Smoky Mountains - 8 days

[shanekingsley]

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Time to head to Deals Gap once again and opening this up to a couple other riders if interested.
9 days of riding - 3 days there, 3 days in the Smoky's and then 3 days back.
Riding between July 6-14.
Will stay in motels to and from the area and in Robbinsville when down at Deals Gap.
I ride a little spirited, but keep a responsible pace, especially in small towns. Don't want to get any tickets and or drama. I'm on a V-Strom 650.
Essentially ride all day on pavement w/ relentless twisties... sleep all night. Rinse and repeat.

These routes are mostly from an 8day ride we did back in 2015 that got seriously rained out, so I'd like to try them again on dry pavement.

Day 1: Mississauga to Bridgeport - Mississauga to Bridgeport WV - 9hrs/725km
Day 2: Bridgeport to Boone - Bridgeport WV to Boone, NC via US219, VA311, VA16, US421 - 11hrs/750km
Day 3: Boone to Simple Life Mountain Retreat - Boone, NC to Simple Life via US221, TN143, US226a, NC80, BRP - 10hrs/550km
Day 4: Smoky Loop 1 - Cherohala, Dragon, Little River, NC215 / Canada Rd Loop - 11hrs/675km
Day 5: Devils Triangle Loop - Cherohala, Devils Triangle, Dragon Loop - 6hrs/400km
Day 6: Smoky Loop 2 - Dragon, Cherohala and Moonshiner Loop - 10hrs/625km
Day 7: Simple Life to Willville Bike Camp - Simple Life to Willville via BRP - 10.5hrs/675km
Day 8: Willville to Somerset PA - Willville to Somerset PA via WV 250, 33, Smoke Hole - 10.5hrs/750km
Day 9: Somerset PA to Mississauga - Somerset PA to Mississauga via Wykoff Run Rd, PA144, Kettle Creek - 9hrs/725km

If you are interested, PM or post up.
Cheers.

 

[Brian P]

Hah! I'm going to be in the area in the same timeframe; we're staying at the Deals Gap resort.

 

[Katatonic]

I’ll be there July 21-26 and again Aug 18-25. Looks like we’ll just miss each other....


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[shanekingsley]

Never stayed at the Deals Gap Resort. Looks like a pretty busy place. Have you stayed there before Brian?

I really like sleeping in the tent with the fresh air, but it's a good amount of extra time setting up/tearing down and weight/space on the bike. Especially if I'm only going to be down there for 3 days max and on the road every other night. Starting to lean towards just doing the nice bed & shower thing and not having to bring side cases for the whole trip.

 

[Brian P]

Yes, I've stayed there before. It has its pluses and minuses. The small group that I am travelling with is meeting up with others down there, and collectively we're taking over almost the entire hotel (reservations are already made). The good thing is that you can get a gap run or Moonshiner 28 run in before anyone else in the morning, and after things settle down in the evening. The bad thing is that you are going somewhere else to eat, or shop, or do anything other than ride.

 

[schrader2]

Hey Shane I would love to do that route again without the rain and snow, but unfortunately I am leaving for Hawaii the week after and can't get anymore time off work.

 

[shanekingsley]

Yes, I've stayed there before. It has its pluses and minuses. The small group that I am travelling with is meeting up with others down there, and collectively we're taking over almost the entire hotel (reservations are already made). The good thing is that you can get a gap run or Moonshiner 28 run in before anyone else in the morning, and after things settle down in the evening. The bad thing is that you are going somewhere else to eat, or shop, or do anything other than ride.

Thanks. Sounds like you are going to have a good time. I'll keep an eye out for your bike, because I'm going for early morning runs on the Dragon and Moonshiner too. I'm going to stay at a place called Simple Life Cabins just outside Robbinsville and will be there Tues, Wed, Thurs. Solo cabins for $32!

Hey Shane I would love to do that route again without the rain and snow, but unfortunately I am leaving for Hawaii the week after and can't get anymore time off work.

Well I have real vacation time in the summer now, so I have more flexibility for rides in the future - maybe West Virginia for some fall colours or something. It's always good to ride with you. Have an awesome time in Hawaii.

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