Blitz Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 (edited) Any of the guys that's ever ridden to the gap have any opinions on the trip? I figure it's 400 miles. Sometimes I'll ride 300 in a day around Ohio. I'm considering riding down to save money, instead of trailering. Any opinions here? Edited May 6, 2014 by Blitz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzledan Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 If your max is 300, imagine how sore you'd be after 400 boring Highway miles, and how long it'd take you to recuperate. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 I am riding there 5/29 on a CBR. Our route there is about 600 miles. I'll let you know how it goes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blitz Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 I wouldn't say my max is 300....just that that's what we rode. I think I could get comfortable on the freeway. It's more about the logistics. To trailer I have to drop my bike off in Cbus (live an hour away) and then get ride back home. Same for when we get back to pick up bike. Then I have to drive my truck to Dayton area and leave it there to ride with the carpool. And when I get home I have to get both vehicles home. So, all of that is somewhat of a pain that is all avoided by riding. Plus, I won't be at the mercy of others and can come and go as I please.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonik Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Any of the guys that's ever ridden to the gap have any opinions on the trip? I figure it's 400 miles. Sometimes I'll ride 300 in a day around Ohio. I'm considering riding down to save money, instead of trailering. Any opinions here? It's 525 miles for me, Home to Hotel. I ride it several times a year and I am 54 or so. Ride it. Don't have to be boring, cut across 62 from C-Bus to Lexington. It's a very nice ride scenery wise...all the HUGE horse farms...and only adds 20 minutes to the trip. Plus you don't have to risk your life going through Cincy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie14 Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 When heading for the gap, I usually leave Cbus early and have lunch a little north of Knoxville. I am riding the tail of the dragon in the early afternoon. Granted, I ride a touring bike. If, as you say, you can get comfortable on the freeway, make the trip on the bike. It really isn't that hard. Just take an ibuprofen or two and wear some biker shorts. It will make the campfire beer that evening taste much better. It was that trip that sold me on the benefits of sport touring bikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blitz Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 (edited) Thanks guys. I have an 03 GSXr, but have risers for clip-ons which takes considerable weight off the wrists. And I have some brand new sport-touring tires, so flat spots on the dragon shouldn't be a problem. I'm seriously leaning towards riding down. Not to mention, the weather tomorrow is supposed to be gorgeous. Edited May 6, 2014 by Blitz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonik Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 When heading for the gap, I usually leave Cbus early and have lunch a little north of Knoxville. I am riding the tail of the dragon in the early afternoon. Granted, I ride a touring bike. If, as you say, you can get comfortable on the freeway, make the trip on the bike. It really isn't that hard. Just take an ibuprofen or two and wear some biker shorts. It will make the campfire beer that evening taste much better. It was that trip that sold me on the benefits of sport touring bikes. Next time detour the northern part of the 'Devils Triangle that sends you west of knoxville well north of the city....then south to the dragon. http://www.devilstriangletn.com/ It would look like this: http://goo.gl/maps/gSvBW 116 is the part you want. Be warned, the road is awesome....then it can go to crap in a heartbeat. Early on there are three EXTREME switchbacks right in a row....45 degrees up and if I were through the corner I could reach out and touch you going up on the other side of the corner. The Bushy State Prison is cool, it's abandoned, you can park by the sign and get pics of your bike there....sometimes the one remaining guard will come out and take you in for a little tour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowdog Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Riding down probably wont be a problem for you, but I would ask yourself if you can enjoy the riding down there and still be able to make the 300+ miles back home. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unk Greg Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 (edited) Enjoy the trip no matter if trailering or riding. Spring is best, for me....early and no riders (like go right now) and it's warm with greenery showing. Stay at hotel in Knoxville and easy ride to 129....or venture to my former haunts at Lake Lure....Bat Cave and Chimney Rock. All the roads are great down there. Location ? Think Asheville between it and Hendersonville. I got it down to 7 hrs with trailer rig. I tend to think trailer as I wouldn't want to carry a broken bike home on my back. Ethanol is all I ever found down there. 2Tall mentioned Fontana(?) for real gas....check in folks, otherwise carry yer own fuel, hence the trailer thought.But have fun.....N Ca 28 is very nice.Seester sold her place so no free space no more...until she retires and moves back down yonder.. Edited May 6, 2014 by littlecarbsbigsmiles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadTrainDriver Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Take the time and ride all back roads. Take a few days to get there, a few days there, and a few days to get home.That's the way to do it.Fuck the highway... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blitz Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Thanks guys....decision was made for me though. The girlfriend needs my truck while I'm gone, so I don't have a ride to Springfield if I trailer. So, I'm riding the bike down. Wish me luck. Thanks Tonik for the roads. I'll definitely check them out on the way there or on the way back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Ask MJ about riding down lol. Trailer down to enjoy the time there more. Can't haul all your food and supplies. Break down. Wicked flat spot on your tires etc. Other than Rollinhot everybody else that rode down for this annual trip only did it once and said not again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustinsn3485 Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 I ride there a couple times a year, usually stay a night or two. I can make it there, do a few passes and a couple other roads and make it home in a day if I want. About a 700 mile day. Sent while riding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadTrainDriver Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 (edited) Ask MJ about riding down lol.Trailer down to enjoy the time there more. Can't haul all your food and supplies. Break down. Wicked flat spot on your tires etc. Other than Rollinhot everybody else that rode down for this annual trip only did it once and said not again. I never figured you for that big of a vagina...It's not the destination that's important. Edited May 6, 2014 by BadTrainDriver 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blitz Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Are you kidding? I've never known Todd to ride unless it's above 75 degrees with less than 10% humidity and a light south-westerly breeze 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mango_sv Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 I typically ride down every year. 500 miles one way for me. Never was a problem. Even did it 2 up last Oct with the woman on the back. She completely enjoyed it, even the couple hrs in the rain at 80 MPH on 75 north thru Kentucky. Hell, I've detoured thru Deals Gap on my way to Columbia, SC on the bike. That's a 13 hr trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max power Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Why can't you just ride your bike to the trailering meet up, load it then and car pool down? When you get back just unload and ride home. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blitz Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Because the load up and the carpool I'm riding with are 120 miles apart. Columbus-Dayton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jschaf Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 It's fun to ride to the gap if you stay off the slab. I've ridden my cbr there via WV,VA,KY from Cleveland in a day & I'm no youngster. Don't let the naysayers get to you. I wish I had the vacation time, I'd ride down with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 It's fun to ride to the gap if you stay off the slab. I've ridden my cbr there via WV,VA,KY from Cleveland in a day & I'm no youngster. Don't let the naysayers get to you. I wish I had the vacation time, I'd ride down with you.What's a good route? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie14 Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 (edited) Next time detour the northern part of the 'Devils Triangle that sends you west of knoxville well north of the city....then south to the dragon.http://www.devilstriangletn.com/It would look like this: http://goo.gl/maps/gSvBW116 is the part you want. Be warned, the road is awesome....then it can go to crap in a heartbeat. Early on there are three EXTREME switchbacks right in a row....45 degrees up and if I were through the corner I could reach out and touch you going up on the other side of the corner. The Bushy State Prison is cool, it's abandoned, you can park by the sign and get pics of your bike there....sometimes the one remaining guard will come out and take you in for a little tour.Looks good. I am going through there a couple weeks after we get back from South Dakota. Looks like a good way to avoid Knoxville and get in some extra twistees. Edited May 6, 2014 by Connie14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 I never figured you for that big of a vagina...It's not the destination that's important.I'm very particular about where and how long I ride lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 Ask MJ about riding down lol.Trailer down to enjoy the time there more. Can't haul all your food and supplies. Break down. Wicked flat spot on your tires etc. Other than Rollinhot everybody else that rode down for this annual trip only did it once and said not again. Some of us actually ride when we get down there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 I've never done because of time constraints but one time I shall ride down and do it the Pauly way. Take 2 days to get there via all the fun roads in oh, wv and ky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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