So, how about a ride in North GA on October 9, 2010
MAP LINK (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=GA-141+S%2FPeachtree+Pkwy&daddr=34.2208858,-84.1326997+to:34.3665327,-84.1129857+to:GA-60+N+to:GA-2+W%2FGA-52+W+to:GA-201+S+to:34.4661,-84.43442+to:GA-141+S%2FPeachtree+Pkwy&hl=en&geocode=FbMjCQIdM5v7-g%3BFVUrCgIdpTz8-ikDk_4CGoX1iDF_5c5q7Gjaug%3BFURkDAIdp4n8-imNYJ_p94f1iDE7I0_D-UQ7-g%3BFU5nEQIdhNj9-g%3BFYRTEgIddCDz-g%3BFcwWEQIdwkHt-g%3BFTTpDQIdDKL3-ilvw6N3AYZfiDFaoyHjL9Sb4g%3BFSgsCQIdRJ37-g&mra=dvme&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=14&via=1,2,6&sll=34.3569,-84.109869&sspn=0.057465,0.077162&ie=UTF8&ll=34.370645,-84.553528&spn=1.8385,2.469177&z=9)

Looks like a good ride. I'm interested. Any thoughts on a timeline? I'm in NW Georgia and could probably just meet you in Dahlonega. I got a couple of buddies that would probably ride, too.

I will try to make this one. I need to be in Ducktown that afternoon, but I need to figure out what I need to take first. I might have to take the cage.

I might be up for it.

I may be able to make this one.

I'd like to hook up and ride with you guys again.

I'll be in Las Vegas working the Kawasaki dealers meeting the first week of October but if I get home in time..........I'm there!

I'll keep up with the thread.

Dan

Very doable! Just shoot a time and place to meet!

Hey, I'll be watching for details as well! Looks like a great ride!

im buying a V tomorrow... i'll probably wait til next time to hit the mountains with a bunch of seasoned riders. i need some seat time before i do that!

good to know there are some more ATL area folks on here though. hope to meet yall soon.

I just got the final approval from upper management (aka wife!), so count me in for sure. I just read about yall's bigger trip in June, so I'm really lookin forward to a good N. GA ride with some fellow V owners! Don't worry about the pace, indulf, I'm sure it will be an enjoyable ride for anyone who wants to come out. Lot of great guys on here! Hit us up with some details when you get a chance Vendetta.

Indf,
Come on out an join the group. The June run was a nice cruise, steady pace and very doable for a new V rider. We promise not to lose you.

Wao I was out for a few days and had not seen any of your posts. I'm currently in NC on business and posting this from my mobile but tonight I'll post some suggested time and meeting locations.

well.. we'll see. i need to stay away from the highway since i'm still on an MP endorsement for a little while. if i get enough riding in before then and feel comfortable then i might take the back roads up to cumming and join yall.

ill post back here when we get closer!

We specialize in back roads! No worrys on the highway thing.

Hey I'm back home... So, how does 8:30am sounds? We can meet at the Morebucks for cofee and ride at 9:00am. Erveryone ok with rout, meetup location and date/time?

Hey I'm back home... So, how does 8:30am sounds? We can meet at the Morebucks for cofee and ride at 9:00am. Erveryone ok with rout, meetup location and date/time?

How bout somewhere with coffee. :D
(and food too)

rode my brand spankin new V around some last night. if it rides everywhere as easy as it does in my neighborhood then i'll be comfortable on it in no time. if it all works out then i'll be there!

someone post up an address of the meeting point so i can find some back roads to get there from smyrna..

Ven,
Which Morebucks? The one at Marketplace and Hwy 20?

The one acros the street from The Avenue mall on 141 and 400 exit 13. There is also a Waffle House and a Chevron next to it.

rode the V in to work today. i don't think i'll have any problem riding with yall after a couple of weeks of riding around. my only issue is how to get there without taking 400 since i'm on an MP endorsement :D i'll figure something out.

oh yeah, forgot the most important part. SWMBO needs to buy in too :)

ok, got my back road route to the $tarbuc$ ready to go. only added 15min to my journey over taking 285 and 400.

as long as the wifey agrees then i'll be there! hope to have some new boots and pants by then so i'll be fully geared up. going to do a nice easy ride tomorrow with some friends to prepare.

looks like a nice ride and likely a good turnout. I MIGHT get away to make this one. Working in Spartanburg SC night before...Could pick up there at the left at 60.

:feedback:
I worked a bit more on the route.
MAP LINK (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=GA-141+S%2FPeachtree+Pkwy&daddr=Dawsonville,+GA+to:Dahlonega,+GA+to:GA-60+N+to:Morganton,+GA+to:Tabor+St+to:E+Fort+St+to: GA-201+S+to:Jasper,+GA+to:GA-141+S%2FPeachtree+Pkwy&geocode=FbMjCQIdM5v7-g%3BFdU5DQId2HH8-ikXqCvd3HxfiDFAlnCtMATLlg%3BFfLsDgId8n3--ikxUCJsOmZfiDGDuh5gqfQHQQ%3BFU5nEQIdhNj9-g%3BFT8mFAId9on6-imTLkHtOwhfiDFwWksAGMtn2Q%3BFeB0EQIdCe32-g%3BFSl9EgIdTJHy-g%3BFcwWEQIdwkHt-g%3BFR3wDQId3Lb3-ikZNoC1B4ZfiDHAXlV5qDdDog%3BFSgsCQIdRJ37-g&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=5,6&mrsp=6&sz=14&sll=34.758538,-84.740038&sspn=0.046822,0.090551&ie=UTF8&ll=34.557466,-84.535675&spn=0.919479,1.234589&z=10)
Any feedback?

Indf,
Come on out an join the group. The June run was a nice cruise, steady pace and very doable for a new V rider. We promise not to lose you.

Indulf, for the June ride I was the new guy. It was very doable. The weather is perfect for this ride. Don't let it pass. Like Bad-Tat said, we wont loose any group member.

Hey I'm new to this forum and the V but count me in for rides after the beginning of this month. I open a show soon at ga Shakespeare and I'll have days free soon. I used to do Klr rides in n ga all the time :)

Just realized this is on the 9th. I may make this. Are non-V riders welcome as well?

Very good route! I and a couple of buddies just rode most of it this past Saturday. We had a great time, other than the 30 minutes of rain! I'm kind of hoping to ride some roads a little farther east soon, though, so I may just join you guys until the split at Hwy 60 and 19. I'm in NW GA so I've ridden Fort Mountain and the Pocket plenty of times already. I don't think I've ever been all the way up 19, or on 348, so I was thinking about making that loop. I hope a lot of people get to make this. May not be a lot of really good riding weather left after next month, and it's a really pretty time to ride these mountains. Looking forward to it!

I'm interested in the non-V question as well, since my buddies ride a Vulcan 900 and an ER-6n.

Very good route! I and a couple of buddies just rode most of it this past Saturday. We had a great time, other than the 30 minutes of rain! I'm kind of hoping to ride some roads a little farther east soon, though, so I may just join you guys until the split at Hwy 60 and 19. I'm in NW GA so I've ridden Fort Mountain and the Pocket plenty of times already. I don't think I've ever been all the way up 19, or on 348, so I was thinking about making that loop. I hope a lot of people get to make this. May not be a lot of really good riding weather left after next month, and it's a really pretty time to ride these mountains. Looking forward to it!

I'm interested in the non-V question as well, since my buddies ride a Vulcan 900 and an ER-6n.

Personally it doesnt bother me one bit. I think the more rider we get the better. This is more of an opportunity for fellow Versys riders to meet and ride together, not an exclusive group.

Hope to meet you and yor friends soon...

Awesome. My nonV friends are busy, but I'm in for sure. Will be coming from the Gwinnett area :)

Personally it doesnt bother me one bit. I think the more rider we get the better. This is more of an opportunity for fellow Versys riders to meet and ride together, not an exclusive group.

Hope to meet you and yor friends soon...

Sounds good to me! They're newer riders, and I pretty much wore them out Saturday, so hopefully I can talk them into going on the 9th.

Also, what kind of stops do you have planned, and how often or about how many miles between stops?

Thanks for lining all this up, too. Should be a good time.

I think that if we take short breaks every 50 or so miles we should be good. As for lunch, we can go when and where the group wants. Ussually on ride days I like to try new places. Anyone has a suggestion for lunch?

I think that if we take short breaks every 50 or so miles we should be good. As for lunch, we can go when and where the group wants. Ussually on ride days I like to try new places. Anyone has a suggestion for lunch?

Looks like we would probably be looking at making it to Blue Ridge for lunch, depending on length and frequency of stops. Is that about right? Anything in Blue Ridge worth trying? I'm with you on the trying new things, too. I get enough predictable corporate crude throughout the week! Should be 3 of us coming, counting me, and we'll stay with the group until around the Calhoun area, and then head back toward Rome. Looking forward to it, and thinking nice weather thoughts!

Looks like we would probably be looking at making it to Blue Ridge for lunch, depending on length and frequency of stops. Is that about right? Anything in Blue Ridge worth trying? I'm with you on the trying new things, too. I get enough predictable corporate crude throughout the week! Should be 3 of us coming, counting me, and we'll stay with the group until around the Calhoun area, and then head back toward Rome. Looking forward to it, and thinking nice weather thoughts!

Between Blue Ridge and Ellijay there is a BBQ place called Pink Pig that may be worth stopping for. Has anyone tried this place before? Any suggestions?

- Website (http://www.budspinkpig.com)
- Menu (http://www.budspinkpig.com/pinkpigmenu.pdf)
- Map Link (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=824+Cherry+Log+St+Cherry+Log,+GA+30522&sll=33.957021,-84.224721&sspn=0.01447,0.01929&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=824+Cherry+Log+St,+Cherry+Log,+Gilmer,+Georg ia+30522&ll=34.787127,-84.389591&spn=0.028655,0.038581&z=15)

:feedback:
I worked a bit more on the route.
MAP LINK (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=GA-141+S%2FPeachtree+Pkwy&daddr=Dawsonville,+GA+to:Dahlonega,+GA+to:GA-60+N+to:Morganton,+GA+to:Tabor+St+to:E+Fort+St+to: GA-201+S+to:Jasper,+GA+to:GA-141+S%2FPeachtree+Pkwy&geocode=FbMjCQIdM5v7-g%3BFdU5DQId2HH8-ikXqCvd3HxfiDFAlnCtMATLlg%3BFfLsDgId8n3--ikxUCJsOmZfiDGDuh5gqfQHQQ%3BFU5nEQIdhNj9-g%3BFT8mFAId9on6-imTLkHtOwhfiDFwWksAGMtn2Q%3BFeB0EQIdCe32-g%3BFSl9EgIdTJHy-g%3BFcwWEQIdwkHt-g%3BFR3wDQId3Lb3-ikZNoC1B4ZfiDHAXlV5qDdDog%3BFSgsCQIdRJ37-g&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=5,6&mrsp=6&sz=14&sll=34.758538,-84.740038&sspn=0.046822,0.090551&ie=UTF8&ll=34.557466,-84.535675&spn=0.919479,1.234589&z=10)
Any feedback?


Just my opinion:

When you get past Morganton on Highway 60 (I assume everyone knows 60 is part of "the loop" popular with squids), instead of jumping on 515 back to Ellijay, I would just continue on straight at that stop sign and take Old Highway 76, back through downtown Blue Ridge. It's a much nicer back road ride along the hills & farm land instead of being on 515 at 65+ MPH, along with all the traffic. It runs back into highway 515 about 2 miles outside of Blue Ridge.

This will also take you right across the top of the Lake Blue Ridge Dam. It's worth stopping for a stretch at the parking lot on the right, just to see the TVA's display and you get a good view of the lake & dam down below.

While not the most exciting thing on that route, about a mile before you run back into 515 in Blue Ridge, you will pass the Swan Drive in Theater. I think it is the only one or only one of two drive-in's left in Georgia. Still shows frequent movies too, even though I have not been to it. Brings back memories of dating back in high school when I see one of those :-)

May not be worth a stop or not, just things we like to do, but when you are going out 136 around Carters Lake, they have a visitor center at the top. It's about a 5 minute ride off of highway 136 up to it. The road on the map is Carters Dam Road. You will see the signs for it on the left if you are going east on 136 and also at the same turn off, signs for Carters Lake Marina. Great view up there of the lake, dam, and surrounding area. Follow signs to visitor center which forks off to the right, when you pass the turn off to the Marina Road. The parking there is free and they have restrooms, drink machines, stuffed wildlife, etc. I believe Carters Dam is the largest earth dam, east of the Mississippi. It's nestled between mountains so about 450 feet deep in places. While just another tid bit, the flooding of that lake back in the 70's which is primarily fed by the Coosawattee River, was the makings of the movie "Deliverance". They wanted to make one last trip down the river before all the land was flooded. Well we know how that turned out :eek:

Just some thoughts as we have a cabin in Ellijay and there every weekend so we go out and ride around sometimes on those areas and have a boat over at the Carters lake Marina which is a beautiful lake.

I wish I could make the ride, but already have plans.

Have a great trip everyone!

David

Between Blue Ridge and Ellijay there is a BBQ place called Pink Pig that may be worth stopping for. Has anyone tried this place before? Any suggestions?

- Website (http://www.budspinkpig.com)
- Menu (http://www.budspinkpig.com/pinkpigmenu.pdf)
- Map Link (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=824+Cherry+Log+St+Cherry+Log,+GA+30522&sll=33.957021,-84.224721&sspn=0.01447,0.01929&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=824+Cherry+Log+St,+Cherry+Log,+Gilmer,+Georg ia+30522&ll=34.787127,-84.389591&spn=0.028655,0.038581&z=15)

We have not ate there before but seems to be popular for BBQ and the only other BBQ joint there is Poole's and most seem to prefer Pink Pig over it from what I have heard. I usually make my own so don't go out in that area much for BBQ myself.

Another place we like if you are into it, is the Cajun Depot. It's on highway 52 just outside downtown Ellijay about 2 miles, going towards Dahlonega, and is behind the train depot. They have decent Cajun food like Po Boy shrimp sandwiches, gumbo, shrimp poppers and good selection of other seafood & Cajun items. If you are looking for more of a local restaurant instead of a chain.

David

ok, got my back road route to the $tarbuc$ ready to go. only added 15min to my journey over taking 285 and 400.

as long as the wifey agrees then i'll be there! hope to have some new boots and pants by then so i'll be fully geared up. going to do a nice easy ride tomorrow with some friends to prepare.

I am probably wrong on this but maybe someone else here is more familar with it. Since you are on a learners permit, and "No limited access roadways", you may want to double check and see if that section of highway 400/19 and highway 515 between Blue Ridge & Ellijay, fall under this category.

I have not paid attention to the roads and classifications of limited access in years but I did when I was riding on my permit up in that area.

I don't think you would have a technical problem riding either of the sections, but the boys in blue might think otherwise and I have heard, they impound your bike in GA if you get caught with an MP endorsement, riding in the wrong place or time.

It sounds like you like to play by the rules, so just saying you might want to double check before you head out.

David

I would love to join. I'm new to this forum and sport touring. 8:30am? Yikes, but ok. Where's the ride to? How long? Thanks !

'09 green V

I am probably wrong on this but maybe someone else here is more familar with it. Since you are on a learners permit, and "No limited access roadways", you may want to double check and see if that section of highway 400/19 and highway 515 between Blue Ridge & Ellijay, fall under this category.

I have not paid attention to the roads and classifications of limited access in years but I did when I was riding on my permit up in that area.

I don't think you would have a technical problem riding either of the sections, but the boys in blue might think otherwise and I have heard, they impound your bike in GA if you get caught with an MP endorsement, riding in the wrong place or time.

It sounds like you like to play by the rules, so just saying you might want to double check before you head out.

David

thanks for the info.. i know 400 is limited access to a certain point, but i'm unsure about 515. i'll check into it.

it also looks like i'm going to take the kids on a camping trip friday night before it gets too cold, so i'll have to bow out anyway.

next time!

I would love to join. I'm new to this forum and sport touring. 8:30am? Yikes, but ok. Where's the ride to? How long? Thanks !

'09 green V

Have you seen the map? It's got all the info you are asking.

If you pull up the areas in question using google maps, the limited access sections of roadways are a dark orange color, while the regular access roads are yellow.

400 (heading north) is limited access until it crosses hwy 369.
515 (heading north) is limited access to just pass Ball Ground.

If you pull up the areas in question using google maps, the limited access sections of roadways are a dark orange color, while the regular access roads are yellow.

400 (heading north) is limited access until it crosses hwy 369.
515 (heading north) is limited access to just pass Ball Ground.

ahh good info, didn't know that google maps noted them :)

i'm thinking i'll just do the test in the next week or so anyway to get it over with. i'm still going to take the MSF course in the next couple of months however..

Have you seen the map? It's got all the info you are asking.

On my iPhone, the "map link" pulled up as lat/lon degrees. I'll open the link in my computer when I get home.

How many riders are sure going?

Headcount so far is...

Vendetta - yes
GeorgiaMultiKawa + friends - yes
sharrison56 - maybe
mudarra - maybe
Castlle59 - maybe
oldkawboy - maybe
Bad-Tat - yes
BamaVersys - maybe
Indulf - no
Igajohnymac - maybe meeting us at 60
Zechariah - yes
STeelybeast - no
ezlo350 - yes

So that is:
Yes = 5
No = 2
Maybe = 6

I'm out, got other obligations to take care of this weekend.

I plan to be there and ride with you guys to Morganton.

Just saw this and would love to go but can't this time. Have fun fellas!

I just found out I have to work on the 9th, so I will not be able to make it, hopefully next time.

I won't be able to meet in the morning, but I'll try to catch you guys up there somewhere near 60 at around 12'ish. If not, next time !

I'm still in for sure. I got at least one guy coming for sure, and probably one more. We're shooting for being at the Starbucks by 8:30, but shouldn't be any later than 9:00. Just call me if anything changes. 770-548-7947
Matthew

Great ride, great company, super roads!!!

It was fun, but the slow cages were really slow today. I was able to get out and get some videos of 60 with my new GoPro. They turned out pretty cool. I will post them when I get home tomorrow night.

Vendetta, thanks for setting it up.

Here is the video from Suches north on GA 60 and the reason I slipped out front! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0g-MG3AVOc

Yes Vendetta, thanks for putting this together! It was a beautiful day, and the company was great! The cages were pretty slow, but still a great day to be out. Hope we can do another one soon.

:thanx:

Nice video Steve! I really want one of those cameras...

really smooth video and looking really pleasant riding country

Thanks! My only gripe with the camera is that you can't tell if it is recording from the back. They do have a screen you can add to the back, but I don't have one yet. I had a fun run at Deal's Gap a week ago and I pushed the buttons wrong and didn't capture any of it. The quality of the videos has come a long way in the last couple of years.

That is one of the nice rodes in north Georgia. There are several more really good ones to the east of that one and tons of them in the Smokey Mountains (TN, NC, VA).

Steve you exactly right, vid has come a long way and now days is very watchable.