Deal's Gap suggestions
02-19-2006 | 03:03 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 281
From: Denver, CO
Deal's Gap suggestions
Has anyone here tackled "The Dragon" aka Deal's Gap? My wife and I are going to give it a whirl during the Honda Hoot 2006. We're gonna ride from Denver to The Dragon in 4 days (about 320 miles per day) in mid-June. She's got an '05 CBR F4i and mine's the '05 SHawk. Hers is pretty much stock except for sliders and a LP-db, and mine has been re-jetted for high altitude. I'm running Mobil-1 10-40 motorcycle-synth. I'm down one tooth in the front, and a SpeedHealer installed, as well as a LP-db windscreen and some mild cosmetics and frame-sliders.
Should I re-jet back to the 175/178 before the trip since it'll be hot in June? Currently I'm on the 172/175 setup, but I don't want to overheat! I have some RedLine Water-wetter in the reservoir that works pretty nice and keeps it about 10 degrees cooler (somehow, interestingly). I was considering switching to 20W-50 Mobil-1 V-Twin synth to compensate for the lean mixture.
I've been to the Deal's Gap website and it seems crowded! Hogs all over it. I hate non-sportbikes because I find during poker-runs here in Denver the hogs'll break heavy during and into turns at about 5mph. If I'm in a crowded area I'd slam into the tails of 'em! When's a good time to run it?
I suspect I won't get out of 2nd or above 35mph.
We've wanted to go for several years but due to military obligations we haven't been able to get there.
If we crash, how's cell-phone coverage?
When we get there from the west, where's a good place to stay?
Anything else we should know? Should we go north to south or south to north?
Mike
Should I re-jet back to the 175/178 before the trip since it'll be hot in June? Currently I'm on the 172/175 setup, but I don't want to overheat! I have some RedLine Water-wetter in the reservoir that works pretty nice and keeps it about 10 degrees cooler (somehow, interestingly). I was considering switching to 20W-50 Mobil-1 V-Twin synth to compensate for the lean mixture.
I've been to the Deal's Gap website and it seems crowded! Hogs all over it. I hate non-sportbikes because I find during poker-runs here in Denver the hogs'll break heavy during and into turns at about 5mph. If I'm in a crowded area I'd slam into the tails of 'em! When's a good time to run it?
I suspect I won't get out of 2nd or above 35mph.
We've wanted to go for several years but due to military obligations we haven't been able to get there.
If we crash, how's cell-phone coverage?
When we get there from the west, where's a good place to stay?
Anything else we should know? Should we go north to south or south to north?
Mike
02-19-2006 | 04:58 PM
#2
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 406
From: Trussville, Alabama
Re: Deal's Gap suggestions
Mike,
I have been many times and have ridden it 100's of times.
SO much could be said....
1st thing: ride it slow your first few runs. There are a few triple apex turns and a few with decreasing radius. There is ample opportunity to get caught off guard and find yourself heading off road.
Weekdays are by far the slowest. Friday things pick up. Sat/Sun are the busiest. Sat and Sun before 10:30-11:00 am and after 4:00 or 5:00 pm are usually not too bad. I like afternoons best. The road is warm and trafic has thinned out. Makes for some good runs.
Cell phone coverage is almost nonexistant once you get into the meat of The Dragon. There is always enough traffic that if you do go down you won't be at a loss for help. The folks at the store (Cross Roads of Time) can call for emergency help if needed.
I prefer running it North to South. It puts you on the outside of most blind turns. I much prefer this. I'm always a little uneasy about diving into a tight right-hander when I can't see what's on the other side of the turn.
I can't speak to the jetting question. Th elevation is not that extreme. I believe the road is at approx 1200 feet above sea level. You are not really up in the mountains. I suspect you'll be fine.
I am one tooth down in the front also and it works great. You can run the hole thing in second just fine. A few places can see third if you are not wide open and want to "cruise" a little.
Depending on when you ride it, be aware of "crud corner" it can be REAL slick in the mornings and after any rain it is always one of the last places to dry. Also, Gravity Cavity can be a hand full if you aren't careful. If you are riding hard and don't set up properly, the momentum of the turns will want to throw you into the oncoming lane. I have seen folks experience this and have crashes. Not good.
As far as place to stay, The hotel there at the CROT is OK. It puts you in the thick of things and you get to live in the atmosphere of Deal's Gap. I like it.
About 20 miles south is Robbinsville. Several places to stay there. Two Wheel Inn is nice. You can find them on the web. Each room has a mini-garage attached that will hold two motorcycles.
The Philips Inn is another place in Robbinsville. All the places there cater to motorcyclists. There is so much business associated with bikers.
As far as the cruisers goes, you can expect some to be grade A, number 1 JERKS and some will be very considerate and let you pass. The EXACT same thing can be said of sport bikes there.
Seems some just flat do NOT want to let you pass, and others (mostly guys on sport bikes) don't seem to realize: if you caught them, that means you are riding faster than they are, and the simple thing to do is to let you pass.
Instead they seem to think if you caught them it means THEY need to ride faster.
You'll see......
There is a good Deal's Gap forum at Yahoo Forums. You should check it out.
The 3 main web sites associated with Deal's Gap are:
www.tailofthedragon.com
www.killboy.com
www.dealsgap.com
There are others, but these 3 will give you access to all the info you might want.
I be glad to try and help with any other questions. I like the area a lot.
Also, ride Hiway 28 down to Fontana Dam. Nice road a a nice view of the dam. You can go on down 28 a little further and hit the top side of the dam. Pretty cool place really.
I have been many times and have ridden it 100's of times.
SO much could be said....
1st thing: ride it slow your first few runs. There are a few triple apex turns and a few with decreasing radius. There is ample opportunity to get caught off guard and find yourself heading off road.
Weekdays are by far the slowest. Friday things pick up. Sat/Sun are the busiest. Sat and Sun before 10:30-11:00 am and after 4:00 or 5:00 pm are usually not too bad. I like afternoons best. The road is warm and trafic has thinned out. Makes for some good runs.
Cell phone coverage is almost nonexistant once you get into the meat of The Dragon. There is always enough traffic that if you do go down you won't be at a loss for help. The folks at the store (Cross Roads of Time) can call for emergency help if needed.
I prefer running it North to South. It puts you on the outside of most blind turns. I much prefer this. I'm always a little uneasy about diving into a tight right-hander when I can't see what's on the other side of the turn.
I can't speak to the jetting question. Th elevation is not that extreme. I believe the road is at approx 1200 feet above sea level. You are not really up in the mountains. I suspect you'll be fine.
I am one tooth down in the front also and it works great. You can run the hole thing in second just fine. A few places can see third if you are not wide open and want to "cruise" a little.
Depending on when you ride it, be aware of "crud corner" it can be REAL slick in the mornings and after any rain it is always one of the last places to dry. Also, Gravity Cavity can be a hand full if you aren't careful. If you are riding hard and don't set up properly, the momentum of the turns will want to throw you into the oncoming lane. I have seen folks experience this and have crashes. Not good.
As far as place to stay, The hotel there at the CROT is OK. It puts you in the thick of things and you get to live in the atmosphere of Deal's Gap. I like it.
About 20 miles south is Robbinsville. Several places to stay there. Two Wheel Inn is nice. You can find them on the web. Each room has a mini-garage attached that will hold two motorcycles.
The Philips Inn is another place in Robbinsville. All the places there cater to motorcyclists. There is so much business associated with bikers.
As far as the cruisers goes, you can expect some to be grade A, number 1 JERKS and some will be very considerate and let you pass. The EXACT same thing can be said of sport bikes there.
Seems some just flat do NOT want to let you pass, and others (mostly guys on sport bikes) don't seem to realize: if you caught them, that means you are riding faster than they are, and the simple thing to do is to let you pass.
Instead they seem to think if you caught them it means THEY need to ride faster.
You'll see......
There is a good Deal's Gap forum at Yahoo Forums. You should check it out.
The 3 main web sites associated with Deal's Gap are:
www.tailofthedragon.com
www.killboy.com
www.dealsgap.com
There are others, but these 3 will give you access to all the info you might want.
I be glad to try and help with any other questions. I like the area a lot.
Also, ride Hiway 28 down to Fontana Dam. Nice road a a nice view of the dam. You can go on down 28 a little further and hit the top side of the dam. Pretty cool place really.
02-19-2006 | 09:28 PM
#4
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,844
From: Gainesville FLA.
+2 I did the dam run as well and enjoyed it. I stayed in Alcoa but it was a little farther away then I really wanted. When you get to the bottom of the Dragon heading south there's deals gap hotel and accessories they have maps of the surronding area with loops already plotted. Listing hotels, camp grounds, restaurants, motorcycle shops.....
This might also help, it has an on board video but I don't suggest you try to be as fast. :wink:
https://www.superhawkforum.com/viewt...ghlight=dragon
This might also help, it has an on board video but I don't suggest you try to be as fast. :wink:
https://www.superhawkforum.com/viewt...ghlight=dragon
02-19-2006 | 09:54 PM
#5
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,553
From: South Texas
I've only run it four times so I'll let Brian sum it for everyone (lucky bastard). THe microtel in robbinsville is a thumbs up modern place that is very biker friendly but I think every place in the region knows where their "bread is buttered" and caters to bikers!
Yup, the cruisers will be rolling roadblocks but the torque of the SuperHawk will quickly solve that little problem! Going during the week is EXTREMELY recommended but because it will be the during the hoot it may not matter as much as during an off week. Another don't miss road is the cherohala which climbs over 5k feet so you might forget about rejetting.
300 miles a day travel time is really gonna' eat into your quality riding time. If it's because of the wifey, remember that every long day in the saddle will build up stamina and lessen muscle aches. Hopefully you can stay an extra day (you'll want to by then) and ride longer days on the return leg.
Yup, the cruisers will be rolling roadblocks but the torque of the SuperHawk will quickly solve that little problem! Going during the week is EXTREMELY recommended but because it will be the during the hoot it may not matter as much as during an off week. Another don't miss road is the cherohala which climbs over 5k feet so you might forget about rejetting.
300 miles a day travel time is really gonna' eat into your quality riding time. If it's because of the wifey, remember that every long day in the saddle will build up stamina and lessen muscle aches. Hopefully you can stay an extra day (you'll want to by then) and ride longer days on the return leg.
02-19-2006 | 09:59 PM
#6
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,553
From: South Texas
Re: Deal's Gap suggestions
You are so going to laff about this later. Oh yeah, north-south is better to me as it's more uphill which is what I prefer.
I was there in June and nearly froze my south texas *** off. I (unknowingly) brought mesh and it was in the 50's on the cherohala in the a.m.
02-24-2006 | 10:17 PM
#8
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 442
From: 58 miles from Deals Gap
Re: Deal's Gap suggestions
I live 67 miles from Deals Gap or Dragon however you wish to call it. I spent my high school years in Colorado Springs and I have a brother who lives in Lakewood. Anyways, I've been to the hoot a few times and it's OK at best. They do alot of guided rides and want you to shell out a good penny for it.
When you do come out, try to go up to the gap between Tuesday - Thursday. Logic being, less squid action and traffic is a bit lighter. If you should travel the Cherohala which is an excellent run, watch out for the Park Rangers as they can now give out tickets. The speed limit has dropped to 30 on the gap and 35 on the TN side for the Cherohala. Probably the best advice I can give is on your first run through take your time until you become familiar with it and when taking turns stay in your lane. Here's a link to a local site that you can hit up as the time gets closer. If I can swing it, I'll take you out and show you some good roads.
www.easttnriders.com
When you do come out, try to go up to the gap between Tuesday - Thursday. Logic being, less squid action and traffic is a bit lighter. If you should travel the Cherohala which is an excellent run, watch out for the Park Rangers as they can now give out tickets. The speed limit has dropped to 30 on the gap and 35 on the TN side for the Cherohala. Probably the best advice I can give is on your first run through take your time until you become familiar with it and when taking turns stay in your lane. Here's a link to a local site that you can hit up as the time gets closer. If I can swing it, I'll take you out and show you some good roads.
www.easttnriders.com
02-24-2006 | 11:09 PM
#9
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,844
From: Gainesville FLA.
Re: Deal's Gap suggestions
Oh I see your first real post and your already rubbing it in. 
Thanks for the info I've always have wondered what it's really like. I may still go sometime but I do like it better when there's not as many people.
Good info and keep your head on the right side of the stripe when leaning or bad things could happen. "well he'll never be the HEAD of a corporation."
If you should travel the Cherohala which is an excellent run, watch out for the Park Rangers as they can now give out tickets. The speed limit has dropped to 30 on the gap and 35 on the TN side for the Cherohala. Probably the best advice I can give is on your first run through take your time until you become familiar with it and when taking turns stay in your lane.
03-05-2006 | 03:49 PM
#10
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 152
From: Phoenix
Don't forget to mention the car clubs that are always crossing the center line. The last time I rode the gap there were 4 car clubs there. There were Minis, GTOs, Camaros, and Subarus everywhere. One of the guys in a WRX thought he was gonna run with me. LMAO
03-06-2006 | 09:58 AM
#11
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 442
From: 58 miles from Deals Gap
Re: Deal's Gap suggestions
That's why it's always best to come go through the week. Last year the law enforcement was thick on most days, and during the Honda Hoot the gap is a Goldwing fest.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
