Deal's Gap " The Dargon" and Cherohala Skyway 8-22-09

[dive1tom]

The pictures say 8-21-09 but actually 8-22. Started in Chattanooga went 441 up to Etowah, TN took 310 over to Tellico Plains and hit the Cherohala Skyway. We get to Tellico and the girl who was riding with us had a leak in her back tire. We pump enough air to get us to Wheelers. On our way N. C. State patrol had a road block set up on the oState Line and were stopping EVERYBODY. The girl who was with us got a $100 ticket for not having a DOT approved helmet. We get to Wheeler he replaces the tube that was bad in like 45 minutes. A group of riders stopped in and was checking there bikes. One guy was lifting the back of bike and while the other sprayed chain wax on the chain with no disregard for the tie, just spraying away. I am 100% sure this lead to the accident that happened about a mile away from Wheelers. He came around a curve and lost it on the straight away. They had to airlift him out. We had to stop in traffic and wait for the copter to lift off then continued our way to Deal's Gap resort. Rested up, ate, bought a tee shirt then headed on through the dragon. We took the long way out going 129 back to 441 then took it Sweetwater and the Interstate back to Chattanooga. Here are some pics



Cherohala Skyway










Wheelers








Accident-- Notice the Copter coming in-- closest Hospital 100 mile N.C-Hour and a half to Knoxville






Deal's Gap Resort








She survived the Dragon!

[nate-bama]

nice ride!!

[Alex]