You See The Darnest People At The Gap!

The seed was planted several weeks ago when Jeff wanted to do a four-day group ride to the Smokey Mountains. Once the dates were set, I instantly knew I wouldn't be able to make it due to prior obligations. Talk about a bummer! And Jeff's constant harassement about how I was going to miss "my kind of ride" only made my desire to travel to the Smokey's grow.

Out of the four scheduled days, I could only ride on Saturday. That's when Ron stepped into the picture. Ron, now armed with a CBR XX, suggested we tackle at least the Cherohala Skyway. If we awoke early enough, there was a chance that we might run into the Huntsville Group in Tellico Plains. Hey, something is better then nothing, right?

With a plan to ride at least the Cherohala Skyway, we left Huntsville around 6:15am. With heavy haze and the occassional fog bank, we made quick time along Hwy 72. Ron introduced me to two notable roads en-route to the Skyway -- Hwy 156 (before getting to I-24 in AL) and Hwy 30 (off Hwy 64 in TN). Both were a blast and much better then what I had mapped! After enjoying those two roads, we rolled into Tellico Plains, TN at roughly 10:20am EDT.

Now in Tellico Plains, we rolled into this newer-looking gas station for gas and drinks. It was also a good time to check the phone. Phone reception was probably not going to be attainable once we left Tellico Plains. So, check now while the opportunity existed and then be done with it for the day.

One new voicemail. I assumed it was Jeff to see where we were. Instead, it is my friend Karl. Karl and I met on the YZF600R.com website five years ago and discovered we had identical YZFs that were built only 2 months apart. About a year ago, he moved from McMinnville, TN to Oak Ridge, TN which puts a damper on visits. Early last week, we had text messaged each other and I had mentioned this Cherohala trip. Back to the point, he goes into great detail in this voice message about he and other YZF600R.com riders are meeting 10:30am at this new gas station in Tellico Plains called the "Cherohala Market". I look up, and low and behold, Ron and I are AT the Cherohala Market! I look down at my watch and it is now 10:30am EDT. "WOW", I thought to myself.

YZF600R.com group at Tellico Plains, TN.

Ron and I decide to camp for a few more minutes to see whom will arrive for the YZF ride. I hear some more bikes pull into the gas station and I don't believe my eyes. Here's Jeff, Sherry, Ernie, and Bill. It's like lightning striked the same place twice! I mean, honestly, how can three totally different groups of people, all who would like to see each other, all meet at the same place at the same time without any previous communication. Pure luck is the only way I can explain it.

When everyone arrived, there was a total of roughly twelve bikes -- way too big a crowd for the area (IMO). Knowing that I will be returning to the Smokey's in three weeks to ride with the YZF guys, I separated with them and rode with the Huntsville group. With five bikes on tap, we departed Tellico Plains and ran the Cherohala Skyway heading East. We then cut across Hwy 143 and onto Hwy 129. The pace was just right -- slow enough were the tail bike could catch-up if we got stuck behind a car, yet fast enough to keep it interesting. We had little problem navigating the light traffic and the two LEOs we saw on the Skyway.

Huntsville Group at Deal's Gap.

That is when the "light traffic" ended. We all pulled into the Gap Resort to find complete mayhem! I had totally forgotten this weekend was the Honda Hoot in Knoxville. Still, I couldn't believe all the bikes I saw at the Gap Resort. Hooligan bikes, sport bikes, dual-sports with street tires, cruisers, trikes. You name it, it was there. Of notables were a FJR1300 with a side car, a CBR XX with a side car, and a trike that was powered by a Chevy 350 c.i. engine and a Ford 9" rear-end. It also had a rumble seat! Wild!

After getting some grub in my belly, I was ready to ride the Gap. Ron decided he would go with me. As I'm gearing up, I run into Daryl Moody! I met Daryl the last time I was at the Gap via Charlie. Daryl is a very wise and fast rider who knows the gap better then anyone. He rides through the gap one handed while I'm back there struggling to keep up! It was a real treat to see Daryl there!

Daryl Moody at Gap Overlook.

Daryl led myself and Ron through the Gap at a "socially responsible" pace. I was thankful because I really wasn't sure what all I would see as crowded as it was. One expected site was a minor wreck about 1/2 the way up. Ugh! This triggered three cop cars, an ambulance, and a fire truck. As the cop cars went by, all the locals cried. They knew the only reason three cop cars were coming was to run enforcement. Ron and I had ZERO interest in dealing with LEOs. And, thus, we gave our farewells to the Huntsville crowd and Daryl and then pointed our sport-tourers West to get out of there!

The rest of the day went pretty smooth. Ron and I ran down Hwy 360 back into Tellico Plains and followed our arriving route back to the house. We were home by 5:30pm CDT which was about 30min sooner of what I had originally told Melissa. This was good for me as it helped lower the WAF (wife annoyance factor). Ron and I both got home safe and sound without incident. Heck, even the bike wasn't that dirty!

I guess the biggest suprise today was all the people I ran into along the way. Never did I expect to ride four hours to see soo many people I knew. Weather was alittle hotter then I expected but otherwise A+. Nothing broke and no wrecks. All in all, today truly was a great ride!

Statistics from today's ride
Mileage:	506mi
Max Speed:	139mph
Average Speed:	58.2mph
Depart Time:	06:15
Home Arrival Time:	17:45
Away From Home Time:	11:30
In Motion Time:	8:41
FJR Average Fuel Economy:	44.6mpg