All photos are available in Weekly Update - November 12, 2008
Photos from last week are uploaded to Our Store here. Below are some of the highlights.
Another super slow, super beautiful weekend on the Gap. We got in some good riding before Lori's surgery. (And I got in some more afterwards. ;) She's recovering pretty well...hurts sometimes of course, but hoping the removal of hardware from her wrist will increase her range of motion.
This weekend should see several small groups going for a last hurrah...Corvairs, Hayabusas, Skylines, and possibly the SportsCarFrenzy gang Saturday. The weather's looking iffy, but could turn out nice...let's hope so.
We've been asked to send a few visitors over to Save TNT Motorsports, who are struggling through some tough times. I don't know much about them, but I assume they are good folks that could use any help we can spare.
I'm going to go out on a limb here, and speak my mind a little bit. Now, I realize we run a business based on tourism in this area, so some people might feel I'm not "allowed" to have my own opinion on certain issues anymore for some whacked out reason. Too bad.
I've been spending a little more time lately browsing forums, and first I want to say Thank You to all the folks who have said good things about us, and told others where to find their photos. It's the most flattering form of advertising we could ask for, and it can't even be bought!
I know a lot of people visit the area because they are inspired by what they see on our site, and I would hope the other businesses in the area recognize this. We also try to use our popularity to not only entertain, but educate prospective visitors on road etiquette so everyone has the best time they can have while keeping things as safe as possible.
One point that I see being brought up regularly is the issue of how crowded the Gap is. Even over the past year or couple of months, when our photo numbers clearly show a significant decline in traffic compared to previous years. One thing to keep in mind is so obvious I think it gets overlooked...very few people are out there to report back how great it is, when very few people are out there. Naturally, if you only come out in the middle of the day on a Saturday in July, there will be more traffic. PLUS, there are more people now forming an opinion based on their experience.
So plan your trips sensibly...check out the calendar, and get your group listed in the calendar so others can plan around you. Plan some riding during the week, or early/late in the day if possible, and definitely at night if at all possible. (Would I be saying that if I was just trying to drum up business? ;) Weekends are still cool just for the spectacle, but if that's all you get to experience, you haven't really experienced it.
Ok, rant off...on to the highlights!
19 comments:
I wanted to let you know that I have visited the area several times and this is the most incredible area that I have ever visited! Just to let you know how much I really like the Gap - I had nothing to do one weekend and decided to go on a road trip to the Gap - needless to say after 15 hours of driving it was still spectacular! Not only are the people wonderful but the towns that I have visited in the area are just unforgettable. I showed off my pictures of the area and your web site to everyone I know advising that they need to go to the Gap on their next vacation! So keep up the good work!
Kat - Iowa
p.s. - love your web site I enjoy looking at it every Wednesday!
Good observation, The ultimate visit includes early morning rides in the gap and surrounding areas,Ive been back and fourth in the gap up to ten times with no traffic.Later in the day on weekends is the show !Mid day on sat is the worst riding through the gap.Too many skill levels at once. Still beats Florida !!!
KB...it's becoming an overused expression but THANKS for all you and your crew do. I haven't been able to return the last few years so y'all keep me high on my Gap addiction. And y'all perform a great service. Thanks again.
My brother and I have been riding for 35 years and the thrills just keep comin'!. One of the best is bringing some first/timers throught the Cherohala, 28, Fontana, Deals Gap, Foothills, etc., for the first time. I never get tired of get riding in the area that you all live in every day.... I could (and may) (retire down there some day!).
Last time I was there was in June, on a Thursday morning. A LOT of folks for a Thursday morning, but it didn't bother me....just more bikes to look at.
What DID bother me? All the folks at the Overlook, and the parking lot of the store, griping about getting "picked on" by way of speeding tickets for "just fifteen over".
I like havin' my fun too, but daddy always said rules is rules. I break 'em when I want, but only when I'm prepared for the circumstances. If I run thru there at 15 over, I'll expect a ticket, and you won't hear me complain.
See y'all next year!
Personally, I don't think there's been ANY entity that's done more for local tourism than you. I personally know 7 people who put the Smokies on their vacation schedule after I directed them to your website -- and only 2 of them were bikers.
Now, help me out here. What days are your "weekends," the times when you're not out shooting? I know you've told us this before, but I seem to have a bit of an "error 404" on this one.
Thanks again for all your "company" does to promote the area and the sport.
Ralph Couey
Somerset, PA
race-the-sunset.blogspot.com
Agreed with all above.
First and foremost, I'm really not sure you and your fellow crewmates could do any more for your area. I mean, it really is impressive what you folks do out there as well as on the website(s). I sure hope all your neighbors and area businesses appreciate you folks as much as we do. (If they know of you... I'm sure they do!)
I've only been to visit The Gap once. It was earlier this year (weekend of May 8th). We arrived on a Thursday which was a total washout :-/, but rode all day Fri. Sat. and a few hrs. on Sun. before we had to head out. Just a tip: find a weekend w/out any rallies, events, etc. And once you're there, GET UP EARLY and ride!! Thats why you're there, right? If and when it starts to get busy, hit the other area roads (c'mon, there ARE PLENTY! And don't miss the Skyway damn-it!) and come back to the Dragon later in the evening. Much less traffic! Thats what we did and honestly couldn't complain about traffic the whole trip.
Thanks for all that you and your crew do, man! I had heard of the Dragon for quite some time, but probably would never have trailered 3 bikes almost 11 hrs. to ride the Gap - UNTIL I seen your site! You folks should understand that you have quite the slice of heaven in your backyards and everyone else - well, we just hate on you for it :-D
Keep up the good work!
-Much RESPECT!
It is crowded on the weekends cause you have small and large groups of Harley folks that get together from all over the US and beyond, that come and ride bumper to bumper 25 mph one time on the Dragon, then buy the t-shirt! They can't ride evenings or night cause the drinking starts about 3 PM. I have been there/done that. No more drinking nor Harleys for me.
We haven't ridden it yet, but we did drive it and will be back your way sometime after I rehab my shoulder. I had a get off in a turn, so I'll need some corner practice, right?
KB, I've had the privilege of making the trip to the Gap a couple of times. Last down last fall. Wanted to make the trip this year, didn't happen. Ah well.... Point is, you're right, planning makes for an enjoyable trip! Most of what I initially learned about riding the Gap I got from your website. You've got some good information to pay attention to. Especially about passing and oncoming trucks. Some of the pictures just reinforce your point. Made my trips much more enjoyable. Thank YOU!
You don't go to the the Gap to sit around (well, some do, I don't) you go to ride! Each time I've been down, I got up early and rode before breakfast. No one out, not crowded, no cops, (no photog's either :( )just pretty sunrise and gorgeous scenery and a truly enjoyable ride! I've ridden the Gap at night, which is cool, but you miss the scenery.
Plus, you ride 15+ over or like a knucklehead, you might as well hang a sign out for the cops. It can be done, and I've done it too but TK is right, don't bitch when you get caught doing it and don't complain when the cops hang out either. They're not there because everyone's riding responsibly.
So, KB, keep up the good work; the fantastic pictures and advocating safe riding. And tell KG to get well soon. See you in the spring.
Darryl,
We appreciate what you do. You have pretty much taken it as your sole responsibility to inform folks about what's going on at the Gap. Whenever I plan a trip down there, I look at your website to see road conditions, THP conditions, and events going on in the area. You've pretty much become an advertising spot for all events going on in the area, and your pictures really MAKE the trip for some people. When we get back from a ride, I can't wait until the next Wednesday to see if I have made it onto your website in any pictures. Your prices are VERY reasonable as far as purchasing pictures, and we truly appreciate what you do to help us remember our trip.
On a more personal note, I'd like to thank you for the causes you frequently support through the web. You let people know about charity rides going on, and ways that people can help. I'm personally very thankful for you posting a link to help try to save my father's motorcycle shop. (TnT Motor Sports) Since you updated your page with a link to ours, we've had over 200 hits from this page. The first day you updated, we had 2 donations come in, and we're very thankful for that. Even though we're not getting tons of donations, the word is still getting out, and at least people are aware. We really can't thank you enough.
I also love your blog and what you do because you keep us informed on what's going on with you and Lori, and invite us on the web to be your friends. I feel that in your posts, you talk to all of us as friends, and keep us informed as to what's going on in your lives. I like to think that your blog serves as a way to keep us all connected as motorcyclists no matter where we are in the country, we have this one spot where we can share stories, read about events in the area, and get enough information to have almost been there.
Keep doing what you're doing. We'll keep reading and thinking back to our visits to the Gap fondly.
Aaron
Ok, moogledogpile or whatever.... these were pretty positive posts until you came along. I started to post this yesterday but then thought, "no, I'm not stoopin' to this level....", but what the hell!
Ky_airhog...if you ignore it, maybe it'll go away. Certainly doesn't help to prolong the negativity by acknowledging it.
What about "Finger Traps" ? If we ignore those will they go away ?
I've seen how much killboy supports riders, I got to the Gap late one afternoon, long after he was done shooting. On the way back, he was down in a ravine, helping to coordinate pulling a bike out that someone had launched off the road. He's not making any money off that, but he is fostering goodwill.
Hey I cut WAY down on the finger traps this week. Cut a brother some slack man! =)
Ha Ha yes you did ! Mucho slack heading that way !
KB adn KG!
I check in regularly to this site, and love to see the great work you and the crew do every week. As folks have said before, thanks! I threw a link to you on my site (www.yippeekayak.com) so that my family and friends can see the good (and the bad) that happens at the Dragon, as well as the great blogger discussions showing up every week (HA!)
Keep up the good work!
Our 3rd. Annual Porsche meet was on the calendar for months & not a single shot of our Parade lap on the 9th. Being a local, I always do my best to support. However, on this occasion I can't. :-(
Procon
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