Myself and another VFR, a super hawk and a 636 ninja rode to the gap and back last week. Met a friend on their GSXR and spent a few days riding down there. I copied this post from another forum so he gets credit for the post as well as the pictures/video. ninjadoc, on 13 May 2013 - 11:52 PM, said: Hopefully our trip down there serves as sort of booster and prologue for the rest of the ohio riders. If at all there was any chance i would have taken the vacation in june when weather was so much better. I could only take it this early may, with chance of freaking rain every where. And thx to all my friends who took theirs along with mine to give me company and sacrifice some good riding days. As i way mentioning the past week I used up my last vacation days for this trip. I know may is way too early to risk for a gap trip with chance of rain any time. But this was the last of the opportunity for me to do this as i dont have the privilege to get more off days later on. Our plan was to ride all the way down from NE Ohio to the gap and back. We were planning on hitting WV roads on the way down and then take Kentucky roads back up. Total of 6 days planned. Got the bike prepped up with fresh rubber and fluids. The weather prediction looked excellent ……….. until the night before we were about to leave. And as expected of any great dreamy plans, here comes the biggest cloud I ever saw on radar. Yes it rained for the entire 6 days with one day of break in between. In between the rain it would shine for a few which kept our spirits high. We rode as much as the damp conditions would allow us. We pushed the corners at safe speed even though the twisty nature was far more inviting and seductive to the throttle hand. By the fifth day our heart sank because of the rain. All 5 of us had took the rare and much needed vacation to relax and enjoy and ended up getting this. Frustration kicked in and we slabbed all the way back home for 11 hours, 5 hours of which was in rain. Imagine that. But, but one day we got. One warm sunny day we got at the deals gap. That day we went berserk like prisoners on parole. We rode our hearts out, burned our tires and spend every inch of energy, soul and spirit to enjoy the trip. Now our muscles are sore, nerves stretched and joints ache. But in the depth of sorrow from a rained and ruined vacation there still lies this glimmer of wicked smile and happiness thinking about the fun we had, the mischief me and bike did together. This will be my first gap trip and best gap trip in spite of all the negatives, just because of all the varied experiences we endured together. But also that one day of pure riding came is as a blessing for the 5 stranded riders in riding paradise. Well enough with the writing, As i mentioned most days we walked into the hotel or cabin soaking drenched and hanging up our gear to dry for the next day. Didnt get the oppurtunity to take the camera out for pics or shoooting video much. But I put together some pics i got to make up abreif story of what we went through. Bike getting prepped for the journey. On highway 16 WV, All geared up, waiting for the next wave of rain to hit us. by second day night arrived at the cabin Throw our gear around and hit the bed hoping for a better tomorrow Next day morning on way to breakfast finally at he famous footsteps Pretty sure he will be waiting for us even in this weather All damp roads [] Finally sun shine Beautiful roads Back at the gap ogling at other pretty ones. still very loyal to vfr The cousins Headed to Cherohala skyway. Short break in between She sure likes to play dirty. Look at the smiles, day seems to get better and better. He looks happy Words cant describe how beautiful this place really is Might as well get a group pic while the sun is still shining biggrin.gif Back in robinsville by sundown Much needed break for both the bikes and us. Good place to munch down sleeping under their night light after heavt duty work day View from deck of cabin, never got to see such clear sky and peaceful night in a long time time for us to get some sleep as well, the next day we head back home... of course under rain [:goofy:] . Hope you guys enjoyed the brief ride report. Will update a bit more with pics and write up later. And here is the video [video=youtube;4hz5vyoN9uc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hz5vyoN9uc[/video]
Awesome report and pics!! I am hopefully going to get down there this fall. Sorry about all the rain, that truly is a bummer! Been a terrible spring!
Thanks. The one dry day we had made it worth it. Even now I look back on the trip and get a grin on my face. So I guess its wasent to bad, was quite an experience though thats for sure.
Hehe.....I think we have all had trips like that! At the time you are like WHY ME! But you know after you get home and let it all settle in, you look back on it with fondness for what it truly is...an adventure! :smile:
Exactly. I think I am going to throw the bike in the back of the truck though for the next trip down there after how horrible the weather was for this one. I guess im a little gun shy.
Nice report :thumbsup: thanks for sharing. Great picture and it is so green out there. Might have to stop by the Dragon on my way down to CA
Thanks guys. The whole area is great. I will be there again this year for sure, its about a 10 hour ride/drive on the slab from where I live.
