Update - Deals Gap In May

The possible dates would be to have the house is:
Either
Sunday May 11 - Sat May 17,
Or
Sunday May 18 - Sat May 25
We can have the house the first week or the second week, or half and half.
The first week is the Sunday May 11th thru the Saturday the 18th,
Or Sunday May 19th through Saturday May 24th.

But I need an answer exactly when we decide to go immediately. Right now the owner is holding both weeks for us till I get answers from everyone.
So Lets start a poll right now Majority rules.

BTW: The house will have the hot tub in by the time we stay there!! No Extra $$ either!!

COST: The house is $850 with 6 or more ppl, the house sleeps 12 comfortably, there is a nice spot for tents and room for air mattresses as well. The cost of the house will be divided evenly amounst everyone that goes. Everyone is responsible to cover there portion of the entire rental for the week. If we get too many ppl and ppl volunteer to camp out the cost will be a little cheaper for you. Only if the house gets filled up.

The best bet I see is leave on Saturday before noon arrive early to mid day Sunday, spend the week, then return the following Saturday, getting you back midday Sunday, and back to work Monday. The weekdays are better for riding anyways, less site seeing people on the good roads!
Anyone agree?

A deposit will be required this year, after I got stiffed by one prick last year. HE BETTER HOPE I DONT RUN INTO HIM, IF I DO HE BETTER HAVE SOME $$ ON HIS PERSON....
I will determine the Deposit amount when I get cost confirmation about the house. The deposit will be returned to you when I get it back form the owner the day we leave.
Here is a link to the house we rent.
www.thetreetops.com

Here is a Map of Deals Gap, just in case you are thinking of not going. It's my understanding that this has been classified as the most technicle road in the USA! :drool: 318 turns in 11 MILES!!

This is only a very small taste of the increadible roads down in NC/TN as well as GA. Not to mention the scenery is unbelievable! :drool:

Save this picture to your pc and use a picture studio or something to blow the image up to see it better. But you can get an idea by looking at the extremely twisty red line with site markers extruding for boh sides.
:drool: 318 turns in 11 MILES!!:drool:

I can work around either schedule, this far in in advance.

If its mothers day again, I can call my mom long distance just as easy from North Caroilina as I can from New Hampshire.

I would say I prefer the earlier date, but not enuf so that I want to vote on the issue.

After I saw the map picture in Mike's post, I got out my copy and began daydreamin. In the past three years, I have made about 20 passes thru the Gap, although I have made more runs from south (Crossroads of Time) to north(Tabcat Bridge), I think I do the run better in the other direction. I think it's cause every time when I am heading downhill towards the end, I misjudge The Whip and then the Rocket Corner, both fun corners in the other direction.

The scariest moment I have had was heading from north to south and on the blind hairpin at mile 3, I met the Swift's meat packing truck halfway in my lane, he was creeping out even further onto my side and I was doing about 45, in the virge of scraping pegs (the sides of my boots were scraping). I came close to launching myself over the 1000 ft drop into Calderwood Lake

I thought I heard somewhere that the authorities lowered the speed limit to 35 MPH. I guess it really doesn't matter but I thought I would throw that in for thought. I lived there for 5 years and never went up there, Although I did some awesome rides with the gang from Charlotte,NC. I'd like to go what are the deposit numbers?
Danny

Quote:

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Originally posted by Dannyboy
I thought I heard somewhere that the authorities lowered the speed limit to 35 MPH. I guess it really doesn't matter but I thought I would throw that in for thought. I lived there for 5 years and never went up there, Although I did some awesome rides with the gang from Charlotte,NC. I'd like to go what are the deposit numbers?
Danny

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my experience is that the LEO's are very lenient with out of state bikers, it is a very big part of their economy.

I need a list of attendies to give estimated #'s?
One list of Possibles, and one Definates?
I need a Deposit and Definate Answer no later than March 1. I would prefer to have the answer now but we will leave time for others to decide to join.
I am sending out the house Rental Deposit Monday to the owner to hold the house.
Also vote in the poll for which week people can go please. It will be easier to follow than the thread.

Est Deposit is $40. For now.
Final cost minus not subtracting the deposit would be as follows.
Deposit will be returned the last day in case of any damages or phone bill.
If we get 8 PPL or more.
W/8 = $118.76 ea
W/9 = $105.56
W/10 = $95 ea
W/11 = $86.36
W12 = $79.17 ea
Cost of house reduces if less than 8 ppl
W/7 = $ 121.43 ea
W/6 = $ 141.67 ea
W/5 = $ 170 ea
W/4 = $ 212.50
Right now I think we have 4 Definates?? Plenty of time to drag more out. COME ON THIS IS AN INCREADIBLE PLACE TO RIDE YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!! Plus look how cheap it can be to take a vacation and do what you love for a week....

Cut and past in Reply + place your name.
Definates:
Mike R
Doug T
Randy O

Thinking about it :

Thanks,
Mike

Hey Mike,
Are those prices for the week?
Danny

Quote:

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Originally posted by Dannyboy
Hey Mike,
Are those prices for the week?
Danny

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YES this is incredibly affordable, now's the time to tell your employer when you want to take vacation.

Yes, like Randy replied. Those are the prices for the entire week! Go to the web site for the house to see, but the pics do not due it justice. The house is fantastic and excellently located for hitting all the increadible roads, as well as hitting the Gap every day! The Gap is so close you would not belive it!

www.thetreetops.com


LETS GO!!!!!:D

Same place as last time huh? Sweet... put me on the list for NEXT year... :D :drool:

Here is the final Date.

Sunday May 18 - Sat May 25

Here are the definates I know of right now. Add your name to the list,if your thinking about it, put your name there and % chance your going. Please tell me asap if your definately going.:poke:

Thank you.

Myself
Randy O
Doug T
Mick % ?
Mick's friend % ?

Quote:

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Originally posted by Half Squid
Here is the final Date.

Sunday May 18 - Sat May 25

Here are the definates I know of right now. Add your name to the list,if your thinking about it, put your name there and % chance your going. Please tell me asap if your definately going.:poke:

Thank you.

Myself (Half Squid)
Randy O
Doug T
Mick % ?
Mick's friend % ?
BenSV 75%

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Unless there is some emergency situation at work I have approval to take vacation that week. I'd like to join up with whoever is going to ride down.

Ben

Quote:

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Originally posted by benSV
Unless there is some emergency situation at work I have approval to take vacation that week. I'd like to join up with whoever is going to ride down.

---

Dates Sunday May 18 - Sat May 25

Myself (Half Squid) 75% ?
Randy O
Doug T
Mick % ?
Mick's friend % ?
BenSV 75%

I May run into the same issue with work Ben, I hope not..
Gald to see you join, lets hope we all are able to go.
Well I am off to Ottawa tomorrow on an emergency job, I will follow up when I return?? Dont know when maybe 2 weeks???

:(

Just noticed this morning that the Samnet/SRNE trackday is on May 19th so this is a conflict in case anyone was trying to do both.

I was planning on trying to do all 3 but I guess the trip will keep me happy. :)

Ben

bump

We have the house reserved for May 17-24

We still have room for more

Garanteed you will have some of the best riding you have ever experienced

Time to pay the piper people...

I am home and have sent in the deposit.
Now what I need is to know who is going so I can tell you the total cost for the house, and what I will need as a deposit. If you want to give me the full amount up front that is fine too. The reason for the depost is in case someone backs out, the rest get stuck covering for your share including myself.
The deposit amount will help this to not hurt as much. This is a non refundable deposit amount. If you pay in full I will give you back your money minus the deposit if there is a 2 week notice that you can not go.

Please respond ASAP and I will follow up with amounts as fast.

Thank you.
Mike

just let me know how much and where, I will prolly send you the whole amount.

Yes please PM/email me the information and I will send you the money, I am committed to going.

Thank you,
Ben

Dood let me know how much money.
Also you got to come check out my new house moving April 12th!

Cool, as soon as I get confirmations from the others I will forward the info. Accually i will put a post up with my E-Mail for those who do not have it and take the costs details and other such details off list.

Hey Doug, If you help me move this weekend I can come help you. I think you will make out hugely on this deal though. I threw most of my furniture away and am having my new couch and recliner delivered and my cousin is helping me with my new bed room set some night this week after my carpet is installed tuesday. The rest is pretty much just boxes. I moved everythin out myself in 2 afternoons with my truck. You guys will have to see the condo it looks awesome everything is brand spankin new.

Dannyboy? Where you interested in going? We have 6 people right now, which is bringing the cost down!

Everyone else:

To play things safe and get this rolling I am going to say a $50 Deposit.
I myself already sent in the deposit for the house. So it would be nice to have your deposits as soon as possible, say by April 11th. Is that fair? E-Mail me off list if there are any concerns or questions.

SO send along some $$ and wait till you get your full moneys worth experiencing Deals Gap and all the other increadible roads in and around NC TN and GA. :)

E-Mail me and I will forward you my Address.
miker77@earthlink.net

Thanks,
Mike

Bump

We still have room for more

I'm kinda wondering if among those going if there is an extra space in a truck or trailer.

also if somebody has a tow vehicle but no trailer, I am willing to rent one for the week if.

No big deal, riding my SV all the way isn't a problem either, I'm just trying to save a couple thousand miles of wear on my bike tires.

If I ride, I'll prolly leave about midnight to arrive at the house 7:00-8:00 pm on the 17th

I had made no plans to trailer, is everyone trying to trailer now? :dunno:

Randy if you're going to ride I'll go with you I guess. That will be a new thing for me to leave in the middle of the night and ride for such a long period of time but I would much rather do that then ride down with my bike on a trailer.

edit: If I'm going to be the only person riding down I will probably take a lot longer to get down, as it seems a lot safer to ride with at least one other person.

Thanks,
Ben

Ben... if start & finish witnesses can be arranged, and you complete 1k within 24 hours, you can become member of Ironbutt Association. I did it last year in 19 hours, pretty much kept a 75mph pace. stopped 9 times for gas, you have to keep log og stops and receipts. Leaving at midnight allows you ride the dark hours when you are fresh and more familiar with roads, it also schedules you to avoid any metropolitan areas during commuter traffic. however the last few miles are very very twisty and you will be tired.

I want to ride straight thru, cause I am on the cheap for this vacation

you will get a good nites sleep after and experience awesome twisties the next day & week, nothing even close to comparable locally

So I assume 75mph pace you stayed on the highway?

Ben

Myself and doug are trailoring our bikes, I can only tke 2 bikes thou, sorry guys.

I do know of someone that will rent out a nice enclosed trailor that is all set up for 2 bikes already with a pitched front end for minamal drag. He said I think $25 a Day.
Or get together and rent a ford ranger or something real cheap. Then you'll just have to inveret the two bikes in order to fit them in the back.

If your interested in the trailor I can get the guys # for you.

If Randy's going to ride, I will too...

If someone offered to take a bag down for me in the truck that might be cool. ;)

Riding down is at least 1/2 the fun for me, that seems like more of an adventure than going to the gap.

Ben

Ben,
If you want I can put your bag in my truck, you just have to come to drop it off in Framingham a night or 2 before I leave.
I will be most likely be leaving around noon Saturday the 17.

Doug did you get that! Noon! Dont be late!
We will have to talk about how we are doing this, do you want me to come pick your bike up or do you want to drop your bike here and load up the night before? Or even that moning?

Ben, as far as I know I will be riding I don't really have the spare cash to stop for a motel on the way down, but prolly will one nite on the way back. I would prefer to take the senic route and a few more days off to get there but it is not in cards for me this year. If I can't make it in one straight shot and get too tired, I will be using IBA motels.

I may even leave Friday nite after work, can't really say for sure untill I have an idea what the weather forcast are along the way for the trip

Anyone around Saturday to meet up, I can give people directions there. I should have an area map of down there so we can check out some possible routes. Anyone have AAA, get some travel maps of NC TN and GA.

Your best bet is to get the address off the tree tops site and map it out from you local using mapquest or expedia.

The house is rented to another group that will be leaving early Sunday, then the house will be cleaned, we should be able to get in to the house around 3.

If you show up early you can go to the house and leave your vehicle, unload the bike and take a sweep up the dragon once or twice! Just go slow seeing you will be tired after a long drive down. BTW the area around the house is very safe for your things.
If the owner is there tell him your with my group, Mike Resse. He and his wife are extremely nice (Ron & Nancy). Take the Phone # of the site and I will E-Mail everyone my cell #.

Let me know about this Saturday, so I can plan for it, We could meet @ Motomarket?

Hey Guys,

As of right now there are 6 of us, and 1 more still possibly to go,

So the cost of the house with only us 6 is $158 + Tax.
If the 7th person makes it it will be 135.72 + Tax.

Tax I am pretty sure is 10%.

When are PPL leaving? I have a route I got from my Grandfather that use to drive trucks all over the US. He pretty much routed me around major city's to avoid any slow progress points.

I can E-Mail you the directions if your interested.

1 week and we are there! Sweet!

If this effect your rides..

http://www.maximum-suzuki.com/ibf/in...T&f=4&t=17708&

Some pics of Deals Gap being washed out...

That is really interesting. I talked to another rider I know, he was in Tennesee this past weekend and said the weather was very severe. He is one of those touring type guys who thinks 2000 miles is a nice easy weekend, and it freaked him out, and he decided not to go through the gap as he had planned, so it must have been pretty bad.

If we can't ride the gap, I'm not sure it will disappoint me enough to want to cancel the trip, but if I was trailering, it would bum me out a lot more.

Edit:

www.tailofthedragon.com says they've already graded dirt through the washed out sections and they should be repaved by next week. Sounds like the fix roads like 10x faster down there.

Ben

Yeah that pic of 129 is right down the strret from the house, I recognized it immediately! I hope it's fixed, thats a good part of that route..
This is not putting a damper on the trip though, there are so many other routes down there. That pic of Rt 28 would suck too, another great road...

:(

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/index.html

Heres your update on the roads. I dont know if they will be repaired by the time we are there, but we can a least get by these sections with no problems. :D

Hopefully they will have them paved by next week. If not, I'll just bring down a set of knobbies for the Ducati. They did it on Mission Impossible!

Alright, it was a couple of Triumphs, but who cares.....:D

I was just reading the website "tail of the dragon" I should bring my dirtbike eh? I bet it will all be patched up soon enough.....revhappy's going to be in town... That focking r**n better stay away my bike doesnt get wet. I cant wait any longer!!! End of the week get here!

I do have a brand new set of motard tires for my SV, I'm thinkin I outa have someone not riding down bring them for me.... wish I had an extra st of rims set up with brake rotors and everything.

I just checked accuweather.com the weather looks perfect....."Knocking on wood"