RLG
08-12-2007, 10:24 PM
Attached is a map that encompasses a great 1 day ride – about 9 hrs. & 308 mapped miles (340 after missing a few intersections).
First – I live in Indiana so we trailered to Sweetwater, TN from Indy. It was 100 to 105 degrees F as we motored south on I-75. A blown tire on the truck @ 80 MPH then a tow to a dealership to fix an overheating problem put us into Sweetwater about 8:30 PM.
The next morning @ 8:30 we took off to Tellico Plains and then had to decide whether to ride south to Suches, GA and stop at the TWO campgrounds - http://www.twowheelsonly.com - or head straight to the Cherohala Skyway - http://www.cherohala.com . We figured to wait until the afternoon to head to the higher elevation so off we went to Suches. SR 68 & SR 60 are great roads with no surprises, clean pavement and little traffic on a Thursday morning. Stopping at TWO, we were the only bikes in the lot so we continued south to Dahlonega so we could hit SR 52 west - a good twisty road but with more traffic than 68 or 60. We then took 515/76 north to run back into 60 and head back north. Arriving back at Tellico Plains we headed on the Cherohala east and got to the NC state line, turned and headed back west. Back at Tellico Plains we took SR 360 NE to SR411 then back west to 68 then Sweetwater.
Since my riding friend needed to be back home by noon on Saturday, we loaded up about 5:30 PM and headed north finally stopping for the night around Cincinnati.
It was HOT – the thermometer on the 800ST was reading between 92 and 98 most of the afternoon. It got down to 86 when we were on the Cherohala @ 4000 ft. elevation.
I know I’ll disappoint a few on the group but the bike ran flawlessly, only hit the rev limiter 1 time in 2nd coming put of a turn. My friend was on an older VFR and needless to say, he never had to wait:)
I have been riding in this area for more than 10 years and after the novelty of Deals Gap wears off, there are a multitude of excellent roads all over that area. If anyone is thinking of planning a trip to the area, send me an e-mail and I can add more details.
Attached Image:
http://F800Riders.org/forum_old/UPLOADED/RLG/2007812172213_untitled.JPG
50.18KB
First – I live in Indiana so we trailered to Sweetwater, TN from Indy. It was 100 to 105 degrees F as we motored south on I-75. A blown tire on the truck @ 80 MPH then a tow to a dealership to fix an overheating problem put us into Sweetwater about 8:30 PM.
The next morning @ 8:30 we took off to Tellico Plains and then had to decide whether to ride south to Suches, GA and stop at the TWO campgrounds - http://www.twowheelsonly.com - or head straight to the Cherohala Skyway - http://www.cherohala.com . We figured to wait until the afternoon to head to the higher elevation so off we went to Suches. SR 68 & SR 60 are great roads with no surprises, clean pavement and little traffic on a Thursday morning. Stopping at TWO, we were the only bikes in the lot so we continued south to Dahlonega so we could hit SR 52 west - a good twisty road but with more traffic than 68 or 60. We then took 515/76 north to run back into 60 and head back north. Arriving back at Tellico Plains we headed on the Cherohala east and got to the NC state line, turned and headed back west. Back at Tellico Plains we took SR 360 NE to SR411 then back west to 68 then Sweetwater.
Since my riding friend needed to be back home by noon on Saturday, we loaded up about 5:30 PM and headed north finally stopping for the night around Cincinnati.
It was HOT – the thermometer on the 800ST was reading between 92 and 98 most of the afternoon. It got down to 86 when we were on the Cherohala @ 4000 ft. elevation.
I know I’ll disappoint a few on the group but the bike ran flawlessly, only hit the rev limiter 1 time in 2nd coming put of a turn. My friend was on an older VFR and needless to say, he never had to wait:)
I have been riding in this area for more than 10 years and after the novelty of Deals Gap wears off, there are a multitude of excellent roads all over that area. If anyone is thinking of planning a trip to the area, send me an e-mail and I can add more details.
Attached Image:
http://F800Riders.org/forum_old/UPLOADED/RLG/2007812172213_untitled.JPG
50.18KB