Bandit Alley
RALLIES, RIDES & EVENTS => Events/Rides/Trips/Trackdays/Schools => Topic started by: Cargo7 on October 26, 2005, 03:43:20 AM
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I went through several hundred photos posted on killboy.com - who seem to be the stewards for US129 - Deals Gap section. I didn't notice a single shot of a Suzuki Bandit...
I wouldn't mind hearing some first hand comments about rider's experiences at Deals Gap and if it worth planning a trip down.
Cheers!
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A trip from BC? Yeah, it would be worth it, but realize Deals Gap is just one great road in this region that you need to check out.
Deals Gap is about 5 hours from me, and I used to run up there 3 times or so a year. I haven't been there this year at all.
It's a unique set of twisty stuff you won't find anywhere else.
It's also too crowded and dangerous on weekends. Too many squids, too much traffic. and they have increased law enforcement at times.
It's still worth going, preferably on a weekday.
There are enough GREAT roads to keep you busy in the SE US for weeks. Deals Gap is just one of them.
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My problems with going to Deal's Gap are:
1) I just can't bear to truck or trailer my bike anywhere.
2) I couldn't just slab it the 3000+ miles each way.
3) I don't have enough vacation to ride there and back and explore all the roads I'd want to explore.
4) While I haven't ridden DG, I have ridden sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway, so I'm familiar with the scenery of the area. I've come to the conclusion I can have just as much fun right here in the Pacific Northwest - and IMHO, the PNW scenery is better.
Maybe I'll go when I'm retired, so I don't have to worry about vacation time... and maybe by then, I'll have already explored all the great roads in the Destination Highways BC (http://www.destinationhighways.com/default.htm) and Destination Highways Washington (http://washington.destinationhighways.com/) books. :grin:
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I was down there in September. Killboy got my picture riding my Bandit.
http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventorder?photo=04RK005D0D0006&start=0&album=0&adjust=-1
I had a great time. 700 mile ride from MI to Deals Gap in 1 day. 2 days of riding the Dragon, Cherohala, and other great area roads.
I can't wait to get back.
Edit 1: While there I saw 3 or 4 other Bandits. 2 or 3 on the Cherohala and a couple riding 2 up through the Dragon.
Edit 2: We were there on the weekend. Yes it was busy but I never felt crowded out or unsafely passed. And I never saw any police in the popular riding areas. Not one.
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A 3000 mile trip there is pretty 'epic', but, if you have the time, you could do some real serious riding on the way, also.
If you could commit 3 weeks or more, man you could ride the Rockies, Ozarks, and the Smokies!
Like anything else with a big reputation, a lot depends on how much value you put on being able to say you've been there, but there is great riding in the area....you don't really have time to look at the scenery much when you're riding, anyway.
The cops at Deals Gap are kind of on and off. They tend to be around after there's been some deaths, or on major holiday weekends.
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Thanks for the replies - It's a long way alright, but I'm glad to hear that you can see the odd Bandito down there too.
My friends and I have stuck to BC, Alberta and Washington so far - Both Destination Highways books are great in that respect. Having said that I would like to get down to the Southern States sometime and I can't think of a better way than on the back of fine bike.
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7 buddies and I went to the dragon a few months back. One of my friends has my previous Bandit 400 and rode it there with us.
It was the best road I have ever ridden. Amazing twisty's and Pristine pavement.
Saw a few cops there since there was a death 2 days before we arrived, the same weekend they broke the 11 miles Dragon record and came in at around 9 minutes.
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I was there with my Bandit this last Summer. I had a great time riding the Dragon on my Bandit. I managed to get a few shots of me on the Dragon. As far as cops, on Friday afternoon as I was leaving, the cops were heading up the hill. I left just at the right time. :banana: Also if anybody is interested, I made a powerpoint presentation on my Bandit and the trip to Deals Gap. It includes a map and some other interesting photos of some of the turns and dangers. If anybody wants a copy, just send me an email.
(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b23/soloflt/dragon.jpg)
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I got to ride the Dragon on my bandit last june and had a blast... cant wait to do it again, but for my money the Cherahola skyway was the bomb for the big bandit, got to run it with a guy on a ducati and we damn near raped that road...if you get the chance, go ride them both, will never forget that ride.. plan on going again this summer!
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I chased a friend of mine on his CB1100f on the Skyway. I was definitely a blast to do. :motorsmile:
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New Conti-Road Attacks, new brakes, I'm ready and going to the gap on Apr 26.
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If you are going to make the trip, this set of books is VERY informative. The first two are probably best for your trip, but the third would be a good companion if you're headed back to Toronto. Man, I wish I taking a 3000 mile M/C trip! Ride safe!
www.milestonepress.com/html/moto.html
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I am headed back for Deals gap june 19th should be there for a few days... if anyone is going to be in the area drop me a line.. will be there with a buddy on an R6... and I have the new Metzlers on .. ready for the twisties!! see ya!!
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:banghead: I've done the Dragon twice on my '97 B12, once in the rain, both times mid-week. I saw no police, but one dead wild boar in the middle of the road on a curve. Loaded down with two weeks worth of camping gear I did not push very hard on the Dragon, an SV would probably be a lot more fun. Now about fun, for the Bandit (even loaded down) the Cheroholla was a blast, moderate sweepers, few tight corners, and plenty of overlooks filled up with bikes. Although on both of my visits I did not see another Bandit, only GSXRs. All things considered, I'll be back!
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I am headed back for Deals gap june 19th should be there for a few days... if anyone is going to be in the area drop me a line.. will be there with a buddy on an R6... and I have the new Metzlers on .. ready for the twisties!! see ya!!
Ahh dang, I think I'll just miss ya.. Im going that weekend 15-18 Thursday-Sunday.
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damn, I was gonna be down there for that weekend, but due to my formula one addiction I havent been home for a fathers day in years..lol(always in indy!) but they moved the race to july so I figured I had best at least be home for this one.. lol
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We're there. You just gotta look harder. ;)
These pics were taken by ZeePhoto - still waiting on my Killboy pics. I'll add the Killboy pics and the professional pics taken at the track day at CMP when I get them.
Dragon Piccy Clicky (http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2105556141)
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Hey Jeff, you slumming with us Bandit Alley folks now :wink:
Just kidding. How've you been?
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Doin' good, Gary! :D I got a lead on a bike for sale on these forums, so I checked it out and decided to stay for awhile. ;)
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Hey i missed this! C the Busa got in there!!!! Just not mine!!! :beers: :beers: :beers: :shock:
(http://www.hayabusa.org/iB_html/uploads/post-6-75086-IMG_7833test.JPG)
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I was back to the "Gap" area last week. I camped at Great Smokey Mountains National Park and then rode 129 to the Cheroholla Skyway. I got on the Skyway at the end of the "Dragon." Again I was loaded down with camping gear and just plain avoided the Dragon, the Cheroholla was enough of a workout and after I got my "rhythm", a lot of fun.
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Jay, did you ride all the way to the Smokies & camp there? Must've been some trip. Sorry you didnt ride the Dragon, I enjoyed it, no one passed me or tried to run over me, but that was in April.
Did you get a burger & TShirt at Deal's Gap? Awesome place.
John
I was back to the "Gap" area last week. I camped at Great Smokey Mountains National Park and then rode 129 to the Cheroholla Skyway. I got on the Skyway at the end of the "Dragon." Again I was loaded down with camping gear and just plain avoided the Dragon, the Cheroholla was enough of a workout and after I got my "rhythm", a lot of fun.
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If by "Jay" you are referring to my post (texasbandit) - Yes, I rode from TX to OH for the superbike races, then to CT then WV and then down through the "Gap area" - got home with 4,400 more miles on the B12.
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appology, I was confused matching the screen name to actaul person.....ao aorry
If by "Jay" you are referring to my post (texasbandit) - Yes, I rode from TX to OH for the superbike races, then to CT then WV and then down through the "Gap area" - got home with 4,400 more miles on the B12.
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If you like tight, twisty flowing roads, Deals Gap is unbeatable. It's hands down the best road I've ever ridden. A lot of people talk it down, saying it's over rated, but I think that they just prefer fast sweepers over the tight stuff. The Gap is a workout because you're constantly flinging the bike over from one side to the other. It' the only road that I've ever ridden that I couldn't wait to get the end to take a breather!
I was back to the "Gap" area last week. I camped at Great Smokey Mountains National Park and then rode 129 to the Cheroholla Skyway. I got on the Skyway at the end of the "Dragon." Again I was loaded down with camping gear and just plain avoided the Dragon, the Cheroholla was enough of a workout and after I got my "rhythm", a lot of fun.
Don't let the camping gear slow you down. The best ride I ever had was on my Bandit heavily loaded down with camping gear chasing down a (unladen) CBR900RR piloted by a fast 65 y/o on the roads northeast of Ashville, NC.
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Dude, you are "Craig"? just wanna make sure I get that one right.
you doing OK? are you going to Kerrville? let me know, I might make it? What was the Divide trip like?
Inquiring minds want to know...
If you like tight, twisty flowing roads, Deals Gap is unbeatable. It's hands down the best road I've ever ridden. A lot of people talk it down, saying it's over rated, but I think that they just prefer fast sweepers over the tight stuff. The Gap is a workout because you're constantly flinging the bike over from one side to the other. It' the only road that I've ever ridden that I couldn't wait to get the end to take a breather!
I was back to the "Gap" area last week. I camped at Great Smokey Mountains National Park and then rode 129 to the Cheroholla Skyway. I got on the Skyway at the end of the "Dragon." Again I was loaded down with camping gear and just plain avoided the Dragon, the Cheroholla was enough of a workout and after I got my "rhythm", a lot of fun.
Don't let the camping gear slow you down. The best ride I ever had was on my Bandit heavily loaded down with camping gear chasing down a (unladen) CBR900RR piloted by a fast 65 y/o on the roads northeast of Ashville, NC.
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It' the only road that I've ever ridden that I couldn't wait to get the end to take a breather!
I felt that way about Cheroholla Skyway when I rode it. I was chasing a friend and just kept going and going. I was pooped after we finally stopped.
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I never made it to the Dragon last spring. Last minute change so I took my daughter down to PA to ride the 6's. It was pretty damn cold.
This spring I want to check out WV. Looking at the map I don't think there's more than two miles of straight road anywhere in the state. I here they balance the budget with speeding tickets. Is there any truth to that?
Any route recommendations?
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I take my bandit every june during the honda hoot. I actually prefer the skyway to deals gap but, not by much.
It' the only road that I've ever ridden that I couldn't wait to get the end to take a breather!
I felt that way about Cheroholla Skyway when I rode it. I was chasing a friend and just kept going and going. I was pooped after we finally stopped.