Deals Gap

[elmer]

I hear many referrals about "Deals Gap". In the beginning I thought I would want to ride there. There are many reports concerning how unsafe riding the gap is. I have read about fast riders, trucks on the wrong side of the road etc.I live in the San Francisco bay area (east bay) so it would be quite an adventure to get there.I have also read it is a beautiful place to ride. My concern is for safety. I am not a fast rider and just read Proficient Motorcycling (thanks BMWST for that tip) and realize I have a lot to learn even after years of riding. Should I go to Deals Gap or somewhere else?

 

Elmer, R1200RT

[johnlt]

Deals gap is fine, except on weekends when it is very busy. I've ridden it dozens of times with no problem. Not sure it's worth 3K mile ride to just do Deals Gap but if you also do the Cherohala Skyway and the BlueRidge Pkwy, it would be a worthwhile trip.

[David]

That road isn't worth going for, as John says. What's unique about the riding in western NC, eastern TN, and northern GA is just one thing: there's no other place in North America with that heavy a concentration of wonderfully challenging roads. There are roads that good in many other places, and many with much better views of the ocean and taller mountains, but none so concentrated. It's really riding heaven.

[Richard_D]

http://www.twowheelsonly.com/ If you stay here at T.W.O. you will be surrounded my motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the country and be right in the middle of some of the best roads around. They will give you maps of the area to enjoy.

[Twisties]

We went to the Blue Ridge Rendezvous last fall and did not ride Deals Gap. We rented bikes and the rental co owner begged us not to (and he likes twisties). There's more than enough great roads in CA and the west. I assume you are familiar with the Sierra Passes since you are in CCC. If not holler. Also, north of LA, the Santa Monicas (not on weekends), Down by San Diego _ Julian to Borrego Springs, and over Mt Laguna... and many many more areas that I'm not familiar with.

 

Plenty of great riding in Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming Utah, AZ and Colorado too.

 

Having ridden some in the east, and a lot out west, I really think the experience out west is superior, though it is a matter of taste.

[Tony_K]

Hmmm,

about a hour and a half to the north west of you are some really sweet roads. King's Ridge for example (there are tons more too!). The pay off at the end is just head west some more on any road up there and you have the pacific ocean and Hwy 1 to head back home on.

 

With the elevation changes and the amout of switchbacks at the end of the day PCH is a very welcome sight.

[tallman]

It's the journey, not the destination.

But, once you're in the Appalachian Mountains there are many wonderful riding opportunities.

It is one of the best regions to ride in.

From N. Ga. to W. Va. there are great roads and plenty of places to stay and eat Bar BQ.

You'll be glad you went.

Best wishes.

[randy]

fly into Atlanta, GA there are cheap flights here. you can rent a bike from Blue Moon, or from BMW of Atlanta (i recommend BMW of Atlanta) If you want fly in, and I will pick you up, you can stay at my place and from my home you can be at deals gap in 3 hours, Blue ridge about 3.5 hours, all the best roads are a two - four day ride. fly in late Friday, we can go riding all day sat and sun, and then you can go off on your own Mon - Fri, come back to my place on Friday, and I will get you to the airport. As noted above there are a lot of great roads all over the US. But this area is incredible especially if you have a 6- 8 days to explore it.

 

Come in during April and you can go to BRR, with us, and then ride as you want. Lots of options in this area, all you to do is have the time.

 

Call BMW of Atlanta 770-984-9844 and ask for Jon Davis.

[RPG]

having ridden it about 10 times, I probably wouldn't travel all the way from the west coast just to ride it unless you want to say one day to your grandkids, "yeah, I was there". It's a fine road, but since it's popularity has skyrocketed, it's not the same experience IMHO. Sort of the same experience one gets at Yellowstone when the crowds are thick with tourists as opposed to visiting in the early spring when you're all alone.

 

In years past you had the thing to yourself, with an absence of LEO's watching your tire line through every turn (to give you a ticket if you touch the centerline) as well as the Squids you find in your lane rounding far too many blind turns.

 

All I can say is I glad I rode it before everyone said, "you gotta ride that there doggone road".

 

But, as others have said, a Deal's Gap, Cherohala, BlueRidge and best of all, northern Georgia trip would make it well worthwhile.

 

rpg

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

Mid-week really isn't bad. When I have come to El Paseo/BRR, I typically ride through on a Thursday afternoon, and traffic is usually pretty thin. Weekends are much crazier, but it's still worth riding up to the gas station to do some people-watching. On the weekends the station is packed with interesting cars, bikes and people; you can have a nice ride up 28 and then back down 129 (away from The Dragon), and find other fun roads with far fewer people trying to see how far they can push it.

 

As others have noted, lots of great roads in the area. Worth a trip to Georgia/North Carolina for all of it, not just Deals Gap.

[Vicious_Cycler]

If you were coming this way anyway you ought to ride the Dragon, dare I say b/c its there. Once here, invest in a $10 MAD Map of the Smoky Mtns region. One nice circuit is leaving Tellico Plains, TN on 360 north to 411, northeast to 129 in Clover Hill, southeast on 129 thru the Dragon to Robbinsville, NC, and back to Tellico Plains via the Cherohala Skyway. As has been said already, the great thing about this area is the concentration of good road choices.

 

If you're close to the Dragon, then you're close to the Cherohala Skyway, the Blue Ridge Pkwy, Hwy 28 around Fontana, NC is called the Snake (I think), Hwy 116 and 330 at Oliver Springs, TN is the Devil's Triangle and Witch's Knuckle, Hwy 64 follows the Ocoee River from Ducktown, TN to Ocoee, TN. There's lots more moving west from the Dragon like Hwy 30 from Pikeville to McMinnville, Hwy 41 from Cowan thru Sewanee to Monteagle. While you're here you may as well ride some on the Natchez Trace Pkwy.

 

That's just to name a few. Whew...Out of breath just typing this! Come on spring!

[BeemerLover]

I live in Charlotte but have ridden or traveled most of the country. I would equate the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherhola Parkway and Deal's Gap as similar to the Pacific Coast Highway or the Bow Valley Parkway between Banff and Lake Louise in Canada. They may not be the absolute ultimate rides but each sure is memorable. But the road is only half the experience. The people are culturally different in California, the Canadian Rockies and North Carolina. Enjoying those differences is one of the reasons I ride.

 

[mike g]

Isn't the BMWMOA rally in TN this year? That would be a good excuse to get near there. I've done it three times now and mid week was best. I am not a fast rider but it was fine. In fact, I got smoked by a yellow gold wing.

 

My wife didn't like it the time she was with me. She said she had to work too hard and she got tired of it by the first 5 minutes. She loved the Cherola Skyway though.

 

mike

[Richard_D]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_State_Route_348 Also one of my favorites.

[Paul Mihalka]

"I got smoked by a yellow gold wing"

 

Don't feel bad about it. The yellow Gold Wing guy is famous. The bike is specially prepared and the rider is there all the time.

 

[Quinn]

Isn't the BMWMOA rally in TN this year? That would be a good excuse to get near there.

 

The BMWMOA is in Johnson City, TN. So, get off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Boone and go up 421 through Mountain City to Shady Valley. Shady Valley is trying to be the next Deals Gap and is surrounded by great roads. You can get to Johnson City by continuing on to Bristol, on 67 to Elizabethton, or 321 to Hampton. Really can't to wrong in the whole area.

[jimfastcar]

Any advice on if it would be better coming or going from MOA Rally ?

[BeemerLover]

Boone, NC is a really good place to hang out for a day or so and ride the roads in nortwest NC, southwest Va and eastern Tn. It is a college town (Appalachian State) and there are lots of good restaurants, a cool downtown area lots to do and see. It is deep in the mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway runs right through it. Hwy 421 goes from Boone to Shady Valley and is as twisty as the Dragon. Highway 194 is a real treat.

 

If you are interested, our Charlotte BMW MOA group has sponsored the Dan'l Boone rally there for over 30 years. This year it will be August 13-16. Here is the link to the MOA website. Click on the Dan'l Boone Rally link on the left hand side.

 

http://www.carolinasbmwmoa.org/dbr.html

 

 

[Rinkydink]

I rode it last year on the day after Thanksgiving. I saw no oncoming traffic at all. There were only three other riders at the tree of shame and they were from New York. Of course the Deals Gap Resort is closed for the season but on the flip side traffic was non existent.

[Nate9k9]

The real danger at deals gap is pushing beyond your abilities and traffic. If you ride the gap in late fall, winter or early summer there aint much traffic. If you ride the gap in late spring, summer or early fall, the best time to ride is early morning or late afternoon. The gap is just one part of a giant loop to ride. You can ride the hell bender to deals gap, ride the gap to telleco plains and then on to the Cherahola skyway. It's a wonderfull ride. It's an easy day trip from Two Wheels Only, Suches, GA.

[tallman]

Another issue is the scheduled events that involve cars and motorcycles such as the "Wake the Dragon".

You could get there and find 60 Corvettes filling the parking lot, on the road, or it could be Honda 2000's, Miata's, Mini's, not to mention all the motorcycles.

Now that the motel has been expanded it seems as if there are always trailers full of crotchmootardies that do nothing but go back and forth.

Catch it at the right time it is still a good shortcut and nice to expereince.

At the wrong time it can be a pain, literally.

[Jake]

Isn't the BMWMOA rally in TN this year? That would be a good excuse to get near there.

 

The BMWMOA is in Johnson City, TN. So, get off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Boone and go up 421 through Mountain City to Shady Valley. Shady Valley is trying to be the next Deals Gap and is surrounded by great roads. You can get to Johnson City by continuing on to Bristol, on 67 to Elizabethton, or 321 to Hampton. Really can't to wrong in the whole area.

 

That section of 421 through the Cherokee Nat'l Forest "The Snake" might be the most fun road in the entire state, particularly if you catch it on a weekday.

[elmer]

Thank you for all your input. You have made me realize there is great riding around home. Due to the economy a long trip might be on the back burner for a while. I an so lucky to have great riding close to where I live and some good riding buddies to swap lies with. Don't count me out because someday I hope to do coast to coast probably a northern route. Ride safe and maybe we will meet on the road some day.

 

thanks, elmer

[bmwdenk]

I grow up in california and now live in south carolina, there are several wonderfuls in both area. The blueridge mountains have some of the best roads that I've ever riden on and I've been riding for 30+ years. I do believe you'll have to have much more to do before coming out to ride though. Staying at T.W.O. is a very good suggestion. I would be more them willing to get with you if you ride out and maybe even take you the dragon's tail. You can google it if you want. This is just one example of what everyone is talking about. Let me know if you decide to come out and would be willing to make arrangements at a few "two wheel only" spots. I have several local buddy's who would want to join us.