Deals Gap Trip
10-01-2009, 10:48 AM
#1
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Deals Gap Trip
I'm planning on going to TN to check out Deals Gap and drive around the area, hike and whatever. I'm trying to find someone who lives close that can tell me when the leaves are changing so I know what weekend to drive up and any other people who want to meet up. I'm coming from Charleston, SC area.
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10-01-2009, 01:29 PM
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Yeah, that sounds like around the time I want to go. I'm hoping someone lives close by and can tell me when the leaves are changing so I know exactly which weekend to go up. You going on the 6-7th?
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10-01-2009, 04:40 PM
#5
My in-laws have a cabin up there and were up there at least once a month. Usually it starts changing by mid October. Might be a little later this year. Just be careful on the gap when the leaves are everywhere.
Were going up on the 16-18th and I hope to take my wifes Miata and maybe twist her arm to go drive through the Gap. She is starting to enjoy the twisties now and actually ends up fighting with me to drive. I never thought she would actually drive the car this hard through the corners.
The cabin is about 40 min to the south of the Gap but usually the weather/leaves are the same. I will try to remember and let you guys know what it looks like up there.
Do me a favor and don't speed too bad through the gap. I used to go up there 3-5 times a year, hell I did 14 passes on my bike and 6 in my miata in one day once. The cops have gooten alot worse over the past few years. They are getting better but are still present. I got a ticket up there 2 years ago and have only been back once.
Check dealsgap.com as well. They have a daily update on the weather, cops and leaves this time of year. They will let you know what clubs or groups they are expecting for every weekend as well.
Were going up on the 16-18th and I hope to take my wifes Miata and maybe twist her arm to go drive through the Gap. She is starting to enjoy the twisties now and actually ends up fighting with me to drive. I never thought she would actually drive the car this hard through the corners.
The cabin is about 40 min to the south of the Gap but usually the weather/leaves are the same. I will try to remember and let you guys know what it looks like up there.
Do me a favor and don't speed too bad through the gap. I used to go up there 3-5 times a year, hell I did 14 passes on my bike and 6 in my miata in one day once. The cops have gooten alot worse over the past few years. They are getting better but are still present. I got a ticket up there 2 years ago and have only been back once.
Check dealsgap.com as well. They have a daily update on the weather, cops and leaves this time of year. They will let you know what clubs or groups they are expecting for every weekend as well.
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10-01-2009, 05:10 PM
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Awesome, thanks for the info. I don't plan on blasting through the Dragon or anything, but I want a nice spirited cruise through a great area during the fall. I haven't seen the leaves change in like 8 years, so I'm making the effort this year. I live so close, yet I haven't been to the Gap yet.
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10-01-2009, 05:51 PM
#7
Gap trips are VERY worth themselves... But now due to the now Nationwide popularity, it is becoming VERY crowded. Throughout the year. Be prepared for TRAFFIC up there, Especially with the leaves changing, Motorcycles, RV's and Cars and Trucks will all be out. Spectators galore.
I took a Long Weekend trip up that way in the spring, and wed / Thurs were the best days, when the weekend was coming in you could tell the traffic and congestion picking up. There are Plenty of other Fun roads up that way, just look at a map... The true mountain carvers were out mid week, harleys and hogs were slowing everyone down on the weekend.
We usually time the leaf change around Halloween... I always remember as a kid, kicking thru piles of leaves, as they are right in mid change out. and now raking up all the leaves thought November.
Make it happen, I miss the Mountains the most By Far.
Enjoy
I took a Long Weekend trip up that way in the spring, and wed / Thurs were the best days, when the weekend was coming in you could tell the traffic and congestion picking up. There are Plenty of other Fun roads up that way, just look at a map... The true mountain carvers were out mid week, harleys and hogs were slowing everyone down on the weekend.
We usually time the leaf change around Halloween... I always remember as a kid, kicking thru piles of leaves, as they are right in mid change out. and now raking up all the leaves thought November.
Make it happen, I miss the Mountains the most By Far.
Enjoy
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10-01-2009, 05:58 PM
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Yeah, I've heard it gets pretty crowded, which is why I'm only planning on stopping around Deals Gap for the view and to say I've been there. There are a couple roads just north of the area that look like a lot of fun. I'll probably stay somewhere around there.
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10-01-2009, 09:32 PM
#9
If you head out there on I-26, to I-40, Hwy-74 to Hwy-28 that goes to the gap. Well as a kinda insider I can tell you that there is a BP gas station about 2 miles before you turn on 28, or just start looking for your first BP gas station on your right after passing the Bryson City exits on 74 (heading towards the Gap). Stop there and get the local Dragon map for like $3. It has a very detailed map of all the twisties up there, I have one in each of my cars. Its shows more for the bikers and people that go up there than what normal roadmaps show.
Going on weekends, especially this time of year is overrated. You will be stuck behind so many prics in minivans and SUV's that won't let you pass. If you can get a Friday off try to get up there Thursday evening and get your butt out on the road early in the morning. That is awesome riding that can be done in the morning and then spend the rest of the day riding around the Chereola Skyway, which gets pretty crouwded on the weekends as well. For a nice ride thats lots of fun, take 28 South of 74, there is about a 7 mile stretch that is ALOT of fun, lucky for me thats right where my in-laws have a place.
While you are up there you might as well go drive on some of the Blue Ridge parkway, there are some beautiful sights and is awesome for top down fun.
I am sure you will have fun either way, personally I just don't like slowing down to a crawl behind some chicken thats scared to go around a turn and just get frustrated when I have to crawl through some of the best twiesties around. I am not saying you have to fly to enjoy it, its just nicer when people arn't holding you up the whole time.
Last note,
There is probably no way in hell you can get a booking now, but book a weekend at the Deals Gap motel, right at the gas station at the beginning of the Gap. We went up there with a bunch of cars for my brother's bachelors party. The rooms are only $50 ish a night, but it is the awesomest ever. You can get up and go ride/drive as soon as the sun comes up with no one on the road and before the cops come out and then go drive in the area, come back at like 5 when the cops and everyone else goes home. Then have a blast with all the people that stay at the hotel (mostly bikers) and really enjoy the GAP till the sun goes down.
It might sound a little hard core, but you havn't experienced the Gap untill you get to fly, I mean drive through it without having to slow down for any other cars/bikes for the entire 300+ turns!
If you can't tell, I love the place. The funny thing with that weekend was that my old 91 miata was driven the most. I think I went through 3+ tanks of gas a day and ate up half a set of tires in one weekend. Everyone wanted to drive it and it never sat still. And thats with lots of bikes a few turbo Jettas a 65 Shelby Cobra kit and a few other awesome cars there as well.
Going on weekends, especially this time of year is overrated. You will be stuck behind so many prics in minivans and SUV's that won't let you pass. If you can get a Friday off try to get up there Thursday evening and get your butt out on the road early in the morning. That is awesome riding that can be done in the morning and then spend the rest of the day riding around the Chereola Skyway, which gets pretty crouwded on the weekends as well. For a nice ride thats lots of fun, take 28 South of 74, there is about a 7 mile stretch that is ALOT of fun, lucky for me thats right where my in-laws have a place.
While you are up there you might as well go drive on some of the Blue Ridge parkway, there are some beautiful sights and is awesome for top down fun.
I am sure you will have fun either way, personally I just don't like slowing down to a crawl behind some chicken thats scared to go around a turn and just get frustrated when I have to crawl through some of the best twiesties around. I am not saying you have to fly to enjoy it, its just nicer when people arn't holding you up the whole time.
Last note,
There is probably no way in hell you can get a booking now, but book a weekend at the Deals Gap motel, right at the gas station at the beginning of the Gap. We went up there with a bunch of cars for my brother's bachelors party. The rooms are only $50 ish a night, but it is the awesomest ever. You can get up and go ride/drive as soon as the sun comes up with no one on the road and before the cops come out and then go drive in the area, come back at like 5 when the cops and everyone else goes home. Then have a blast with all the people that stay at the hotel (mostly bikers) and really enjoy the GAP till the sun goes down.
It might sound a little hard core, but you havn't experienced the Gap untill you get to fly, I mean drive through it without having to slow down for any other cars/bikes for the entire 300+ turns!
If you can't tell, I love the place. The funny thing with that weekend was that my old 91 miata was driven the most. I think I went through 3+ tanks of gas a day and ate up half a set of tires in one weekend. Everyone wanted to drive it and it never sat still. And thats with lots of bikes a few turbo Jettas a 65 Shelby Cobra kit and a few other awesome cars there as well.
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10-16-2009, 01:46 PM
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So, the weather has been complete crap the last week. I'm hoping it'll get better next week. I've been watching this webcam to keep an eye on the leaves: Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Webcams (U.S. National Park Service)
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