Is Deal's Gap over-rated?

Hey guys, I have to chime in here to second Two4one's comments. I'm the guy to the right in his top picture with the black jacket with the red stripe. Last April was my first trip down there and all I can say is for 4 days my face hurt from smiling ear to ear as I followed two4one and the rest of the guys through some of the best roads I ever rode. That picture two4one took with the snow was my first ride ever on the dragon. I think we saw two cars...and it was snowy, cold and mostly very wet...and I was still smiling ear to ear. We came back a few days later and rode the Dragon in the dry and it was a lot of fun for sure. Much more traffic, but totally managable since it was early in the year. I do think the advertising overhypes the dragon as the best road down there, but as two4 said, there are many other awesome routes. The Cherohala is my absolute favorite. I had a blast riding that 4 times when I was down there. I took a solo blast on it the last night we were there since I just could load up the bike for the ride home without another run...

Rt. 28 the other road Two4one mentioned is also simply amazing for the first 5 or 6 miles. I think it's actually better than the dragon for tight consistent twisties for that stretch of road.

So is it overrated - no
Is it over advertised - yes
Is it a blast to ride -absolutely
Is the Dragon the only road down there - ABSOLUTELY NOT
Should you explore the alternatives to the Dragon when you are down there - YES!

Suggestion - go if you can, go early spring or late fall, ride the Dragon midweek, and explore the many other fun roads the rest of the time.

If your going to be down there this April, look Two4One and me up...we will probably be easy to find...just sit at one of the pull offs on the Cherohala and listen for the beautiful song of trio of VFRs coming from a distance at about 10k rpm...you may also hear a pair of Ducati's participatng in that symphony as well as two of our buds have them and the'll probably be down there with us. You won't be able to miss us.

Its worth the trip.

Here are some additional shots of the trip from last year...

Cherohala VFRs



Two4one and our friend Dave taking a breather


Two4One leading the way on the Cherohala


Break time at the Deal Gap Store/Hotel


4 months and counting...

 

<<<<<<<<<<<<<Hits the "DUH" button...

 

Hey PARedVFR, those two pics that you have in the corners are awesome! Do you have them in high res?

 

Stirring the pot...

I'll let you all in on a secret-- I quite deliberately and premeditatedly started this discussion in order to stir things up a bit at this forum, which had otherwise become rather sleepy and boring due to the fact that the riding season is over until next year for a great many riders.

I thought long and hard before I chose a topic that I hoped would be controversial enough to really stir things up a bit and generate some passionate and good-spirited discussion beyond the usual off-season prattle, including ongoing mental masturbations over the latest 'Elvis-like' sightings of the next incarnation of the VFR.

Judging by the many diverse and highly opinionated responses here so far, it seems that I've been successful in stirring the pot a bit. I threw out some bait, and many swallowed the hook...

Now then, it's going to be a long winter for many of us, so here's a challenge: Help stave off boredom and intellectual stagnation at this web site-- stir the pot!

 

Flagstaff Arizona. Flagstaff has...rides. Mars hill run from Lake Mary up. I am talking 10mph turn all the way 270degree+ turns. Also on a weekday in the off season Flagstaff to Sedona. Schultz Pass if you can dig the dirt and the VFR can do it if you can swing that way. The snow bowl in the summer and........well route 66 to Cosnino....man ya have to check it out.