DG 2011, another great year

The Kawasaki Triple guys started it but we can be part of it too.

Moderators: oldjapanesebikes, H2RICK, diamondj, Suzsmokeyallan

User avatar
Suzsmokeyallan
Moto GP
Posts: 4326
Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:11 am
Location: Mostly Barbados, sometimes Florida and western Canada
Contact:

DG 2011, another great year

Post by Suzsmokeyallan »

Our usual riding group went this year and all 12 of us had a great time. Even though we were a ways out in the town of Franklin about 50 miles or so to the east of Deals Gap, we did make it to the Gap motel and the 'Dragon' a few times.

One afternoon at the Gap I had a chat with Frank T, met up with Mark and Gwen, as well as Jeff G who had my pre-ordered T shirts in hand, and I briefly saw Dofin as I was heading out for a ride.
The weather was great, except for the times I got soaked going to the Gap one day as well going back to Franklin on Thursday evening.

For the few days I was there I'd clocked up around 1000 miles or so which is the usual quota I find myself doing.

Some of the places visited this year were, Blue Ridge Pky, Foothills Pky, Cades Cove,Townsend, Fontana Dam, Cherokee, Bridal Veil Falls, Maggie Valley, Nantahala forest area, Robbinsville and the 'Road to Nowhere' located just outside of Bryson City.

I'll post some pictures shortly once I sort through them all.
Two strokes, its just that simple.

69 Suz U70
69 Suz T500
72 Suz GT750 cafe
74 Suz TS250
74 Suz GTXVR project
75 Suz RE5
75 Suz GT750
76 Suz TS400
76 Suz GT750
81 Suz GSX1100
86 Suz RG500x2
88 Hon CR500
93 Hon CBR900RR
98 Suz GSF1200x3
15 Kaw Ninja H2
User avatar
H2RICK
AMA Superbike
Posts: 1659
Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 11:07 am
Country: CANADA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT550A, GSF1200SK6 currently
Location: Cowtown aka Calgary, Canada

Re: DG 2011, another great year

Post by H2RICK »

Glad to hear you survived one more round of the Dragon and all the hijinks that I understand go on there. I look forward to your pics of the rides/scenery. :up:
GT550A Mint & Original
H2A Semi-Hot Rod Built From A Basket Case
KZ650C2 Mint & Original...mostly
GSF1200SK6 Bandit...My LD Ride
Additional H2 projects In Boxes.....
MBD Sufferer
jkevinlilly
My new bike is "IRIS"
Posts: 1002
Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:33 pm
Location: Suburbs of Centralia, WV

Re: DG 2011, another great year

Post by jkevinlilly »

Glad to hear you survived one more round of the Dragon and all the hijinks that I understand go on there. I look forward to your pics of the rides/scenery.
As do I since I didn't make it this year. Maybe next year....

Kevin
Everything Commeth
To He Who Waiteth
So Long As He Who Waiteth
Worketh Like Hell While He Waiteth
User avatar
Cliff
To the on ramp
Posts: 476
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2008 9:34 am
Country: Canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: Original owner GT550L
Location: Whitby, Ontario

Re: DG 2011, another great year

Post by Cliff »

I'm going to try to post some pics later as well!
CaptCatFish, it was a pleasure meeting you and having a beer (or two!!) with you!! You've done a nice job on your T500! And the '67 Stepside is sweet as well!!
Cliff!
User avatar
Suzsmokeyallan
Moto GP
Posts: 4326
Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:11 am
Location: Mostly Barbados, sometimes Florida and western Canada
Contact:

Re: DG 2011, another great year

Post by Suzsmokeyallan »

Ok so now I'm back and sorting through all manner of things heres the first of a few photos. The house for this year was in Franklin which is quite a ways out from Deals Gap, but it had a wonderful view being way up in the mountains and was very well equipped and spacious.
Next year we will move back closer to the Gap for ease of mind and other issues we encountered such as rain storms during the 50 or so mile ride distance to Deals Gap each way. These photos were taken just as we arrived since our initial group of four got there first.

Image
The view from the upper third floor main veranda (zoomed in a bit)

Image
The un-zoomed view again from the same location.

Image
The kitchen area.

Image
The living room area taken from the three bed loft and entertainment area above.

Image
The dining area taken from the living room.
Two strokes, its just that simple.

69 Suz U70
69 Suz T500
72 Suz GT750 cafe
74 Suz TS250
74 Suz GTXVR project
75 Suz RE5
75 Suz GT750
76 Suz TS400
76 Suz GT750
81 Suz GSX1100
86 Suz RG500x2
88 Hon CR500
93 Hon CBR900RR
98 Suz GSF1200x3
15 Kaw Ninja H2
User avatar
H2RICK
AMA Superbike
Posts: 1659
Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 11:07 am
Country: CANADA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT550A, GSF1200SK6 currently
Location: Cowtown aka Calgary, Canada

Re: DG 2011, another great year

Post by H2RICK »

Looks to be quite a cut above the usual motel that many stay at.....although I'm not sure about the 50 mile drive thing..... :shock:
GT550A Mint & Original
H2A Semi-Hot Rod Built From A Basket Case
KZ650C2 Mint & Original...mostly
GSF1200SK6 Bandit...My LD Ride
Additional H2 projects In Boxes.....
MBD Sufferer
User avatar
Joiseygirl
Yeah Man, the Interstate
Posts: 593
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2010 4:33 pm
Location: Florida
Contact:

Re: DG 2011, another great year

Post by Joiseygirl »

WOW, love the view!!!. Very nice.... luxury accomodations, I'm sure well worth the 50 mile ride.
User avatar
Cliff
To the on ramp
Posts: 476
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2008 9:34 am
Country: Canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: Original owner GT550L
Location: Whitby, Ontario

Re: DG 2011, another great year

Post by Cliff »

Nice place!! I stayed at the Microtel in Robbinsville! Nothing like where you were though!! The room was clean and quiet, lots of other riders at the hotel there too to talk to at night! All I needed was the bed and shower! The rest of the time I was riding!!
http://s1141.photobucket.com/albums/n59 ... =slideshow" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Cliff!!
User avatar
Suzsmokeyallan
Moto GP
Posts: 4326
Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:11 am
Location: Mostly Barbados, sometimes Florida and western Canada
Contact:

Re: DG 2011, another great year

Post by Suzsmokeyallan »

It actually works out better to get a group of your fellow friends/riders and rent a place for the week. The price works out at around $150.00 per person for the week including a portion of that for a 'food fund' included.
Two strokes, its just that simple.

69 Suz U70
69 Suz T500
72 Suz GT750 cafe
74 Suz TS250
74 Suz GTXVR project
75 Suz RE5
75 Suz GT750
76 Suz TS400
76 Suz GT750
81 Suz GSX1100
86 Suz RG500x2
88 Hon CR500
93 Hon CBR900RR
98 Suz GSF1200x3
15 Kaw Ninja H2
User avatar
Suzsmokeyallan
Moto GP
Posts: 4326
Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:11 am
Location: Mostly Barbados, sometimes Florida and western Canada
Contact:

Re: DG 2011, another great year

Post by Suzsmokeyallan »

Here are some more of the photos taken during the DG 2011 trip.

Image
Top floor veranda view

Image
Dave brought top quality sirloin steaks, thanks again Dave. Being a chef, Jim served them up to everyones personal liking.


Image
Dinner time after a day of riding.


Image
Allan and Frank discuss all things rotary next to Franks beautiful Hercules at the Gap motel (the cam date is wrong)


Image
Allan in dark green shirt and Terry, partially hidden (beige shirt) by the sign; stop at Wheelers to replace a shredded rear tyre on the Bandit.


Image
Eric posing with his 1972 GT550 Cafe racer.


Image
Jim (Gregs son) on his 1974 GT550 takes a bend on Hwy 28


Image
Dave and Dianne on the blue Bandit 12 taking on Hwy 28


Image
Allan and Rachel on the red Bandit 12 taking on Hwy 28


Image
A viewpoint stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway


Image
What the view looked like.


Image
GTs were well represented in our group for 2011, there were three 750s and two 550s.
From the left Allan (Terrys son) 1975 GT750, Terry 1975 GT750, Greg 1974 GT750, Jim (Gregs son) 1974 GT550 and Eric 1972 GT550 Cafe.


Image
A closer view of the GTs


Image
Ryan (Daves son) and Amanda by the Tree of shame.


Image
Ooops,, an R6 has a slight problem on the Dragon


Image
One of Erics other rides, aka Zippy. Dont be fooled, this little hotrod has made many a rider racing through the gap wish it would just "go away".
Two strokes, its just that simple.

69 Suz U70
69 Suz T500
72 Suz GT750 cafe
74 Suz TS250
74 Suz GTXVR project
75 Suz RE5
75 Suz GT750
76 Suz TS400
76 Suz GT750
81 Suz GSX1100
86 Suz RG500x2
88 Hon CR500
93 Hon CBR900RR
98 Suz GSF1200x3
15 Kaw Ninja H2
two-stroke-brit
Novice racer
Posts: 947
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2009 7:59 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: gt750
Location: HOUSTON USA

Re: DG 2011, another great year

Post by two-stroke-brit »

it was nice to finaly meet you allan and a few of the others from the board.
often you know the bike but have to lurk to put a face to the screen name/bike
Image
wendy and i had a great time in NC and loved the various roads.
made firm freinds with joe and debbie from the kwaka board.
Image
and joe being the good sport gave me a shot of his H1 AND H2 .
i think i see a H1 in my future..
thanks to all mark
She will never be pretty but hoping she will be a fun ride.

1973 SUZUKI GT750K.=SOLD
yamaha speedtwinn 100 barn find =SOLD
1x 1973 kawasaki H1 (restored)
1x 1973 kawasaki H1 (basket case) =SOLD
1982 HONDA CB900F =SOLD
1982 YAMAHA RD350LC.
1985 RZ350N
User avatar
Suzsmokeyallan
Moto GP
Posts: 4326
Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:11 am
Location: Mostly Barbados, sometimes Florida and western Canada
Contact:

Re: DG 2011, another great year

Post by Suzsmokeyallan »

Mark it was a pleasure meeting up with you and your wife as well. Our 'a ways out' location kept us out of the Gap area and mostly on the roads, and when I did go to the Gap twice, it was mostly deserted, oh well.
Thats a great photo of your Buffalo by the way.
Two strokes, its just that simple.

69 Suz U70
69 Suz T500
72 Suz GT750 cafe
74 Suz TS250
74 Suz GTXVR project
75 Suz RE5
75 Suz GT750
76 Suz TS400
76 Suz GT750
81 Suz GSX1100
86 Suz RG500x2
88 Hon CR500
93 Hon CBR900RR
98 Suz GSF1200x3
15 Kaw Ninja H2
User avatar
Cliff
To the on ramp
Posts: 476
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2008 9:34 am
Country: Canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: Original owner GT550L
Location: Whitby, Ontario

Re: DG 2011, another great year

Post by Cliff »

I wish I could have stayed longer and met/talked to some of you guys!! I took pics of my bike beside Jim's GT550L and took pics of Allen and Terry on their bikes!! I was there when Frank unloaded the Hercules and fired her up!! Next year I'm getting a room there for the week!
Cliff!
User avatar
H2RICK
AMA Superbike
Posts: 1659
Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 11:07 am
Country: CANADA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT550A, GSF1200SK6 currently
Location: Cowtown aka Calgary, Canada

Re: DG 2011, another great year

Post by H2RICK »

Great pics, Allan. Thanks for those.

It was especially nice, for me at least, to see those 550's on the road.
That's a rare sight these days....especially with them all in one place, more or less.
GT550A Mint & Original
H2A Semi-Hot Rod Built From A Basket Case
KZ650C2 Mint & Original...mostly
GSF1200SK6 Bandit...My LD Ride
Additional H2 projects In Boxes.....
MBD Sufferer
two-stroke-brit
Novice racer
Posts: 947
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2009 7:59 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: gt750
Location: HOUSTON USA

Re: DG 2011, another great year

Post by two-stroke-brit »

Joiseygirl wrote:WOW, love the view!!!. Very nice.... luxury accomodations, I'm sure well worth the 50 mile ride.
well joisey did you get to the gap ?
She will never be pretty but hoping she will be a fun ride.

1973 SUZUKI GT750K.=SOLD
yamaha speedtwinn 100 barn find =SOLD
1x 1973 kawasaki H1 (restored)
1x 1973 kawasaki H1 (basket case) =SOLD
1982 HONDA CB900F =SOLD
1982 YAMAHA RD350LC.
1985 RZ350N
Post Reply