Friday group ride directions/details...

[skuuter]

OK, here are the Turn-by-Turn Route Directions and Details for the Group Ride on Friday, June 22nd.....

*** Have Your Trike's Gas Tank Full ( filling it the night before works best), already ate Breakfast, and ready to meet in the Motel Parking Lot by around 8:00-8:15 AM. We will have a Meeting at 8:30 AM, and Leave by 9:00 AM. This will be an "All Day Ride", so bring something to drink and snacks for stops. We will have an Afternoon Lunch. This Ride takes in some of the most Popular Roads and Scenery in the Smokies Area, such as Wayah Road, Nantahala Gorge, Hwy 28, Gap Store, The Dragon, Foothills Parkway, Little River Road, Hwy 441 through the Smokies Park, Blue Ridge Parkway. I lead Rides at a Relaxed Pace that Everyone can enjoy, and slow/stop at times for Everyone to re-group when necessary. I will make Bathroom/Rest Stops when handy, and as often as "possible". Keep in mind You will be on twisty, mostly mountain roads, so never miss a Bathroom opportunity because they're not available on every corner. Anything I list as a "Mandatory Gas Stop", again, use it, because there may not be another one handy. Now, on to Your Directions.....

*** Turn Left out of Motel Parking Lot onto Hwy 19

*** Turn Right onto Blue Ridge Parkway Ramp

*** Turn Left onto Blue Ridge Parkway

*** At Stop Sign, Turn Left onto Hwy 441 into Cherokee, NC

*** Turn Right at Traffic Light onto Hwy 19 in Cherokee toward Bryson City, NC

*** Turn Right at Traffic Light following Hwy 19

*** Turn Left immediately using the Turn Lane following Hwy 19

*** Turn Left at Hwy 19/74 Junction

*** Turn Right immediately onto Hwy 19/74 Ramp

*** Turn Left onto Hwy 28 to Franklin, NC

*** Turn Right at Traffic Light in Franklin onto Riverview Street

*** Turn Right at Traffic Light onto Hwy 441

*** Turn Left immediately using Turn Lane onto Hwy 441

*** Turn Right at Traffic Light onto East Palmer Street

*** Turn Right onto Wayah Road

*** Turn Right at Stop Sign onto Hwy 19

*** Turn Left onto Hwy 28

*** Turn Right into Parking Lot at the Stecoah Diner for Lunch

*** Turn Right out of Parking Lot onto Hwy 28

*** Turn Left at Stop Sign, continuing on Hwy 28

*** Turn Right into Parking Lot of the Deals Gap Store...we will stop here for 40 minutes to give Everyone time to Souvenir shop, and take Pics. We need Everyone lining back up to leave in this time frame. If You see my Trike pulled back down to the road, You know it's "close"....ThumbUp

*** Turn Right onto Hwy 129...You will be on "The Dragon"

*** Turn Right onto the Foothills Parkway

*** Turn Right off the Foothills Parkway and go to Stop Sign

*** Turn Right onto Hwy 321 into Townsend, Tennessee

*** Turn Left into BP/IGA Grocery in Townsend for a Mandatory Gas Stop

*** Turn Left onto Hwy 321 to Traffic Light

*** Straight through Traffic Light on Hwy 73

*** Turn Left at Stop Sign onto Little River Road

*** Turn Right at Stop Sign in front of Smokies Visitor Center onto Hwy 441 through Smokies Park

*** Turn Left onto Blue Ridge Parkway

*** Turn Right onto Hwy 19/Maggie Valley Ramp

*** Turn Left at Stop Sign onto Hwy 19

*** Turn Right into Motel Parking Lot...find a Shower, Beer, Soft Drinks, Food, and anything else required to refurbish You after all day on some of the Best Roads You've ever ridden...ThumbUp...Rest/Scenery Stops will be dictated by times, and where we are....You will have a Great Time at a Relaxed Pace, so don't worry about anything, just join in...I have my Usual Great Group of Highly Qualified/Experienced Trikers/Riders that I have ridden with in the past helping make the Ride a success...Hope to see You there...skuuter.....ThumbUp

 

[iron cg]

Wow , that's some ride ! Can't wait to get down to Maggie Valley . So well planned too.

 

[tommy loso]

Well done ,Skuuter...Everyone will love this route..We've traveled it many times and it just never gets old...Looking forward to it.....

 

[skuuter]

THANKS Folks.....Mitzie and I are definetly lookin' forward to it....ThumbUp:Excited:

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Sorry I'll miss your ride Skut.... C and I won't be coming in until late in the day Friday.

Hope all goes well... see you guys soon.

 

[Ozarkryder]

Quite a ride - really looking forward to it! Will 40 minutes be enough time to get everyone up on and then off the platform at the Deals Gap Dragon sign for pictures?
A little suggestion - if there is a bunch of folks that want pics on the ramp under the Dragon sign they line up, give your camera to the next in line to take the pic so you & your co-rider can be pictured on the trike. Get your ride off, then help the next in line get ready so the folks after them can take the picture. Hope that makes some kind of sense to get the most pictures in the time allotted.

 

[chuck43]

Sounds like a great ride and we're looking forward to watching the whole thing unfold. Thanks for all your hard work and we'll see you Thursday.

 

[kwputt]

Looks like a fun filled day Skuuter, any idea what the mileage is?

 

[Blondie Gal]

Mileage may be zero for us - ridin' TO the Rally seems to be sufficient for Scalp Hunter, unless y'all 'encourage' him to get on the trike again!!

 

[Gorilla]

Tailgunner copy

 

[rwhgme]

Outfreakinstanding!

 

[rwhgme]

What CB channel will be used?

 

[Lucky]

Mileage may be zero for us - ridin' TO the Rally seems to be sufficient for Scalp Hunter, unless y'all 'encourage' him to get on the trike again!!

Sure would like for ya'll to ride with us.Not only great company ,but John sure takes good pics.RIDE SAFE

 

[mtn rider]

Now wait a minute. This ride is in my back yard, and I feel blessed to live in the best motorcycle riding in the country. Great choice for an all day ride.

 

[skuuter]

THANKS Folks.....ThumbUp

*** "BUMMER" Wizard...see Ya' as soon as we roll back in...ThumbUp

*** Tommy, I hear we're gonna' be Neighbors this year...GOOD STUFF...

***Ozarkryder...."Nope", 40 minutes isn't long enough at the Gap Store, but we'll have a Lota' Trikes, and a Lota' miles to cover. You can always "quick way" it over there for Pics and spend more time on another day....ThumbUp

*** kwputt....Yes I know the mileage...it is XXX miles....no use scaring Folks off with "details"...:laugh:...it can be done in a Day....enjoy the ride and scenery...ThumbUp

*** rwhgme...My Trike doesn't have a CB (..."Old School" here...)...some of the Other Trikers last year were talking to each other during the Ride, so You can probably find some Folks to communicate with while Ya' follow the Yellow Gold Wing Trike...ThumbUp

*** Lucky, as You know, You've been "drafted"...

*** Gorilla...You been "drafted" too...

*** chuck43, it'll be Great to see Ya'll again.....ThumbUp

*** Blondie Gal, You and John need to ride.....

*** mtn rider, I'll be yellin' at You a few days early when we arrive in Townsend.....ThumbUp

Gonna' be FUN Folks....Really Lookin' forward to it.....:Trike1:

 

[tommy loso]

Yep,we're going to be neighbors..Believe it or not ,I still have last years beer..Are you interested???? Me neither

We're thinking about coming a day or two early..When will you and Mitzi be leaving Townsend..?????for MV

 

[OlBandit]

Ready and standing by for this ride, rwhgme, my CB works just fine and any channel will do!

kwputt, with those directions you can use google map and figure it out!!!

See Ya'll Soon!!!

Ride Safe and Enjoy!

 

[rwhgme]

Thank you for the answer on CB channel. I hope those that have a CB and have been in this area can narrate a little of the history of this ride! Makes the ride even that more interesting

 

[Lucky]

My memory went on a seperate trip from the rest of awhile back,but I think we used channel 1 last year.We can bring that up in the ride briefing so everyone will be on the same page.RIDE SAFE

 

[skuuter]

My memory went on a seperate trip from the rest of awhile back,but I think we used channel 1 last year.We can bring that up in the ride briefing so everyone will be on the same page.RIDE SAFE

Ya'll can call me names and stuff, and I'll never know it......

 

[Blondie Gal]

Yep,we're going to be neighbors..Believe it or not ,I still have last years beer..Are you interested???? Me neither

We're thinking about coming a day or two early..When will you and Mitzi be leaving Townsend..?????for MV

We'll be at the Best Western on Wednesday afternoon - - come lookin' for us!

 

[skuuter]

OK...I've had PMs about Trikes and 2-Wheelers with Small Gas Tanks.....not an issue. Anyone "With", or "Think You Have" a Small Gasoline Capacity Tank, just see me the week of the RALLY or before the Ride Meeting. There are places along the way that we can take a Break at and You can get fuel if I know it's needed. DO NOT Let This Keep You From Riding That Day because I will see to it that it's a "Non-Issue"....as of right now, I have two definites and three "maybes".....now, just plan to Ride when You get to the TRIKE TALK RALLY IN THE VALLEY V.....ThumbUp :10:

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Skuut.... what happened to that mobile fill'em up station you said you were going to tow this year? You know... the self pumper?

Not to worry anyone... there are several stops along the way for stretching out the old bones. I think last year I got down to under a gallon... just whispered to Skuuter and the next thing I know we are fill'n up.

Trust me when I say this... He knows where everything is up there.

 

[skuuter]

Skuut.... what happened to that mobile fill'em up station you said you were going to tow this year? You know... the self pumper?

Not to worry anyone... there are several stops along the way for stretching out the old bones. I think last year I got down to under a gallon... just whispered to Skuuter and the next thing I know we are fill'n up.

Trust me when I say this... He knows where everything is up there.

Haven't quite gotten it perfected yet.....soon though...very, very soon....:laugh:

 

[Maryland Triker]

This Maryland Triker can hardly wait for this ride!!!

 

[skuuter]

Hope we don't get lost in the mountains...."JUST KIDDING"..... ThumbUp

 

[rwhgme]

This might be a dumb question...will you have printed directions, or people who have done this ride before, throughout the procession in case we get separated? I can't print from my iPad!

 

[Mr.Wizard]

This might be a dumb question...will you have printed directions, or people who have done this ride before, throughout the procession in case we get separated? I can't print from my iPad!

Yup... the ipad needs an app for that.

There will be several in the group that knows the route. The leader and the sweep rider will be in charge of making sure everyone stays on the righteous path. There really isn't any need to print the directions unless you just want to write them down.

Last year we had a bathroom straggler but Gorilla was, and will be again this year I think, the sweep rider. The bathroom straggler was my rear headlight. You are always responsible for the rear headlight behind you so I stayed too... It didn't take us but a few minutes to catch up to the group and we actually had a blast doing it....

Gorilla has the directions and won't let anyone get lost and he will not let you be alone either... he never leaves his Wingman, right TopGun?

That rear headlight should always be insight... if it is not, slow down until you can see it, the person in front of you will do the same and so on until the leader pulls over. Never turn around to find a lost headlight, that is the leaders responsibility. He will find them and bring them back to the fold or call another rider in the group and advise of what is going on... broken bike, no gas...


Oops... sorry about the soap box.. :wave4:

 

[skuuter]

GREAT "Soap Box" like ALWAYS Wizard..... ThumbUp.....Yep, like He said, It'll go great and Lotsa' experienced Trikers are involved all day....I check the Ride up all day at various straight, semi-straight road areas also so Everyone gets/stays "re-grouped".ThumbUp

 

[rwhgme]

That was wonderful! Also, not to hijack the thread, but when we get to MV, if someone has info about the iPad printer ap and printer info, I would love to hear about it!