DG 2011, another great year

[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.

[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.

[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

[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!

[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.


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


The un-zoomed view again from the same location.


The kitchen area.


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


The dining area taken from the living room.

[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.....

[Joiseygirl]

WOW, love the view!!!. Very nice.... luxury accomodations, I'm sure well worth the 50 mile ride.

[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!!
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Cliff!!

[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.

[Suzsmokeyallan]

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


Top floor veranda view


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



Dinner time after a day of riding.



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



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.



Eric posing with his 1972 GT550 Cafe racer.



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



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



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



A viewpoint stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway



What the view looked like.



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.



A closer view of the GTs



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



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



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-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

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.

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

[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.

[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!

[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.

[two-stroke-brit]

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 ?