The riding season is now in full swing. US 129, closed for 4 months due to a major rockslide, is now open. So, full access to the Deal’s Gap area has been restored. It’s time now to get out here and make up for the lost time. Area businesses, hurt by the slide, are anxious for the diehards to return, as they always do this time of year. If you delayed your plans for your annual visit, it’s time to hit the reset button and get out here. If you’ve never been here before, it’s time change that. The Dragon, The Cherohala Skyway, Hwy 28 and all the other great roads are waiting for you. As always, traffic is light and the sun is out, save the occasional thundershower that keeps the scenery as green and  beautiful as always.

Our fleet at Sportbikes4hire.com is available to make your next trip the best one ever. We feature Yamaha R1, Aprilia Mille, Kawasaki ZX6R and Suzuki SV650 motorcycles at surprisingly affordable prices, delivered to your lodging establishment free of charge to most Smoky Mountain locations. Our customers rave about our bikes and our service, all promising to return with their friends to rent from us on their next trip. Many of them, who discover us once they get here after grueling drives from Florida, Michigan, Ohio, New York and other far off locations, have already decided to fly in on their next trip to the area and rent from us. They realize that doing so  saves time, hassle, tires and the odometer on their own bikes. We hope that you check out our operation and consider our services soon. We will do everything we can to make your trip using us your most memorable. See you here. Ride safe.

Sportbikes4hire is chugging right along despite the light visitor traffic due to a very stubborn rockslide that still has the 129 closed from the Tennessee side. Progress is being made, but we are still a few weeks away from the project’s completion. Once you’re on the North Carolina side, it’s all good. So, don’t let it stop you from coming out to enjoy the best roads in America.

Check out the great write-up on the R1/R6 Forum at http://www.motorcycle.com/events/2010-yamaha-r1r6-forum-convention-at-deals-gap-89669.html. Ride safe. Ride smart.

Greg and I just happened to be at Wheeler’s checking in one of our bikes, the new ZX6R. I asked the guys where they were from and they told me their story. I told them that it was Mike’s lucky day. 30 minutes later, Mike was on our bike, heading to the Cherohala Skyway with his friends, happy and amazed that he was able to rent a sportbike and save his riding time with his friends.

For us, we were glad to help. Though, we would rather not rent our bikes because of others breaking down, at least we were there to preserve a good time.  Mike and his friends have already decided that it would have been easier just to fly to Knoxville and rent our bikes next time they visit. The time, tire wear and maintenence costs saved will probably cover the cost of the rental bike, and they won’t have to tow Mike with another parachute cord. Ride safe.

So, don’t forget this wonderful ride when you come out to visit. I do it once a day, every day I’m in the area. It amazes me and puts a smile on my face every time. Enjoy and ride safe.

If you fly to Atlanta, you are a beautiful 150 mile drive from the base of the Cherohala Skyway in Tellico Plains, TN. Rental cars are cheap, starting at around $25 per day.  We will deliver your sportbikes to your lodging choice in Tellico Plains, free of charge, and you can start your ride there. Using Tellico Plains as your hub, you have easy access to Deal’s Gap, Highway 28, the Cherohala Skyway and the mountains of North Georgia. For a nominal fee, we will even shuttle your gear to Deal’s Gap, Fontana Village or Robbinsville, which will give you ready access to areas further north, including Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Asheville, NC and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

If you decide to use Asheville as your hub, we will deliver your bikes for a nominal charge and you will be strategically located to enjoy the entire area, including the Blue Ridge Parkway north of Asheville, which features the Blowing Rock area, Little Switzerland, The Diamondback (Hwy 226A), The Snake and other great rides. Asheville is also home to Biltmore House, America’s largest home. The tour of this enormous estate is well worth the time.

However you decide to get here, we will do everything we can to help you with the logistics of your trip. The rockslide has reduced visitation to the area so far this season, but the riding is as good as ever. This is your chance to enjoy some fantastic rides and have the road all to yourself. Repairs to the slide area are running ahead of schedule, so don’t wait too long. Give us a call. We are here to help. Ride safe.

Right now, with US129 closed from the Tennessee side, it may make more sense to fly to Asheville or Atlanta and rent a car. They start at 22 bucks a day. Hook up a room at Fontana Village or Deal’s Gap Motorcycle Resort and we will bring your choice of sportbikes to your room, free of charge. Once you are on the North Carolina side of the rockslide, everything is open. The Dragon is void of commercial traffic and you will have full access to the Cherohala Skyway and Highway 28, both must-ride destinations for anybody on two wheels. The weather is warming up and the season is getting into full swing.

Please call on us any time for information on planning your trip. We are here to help. Hope to see you soon.