Deal's Gap notoriety

[White Boy]

Question.
What has really contributed to the Dragon's success? I mean it must be the single most famous stretch of highway in the US from a biker's perspective. Yet, we are talking only 11 miles.
I rode an area 2 weeks ago that had scenery as beautiful as the Smokeys, but with one major distinction. There were Deal's Gap quality roads 45 minutes in any direction you wanted to ride. Yet there were very few riders there.
So tell me, why has Deal's Gap done so well?

[brad@dealsgap]

Well I would say that their are alot of reasons for it. First, the owners we bought the store from spent alot of money and time going all over the country permoting the area. They covered 13 shows and talked to well over 500,000 riders. That was the begining, then we created a place for bikers to go. A friendly location just for them. The community on the TN side has also opened their arms for the bikers. Also, we have alot of local Rallies, like this week, Honda Hoot brings in over 18,000 bikes in 4 days. Added to that the 11 miles has no side roads, new pavement and only 20 min from a major city like Knoxville. I am sure their are a few more factors I am missing. But in the end it comes down to we have turned the Resort into a Motorcycle Destination that you can use as a base camp to tour alot of Western NC and Eastern TN. I bet their are alot of awsome rides on the East Coast, but few Motorcycle Resorts for them to go to for help and info.

[Tank]

Most of the time that I am not at Deals Gap I am riding looking for roads closer to home that are as good as the gap. So far, no luck.

Rt. 88 in West Virginia has a section north of Oglebay Park that is identical, but the section is less than a mile long.

Nowhere else have I found as many back to back tight turns with no driveways, intersections, or potholes.

Granted, I've not been on every road in the United States, but I have been on a lot of them, and I have not found a road that is the equal to Deals Gap yet.

[garysol1]

What the Gap offers me is this. It is the only stretch of road I have ever been on where 45 to 50mph puts a huge smile on my face turn after turn. There is no need for high speed banzai runs to make the turns exciting. If I do go down, chances are it will not include serious injury. I have high sided at the gap and I was able to simply brush of the dirt from my leathers and get back on my broken bike. Try that on a 100mph get off.

[SKNL2]

I have to agree with what's already said. I live in Charlotte and ride the mountains of NC every day off I get. I know of a few other roads that are as curvy as Deal's Gap but they all have driveways on them, the pavement is poor, or they have a lot of tourist traffic on them.

The sense of community on Deal's Gap is something to be mentioned as well. All the debris sweepers, crash helpers, line-crosser beraters, semi escorters and others make the road a place that you feel a part of when you are there.

There are other roads like the Dragon, but there is no PLACE like Deal's Gap. :)

[v2wyn]

The sense of community on Deal's Gap is something to be mentioned as well. All the debris sweepers, crash helpers, line-crosser beraters, semi escorters and others make the road a place that you feel a part of when you are there.

There are other roads like the Dragon, but there is no PLACE like Deal's Gap. :)

Well put! I will add that the vast majority of riders I've met while at the Gap are "Motorcyclists", at least in the way I define it. It doesn't matter what the other guy/gal is riding and neither does their skill level. What matters is enjoying the ride and sharing the passion for 2 wheels!

[Inten_Z]

Its really the Pancakes!!!!!

[v2wyn]

Well...that too! :p

[Goober_JR]

Its really the Pancakes!!!!!

then why did you get french toast this morning

[brad@dealsgap]

Hey have to change up every now and again, beside the french toast is awsome as well

[Miata-MS]

well, as a 4 wheel counterpart, I must say that it is the friendly atmosphere that i find on the dragon. stopping at either end of the dragon to talk to (generally) other miata owners, or the many friendly bikers, is as much my 'routine' up there as making passes on the road. I also enjoy getting away from the city and just sittin on the side of the road reading and watching the riders and other cars go by.

[748L052]

Excellent points above, all of them. I'd like to add two points - and - forgive me - say why I think I've got something to say. For decades I had a job that sent me all over N America & Europe. My ONLY play is crooked, back roads & I rented cars & bikes in lots of places and headed for the nearest mountain roads...

Take all the mentions above, constant linked turning, non-lethal speeds, consensus to be civil to each other, etc. and add two that are quite unusual and definitely have bearing on the "Dragon" question:

1. TDOT. the pavement quality is consistently outstanding for the 28 years I've been running it on this and on almost all TN two-lane twisties. In my experience only Norway is better on pavement quality and not by much.

2. TN LEO policies & behaviors. Prove beyond all doubt you are an adolescent idiot and they will deal with you. Show you are responsible, ride your ride, fast or slow, but skillful, and you get a nod or a wave. This "live and let live" relationship based on mutual respect, LEO & bikers, is almost unique - probably is in USA. Only place I've seen anything remotely like it is Italy.

Sorry, but there's what amounts to sermon here. The local folks, officials included, are in this with us. They can neglect the pavement next time contracts are up for paving roads. And, LOL, the LEO can send almost all of us home on any given day for either speed or double yellow. But they choose to, frankly, let us continue to "police" ourselves. We've got to continue that tradition responsibly - we can loose it very, very easily.

[yamaha129]

the friendly staff at the store...