First Timer - Route Question

[bnic85]

Hello, everyone...

I live in North GA, so I'm not far from Deal's Gap, by any means... 129 runs right through my home town and I could take it from my driveway to the TN/NC border and probably be there in 2 1/2 to 3 hrs.

I'm planning on coming up to Deal's Gap this Sunday with a small group of friends. The task of determining our route has fallen to me.

This will be a day trip. We plan on leaving early Sunday morning and making a loop. (I don't want to ride the Dragon both ways... Not because it wouldn't be fun, but because I want it to be the exciting conclusion of the ride ;) )

Anyway, we'll be leaving from Gainesville, GA. I was thinking of taking 129 up to Blairsville, GA and then detouring up to Madisonville, TN. From there we could cut across to Tallassee, TN and then take 129 down through Deal's Gap, and then all the way home.

Are any of you guys familiar enough with the area to say whether or not that's a decent idea? We're looking at 7 hours of road time (according to Google maps) and I want it to be as exciting as possible.

Do any of you ever make the drive up to Deal's Gap from North GA? What route do you guys take?

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

See you all on Sunday!

[brad@dealsgap]

Great rout, I would stick with that plan.

[MrDiggler]

Sounds pretty good to me too. Just be careful around the Madisonville area, especially on Hwy. 411 if you take it at all. The speed limits drop a lot on 411 and the cops in Monroe Co. came to play.

I'll be on the Dragon on Sunday from early/mid morning until 5-6pm and will be driving a bright metallic orange 4-door Mazdaspeed Protege. I'll be kicking back during heavy traffic hours at a pulloff here or there to do some spectating and filming. Feel free to drop by and say hello.
-Scott

*edit* Here's a tidbit gleaned from another post. If you're coming from the south, you should pass through this section on the way:

"Place to ride (outside the Gap-US129)—First, I have heard a few rumors and tales of a section of the area called Blood Mountain. This section is a 2-hour ride south of the Gap, but 129 is pretty scenic and just for that stretch, it is out of the way. Blood Mountain would take, at minimum, 5-6 total hours to ride there and back and to appreciate the road. It is one HELL OF A section of US129 so if you are going that way and don't ride it, you would be making a huge mistake."

[748L052]

Good choice for a big loop.

Also, sorry to be the old guy with grandfather talk for new guys, you probably know anyway - but you can help your friends learn the old, plenty of time on the gap road style. The best way to be ID as newby is by clipping the yellow on lefts. And crossing the yellow on lefts is regarded as equal to f#rting in church. Sounds like you will be uphill bound? There are at least 5 or 6 uphill lefts where it looks like you can see all the way through - but you can't. There is one that you swear you can see enough but it has a blind point big enough to hide a PU truck... Frankly, I can tell within max three turns while setting up a pass whether or not we're dealing with new or experienced rider.

[bnic85]

Thanks so much for the input, guys.

Blood Mountain is about 45 minutes from my house and I ride it every chance I get. It's just like you described and is one of my favorite rides, period.

I wouldn't call myself an expert rider, by any means, but I like to think I'm not a total newbie :) .

I'll make every effort to stay away from those yellow lines, just so you guys won't think less of me.

I'll be on a red R6, and will be riding with a blue one and a black one and maybe a couple GSXRs. (yes, we're sport bikers...)

I'll keep my eyes peeled for you, Diggler.

See you all on Sunday.

[brad@dealsgap]

MR Diggler
Beware, tons and tons of bikes this weekend on the hill. Will still be busy at 5-6 pm. We have 5 rallies in our area this weekend so bikes everywhere.

[pat0021]

MR Diggler
Beware, tons and tons of bikes this weekend on the hill. Will still be busy at 5-6 pm. We have 5 rallies in our area this weekend so bikes everywhere.
I am going to be in that area around May 22nd. Looking good for a Tuesday? My first trip!!!!!

[bnic85]

Thanks again for all the advice, guys. We had a really great run today. One of the guys riding with us actually spilled his GSXR at the top of the mountain, but didn't hurt anything but his pride and his faring.

Diggler, I saw you pulled off to the side and would've stopped had you not been between corners. Hope your ride was as much fun as ours.

Anyhow, just wanted to let everyone know we had an awesome ride, and that we'll definitely be back soon!