First timer and camping

[CT Bits]

I'm planning on being on the dragon somewhere around the 4th-7th of July. what temp range can I expect? I'm a fairly sedate rider after 40 years or so of 2-wheelin and I enjoy the scenery. Someone mentioned draggin knees and someone else mentioned a lot of turn outs. I'm hopng for a lot of the latter and not too many of the former. We all ride and look out for each other - I just don't want to pull someone out of the bushes/ditches or whatever else is out there to run into.

Keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down!!!

[spiderweb]

If your looking for senic and pull offs do the Cherohala Skyway instead. Im guessing the Dragon will be packed on a holiday such as the 4th also it will be smokin hot! at least it was for me on any july or august trip down there !

[748L052]

Gap road will be warm daytime. Skyway will be nice & cool when you go above 4 or 5k.

Want to see the scenery, get off and walk, we do often. Plenty of pull outs. Totally expect tourists to use them.

Maybe just ride your ride and not get your knickers knotted when others pass, knee up or down - doesn't matter much.

We ' been OK for many, many decades, thank you. It's a pass & let pass neighboorhood... & we're way, way too hilbilly bumpkin to know all the other rule systems people bring from out in flatsville...

Welcome, have a good trip, & as Ben repeats, "respect". both ways.

[FRIEK]

i think you will find a very diverse group at the gap,but the 3 main groups are knee draggers,cruisers and scattered cars.
the knee draggers ignore the cruisers and just pass without incident,just make sure you keep your mirrors in good working order and let them pass when you can,if not ive seen many choose some not so great places to pass when forced to.
there are a good 5-6 turn offs to watch passing bikes and see secenery.
always ride your own ride and dont attempt to push a crusier to stay up with sportbikes,ive seen just as many cruisers and harleys being pushed out of ditches as i have sportbikes.
the thing about the gap is you dont have to ride the dragon to have fun,wich is a blast imo.
the skyway and 28 towards fontana is great and while your camping chat up some people who have been there a few days and see what routes they suggest.
i was there 5 days and only rode the dragon 2x a day and hit other roads all day long and never went the same roads twice.
so even in a week of riding you wont see it all.

as for the weather i was there almost 2 weeks ago and it was 78-88f during the day and 60f at night wich i only needed 1 blanket in my tent.
id expect much higher temps when you go.

[CT Bits]

thanks for the info - I will probably be in the area long enough to do the gap and the skyway. Any other roads/routes you can recommend would be appreciated.

[FRIEK]

unfortunatly i wasnt the leader nor ride planner for the group i rode with.
but i do know most of the better roads tend to be south of the gap.
the foothills parkway isnt a bad ride either.
id personally stay away from 411 and around pidgion forge and gatlinburg due to traffic and slow speeds,but if that doesnt bother you its a nice ride.

i remember they mentioned route 60 into georgia as being great and hitting the "2 wheels only" resturant thats only open on the weekends and well worth the ride.

[CT Bits]

thanks - I hadn't heard about that one.

[Dragonslayer]

Some may talk about how "dangerous" the Dragon is, it's really not as bad as they like to exagerate. Interstates and highways can be just as bad if not worse. However, it's others you have to look out for. What I mean is: don't ride too close to the yellow line. Sometimes people can't read the signs that say "Please Stay In Your Lane".

[Chef88]

Highway 60 into Franklin Georgia is a good ride.
Make sure you stop at the sunset restaurant for some strawberry pie
it's the best I have ever had.
Friek will tell you the same I'm sure.

[Chef88]

Highway 60 into Franklin Georgia is a good ride.
Make sure you stop at the sunset restaurant for some strawberry pie
it's the best I have ever had.
Friek will tell you the same I'm sure.
It's highway 28 south there are so many good roads I got a little confused:D