Well I finally made it to Deal's Gap, rode it, loved it, got the t-shirts, took some photos, AND LOVED IT!!
I got a late start Saturday from Wytheville, VA (rain delay) but after getting wet (light rain) a few times on the way we made it to Gatlinburg (sunny by then) by 7PM. We stayed there for the night in a cabin, ran the strip a few times (zoo!) and got plenty of "hey check it out, Hayabusa!!" along the way. Lots of other bikes there but no other Busa's.
Anyhow, we left to find the Gap Sunday AM (sunshine!), took 321 S then the Foothills parkway. After a nice drive and a rather crappy detour we made it to 129 and the start of the Dragon. Took about 1hr 15min from Pigeon Forge. We were blessed with light traffic, no accidents, very little Law pressence and nice sunny weather (a little overcast but never rained). We ran the Dragon a few times (two-up with my girlfriend) and had a blast. I even started to scare my girlfriend on the second run when I started feeling my oats.
Long story short, it is an awesome road to check out and the closest thing to a road race course you will find. The pavement was smooth with little or no gravel only a few rough spots. The 11 mile run was awesome and we also ran up to Robinsville but did not make it to Cherohala Skyway (next time). My girlfriend was a trooper and had a good time although we had to drive all the way back Sunday afternoon (almost 4 hours) and got caught in the rain again near Bristol.
Buuuut we had a blast, got home safe, had no problems and can't awit to go again. And should I add DAMN I LOVE MY HAYABUSA!!!! I hope to spend more time on the Dragon nezt time and want to make a few runs solo but I am so glad my woman came along (love you baby!).
Everyone that has not gone, go by all means if you can and plan on staying a while. It is like you own amusement park (I wa actuall hooting and hollering in my helmet all thru the ride).
I got a late start Saturday from Wytheville, VA (rain delay) but after getting wet (light rain) a few times on the way we made it to Gatlinburg (sunny by then) by 7PM. We stayed there for the night in a cabin, ran the strip a few times (zoo!) and got plenty of "hey check it out, Hayabusa!!" along the way. Lots of other bikes there but no other Busa's.
Anyhow, we left to find the Gap Sunday AM (sunshine!), took 321 S then the Foothills parkway. After a nice drive and a rather crappy detour we made it to 129 and the start of the Dragon. Took about 1hr 15min from Pigeon Forge. We were blessed with light traffic, no accidents, very little Law pressence and nice sunny weather (a little overcast but never rained). We ran the Dragon a few times (two-up with my girlfriend) and had a blast. I even started to scare my girlfriend on the second run when I started feeling my oats.
Long story short, it is an awesome road to check out and the closest thing to a road race course you will find. The pavement was smooth with little or no gravel only a few rough spots. The 11 mile run was awesome and we also ran up to Robinsville but did not make it to Cherohala Skyway (next time). My girlfriend was a trooper and had a good time although we had to drive all the way back Sunday afternoon (almost 4 hours) and got caught in the rain again near Bristol.
Buuuut we had a blast, got home safe, had no problems and can't awit to go again. And should I add DAMN I LOVE MY HAYABUSA!!!! I hope to spend more time on the Dragon nezt time and want to make a few runs solo but I am so glad my woman came along (love you baby!).
Everyone that has not gone, go by all means if you can and plan on staying a while. It is like you own amusement park (I wa actuall hooting and hollering in my helmet all thru the ride).
