SOUTHEAST RIDE – DAY 2 (TAIL of DRAGON and CHEROHALA)

Saturday morning, discussion for the ride:

BR was ready for his Dragon session:

8:40AM, we reached the Deals gap:

A group photo in front of the Deals Gap store. RA was the one taking this pix:

Took some photos here, it was my dream to be there and ride there:

My great friend:

Other pics of the place:

It was quite early so there were not many bikes:

Kebrider, Switchblade, and probably Adam have done some Dragon laps before. Just me, BR, Sy just arrived.
People was considering of having breakfast first then slay the Dragon. However, I myself was so excited of the fist time there, and I think Sy and BR was most likely prefer do the Dragon right away.
I quickly grabbed a Snickers to ensure my stomach wont do any revolution before the real breakfast.
People was trying to warn me of the dangers and some precautions should be taken..
Then we headed to the Dragon, damn, I was so excited…
I still remember that since beginning of my trip planning, my core is always the Dragon. Well, it quite easy to understand that the Dragon has been being marketing so well, it became a very well-known place. And it seemed to be the only and the most preferred riding place to me, as I have no idea about the Blue Ridge Parkway or Cherohala, etc….
I saw all the guys, BR, Kebrider and his wife, Switchblade are all familiar with the road. They seemed remember every curve on the Dragon. I felt a bit in-confident. I think I did a lot of brakes in front of each decent curve.

I did not take any photo while riding on the Dragon.
I dont know what they called this place, but that is the end of 11miles Dragon:

The lady was cornering very well on her Vespa. I passed her and her buddy about 1-2 miles befor getting to this place.

She head back early, may be did not want me to slow her down. LOL…

Some more view there:

This ‘s way back to the Dragon:

On the way back, I had chance to stop once more time here:

And had chance to take photo with the Killboy cameraman:

Because RA was having a lowsided just infront of the Killboy guy:

He might not have such happy face if he could not find his tankbag. There was a lot of money inside:

Killboy guy has put up his photos of my friend when he had low side with his beloved 3rd gen VFR:

It was really badluck to him. He loves the bike so much.

Back to the Deals gap resort, more bikes were coming:

I did not have anything to hang on here:

Someone climbed quite high to hang the stuff:

Breakfast:

It’s nice place and really impressed me, the things I had only seen on internet:

Dave showed me his big photo on the wall. Great one!

Done the breakfast, we prepared for Cherohala. I was told that this Cherohala skyway is one of the most beautiful riding road during this season.
So, what to wait for?? Just took some more photos before departure:

Left the Deals gap, we rode on the Hwy-80 heading to Cherohala Skyway.
Stopped for fuel:

My excitement before going to the new road:

As per my request, Kimball lead us to visit the Cross, where we tribute to a passed away friend:

The road after that was really amazing. Left side was the cliff, right side was a river. That day I could not stop to take any photos there. However, I have tried to have some photos during my lonely ride later on.

Fall colors:

It’s very nice curves:

….

Dave was heading back and we didn’t understand why we stopped:

Really great weather to ride out:

We stopped at the beginning point of the Cherohala Skyway. They have the information board which has very Asian look:

Kimball may say something which Kevin and Adam never know!!

This point is not too high:

I think Adam haven’t got any photo since we met – he loves his new BMW1000RR so much:

Group photos for all the ppl riding that time:

We started moving:

And I continued with the photos:

Nice road, nice weather so there were a lot of bikers:

Adam told me that he loves Cherohala the most, nice scene with the long curve, he can lean his bike for much longer time than on the Dragon:

I love them all !!

Don’t know why they have the white lines on the road:

Thanks Dave who has been standing sacrifices behind me to make sure I don’t have any more issue 
Sometimes need him at the front for photos:

14hrs, we stopped for lunch:

It was my dish:

Kimball invited me to try the soup there, I don’t remember the name but it was really nice.

Then we returned with the same route:

I was stopping there to wait for taking pix of ridding buddies:
I had been waiting for too long. I think they were waiting for Bill (with Multistrada).
Took the time for shooting around:

Really clear, deep sky:

Nice VFR, however the sun was going down:

Then the guys came in when I was about heading back to find them:

We all headed back to the Cabin. The road near the Bear Creek also very nice:

I stopped outside of the cabin to take some photos:

Reached the cabin:

BMW1000RR seemed so attractive:

For sure the VFRers did give lots of jokes to the Bimmer:

Back to the second night in Robbinsville. Sy and Ed were super good cooks.

They made awesome foods for us and ready as the time we comeback from Cherohala:

That night was really chilly outside, but I was so happy. It ‘s really kind of bikers spirit. We had Hot tub available there, but who cared? We have lots of things to talk with each others:
The dinner prolonged until Midnight. We moved outside as a big fire had been lit up:

Just sitting around, drink, chit chat…

The cabin was looking great at night:

I was also so brave and happy that Kevin (ST1300) brought the VFRD Flaf there for me to sign – that’s awesome, a Vietnamese member been there and physically sign on the Flaf which only presented in US. I may be the furthest member on VFRD to sign on that.

Slept tight that night….