| Author | Message | ||
     M2cyclone00 |
Lib, yeah plenty of room. No reservations needed. It's easy to find right on 129. I thought for a bit when no one jumped on my offer to share, that there weren't going to be any other beer drinkers at Deals Gap. Look for me up there, I'll be wearing black Vanson leathers as in my profile. Looks like I'll be riding solo from Orlando as well. May have a friend on his Heritage with me, but I don't think he wants to get up early enough to make it up there by mid afternoon on Friday! Dave | ||
| M2cyclone00 |
XB9, thanks! That's important info. I'm not picky as far as beer. I'm more picky with motorcycles & women. Dave | ||
| Libnosis |
Dave Sounds good. I'll be on my nuke S1. lib | ||
| Blake |
JQ, S3 or SV? ![:]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) | ||
| Fasteddieb |
I'm pretty much geared up for my ride tomorrow on my GS to my N GA house. May have some torrential rain, but nothing unusual for Florida. Photo from a prior trip.  I should arrive at the house late Wed. Thursday going to catch up on some house projects and get the 'bolt all shiny and install the new seat and figure out how to mount the GPS. Friday I plan to get to Deal's Gap around 5PM to allow plenty of time to "socialize" before dinner (I'll have my veggie-burgers!). Will decide then on which Saturday group to hook up with. Anyway, the number at the N GA house is 706-492-3118. My cellphone is 954-383-6040. If anyone is headed to the Gap from Atlanta on Friday via 515, give me a ring and maybe we can hook up around 3PM (The house is just north of Blue Ridge, GA) | ||
| Racerboy |
Ed...That's a great looking PDGS...I really wanted one but John wouldn't let me buy it...I can't quite tell in the photo but I take it that's not the stock windshield... All...I heard today from Bob Mackie, the Aussie who is joining us, via email...He flys tomorrow...Nothing like a little international flavour to the stew...If he's like any of the other's I've had the pleasure of meeting from down under, it should be a fun time...We've a chap in our local HSTA chapter, Dave Gardner, who rides a KLR650 and ST11, that we affectionately call G'Dave and he's a hoot... Well, my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...I pick up the scoot tomorrow and just like in May, one of us, this time me, will be starting a long trip with a bike fresh from the shop and not having a chance to put on any confidence miles...Here's hoping all goes well... See Ya In The Mountains! Bob | ||
| José_Quiñones |
S3, I think....... | ||
| Edmanning |
Gettin to bed early, I'll be up by 6 and down at thw gap by early afternoon. I'll be at the DGMR room three. and yes We'll start toasting tommorrow night. Alright, Ed Manning | ||
| Brentx1 |
I am hoping to leave Chicago some time around 5:00 PM, have to work tomorrow. I am planning to drive 8 hours, then stopping to rest for a few hours. That way I should be there by 8:00 am Friday. I tried to call Ruth 3 times and she never returned my calls. Is there camping at Fontana Village? | ||
| Mbsween |
Brent, I spoke with someone at Fontana on Tuesday. Her info was that they have 6 campsites left at Fontana. The Deal's gap people indicated that they have plenty of tent camping. Camping at Deal's gap is 12.00/night, I didn't ask about Fontana. I should be there about the same time as you , see ya there matt | ||
| Dave |
See ya at the Gap Brent! Us SLABers meet over here in the flat lands at mile marker 24 @ 0800. I have a camp site reserved ... push comes to shove we'll figure somethin' out. No worries ....  DAve | ||
| M2cyclone00 |
Lib, looks like I'm not heading up there this weekend. I've got too many things going on here & have to cancel my plans at the last minute. At least beer is just down the road at the Tapoco Lodge. I'm going to make plans to head to Two Wheels Only whenever I can. I may have to wait til spring. I had to cancel last year also. I'm getting tired of this. Dave | ||
| Brentx1 |
Just called Fontana Village for a camping sight. The receptionist told me that there were only 3 tent sights and 1 electric hook up sight left. I made my reservation. See ya there. | ||
| Jmartz |
It is raining here at my house in Atlanta, my new gutters are doing their job. My trip to the Gap is awash... Cancelled my room at the Fontana Inn. Those of you who make it, may you all have a greatest times... José | ||
| Jmartz |
More rain... tomorrow might be shot also... I hate it when the weather wins... | ||
| Ccryder |
Well there's already been one rider down. Mark R. and Chris H. were heading from EVV today the Deals Gap. Just East of Cookeville, TN Chris low-sided and then had a glancing blow to his helmet off a telephone pole. Chris is already out of the hospital with a concussion (after x-rays and CT scan). His GF is heading down to pick up his yellow ST4. It's scratched and the bars bent but rideable. Apparently there was some change in the road surface and he lost traction. Just down the road there was a County road crew and they called the "Meat Wagon". Mark might continue on or just return, he's still undecided. They are in a motel in Cookeville. If anybody see's Brent Bateman,2000 Blue 1000 GSXR have him give me a call or just listen to his voice-mail messages. Later Neil S. | ||
| Ccryder |
Oh this might help to ID Brent:  Neil S. p.s. wish I was there. | ||
| Josh |
Hey I remember following that bike up and over a pass in the Rocky's in the rain and fog. Just follow the Yoshi's. | ||
| Jmartz |
The weather maps show a lot of precip in the western NC area. In fact, the whole east coast is being affected with substantial rainfall, the southern portions from a tropical strom in the Gulf. Feel sorry for those at the Gap, guess washouts are just part of out hobby. | ||
| Gravedigger |
back early, rain sent us packing. great riding on thurs and friday though! Will have pics soon. Update on the Gap. As of Saturday at 10 am we had 4 fellow buellers go down on at or near the gap. All were riding firebolts. One on 28 just north of fontana village had to be air lifted. didn't look good  brain dead right now, have to get some zzzz's. I'll report some more on the trip later! Keith | ||
| Wruffus |
There are a few pics at http://www.ruffus.com/dragon_9_14_02 . Mostly Darthane in his truck fixing his Firebolt and the usual bike snapshots. He went down ( slow and easy, thank God) in the same corner on 28 about an hour before the serious accident. | ||
| Gravedigger |
Gald to hear he was not injured!!! This is the same section of 28 that we had a couple of riders go down in 2001. I spoke to the friends of the gentleman that was air lifted out. They stated that he had broken his back. He highsided in the corner and hit a road sign. They stated to me that the Knoxville hospital were saying he was paralyzed from the waste down and would not know if it was permanant or not until after the swelling went down. I personally feel really bad for him and his friends. BrentX1 and I had just helped these guys unload one of thier bikes Friday morning about 15 to 30 minutes prior to this happening. Lets all hope that everything comes out all right from him. Keith | ||
| Tripper |
Paging Shazam. You out there? | ||
| Darthane |
Well, made it back mostly in one piece. All the guys who took off Saturday morning - you should have stuck around. It cleared up in the afternoon and was beautiful for a few hours right before the dinner, then Sunday morning dawned gorgeous as well. From our count, there were 9 or 10 Firebolts there, and of those 5 went down (6, if you count the broken sidestand - a replacement one, at that). Most of these were relatively minor injuries, but one guy broke his collarbone (he was OK, saw him walking around at the dinner Friday) and the other hit a sign in the same corner I went down and broke his back. Unfortunately I hadn't heard anything else regarding his condition when I left Sunday morning. I certainly hope he comes out all right. When we got to DGMR Sunday morning at about 9:45 there was a green Thunderbolt rider sprawled out on the pavement. He had lost it in the first turn of the Gap going up from DGMR. They'd called an ambulance for him - he said it wwas just scratches and bruises and he seemed in good cheer, so I hope he's alright. All told due to laying down and the weather I think I only put about 35 miles on my bike down there, and none of them in the Gap. Ahh, well there's always next year. I've got more to say, but I need to get my ass moving and get to work, so more later, including my post in the crashes and mishaps section (never wanted to have a reason to go there...LOL) and more pictures. Bryan | ||
| Libnosis |
First of all, I'm ok. I went down Friday afternoon on Hwy28 north of Franklin, NC. Never made it to DG. I had gloves, my Joe Rocket (with all the body armor) and a full face. The JR suit is shredded in places. The helmet took a helluva blow to the left temple. The road was like a damn cheese grater, very coarse. I am very fortunate that I didn't get hurt any worse than I did. I had xrays done on my shoulder and collar bone which came back negative. No broken bones thank goodness! I must have torn some shit loose in my shoulder but I'm sure it will mend. I did manage to get some road rash through the suit on my knee, elbows, shoulder and wrists. I guess I went into a left curve too hot. The front tire went right and I went left slamming into the road. The bike and I both slid off the right shoulder of the rode. I think I landed on my left shoulder and my head. It sucked but it could have been much worse. A guy name Jeff happened by about 5 minutes after I went down. I was riding alone. He stopped to lend a hand. Three riders came by on Ducs and Trumpets a few mintues later but didn't stop. Basturds! A husband and wife came by a few minutes after that riding Hondas and helped Jeff get the bike loaded on his truck. I was useless. My shoulder was toast. I'm taking lortab for pain right now but I should fully recover. The bike is in need of some tlc. She slid on her left side for about 30 or 40 feet. It looks like the head light, turn signal, gear shifter, clutch lever, handle bars, and derby cover are the main casualties. Some paint missing on the frame and tank. All in all it looks like the damage is all cosmetic. I'll do a thorough damage report once I mend. I hope everyone had a good time and made it home safe. A big THANK YOU to Jeff from Atlanta and the couple on Hondas that stopped and helped. I'm sorry I don't remember your names. There still are good people in this world. lib | ||
| Court |
Lib: Glad to hear you are ok. I bear glad tidings....the Buell factory has plenty of parts...er, FOR BIKES~! Everytime I hear of this sort of thing, two themes are evident. The value of good safety gear and the value of good people. Get healed and get those parts ordered. Court | ||
| Spiderman |
Glad your ok it wasn't your S1 was it??? | ||
| Libnosis |
Thanks Court. You're right on both counts. Spidey Yeah, the burple one. | ||
| Reepicheep |
If I am putting the stories together right from the above posts, it sounds like the rider with the serious injuries from Deals Gap was a Firebolt rider with the Brag event. Anybody know if he was anyone here? Anyone have any more news? Sounds like a rough weekend for a lot of people. I was down there this summer with two other guys, and can understand how easy it would be to wreck there, especially on the tail of the dragon with so many diminishing radius curves with gravel hazards, not to mention the rolling testostorone deposits that are all over the place.. | ||
| Gravedigger |
Reepicheep, Yes the gentleman that was airlifted friday morning was on a firbolt. It was on 28 in the 2nd or 3rd turn south of Fontana campgrounds. They were down for the Brag event. The entire contigent from KC and STL came upon the accident right after the police and paramedics were on the scene and stuck around until the gentleman was airlifted. His two buddies were at DGMR Friday evening after visiting him in the Knoxville hospital and stated what I had previously posted. I don't know if any of them were from Badweb. We left Saturday about 11 east coast time and hadn't heard anything new at that point. Darthane, Seeing a situation like that on Friday morning made our decision to leave Sat morning due to rain much easier to make. especailly after having two very GREAT days of riding on Thurs and Fri. We fealt there was no sense for us to get out on those rodes, two up, in the rain and ruin what was a great second trip for us. Plus, We plan on returning again next year or the year after for future Brag events. I still have a few rodes down there that I want to ride. This year we took in a rode that I bet very few if any Brag members (except Racerboy) have ridden. Parsons Branch Road! Keith |
