Deals Gap/Robbinsville trip report

Well, I've been home for a few days, and thought I'd share some of the more memorable moments from my weekend at the Gap/Dragon/Cherohala Skyway. My now fiance and I left west KY at 11:30am Friday morning and travelled to Robbinsville via I-24 to I-40 to I-140 to 411/129. We rolled into Robbinsville at 8:00pm ET, 7:00 CT. Took a bit longer this year versus last year due to my having to make a few extra stops for my passengers comfort. We had wanted to take a few long trips around home to build up her tolerance for this journey, but never got around to it. Thus, several 20-30min stops were taken adding up to 7.5 hours travel time. I think I did it last year on the Buell in under 6 hours. Rolled through dragon after dark and hit the Microtel for some much needed rest. Got up bright and early Saturday to head out and do the Cherohala/Dragon loop. Ended up staying on the Skyway for a real long time. Man it was beautiful up there with the leaves starting to change and gorgeous clear blue skys. Made it back up 411 to the turn off for the Dragon and stopped for a quick refreshment. Watched an ambulance, Blount co sheriff and TN state trooper go by the gas station, and figured there was a wreck on the dragon. There was a wreck, but it was about 30 miles from the dragon. A woman had t-boned an R-1 and we were stuck in line for a few minutes while it was cleaned up, not sure if the rider was ok or not, but the bike was pretty messed up. Rode on towards the Dragon and soon as we reached the lookout we noticed people motioning to slow down. Rounding a curve we found a VW laying on its roof, and a bike wrecked standing near the inside of the curve. We made it through this fairly quickly and stopped at the lookout for some pics. The rest of the weekend went pretty uneventful except for the awesome riding and that I proposed to my lady at the end of the Skyway on Sunday morning! Met another VFR owner at the Microtel, had FLY VFR on his plate. Had some parts from David Silver Spares on it, looked nice. I love this bike. And the tank will last way longer than my butt can on the stock seat. Over 200mpg on medium grade fuel, doing 80-95.

 

Over 200mpg on medium grade fuel, doing 80-95.[/QUOTE]

200mpg huh? Wish mine would get that. I know you meant 200 miles on a tank. Anyway, sounds like a great trip minus the cagers killing people. Congrats on the engagement. I hope to make it out there in the spring.