TNGO Fall Foilage Cherohala Ride?

[Guest TankerHC]

Anyone interested in a ride through Cherohala to view the fall foilage? Its right in the middle of the colors changing season, my wife and I go every year. This is the first time I may go on a bike.

 

Ride all the way through to Carolina and back, same day. Early morning to late afternoon.

 

Any interest?

Edited October 21, 2013 by TankerHC

[R_Bert]

That is a beautiful ride.

 

Easy to meet up at the Tellico market for group rides.

 

Wish I was able to participate.......

[buck1032]

Depends and the when you go. So I may be up for a ride.

[Guest TankerHC]

Depends and the when you go. So I may be up for a ride.

 

Im sure we could come up with an agreeable date for anyone who wants to go as a group ride.

[peejman]

We were up at Indian Boundary Sunday.  There's some color but certainly not peak yet.  The weather forecast has it pretty cold through the weekend which should help bring the color out.  It'll be plenty chilly at 5000 ft.  I'd be up for it but I my son has a b'day party saturday.

 

 

And if, by chance, you're poking along at 30 mph in a 45 mph zone passing pull-off after pull-off and the guy in the mini-van behind you starts getting annoyed....   finally taking a pull-off without using your turn signal, rev'ing your motor, nearly hitting a parked bike, and giving him dirty looks when he goes by really doesn't make you look cool, regardless of how much black leather you're wearing.  It just makes his wife laugh at you.  Just sayin'....

[10-Ring]

I'm in, out on a trip to the Ozarks now but should be back before this happens.  In Gainsboro, TN today where I hooked up with a riding buddy last night,  We will be riding to Reelfoot lake today.

[tnguy]

A bit far for me. Though the Cherohala is always a great ride. May hit the Natchez Trace for a cruise this weekend though.

Edited October 22, 2013 by tnguy

[tartanphantom]

I stay as far away from cholera as possible-- :hiding:

[Guest TankerHC]

OK since its only been up about 18 hours and there is some interest. Ill thow this out there, everything is tentative. This will be updated as we get a general consensus.

 

Possible Dates: November 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th. (Please add at least 1 or 2 dates that are convenient for you)

 

Meetup: Someone who has done it on a bike decide in Tellico Plains. 9:30 AM (?).

 

Ride through and stop in Robinsville, NC. Eat at (Pick a Restaurant).

 

After eats, either ride back or make your own way wherever on your own.

 

Current long range weather forecast: 2nd - High 66, Low 40, 0% chance of rain. 3rd - High 66, Low 39, 0% chance of rain. 9th - High 64, low 39, 0% chance of rain, 10th - High 63, low 37, 0% chance of rain.

 

So far:

 

bucks1032 (Tentative)

10-ring

TankerHC

peejman (Tentative?)

Edited October 23, 2013 by TankerHC

[tnguy]

You're going all the way to Robinsville and you're not going to ride The Dragon? :)

[Guest TankerHC]

You're going all the way to Robinsville and you're not going to ride The Dragon? :)

 

I want to drive it first. Darn near every video I see on youtube of the ride, ends in a bike accident.

[tnguy]

I'm more of a fan of the Cherohala myself. The Dragon is nice & technical but a bit relentless and is only 30mph in any case.

[peejman]

Meetup: Someone who has done it on a bike decide in Tellico Plains. 7AM.

 

Ride through and stop in Robinsville, NC. Eat at (Pick a Restaurant).

 

After eats, either ride back or make your own way wherever on your own.

 

 

7am?  It's only 50 miles from one end to the other.  You could ride to Robbinsville and get back to Tellico while they're still serving breakfast.  And it'll be really cold up high. 

 

 

 

I want to drive it first. Darn near every video I see on youtube of the ride, ends in a bike accident.

 

 

Meh.  It's a road.... there's left turns and right turns, some uphill and some downhill.... ride a comfortable pace, keep it between the lines and you'll be fine.  It might take you 30 minutes to get from one end to other, but that's better than a helicopter ride. 

 

Relentless is a good description.  The more difficult turns are typically marked with a big dot painted in the road and/or "SLO".    The skid marks that lead off in unfortunate directions are also a hint. 

[frankmako]

I want to drive it first. Darn near every video I see on youtube of the ride, ends in a bike accident.

 

the dragon is not hard to ride.  just take your time.  they say the cherohala is harder.   i like to go up and ride the loop that starts in tellico, then moves over the cherohala, and take the dragon back to tellico.  sometime i like to ride the old hellbender 28 too when i am in robinsville.  if work does not get in my way i might try to make it. 

[Wyldk2]

I sometimes wish I had a motorcycle. If only i could make my can-am 650 street legal.

[10-Ring]

I don't think that the Cherohala is harder, the Cherohala has surprise decreasing radius turns that sneak up on people and kill them.  Pay attention to what you are doing and leave some in reserve and you will be fine.  At 7 am the high elevations of the Cherohala will likely be in the 20-30's.  I reccomend The Hub in Robbinsville for food and coffee.  Of the dates mentioned I can only do the 3rd.  I'm just about 30 miles from the Cherohala on the Tellico side.

Edited October 23, 2013 by 10-Ring

[Guest TankerHC]

I don't think that the Cherohala is harder, the Cherohala has surprise decreasing radius turns that sneak up on people and kill them.  Pay attention to what you are doing and leave some in reserve and you will be fine.  At 7 am the high elevations of the Cherohala will likely be in the 20-30's.  I reccomend The Hub in Robbinsville for food and coffee.  Of the dates mentioned I can only do the 3rd.  I'm just about 30 miles from the Cherohala on the Tellico side.

 

As mentioned its all tentative. Just decided to throw something up to give others some ideas. If 9 AM or even 10 AM is better, thats good too. 3rd is an option, definitely.

Edited October 23, 2013 by TankerHC

[tnguy]

There's also a reason it's called the skyway. You may be riding through clouds. Especially that early in the AM.

[Guest TankerHC]

There's also a reason it's called the skyway. You may be riding through clouds. Especially that early in the AM.

 

Time changed. I just did Skyline drive last week, in the clouds, twice. Forgot about that. More input on times?

[peejman]

Here's a weather forecast that will give you an idea of the temps at various elevations in the mtns...  http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/MRX/RTPMRX

[buck1032]

Just got notification from the wife that the 2nd is a not go for me. So far the other days are good to go.

[Guest TankerHC]

Just got notification from the wife that the 2nd is a not go for me. So far the other days are good to go.

 

If the third is good that makes three, you, me and 10-ring. Anyone else?

[10-Ring]

Honestly, the earlier the better for me, I have the gear for it and the wife will be happier the earlier I get home.  But, I do things quite often that leave others scrating their heads.

[Guest TankerHC]

Honestly, the earlier the better for me, I have the gear for it and the wife will be happier the earlier I get home.  But, I do things quite often that leave others scrating their heads.

 

Cold doesnt bother me at all. It may my wife if we are on a bike at 20 degrees. She will be riding along with me. Any time is good for me if you all want to work out the time.

[peejman]

I'm interested but can't commit one way or another at this point.  While I have gear for it, if it's gonna be real cold and/or wet, I'm not going.  Current forecast shows it warming back up but with a chance for rain.