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No good reasoning as to why the wife and I waited all these years to take in Deals Gap and it's surrounding routes, but now that we have, it's abundantly clear why it's such a well loved area. The riding there is second to none that I've ever experienced, aside only to track time. Not to mention the awe inspiring views. I spent the first half of last week tuning up the truck, the bike, and overhauling my trailer so the wife and I could trust in it all for this trip. Met up with Granda080 and Oldschoolsdime92 at an eagerly early 345am Thursday morning. We reached the Dragon right about noon to sunny skies and perfect weather conditions, so I got to enjoy driving it first on our way to check into our cabin at Ironhorse Motorcycle Resort in Robbinsville ( for anyone curious, it's a great place to stay, well ran, good people, and plentiful amenities ). Once we got unpacked, unloaded the bikes, and suited up, we went right for Rt129. Took a parade lap the first pass in heavier than expected traffic, but a couple hours later we got a fairly clean run at it and really dug in at a much better pace. I like the Dragon, it's tight and technical turns bring exhilaratingly quick transitions, one after another, in an almost neverending succession. But, I honestly enjoyed a lot of the other routes we'd ridden the following day a bit more. Rt28 is a lot of fun, and better suited for the long gearing of my ZX14. Cherohala is a big favorite too. Even Foothills Pkway was enjoyable as a nice, easy ride of long sweeping turns and sweet overlooks. Friday, we rode an awesome twisty route from NC, to TN, down to northern Georgia, and back. I believe we have Pauly to thank for the coordinates? Blood Mtn was a blast. The beautiful elevation changes where most every corner is so sweetly banked, easily enabling extraordinary entry speeds that eventually shear away at your front tire until it's down to nothing, making you stop at the nearest dealer who gladly helped get me in and out at just over an hour. So, I nod my head with huge props to Union Powersports in Blairsville, GA and their excellent service of a last minute customer. The ultimate culprit was a less than credible tire gauge that had lied it's ass off prior to us leaving the house. Their mechanic showed me the true pressure was at about 22psi, semi-hot. So ambient pressure that morning was likely sub 20psi, but the janky gauge had read around 32-34ish. Needless to say, that turd of a tool went into the garbage to be replaced with an accurate instrument. Sadly, less than 5 minutes after we left the dealer is when the worst part happened. Torrential downpour. For the entire trip back to Ironhorse. I'd wager it was similar to what Noah experienced when the Earth flooded. Water was filling our boots, soaking our buttcracks, and running behind our helmet's visors, rendering us all virtually blind but for what was barely within our headlamp's range. We aren't fair weather riders, we've been caught in the rain before, no big deal. But this storm seemed to follow our every move with a non-stop dumping of buckets, thunder, and lightning. But why stop? Once you're soaked and out in the middle of who-the-fuck-knows, embrace the hate and mush on. Took us over 3 hours to journey back from just outside Blairsville to Ironhorse. We got to see Bridal Veil Falls for all of 3 seconds as we rode past it, Oldschool pointed up, we all looked, wife and I chuckled to one another over our Sena coms that the rain was coming down harder than the falls were, and kept riding. I'm just happy I didn't have to limp it through that storm on a bald front tire in the twisty hills, or I may not be here today to tell this little tale of conquering adversity. Albeit somewhat mild adversity, 'twas still a dangerous mission. Saturday morning we all decided not to ride since the forecast showed rain all day, our gear was still soaked, and our pruned hands and feet had just dried out. So after breakfast we headed into Maggie Valley's famed Wheels Through Time Museum. Awesome place to visit for those that haven't been. There's a ton of history on display in that building, and quite a bit of it still runs. The owner fired up a few pieces to boast his handy work, pretty impressive to see something over a century old start right up and run. Nabbed some lunch before heading back to the cabin. Wife and I went to the Gap store for some keepsakes and took a spin for a bit to take in some more scenery before we packed up to ready our jettison the following morning. Got back to the homestead about 5pm today. Glad to say none of us went down, and we all had the best time. Looking forward to the next trip down there. Pics to follow

Here's this years itinerary according to MidOhio's site... Thursday, July 7 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. ..........Swap Meet Vendor Registration (Swap Meet Central, Gate 6 North Spectator Gate, Texter Road & Ross Road Gate) 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. .........AMA Guest Registration (Gate 3) 9 a.m. ......................... VIP Spectator Camping Admission through Gate 3 4 p.m. .........................Spectator Camping Admission through Gate 3 Friday, July 8 7 a.m. - 5 p.m..............AMA Guest Registration (Gate 3) 7 a.m. - 7 p.m..............Mid-Ohio Gate Hours/Ticket sales 8 a.m. - 5 p.m..............AMA Swap Meet Registration at Swap Meet Central 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.............AMA Swap Meet ....................................Motorcycle Demo Rides (middle paddock) ....................................American Motor Drome Wall of Death (infield) ....................................AMA Adventure Bike Challenge (infield) ....................................Vendor Midway (infield) ....................................Main Stage (infield) ....................................Premier and Club Corral Displays (infield) ....................................Bike Builder Displays (infield) 1 - 8 p.m.....................Beer Garden (infield) 1, 3, 5 p.m..................Motorcycle Trials Xtreme Exhibition (middle paddock) Saturday, July 9 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.............AMA Guest Registration (Gate 3) 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.............Mid-Ohio Gate Hours/Ticket sales 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.............AMA Swap Meet ....................................Motorcycle Demo Rides (middle paddock) ....................................American Motor Drome Wall of Death (infield) ....................................AMA Adventure Bike Challenge (infield) ....................................Vendor Midway (infield) ....................................Main Stage (infield) ....................................Premier and Club Corral Displays (infield) ....................................Bike Builder Displays (infield) 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m......Motorcycle Trials Xtreme Exhibition (middle paddock) 11 a.m. - 6 p.m...........Beer Garden (infield) Sunday, July 10 7 a.m. - 3 p.m..........AMA Guest Registration (Gate 3) 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. ........Mid-Ohio Gate Hours/Ticket sales 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ........AMA Swap Meet .................................Motorcycle Demo Rides (middle paddock) .................................American Motor Drome Wall of Death (infield) .................................AMA Adventure Bike Challenge (infield) .................................Vendor Midway (infield) .................................Main Stage (infield) .................................Premier and Club Corral Displays (infield) .................................Bike Builder Displays (infield) LAP FOR HISTORY (FALSE GRID) Pre-Register One Hour Prior to Staging - $10 Donation per rider Friday, July 8 8 a.m. - 11 a.m........Registration 11:30 a.m................Staging and Riders’ Meeting 12 p.m.....................Grand Marshal Lap of Track 12:15 p.m................Lap for History Start Saturday, July 9 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.......Registration 10:30 a.m...............Staging and Riders’ Meeting 11 a.m.....................Grand Marshal Lap of Track 11:15 a.m................Lap for History Start Sunday, July 10 8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.....Registration 11 a.m. .....................Staging and Riders’ Meeting 11:30 a.m..................Grand Marshal Lap of Track 11:45 a.m..................Lap for History Start AMA AND AMA CLUB 1924 TENTS (Champ Row Infield) Friday, July 8 8 a.m. - 5 p.m...........Event Information ..................................Ashland Dinner Rider Registration ..................................Gift Shop ..................................Raffle Bike Ticket Sales ..................................AMA Club 1924 Zero Motorcycle Sweepstakes Entry 9 a.m. - 2 p.m...........AMA Pit Bike TT Registration 1 p.m........................Grand Marshal & Hall of Fame Member Autograph Signing Saturday, July 9 8 a.m. - 5 p.m..........Event Information .................................Gift Shop .................................Raffle Bike Ticket Sales .................................AMA Club 1924 Zero Motorcycle Sweepstakes Entry 2 p.m........................Grand Marshal & Hall of Fame Member Autograph Signing 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. .......Hall of Fame Bike Show Registration Noon - 2 p.m............Hall of Fame Bike Show Judging 3:30 p.m...................Hall of Fame Bike Show Awards Sunday, July 10 8 a.m. - 5 p.m..........Event Information .................................Gift Shop .................................Raffle Bike Ticket Sales .................................AMA Club 1924 Zero Motorcycle Sweepstakes Entry 1 p.m........................Grand Marshal & Hall of Fame Member Autograph Signing THE MAIN STAGE PRESENTED BY IRON PONY / PONY POWERSPORTS (Champ Row Infield) Friday, July 8 1 p.m................................Grand Marshal Interview 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.........Warren Butler 6 p.m. - 8 p.m....................90 Proof Twang Saturday, July 9 11 a.m. - 1 p.m..................Scoliosis Jones 1:30 p.m............................Grand Marshal Interview 4 p.m. - 6 p.m....................Sneaky Pete Sunday, July 10 10 a.m..............................Grand Marshal Interview 12:30 p.m........................Annual Hall of Fame Raffle Bike Drawing 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m......Death by Rodeo AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME BIKE SHOW PRESENTED BY OLD BIKE BARN (Champ Row Infield) Saturday, July 9 8 a.m. - 11 a.m...........AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Bike Show presented by Old Bike Barn Registration Noon - 2 p.m..............AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Bike Show presented by Old Bike Barn Judging 3:30 p.m.....................AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Bike Show presented by Old Bike Barn Awards AMA FIELD MEET (Located in the Infield) Friday, July 8 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, July 9 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday, July 10 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. ASHLAND DINNER RIDE PRESENTED BY SENA TECHNOLOGIES $35 includes fairgrounds admission, pit pass, dinner and a chance to win a Sena 10C motorcycle Bluetooth camera and communications system Saturday, July 9 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m......Staging at False Grid ....................................Registration on Friday and Saturday at the AMA Tent SEMINARS - TBA Located in the Goodyear Tower (Lower Roadracing Paddock) RACING – MOTO ARMORY AMA OFF-ROAD VINTAGE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP; ROAD RACE AND FLAT TRACK Thursday, July 7 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.....................Road Race Registration (Tech Garage) 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.......................Trials, Hare Scrambles, Motocross Registration (Ross Road off Steam Corners Road) 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.......................Road Race Technical Inspection Friday, July 8 7 a.m. - 5 p.m......................Road Race Registration (Tech Garage) 7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.................Hare Scrambles Registration (Ross Road off Steam Corners Road) 7 a.m. - 5 p.m......................Road Race Technical Inspection 8:15 a.m...............................Mandatory Road Race Rider Briefing (Base of Goodyear Tower) 9 a.m - 12 p.m.....................Road Race Practice Begins Group 1: Pre-War, Class C, GP125, 70's 125, Clubman 350, GP250 Group 2: GP350, 70's 250, Clubman 500, Vintage 50's, OSB LW Group 3: All 70's GP, GP500, Clubman 750, EAT, OSB MW, OSB HW Group 4: All Gen-X, All 90's, All Starts, All Formula GP, MTT Group 5: Sidecars Group 6: Modern 600cc Expert & Novice Group 7: Modern 1000cc Expert & Novice 9 a.m. - 2 p.m......................AMA Pit Bike TT Registration (AMA Tent Champ Row) 9 a.m. -11 a.m.....................Mini Road Race Registration/Technical Inspection (Upper Paddock) 9:30 a.m...............................Post Vintage Hare Scrambles Races Begin following National Anthem 11:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.........Mini Road Race Practice (Upper Paddock) 12 a.m. - 5 p.m....................Motocross & Trials Registration (Ross Road off Steam Corners Road) 12 p.m..................................Vintage Hare Scrambles Races Begin 12 p.m. - 1 p.m....................Road Race Worker Lunch Break 1:30 p.m - 5 p.m.................Road Race Practice Resumes Group 1: Pre-War, Class C, GP125, 70's 125, Clubman 350, GP250 Group 2: GP350, 70's 250, Clubman 500, Vintage 50's, OSB LW Group 3: All 70's GP, GP500, Clubman 750, EAT, OSB MW, OSB HW Group 4: All Gen-X, All 90's, All Starts, All Formula GP, MTT Group 5: Sidecars Group 6: Modern 600cc Expert & Novice Group 7: Modern 1000cc Expert & Novice 2 p.m. - 5 p.m......................Motocross Tech Inspection 2:30 p.m...............................Modern Vintage Hare Scrambles Races Begin 3 p.m.....................................AMA Pit Bike TT practice begins (Infield near Mid-Ohio Deck) 3 p.m.....................................AMA Pit Bike TT racing begins (Infield near Mid-Ohio Deck) 5:30 p.m...............................Hare Scrambles Awards Presentation Saturday, July 9 7 a.m. - 9 a.m..................Motocross Registration – Vintage/E1 Classes Only 7 a.m. - 9 a.m..................Motocross Tech Inspection 7 a.m. - 1 p.m..................Road Race Registration 7 a.m. - 10:45 a.m..........Road Race Technical Inspection 7:15 a.m...........................Mandatory Road Race Rider Briefing (Base of Goodyear Tower) 8 a.m - 11 a.m...................Road Race Practice Begins Group 1: Pre-War, Class C, GP125, 70's 125, Clubman 350, GP250 Group 2: GP350, 70's 250, Clubman 500, Vintage 50's, OSB LW Group 3: All 70's GP, GP500, Clubman 750, EAT, OSB MW, OSB HW Group 4: All Gen-X, All 90's, All Starts, All Formula GP, MTT Group 5: Sidecars Group 6: Modern 600cc Expert & Novice Group 7: Modern 1000cc Expert & Novice 8 a.m.................................Mandatory Motocross Rider Briefing (Quonset Hut) 8 a.m. -9:30 a.m..............Mini Road Race Registration/Technical Inspection (Upper Paddock) 8:30 a.m...........................Vintage/E1 Motocross Practice Begins 9:30 a.m...........................Vintage/E1 Motocross Racing Begins following National Anthem 10 a.m. - 10:50 a.m........Mini Road Race Practice (Upper Paddock) 11:40 a.m. - 1:20 p.m.....Mini Road Racing Session One (Upper Paddock) 2 p.m. - 3:40 p.m.............Mini Road Racing Session Two (Upper Paddock) 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m........Road Race Worker Lunch Break 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m........Motocross Worker Lunch Break 12:30 p.m........................Road Race - 6 Laps Begins following National Anthem Group 1: 70’s GP750, 70’s GP500 Group 2: Pre-War, GP 125, Novice GP LW Group 3: GP500, 70’s Vint Chall, OSB HW Group 4: 600/C Superstock Expert & Novice Group 5: Clubman 350, Vintage 50’s, Nv GP HW Group 6: GP250, 70’s GP125, All Class C Group 7: Formula Singles, 70’s GP250, Club 500, OSB LW Group 8: Open/A Superstock Expert & Novice Group 9: GP350, Euro-Am Twins, OSB MW Group 10: 90’s SS, GenX SB LW, Formula GP HW Group 11: Stars HW, Stars LW Group 12: 600/C Superbike Expert & Novice Group 13: MTT, 90’s SB, GenX SB HW Group 14: Sidecars Group 15: Stars MW, Stars Thruxtons, Formula GP LW Group 16: WERA/A Superbike Expert & Novice, Clubman 750 9) 1 p.m. - 3 p.m..................Dirt Track Registration (Ashland County Fairgrounds – Gate 5, Baney Road) 3:30 p.m...........................Mandatory Dirt Track Riders Briefing (Ashland County Fairgrounds) 4 p.m.................................Dirt Track Practice Begins (Ashland County Fairgrounds) 5 p.m. (Tentative)............Motocross Concludes with Awards Presentation (1/2 hour after racing concludes) 6:30 p.m...........................Dirt Track Heat Races Begin (Ashland County Fairgrounds) 8:30 p.m...........................Dirt Track Finals Begin (Ashland County Fairgrounds) Sunday, July 10 7 a.m. - 12 p.m..............Road Race Registration 7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m...........Motocross Registration - E2/E3/Post Vintage Classes Only 7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m...........Trials Registration 7 a.m. - 9 a.m................Motocross Tech Inspection 7 a.m. - 9:15 a.m...........Road Race Technical Inspection 7:15 a.m.........................Mandatory Road Race Rider Briefing (Base of Goodyear Tower) 8 a.m - 9:50 a.m............Road Race Practice Begins (Groups listed above) 8 a.m...............................Mandatory Motocross Rider Briefing (Quonset Hut) 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m...........Mini Road Race Registration/Technical Inspection (Upper Paddock) 8:30 a.m.........................E2/E3/Post Vintage Motocross Practice Begins 8:45 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.....Trials Tech Inspection (Quonset Hut) 9:15 a.m.........................Mandatory Trials Rider Meeting (Quonset Hut) 9:30 a.m.........................Trials Competition Begins following National Anthem 9:30 a.m.........................E2/E3/Post Vintage Motocross Racing Begins 10 a.m - 11 a.m.............Road Race 6 Laps Begins following National Anthem Group 1: Pre-War, GP 125, Novice GP LW Group 2: GP500, 70's Vint Chall, OSB HW Group 3: Clubman 350, Vintage 50's, Nv GP HW 10 a.m. - 10:50 a.m......Mini Road Race Practice (Upper Paddock) 11:40 a.m. - 1:20 p.m...Mini Road Racing Session One (Upper Paddock) 2 p.m. -3:40 p.m............Mini Road Racing Session Two (Upper Paddock) 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.......Road Race Track Worker Lunch Break 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.......Motocross Worker Lunch Break 12:30 p.m.......................Road Race resumes Group 4: 6/C Superstock Expert & Novice Group 5: GP250, 70’s GP125, All Class C Group 6: Stars HW, Stars LW Group 7: GP350, Euro-Am Twins, OSB MW Group 8: Open/A Superstock Expert & Novice Group 9: Stars MW, Stars Thruxtons, Formula GP LW Group 10: 70’s GP750, 70’s GP500, Clubman 750 Group 11: 90’s SS, GenX SB LW, Formula GP HW Group 12: 600/C Superbike Expert & Novice Group 13: Formula Singles, 70’s GP250, Club 500, OSB LW Group 14: MTT, 90’s SB, GenX SB HW Group 15: Sidecars Group 16: WERA/A Superbike Expert & Novice 4 p.m. (Tentative)..........Motocross Concludes with Awards Presentation (1/2 hour after racing concludes) 4:30 p.m. (Tentative).....Trials Awards Presentation (1/2 hour after racing concludes) 6 p.m. (Tentative)..........Road Racing and Mini Road Racing Awards (Road Racing Podium by Pit Lane Lower Paddock)