appears to be broken...

[dualsport]

Hi, Ian, we'd love to have you join us. I will communicate the lock combination to all the participants prior to the ride dates. So, yes, you will be able to get in.

More info will be forthcoming as the date approaches. Thanks for your interest.

[frantzll]

If I heard correctly at last Sunday's meeting, Sam was not going to be able to lead this ride but it was still a "go" one way or another. Is that the case? Still the same general ride plan? I'm trying to get things nailed down for the Oct 28 weekend and while I'm hoping I can nail this trip down I would like to make other plans if not.

[dualsport]

Yes, that's right, I'm not going to make it, but your president, Jim Hawks, is going to take over the lead. Whatta guy! I will communicate all the details to Jim, so this should be a seamless transfer.

I'll be in Australia and am going to try and take a 2 day ride down there. Hope you guys have great weather and lots of fun.

Thanks very much to Jim for keeping this ride alive.

[bmw650sheri]

Jim, I am joining y'all on the camping trip...Is anyone originating from the Acworth/Cartersville/Woodstock area? Is the trip still arranged as planned in the attachments from the July email? Looking forward to it! Sheri:D

[frantzll]

I have not heard anything directly from Jim Hawks recently but he mentioned, at the October club meeting, that he was planning to lead this ride as planned. I am assuming that is still the case and that is what I am planning on.

I will be leaving early Saturday morning from SW Marietta and was planning on heading up 575 towards Dahlonega for a 9AM group departure from the Wagon Wheel restaurant. That would take me through Woodstock if you are interested in riding together from there. Anybody else starting out Saturday morning from Marietta?

[BeemerPilot]

The trip is still on. We will leave the Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Dahlonega at 9 am Saturday morning. The first day will be as advertised. We will go up through Tellico Plains and then across the Cherohala Skyway to Robinsville for a BBQ lunch on the way to the campsite. If there is time after setting up camp, we might ride some of the local roads before settling in for the evening. The second day will have some changes that will depend upon what the group wants to do. It looks like we'll have a good turnout and a lot of fun with some great riding.

[Boxer]

I live in Woodstock. I can meet you guys (Len and Sheri) here on your way up. A good place to meet here is the Serene Bean in downtown Woodstock right on main street. Get a hot cup of coffee and take off.

Any other ideas are acceptable too. I'm flexible. My plans change by the minute. Just lemme know.:D

[danny andrews]

Will you post the options for Sundays' ride? I plan on making this ride and would like to know routing options early as I tend to get lost and confused easily.
Did Sam forward rider info to you or do we need to resubmit our info?

DEA

[BeemerPilot]

What we do on Sunday will depend on what the rest of the group wants to do. That will probably depend on who wants to go to Deal's Gap and ride The Dragon and who will want to take a shorter, scenic route home. We may even split up into two groups. I would be inclined to go up through Nantahala and then over to Franklin, NC by way of highway 28. But if everyone would like to ride over to Deal's Gap and then take highway 28 from there to Franklin that would be okay with me. I just don't want to go through Smoky Mountain NP. It would be a pretty ride, but it would take a long time and probably be crowded. Naturally, the weather is going to play a hand in the decision making too.

From Franklin I would come down through Young Harris to Blairsville and then Dahlonega and then down GA 400 to the North Fulton County area and home. But that's just what I would do. I will be open to what the group wants to do.

[bmw650sheri]

From The WW in Dahlonega, about how much longer will be we riding that day (Saturday)? AND how long total do we plan to ride on Sunday? Should we get our heads together about utensils me might need at camp and divide the load? Just curious...Mornings without coffee starts my day out off-kilter! Wouldn't want that...So excited. Talking about coffee...Serene Bean...What time? I am thinking about visiting friends at a retreat in Dahlonega the night before, but I am a last minute planner too. Sheri

[Poskashflo]

Hi all:

Other than a recent day ride, this is my first club ride (with an overnight). Any suggestions on what I should bring in terms of camping supplies/food etc? Will we all be cooking out for dinner/breakfast or eating somewhere?

Thanks for the help and I will see everyone on Sat in Dahlonega.

Stu Ward
K1200GT

[Boxer]

Stu,
I'm not sure either what will happen for food at the campsite, but there are minimally three very important items you will want for camping: 1. A tent 2.A sleeping bag 3. A mattress of some kind...Like a Thermarest.
Make that four things. 4. Beer...Unless of course there are park rules against alcohol. Anything more than that is just up to the individual and how much one wishes to cart around... and on one's philosophy of what constitutes comfort.

[BeemerPilot]

The subject of food has come up a couple of times now, so here's the deal:

The campground is in a remote location so everyone will need to bring their own food. I will be bringing a small backpacking stove and a freeze-dried meal along with some snack foods and a beer or two. We will stop for a BBQ lunch in Robbinsville on the way to the campsite, so that will mean everyone will need food for the evening meal and possibly something for the morning, depending on what time we leave. I plan to bring some coffee and a snack for the next morning, but I would prefer to stop for breakfast somewhere, depending on what is available in the area. I haven't been there before, so I won't know until we get there.

A preliminary look at the weekend forcast indicates we will have good weather. We will take some great roads on the way to the campsite with the Cherohala Skyway being the crown jewel. So far it looks like we will have at least a dozen people on the trip. That should make for a memorable campfire that night.

Anyone having questions about what to bring is welcome to contact me either by e-mail or phone. My number is 770/777-4184.

If you do not plan to have breakfast at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant on Saturday morning, please plan to be there no later than 8:45 for the rider's briefing. I hope to leave promptly at 9.

Jim

[Semper Gumby]

SOMEbody needs to be the Centerline reporter for this trip please. Take lots of pics as they are only electrons.

Thanks in advance,

[Boxer]

Those of you who want to meet in Woodstock, I'll be at the Serene Bean at 7:30. That should give us plenty of time to get to Dahlonega.

[BeemerPilot]

Everyone,

Here is a little more information about the ride this weekend: On the way to the campsite from the Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Dahlonega we will make 4 or 5 stops. The first stop will be at a convenience store in Tellico Plains for gas, Gatorade, potty-break, etc. Next we will ride up the Skyway a little ways to Forrest Service Road 210 (paved) which winds along the very scenic Tellico River to Bald River Falls (see the accompanying link). From there we will wind over the Skyway toward Robbinsville. We will probably have a scenic stop or two along the way, depending on how clear/pretty the day is. We will stop in Robbinsville for lunch at a BBQ restaurant that serves some pretty good BBQ. From there it is only about 21 miles to the campground. The distance from Dahlonega to the BBQ restaurant is about 120 miles and I expect to be there around 1:00. From there to the campsite is about 20 miles and I expect to get there between 2-2:30. After setting up camp, which should take no more than an hour, we may want to take a little ride down Wayah Road and back or explore the area a little. That will depend on what the group feels up to. We may just settle in and let the beer drinking begin.

So far it looks like we'll have great weather for the trip. For those of you who have not ridden the Skyway before or would like more information on the area, here is a link to a website with more information and a picture of Bald River Falls: http://www.cherohala.com/

I'll see you Saturday morning,

[bmw650sheri]

Phil and Len, are you sure 730 is early enough for us to get to the WW at 845? I will be there at 7 and enjoy my coffee...if you aren't coming please call me 678230-2954. Look forward to it...I have no idea where the WW is! THanks Sheri

[Boxer]

Yeah, I'll be there shortly therafter. I'll need to get a cup of hot tea. That should give us plenty of time. But it depends I guess, on how we ride. Moderate to speedy pace is my aim.

[frantzll]

I'll try to get there around 7... may be a few minutes later. I don't drink tea or coffee, so I'll be good to go as soon as I get there.

[Boxer]

I came back early today and left the group heading to Robbinsville for breakfast. I had great time, meeting some new folks and enjoying the cool Fall ride and the cooler Fall camping.

This was our first fill-up near the Wagon Wheel in Dahlonega.
http://static.flickr.com/90/282520500_9033259401_o.jpg

We did the ride sort of backwards because of the the windy conditions on Saturday. Out of Dahlonega we headed toward Franklin and over Hwy 28 to Deal's Gap. Here's part of the group at Deal's Gap. We didn't ride the Dragon.
http://static.flickr.com/121/282520461_21f39ab5ef_o.jpg

We stopped for the visit and took off down 129 toward Robbinsville for lunch. After lunch we got gas again.
http://static.flickr.com/116/282519985_ad2d3310ea_o.jpg

Unfortunately, one of our club members got lost on the way to the campsite. Here's the campsite and the bikes lined up parked.
http://static.flickr.com/110/282520253_cd6a7cc410_o.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/95/282520187_be0e9ece53_o.jpg

Here's Jim and Stu discussing long distance rides over a really nice campfire.
http://static.flickr.com/106/282520306_e8e06b4cbb_o.jpg

During the night it got very...
http://static.flickr.com/92/282520357_29d70f1dec_m.jpg

I personally didn't sleep very well at all because I had a hole in my Thermarest and my sleeping bag was not warm enough. But morning came and there were conflicting reports of the temperature. Some said it was 20 and some said 30. But either way, it was chilly.
Len and Stu were the first up and Len got the fire going again and proceeded to make...I think coffee and oatmeal?
http://static.flickr.com/106/282520091_7231623cd6_o.jpg

Here's Marvin and Dennis getting a first start of the day.
http://static.flickr.com/114/282520040_438360eebd_o.jpg

After we got packed and loaded, I peeled off and headed home. The rest of the group were supposed to go eat breakfast and then ride the Cherohala Skyway today. That's as far as I go with this report since I'm not there with them, but I had a really good time. Thanks to Sam for organizing this and for Jim for leading us.

[frantzll]

Thanks to Jim for acting as our fearless leader and thanks to all of the other participants... a great group of folks! I really enjoyed the ride and the camping. It made for a great first overnight ride experience with BMW MOGA. I'll try to share some of my pics via the web in the next couple of days.

[mcedison]

My thanks to Jim for leading this ride. I had a great time riding and camping with a great bunch of guys. Hope the club will have more camping/riding trips in the future. I know I'd like to go again. Thanks again,
David Maeland

[BeemerPilot]

I apologize for the delay in making this post. I had a great time riding and camping with everyone. It is already on the calendar for next year and I hope all of you will be there again.

Here is a link to the pictures I took on the trip: Camping Pictures (http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=77458847208.295029433108.1162835134218&page=1)

If anyone from the trip would like for me to send any of the pictures to you let me know.