2007 Ride Report

[s2tbolt]

(Dedicated to the memory of Bobby Blanchard)

Last year’s trip got me hooked even though it almost didn’t happen.
( Click Here for “The Gap that almost wasn’t” ) (http://www.dealsgap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95)


The repairs to the borrowed trailer from last year’s trip had just been completed
only a few days before our departure date and the owner graciously loaned it to us again before he ever had a chance to use it himself.
Thanks Todd!!!
And this year, I had a bigger truck and brought the KLR too :)

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010004.jpg

Loading up for the long haul…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010006.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010008.jpg

[s2tbolt]

We caught rain nearly the entire trip, sometimes torrential downpours that slowed traffic to a crawl.
Gas stops were in 40 degree weather with strong winds. But then the scenery started to change…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010014.jpg
12 hours and 669.8 miles from my house in BR to Deals Gap Resort
(but we lost an hour due to the time change)…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010017.jpg

It was still drizzling so we left everything loaded and hit the sack.

Man, sunrise at Deals Gap just stirs something in my soul…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010018.jpg

Here’s a great sticker found on a certain GS that got there the day before we did…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010023.jpg

[s2tbolt]

What a sight for sore eyes…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010019.jpg

And the newly renovated store looks great!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010020.jpg

Check out the Demo, Construction & Before and After threads...Click Here (http://www.dealsgap.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=12)

Met some great folks at the overlook…

Hey Keith!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010035.jpg

A camouflage Ulysses…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010037.jpg

[s2tbolt]

And some LSA (Louisiana Sportbike Association) brothers trailering an injured F2…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010038.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010040.jpg

Here's some fancy color-matched “stitches”, the ride must go on!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010042.jpg

LSA representin’ from all the way from Lafayette to Baton Rouge to New Orleans…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010041.jpg

[s2tbolt]

Atop the Cherahola Skyway…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010056.jpg

Yeah, I could live here.

I lost count of how many times I heard that phrase…
and how many times I said it!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010057.jpg

I’m on top o da world!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010060.jpg

Here’s my new computer wallpaper…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010061-1.jpg

[s2tbolt]

The KLR was a blast on the Dragon!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010049.jpg

Dennis’s XB Lightning lookin’ good too!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010050.jpg

[s2tbolt]

Met up with some CMA Fast Lane Team brothers from Hatfield Arkansas and some from Florida…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010074.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010065.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010075.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010070.jpg

[s2tbolt]

Check out the paint on this one!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010071.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010067.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010068.jpg

[s2tbolt]

Honestly, this R1 was one of the nicest examples I have ever seen anywhere. Zeke, the owner,
told us it had been featured on the “Super Bikes” TV show…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010076.jpg

This thing is a 168 hp work of art…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010077.jpg

Met some new friends…

Hey Nathan...
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010081.jpg

Hey Glen...
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010085.jpg

[s2tbolt]

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010093.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010092.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010109.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010119.jpg

[s2tbolt]

Also met a guy who had worked at the Buell Factory in Mukawanago, WI.
He was one of the guys who built my S2 Thunderbolt.
Had to go all the way to the Gap to meet him, just two weeks before he was moving to California!

You could smell the rubber melting on IntenZ's R1 after a run on the Dragon…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010177.jpg
Only 300 miles to a set of tires?
That's some serious riding! Pleasure meeting some ETR folks!
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010178.jpg

[s2tbolt]

Hooked up with the LA folks for a night out on the town.
Here’s what the “night life” looks like in Mur’vul (Maryville, TN)

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010087.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010088.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010090.jpg

[s2tbolt]

A little rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of this Krewe…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010100.jpg

I’d been on the loop across the Great Smokey Mountain National Park before in a car,
but it was a special treat on a bike. Some shady spots still sported thick ice on the mount walls.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010101.jpg


A great home cooked southern style buffet in Cherokee and we ready for anything!

[s2tbolt]

The CMA guys shot some home movies of the Dragon Slayers and edited it to show later that night on the big screen…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010114.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010115.jpg

[s2tbolt]

Casa del Juice & Scoot…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010078.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010079.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010117.jpg

[s2tbolt]

The next day was my Dual-Sport adventure.
http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3178

Started out with blustery weather…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010120.jpg

Visited the burial site of Indian Chief and his wife, beautiful spot up on the mountain…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010122.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010121.jpg

Now I know what the KLR was born to do…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010124.jpg

[s2tbolt]

Been wantin’ to see this place and it did not disappoint…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010126.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010135.jpg

[s2tbolt]

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010134.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010133.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010132-1.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010131.jpg

[s2tbolt]

Back down the mountain into Andrews, NC…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010145.jpg

Here’s the view from our table in Chestnuts Café…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010138.jpg

And here’s the view inside…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010139.jpg

Thaaaaaat’s right,

Sirloin medium rare, and crispy steak fries, mmmmm

.

.

.

.

.
and to top it off, the purtiest presentation of warm bread pudding I’ve ever seen, swimming in butter …

BEFORE

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010141.jpg

[s2tbolt]

AFTER

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010144.jpg

hahaha

[s2tbolt]

We watched these kayakers and rafters drop off this waterfall in 45^ +/_ weather,
And they think we’re crazy…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010147.jpg

Back at the Resort, a little foreshadowing of the Big Wheel races to come…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010153.jpg

Into every life, a little rain must fall…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010150.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010148.jpg

[s2tbolt]

I’d still rather be here in the rain than at work…
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010156.jpg

Some strange and interesting things traverse the Dragon…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010154.jpg

And a good sport adding his contribution to the Tree Of Shame…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010157.jpg

[s2tbolt]

Loading up in the rain…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010161.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010164.jpg

LSA representin…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010162.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010163.jpg

[s2tbolt]

The ETR (East Tennessee Riders) started gathering for their BOSB (Beginning Of Season Bash)
Click Here for ETR BOSB picture thread (http://www.easttnriders.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16012)

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010168.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010171.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010170.jpg

[s2tbolt]

Good friends, good food, good fun!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010174.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010173.jpg

I got to meet the real Doug, one of the founders of ETR…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010183.jpg

Then the long awaited “Big Wheel Races” !!!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010184.jpg

[s2tbolt]

Contestants were allowed only minor mods to the children’s toys,
Then were carried up the mountain to the state line for the race to the finish.
Gladiators, we salute you!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010185.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010186.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010191.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010187.jpg

[s2tbolt]

We loaded up for the long dirve home
and soaked up as much mountain asmosphere as we could
before back home to da bayou country.

I even got to meet another celebrity on the way home…

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/dugcoals/DealsGap2007/S4010193.jpg

:p

I can’t wait to see what adventures await next year!!!

[s2tbolt]

A sincere heartfelt thanks to our MC Ben;
and our hosts Brad, Beth and Conner;
and all the tireless efforts of the ETR volunteers
and generous sponsors of the BOSB door prizes!

Thanks to your dedication and hard work;
Deals Gap Resort is a world class destination!

[brad@dealsgap]

Doug
Awsome pics and ride report, thanks a ton.

[khelton]

Hey Doug..great postup and ride report...we throughly enjoyed meeting you guys at the BOSB.......your wounded fellow inmates, did everyone heal up okay ??

[s2tbolt]

Thanks Keith, 'preciate U.

Yeah, both my room mates got bit by the Dragon :(

Trey's Road Glide is still in for repairs but he's doing great;
no broken collarbone, just sore. God is good; all the time!

Dennis' XB Lightning lost the gear shifter to "The Tree Of Shame"
but by the time we got back home he was askin' "When's the next trip!?!"

:cool:

[s2tbolt]

Me, Dennis and Kevin…

http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/photopost/data/500/img_7735.jpg


*** Yawn ***, “How’d we let the slow guy get in front of us?” :D

http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/photopost/data/500/img_7738.jpg

www.Killboy.com rocks!

[s2tbolt]

OK, there's another great photographer on "the hill" with Killboy...

Here's my first run on the KLR with Dennis closing in on the XB9R ...

http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/photopost/data/500/ZeeFotoKLR1.JPG

The KLR handled great! I had never ridden it this hard before; but I did install the forkbrace before the trip. Man, this is fun!

http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/photopost/data/500/ZeeFotoKLR2.JPG


Great pics Zee! www.zeefoto.com

:cool:

[Randy G]

Great report and pictures! I am a fairly new rider but feel fortunate to live here in East Tennessee and be so close to so many GREAT motorcycling roads. I hit Deals Gap 3 times last week, and the Chrerohala Skyway twice. Hope you all can come back and enjoy East Tennessee again soon.

[MilleArp]

Thanks for taking the time topost up the details, enjoyed it !
:)

.