*almost* going to Deals Gap

[evile]

I'm heading to Asheville, NC next week on a mountain biking trip with my friend. His uncle lives there and has offered to put us up for the week while we rip the epic trails in Pisgah and Tsali forests. So we're loading up the van with bikes and gear and heading driving down from MA next Sunday.

Thing is, Asheville is like 110 miles from Deals Gap. And my buddy just got a bike and is learning to ride (took the MSF yesterday as a matter of fact). So when I mentioned looking for sport bike rentals he was all ears.

So there are 2 issues to cope with, the first is that all I've been able to find are cruiser rentals and one place that does KLRs. The second issue is whether the Gap is too much for a newb rider to handle. Seriously, he's been riding like 4 weeks and is still getting used to the basics. I'm sure he would be safe but he would also be slow, and I'm wondering if that's dangerous in itself given all the speed freaks zipping around in Dodge Vipers and what-have-you.

So it is nuts for a newb to ride the Dragon? Should we just stick to our pedal powered adventures and maybe revisit his uncle next year on the motos?

[FireboltEric_MA]

Just came home from the Dragon last week. Excellent time except for the rain that came late that day. if you are tooling around down there also check out Wolf Pen Gap. It is rt.90 or 60, I forget right now but can google it if you need. I like that road better than the dragon as there are WAAAAAY less people and NO LEO's there either.

It is all right down the street from T.W.O. (Two Wheels Only) it is a bike camp ground. Good food there too.

Bring Good sneakers while down there! Check out the skyway if you have time also....Real Good run.

Have Fun!

[bigred875]

i think the blue ridge parkway is near there..i hear thats a good ride

[RandyO]

*almost* only counts in horseshoes and bombs

the Dragon is only one road of many that is insainly twistie, you can get in trouble anywhere, there are blind corners everywhere

good luck finding a sportbike rental, a bmw will be as close as you get

[ZX-12R]

So it is nuts for a newb to ride the Dragon?

In the end, it's still just a road; not an epic challenge that only the skilled and experienced can enjoy.

[DucDave]

In the end, it's still just a road; not an epic challenge that only the skilled and experienced can enjoy.

The problem isn't the road....its the magnetic effect it has in attracting asswipes who are as likely to dick with you as they are to dick with themselves. Add to that the understandable presence of LEOS attempting to repel as many of the asswipes as possible and you have, in my mind, a mind numbing variety of possibilities to ruin a nice day!

Were it me I'd stay away from the Dragon. Blue Ridge Parkway is really nice and you could probably spend a couple days exploring the ups and downs from the valleys to the ridge...

Never mind West Virginia which has road after road of just plain nice riding!

[evile]

Blue Ridge Parkway is really nice and you could probably spend a couple days exploring the ups and downs from the valleys to the ridge...

This sounds reasonable. The BRP is right outside of Asheville and it looks like there are plenty of scenic and twisty detours along the way. We'll probably only ride a half day, the real attraction for me is the MTB trails down there.

Only question is, if all I can find to rent is a cruiser, will they rent me a leather pirate costume to go with it?

[OreoGaborio]

If I were a newbie I'd be MUCH more confident just riding on the highway & some regular back roads than some of the tightest twisties on the Eastern seaboard.

But if your friend's up for a challenge & understands the risks, I don't see why you shouldn't at least give it a shot. Drive around the area a little & let your buddy make the decision.

[Dangerz0ne]

With regards to the Blue Ridge Parkway, it was brought to our attention last summer that it is federal highway. I guess if you get stopped for speeding you are mandated to make a court appearance for some serious offense or something. No mailing in a check from Ma in other words. As for the Dragon or similar...yea I would say that those type of roads may be a bit much for a beginner. You need to be very confident and extremely focused on your inputs to maintain a smooth ride. And what Ducdave said is true, you will have groups of guys passing within inches of you at extreme speeds.

[FireboltEric_MA]

There are alot of nice roads in that area.

The Dragon is fun also, just to run it a few times...People seemed VERY respectfull of others while I road The Dragon. Cars pulled to the side and let cycles by(most times), And faster guys passed where there was a clean spot.(or I would run there ass off the cliff)... I was a bit surprised. All and all a good time.

First timers or beginers should just take your time. It is "only a road" as said above...Be smarter than the road young grasshopper!

Oh And DO NOT look at the guys taking photo's....

Attachment 10404

[evile]

There are alot of nice roads in that area.

I just got back and there isn't a truer statement. The road we were staying on was one of the steepest twistiest things I've seen. Local squids cover their plates up and race up/down this road. Our host told us he came across a kid who crashed last year, went over the edge, and was laying in the woods with his thighbone sticking out.

We never rented bikes, but we were 4 miles from a section of the BRP that was closed to traffic for a 10-mile stretch. We rode up it and back on road bikes; uphill for the entire 10 miles, than back down. Crawling uphill in the granny gear gave plenty of time to examine all the pavement scars in the sharp turns. Usually just past the apex of a turn you would see 1-2 divots and a couple of straight scars that went right across the oncoming lane and ended next to a section of guardrail that was a little newer looking than the ones around it. Makes ya think. Especially when the other side of the guardrail is a 100' drop!