Where to hold future DGR's

[justjoe]

I was riding in North Georgia over the weekend and on my way home I started thinking that we could easily incorporate this area into a future DGR. This year's Non-Invitational has been scheduled so it will be for future rallies if this sounds like a good idea. Here are my thoughts.

Tellico Plains - it is on the end of the Cherohala, which is a wonderful road. Also, TN68 between Tellico Plains and Turtletown is pretty nice as well. This opens up N. GA, SE TN, and still have quick access to the Dragon, NC28, and all of those roads. The problem is tying lodging into a walkable dinner destination. Check this place out - https://lodgeattellico.com/

Murphy, NC - kind of in the middle of riding destinations, Murphy isn't really close to the "named" riding. It is an hour from the Dragon, but it is also an hour to Warwoman Rd, Suches, GA, Richard Russell Scenic Byway, etc. Check out this place - https://www.sunsetmotelmurphy.com/

Or just outside of Murphy we could look at staying at Harrah's Casino. Go out and about running the roads during the day, then hit the casino for dinner and drinks. And for those so inclined, do a bit of gambling. I don't really go to casinos so I couldn't tell you if this is a good idea or not, just trying to think out of the box.

Or we could go to Franklin. Getting farther away from Deals Gap, but still has plenty of great roads to ride. Deals Gap is 1:45 if you take Wayah Rd. https://www.sunsetmotelmurphy.com/

What do you guys think?

[Pete_Tallahassee]

I'll go anywhere,

[justjoe]

I love you!

[955i]

[allikanbe]

It was held at Fontana Village several years ago. Nice place. Restaurant on site.

[justjoe]

There are a few reasons why I have not approached Fontana. Covid was the main reason recently and then the owners did not renew their lease with the TVA, leaving the resort "vacant". With that said, here are the problems with Fontana. 1. Costs at $120 a night for the cheapest option in the hotel. 2. Lack of food variety/choices. 3. No good place to gather/they don't like us in the parking lots.

With all of that said, I do not have an issue going back. Heck, I wouldn't mind doing another Tapoco DGR. But their costs are through the roof.

[Loggiebone]

[Susan]

Just one more reason to ride to Cashiers and eat at the Corny!

[802Mike]

Could you make this the spring gathering instead of BRPR?

[justjoe]

Put it together and see what kind of response you get. But don't call it BRPR, because that is in May/June.

[802Mike]

Never mind, it was just a suggestion to flip the two events for a change.

I takes a two or three days just to get there from the northern parts.
A mid-week gathering would work also, where we would just take
the week off. By having it on the weekend we are taking the best
part of two weeks off.

[justjoe]

The best part about our rallies is that they are never really scheduled too tightly. If someone wanted to take a mid-week trip, they can do that. A couple of years ago we scheduled a track day, dirt rides, and then the rally. People just showed up at the rally. Most of our rallies have a Thursday/Friday mix. Some have a Wednesday - Saturday mix. There is nothing stopping anyone from coming to Maggie Valley on Tuesday and leaving Friday morning.

[cabnfvr]

Franklin, Tellico, Murphy. They all sound good. As you already know the deciding factor will likely be "who wants us". Throw a dart and see what sticks. And thanks in advance for what you are about to do.

[Loggiebone]

[Susan]

I looked at that option and it looks a bit frou-frou. BMW MOA is doing a Get Away event there this weekend. Plus not sure how this crowd of hooligans would fit in with the family style dining arrangement. But some great roads close by!

[Loggiebone]

[ZATO]

[justjoe]

[cabnfvr]

The world is much brighter from the periphery.

We stopped at the Marlinton Inn years ago and they would barely even speak to us about a motorcycle group being there. We never got the chance to get booted from there. Snowshoe hosts a Harley rally and they didn't want us back. I never could figure that one out. So many people think you just call a place and that's it. If only it were that easy.

We've been booted for the following.
-- open containers of alcohol (multiple locations, multiple years, and after repeated request to drink from a cup)
-- riding on the grass (It was turned into a joke, and while we weren't kicked out the initial complaint was anything but funny.)
-- drinking alcoholic beverages inside a park lodge (I doubt the Park Ranger really thought it was tea)
-- smoking in the motel room
-- using hotel towels for bike cleaning (I have my doubts this was a legit complaint, but the manager thought so and we were not welcomed back)
-- loud and boisterous behavior

Not to mention most locations want a credit card to hold the rooms, and if a drop of rain is forecast half of the attendees cancel. I've set up many of these gatherings and would do it again, but not on my own credit card any longer. (Yep, BTDT).

Lest you think this is a rant, nope, just info. This is the greatest bunch of Refined Hooligans we've ever had the please to be associated with, but, well, you did ask.

... and then there was the exception to the above. THE GORDON. Across from the police station. Never a single complaint.

[Capnrip]

I think Stull would agree!

[802Mike]

I was there when it happened, I think we made a bigger deal of it than she did. I felt that she
was joking about being upset. I never heard anymore about it from her after that.
To be clear, Eric rode down the hill on the lawn mostly coasting I'm sure as it's all downhill.

[cabnfvr]

Sorry Mike, you are wrong. She was upset and she made that perfectly clear. You were not there when she chewed us out in the office.

[ZATO]

[allikanbe]

some of the "public" also see the "regular motorcycle riders" going 100 mph, passing drivers on double yellows, smoking dope in the parking lot.

[ZATO]

Golf carts?

[justjoe]

[ZATO]

[Lee]

...and we would never, ever steal golf carts.

They were only borrowed

[Susan]

What happens at Terlingua, stays at Terlingua.

[Loggiebone]

[Susan]

Lee may have it.

[Susan]

It seems to be a pattern.