Deal's Gap Eclipse Trip
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- Lucien Harpress
- Honored Life Member
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- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
- Location: Michigan
Deal's Gap Eclipse Trip
So, I'm thinking again. Normally this is a bad thing, but this time? Well, I suppose we'll see.
Now, most probably know about the solar eclipse on the 21st. I'm up in SE Michigan, so I figure we're still getting a decent show that day. But I'm a sucker for all things science and once-in-a-lifetime, and if I'm going to do this, why half-*** it? The path of totality is only 8 hours South of me, and I need a vacation. But where to go?
Initially the idea was to check out Nashville, because why not? But the more I got to thinking, the more I had to ask myself, "Where IS Deal's Gap, exactly?" The answer? RIGHT in the path of the eclipse.
So guess what I'm most likely going that weekend?
The tentative plan is to find a place close-ish to camp for a couple days and do a Sunday to Tuesday trip. I'll probably trailer the '76 down, because none of my bikes have a windshield and 8 hours on a stock seat is nothing I want to experience. Apart from that I still need to iron out ALL the details and get some good local info, but I'm looking forward to it.
Definitely stay tuned!
Now, most probably know about the solar eclipse on the 21st. I'm up in SE Michigan, so I figure we're still getting a decent show that day. But I'm a sucker for all things science and once-in-a-lifetime, and if I'm going to do this, why half-*** it? The path of totality is only 8 hours South of me, and I need a vacation. But where to go?
Initially the idea was to check out Nashville, because why not? But the more I got to thinking, the more I had to ask myself, "Where IS Deal's Gap, exactly?" The answer? RIGHT in the path of the eclipse.
So guess what I'm most likely going that weekend?
The tentative plan is to find a place close-ish to camp for a couple days and do a Sunday to Tuesday trip. I'll probably trailer the '76 down, because none of my bikes have a windshield and 8 hours on a stock seat is nothing I want to experience. Apart from that I still need to iron out ALL the details and get some good local info, but I'm looking forward to it.
Definitely stay tuned!
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
- 5speed
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Re: Deal's Gap Eclipse Trip
sounds like a great trip in the making
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)
2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)
2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
- Whiskerfish
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Re: Deal's Gap Eclipse Trip
That one year we stayed at Fontana Village and there was a camp ground just down the road as I recall. Several members stayed there.
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
- CYBORG
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Re: Deal's Gap Eclipse Trip
there is a camp ground between the gap, and Fontana, But the rooms at the gap are pretty resonable
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- Oldewing
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Re: Deal's Gap Eclipse Trip
Fontana was and is on the High end of my hotel scale for price, but a real nice place. I would use it again. There is a motorcycle first hotel , Tellico Plains Cabins that we stayed at too, they have motorcycle only garages for guests.
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06 GL1800 Road bike, as in Rode alot...
Sometimes I wrestle with my inner demons.........
Other times we just hug.......
Team 898
Team LTD 993
Team 76 R2B3
And always remember: beer has some food value--but food has NO beer value...
- salukispeed
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Re: Deal's Gap Eclipse Trip
Saturday We are headed in a slightly different direction and have friends near Boonville Mo. it is close enough to the center of totallity that we will head to a park with solar glasses and camera and wait till the show. Deals gap sounds like an awesome place to be for it. Never though of that!
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74 CB750 K4 nice driver
1966 CA77/305 Dream nostalgic driver
84 GL1200I work in progress
1970 CT 70
1982 GL500 Interstate
- Whiskerfish
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Re: Deal's Gap Eclipse Trip
Don't forget tonight is the big meteor shower for those of you that are not covered up by clouds
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
- Lucien Harpress
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Re: Deal's Gap Eclipse Trip
Those cabins look fantastic, but I'm running into the same issues I always do with these trips I plan, in that I'm an idiot and can't plan anything more than a week and a half out. Most places are sold out.
I'm leaning toward snagging a hotel near Gatlinburg for those two days, mostly because I can get a reservation. As much as I would like to camp, most campgrounds are no reservation- I don't want to get down there and have no place to stay. Normally a Sunday/Monday wouldn't be that bad, but with the eclipse I'd imagine things may be a bit more crowded. Still, I found some decent deals last night, and I'll probably book something tonight.
I'm leaning toward snagging a hotel near Gatlinburg for those two days, mostly because I can get a reservation. As much as I would like to camp, most campgrounds are no reservation- I don't want to get down there and have no place to stay. Normally a Sunday/Monday wouldn't be that bad, but with the eclipse I'd imagine things may be a bit more crowded. Still, I found some decent deals last night, and I'll probably book something tonight.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
- Lucien Harpress
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 4077
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
- Location: Michigan
Re: Deal's Gap Eclipse Trip
Managed to snag a Ramada at the south end of Pigeon Forge for a couple nights. It ended up like something around $80 a night, which for a week out is pretty good. Now, I'll be the first to admit that Pigeon Forge as become somewhat of an overbuilt tourist trap, but it's close enough to the Dragon I'm not complaining.
The only major thing left to handle is a U-Haul trailer rental, and I should be pretty set. I've got a Go-Pro I've never used before, which I may make use of. At the very least, I'll be sure to get more pics and reports when I'm actually down there.
The only major thing left to handle is a U-Haul trailer rental, and I should be pretty set. I've got a Go-Pro I've never used before, which I may make use of. At the very least, I'll be sure to get more pics and reports when I'm actually down there.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
- Whiskerfish
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Re: Deal's Gap Eclipse Trip
Enjoy!! I will be at home broke and nursing my dog's bum leg
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
- Lucien Harpress
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 4077
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
- Location: Michigan
Re: Deal's Gap Eclipse Trip
Thanks! Hope your puppy gets better! And the "broke" for me will probably show up right as I get home....
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
- Whiskerfish
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- Posts: 36852
- Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:34 pm
- My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/whiskerfish/
- Location: Norfolk Va
Re: Deal's Gap Eclipse Trip
Lucien Harpress wrote:SNIP the "broke" for me will probably show up right as I get home....
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
- irishcarbomb
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- Location: Humble, TX
Re: Deal's Gap Eclipse Trip
I'll be up there visiting family, and running the gap with my kit car over the weekend.
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Re: Deal's Gap Eclipse Trip
Lucien The Ramada inn in Pigeon forge will be a great location for your trip. I stayed @ the Ramada for the JVMC 40th rally earlier this year and its down at the end of the strip closet to the National park. My advise would be to take the route thru the park to get down to deals gap. It will be the most scenic route to take but you'll probably have to deal with some traffic in the park. The park can get crowded during the summer. And of course with the eclipse this year that will probably add to the crowd. So take the road thru the park and pick up the Foothills parkway heading south and at the end of the pkwy you will dead end at 129 "the dragon".
Sure sounds like a great get away. Sure would like to go too.
Sure sounds like a great get away. Sure would like to go too.
Dave D.
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84 1200 GW Std
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Re: Deal's Gap Eclipse Trip
I believe adecood talking about Fighting Creek Gap and Little River Gorge Roads. The entrance to the road from US-440 is right at the Smokey Mountain NP visitors center.My advise would be to take the route thru the park to get down to deals gap.
It is a great road on a motorcycle.
Dean Spalding
Raleigh, NC
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
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Raleigh, NC
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
'82 Yellow GL1100
'81 Blue GL1100
My Gallery
My 1100 Build Thread
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