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Owners Event Feedback Request...
- Thread starter GnA
- Start date
Group Ride Feedback
George:
Like most others here I think publishing the ride routes is a great idea so if folks want to explore on their own they can. But I also think some organized group rides are definitely needed, especially at an owners event. There may be may folks coming that do not have a group of friends yet to ride with.
I have organized several group rides and we always plan for the lowest common denominator (sorry you speed freaks). We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable ride so you take easy and ride "normal" (by that I mean within the speed limits and within road conditions). I would keep them around 3-3.5 hours of riding time which could be 4-5 hours clock time depending on stops and eats. And depending on road type this could be from 100-150 miles.
For those coming in from out of town and have never ridden in this area before I would suggest a group ride to and through the Dragon. You could run it one direction, rest and then run it back the other way. Its very different in each direction. Or you could ride to it then loop back through Gatlinburg. Try to skip Pigeon Forge if at all possible as the traffic is a nightmare. Even for beginners the Dragon is not all that difficult if folks ride within their means. My wife did it as a pure beginner and had no issues. Was hardly even nervous. The Spyder was made for the Dragon. She can ride it better and faster than I can on my Harley bagger.
The other ride I would suggest is the Cherohola Skyway. Beautiful vistas and a lot more leisurely ride than the Dragon. On a lovel sunny 75 degree day there is not much better riding than this one.
Others have mentioned the Snake. While a good ride, getting there is 2+ hours so that could be a long day for an organized group ride.
Just my 2 cents.
George:
Like most others here I think publishing the ride routes is a great idea so if folks want to explore on their own they can. But I also think some organized group rides are definitely needed, especially at an owners event. There may be may folks coming that do not have a group of friends yet to ride with.
I have organized several group rides and we always plan for the lowest common denominator (sorry you speed freaks). We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable ride so you take easy and ride "normal" (by that I mean within the speed limits and within road conditions). I would keep them around 3-3.5 hours of riding time which could be 4-5 hours clock time depending on stops and eats. And depending on road type this could be from 100-150 miles.
For those coming in from out of town and have never ridden in this area before I would suggest a group ride to and through the Dragon. You could run it one direction, rest and then run it back the other way. Its very different in each direction. Or you could ride to it then loop back through Gatlinburg. Try to skip Pigeon Forge if at all possible as the traffic is a nightmare. Even for beginners the Dragon is not all that difficult if folks ride within their means. My wife did it as a pure beginner and had no issues. Was hardly even nervous. The Spyder was made for the Dragon. She can ride it better and faster than I can on my Harley bagger.
The other ride I would suggest is the Cherohola Skyway. Beautiful vistas and a lot more leisurely ride than the Dragon. On a lovel sunny 75 degree day there is not much better riding than this one.
Others have mentioned the Snake. While a good ride, getting there is 2+ hours so that could be a long day for an organized group ride.
Just my 2 cents.
GnA
Registered User
viiiball -your 2 cents is worth it's weight in gold!!! I've ridden the area 5 or 6 times and try to make it back there at least every other year. I love all the rides in area so whittling it down to 3-4 group rides will be a challenge. The size of the groups we can have is directly related to the number of "volunteer" ryde guides we can recruit. We'll be putting together the "2013 Ryde Guide Volunteer Crew" soon. I hope we get several experienced ryders to help with the guided rides this year.
You are correct... the people who really need the speed will have to be flexible or perhaps as others have suggested, form smaller groups of their own and ride the way they like. After all... a group ride is all about the group you are riding with!!! :thumbup:
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