ESTN 2010 location - North (TBD) or South (Sparta, NC)?

[chornbe]

If you have other ideas, go ahead and post up, but it's been requested that we head North or South this year, with South being the most requested thus far. With ESTN '09 in NY, it makes sense to head South.

What say ye?

[garry]

We did north last year (Lake Placid)

We did middle the year before that (Marlinton)

Time to head back south to the land of Snakes and Dragons  

[stefrrr]

What he said.

[MK96xj]

North East Georgia or South Eastern Tenn

[tomballos]

I voted in one of the other poles for the weekend after Labor Day which kind of makes heading south a warmer choice.  So I am up again for Sparta, the BRP, and hopefully time to ride some roads around the Cherohalo Pky, Dragon, and Smokies.  I'm still kicking myself I never got down that way during the last Sparta trip.  

[Skee]

SE Tenn or Arkansas

[cyjo]

South sounds good. Not just because I am in Florida but because it was north last year and the National is in WV this year.

[Huron52]

Can't say whether I will be there or not but I voted for the south.  It figures into the rotation.

[hig4s]

Sparta NC, is North of Nashville KY,, so how it that South?? It is farther from Key West Florida, than from Augusta, Maine

[mustang28027]

Chatanooga would work... Fontana Village, too... or  Sparta, but what facilities are in Sparta?

[maddjack]

Chatanooga would work... Fontana Village, too... or  Sparta, but what facilities are in Sparta?

ESTN 2007 was held there, Food ,gas Beer within walking distance of the motel

[chornbe]

Looking at the poll results, it seems the decision's pretty clear.  

[maddjack]

Looking at the poll results, it seems the decision's pretty clear.  

So who's running it then?? Bueller?

[chornbe]

There was talk of various places and I put up the poll, not realizing that Maddjack had already begun "the process" because there was no official/stickied post. I apologized to maddjack for stepping on his toes and I haven't really done anything else.

[maddjack]

There was talk of various places and I put up the poll, not realizing that Maddjack had already begun "the process" because there was no official/stickied post. I apologized to maddjack for stepping on his toes and I haven't really done anything else.

No wonder people ignore you  

[happybusa]

Sparta was great, town was not a "resort town" by any stretch of MY
imagination, but I would love to go there again!!!!
The Estn meet was organized to a T and I can ride in any direction,
and you can too.

SPARTA!

[Mookie]

I'm not going, but I was born in Sparta and it's neat seeing other people talk about it  

There are great little roads all over, they even paved the road past my old cabin (Elk Creek), which was kinda sad at the time but good for the bikes.

[stefrrr]

There was talk of various places and I put up the poll, not realizing that Maddjack had already begun "the process" because there was no official/stickied post. I apologized to maddjack for stepping on his toes and I haven't really done anything else.

You should apologize, damn apostrophe apologist.

[maddjack]

He is one of the resident asshats, and damm good at it  

[Oilhed]

I vote for the Northeast.  I know we were there just last year but I hope to be going to WV for the National in June.  I try to do just one longer trip a year and one or two others closer.  Thats just me.

[BigBen]

Sparta is nice, but I think there is only one hotel in the area, the Alleghany Inn. Anybody knows of other hotel options?

[malbojah]

Quick Google search comes up with nothing else, but the Inn would be $140 for 2 nights

[Mookie]

There are probably more hotels just north in Galax VA

[BigBen]

There are probably more hotels just north in Galax VA

Who want's to ride 30 min back and forth from rally HQ? I would rather park my bike after 600 miles and chill-out with everybody in the same location, or at least across the street or down the block.

[Mookie]

Who want's to ride 30 min back and forth from rally HQ? I would rather park my bike after 600 miles and chill-out with everybody in the same location, or at least across the street or down the block.

Forgive me for giving a shit.

[sprint_st]

Quick Google search comes up with nothing else, but the Inn would be $140 for 2 nights

Stayed in a hotel/motel lately?   $70 a night for a double room which quickly becomes $35 per night, not bad, not bad at all.
I've been at the Allegheny Inn for ESTN07 and two HSTA/MSTA events and never paid full price, plus the motel staff were great.

  ESTN 2007 was held there, Food ,gas Beer within walking distance of the motel

Best MC event I ever went to.  It could be deja vu all over again

[stefrrr]

Ray & I stopped at the Alleghany after ESTN '08. I think we paid $55 for the exact same room I had at ESTN '07.  

They're good people. Servicerifle struck gold when he found it. I'd definitely stay there again.

[BigBen]

Forgive me for giving a shit.

Mookie, no need for that. My only concern is, do they have enough rooms if 100 or more people showup for the event? A place with other hotel options nearby would have been better. That's all.

[stefrrr]

Yes, they do. They're large and extremely moto-friendly. They have no problems reserving blocks of rooms.

[BigBen]

Yes, they do. They're large and extremely moto-friendly. They have no problems reserving blocks of rooms.

Cool!  

Thank you.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

There are probably more hotels just north in Galax VA

Does this mean that you might show up?  

[sprint_st]

If you go into MapSource and do a find on hotels, you might be surprised.  There are six hotels within 15 miles, plus about five campgrounds.

I think that ESTN07 had over a hundred riders but the Allegheny Inn wasn't filled to capacity.  If we max out the Inn it will be an amazing event.

[maddjack]

If you go into MapSource and do a find on hotels, you might be surprised.  There are six hotels within 15 miles, plus about five campgrounds.

I think that ESTN07 had over a hundred riders but the Allegheny Inn wasn't filled to capacity.  If we max out the Inn it will be an amazing event.

It was closer to full than you remember ( I remember talking with the owners about it), but it was no big deal because as you noted ,there are possiblitys nearby and a few people did camp that year

[sprint_st]

 It was closer to full than you remember ( I remember talking with the owners about it), but it was no big deal because as you noted ,there are possiblitys nearby and a few people did camp that year

Yes, the Inn was full.  I remember several folks scrambling to share rooms because they just showed up expecting rooms to be available.  It wasn't full just because of ESTN riders.  There were several riders there with no affiliation to STN plus several rooms filled with normal car reservations.  If there was a commitment early enough, maybe we could reserve the whole place.  If it gets too big, Elkin, Jefferson (West Jefferson), Wilkerson, Mt. Airy, Boone, and Mountain City all are viable alternatives to just about the same roads.  I've run out of Mountain City before and that brings some excellent roads in Ky in range plus the Robbinsville, NC area is at the edge of day trip range.

[Mookie]

Does this mean that you might show up?  

Could be fun, when is it?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Could be fun, when is it?

I dunno. I'm new here  

[steveWFL]

Sparta FTW

[maddjack]

  If there was a commitment early enough, maybe we could reserve the whole place.  

 I tried Rod , I tried. It was make it so , http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,48842.0.html     till a 3 month out of the clear blue sky poll. Such as it is   And FYI it isn't about stepping on toes, its about wanting one thing one day , and blind siding the next.  Simply , make up your mind. There I got that off my chest .

[chornbe]

Then make it so. I'm done with the poll and this thread. I'll just show up.

It's in Sparta. Or where ever.

[jimmy]

I don't think he's gonna.  His holidays are booked at a different time, and he isn't going to ESTN.

So, we had two leaders, and now we have none.

What other perils shall we face, this long, dark winter?  

[sprint_st]

  I tried Rod , I tried. It was make it so , http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,48842.0.html     till a 3 month out of the clear blue sky poll. Such as it is   And FYI it isn't about stepping on toes, its about wanting one thing one day , and blind siding the next.  Simply , make up your mind. There I got that off my chest .

Sorta like politics, ain't it    Since you aren't running for political office AND you have enough support already, no doubt the majority of those who actually will show up.  Just do it!!!!    That seems to be what you are doing anyway and thanks for all the work.  If the Allegheny Inn is full, then they just didn't act fast enough.  It is oh so easy to find fault and so hard to actually do the work.  I am very familiar with all the work that servicerifle did on ESTN07, he worked his ass off and it showed.  I'm sure somebody didn't like something but that's the way of things.  Jack, if we get fifty or so riders who love to ride it WILL be a success, all the other stuff is gravy.

[tomballos]

EST.N 07, Sparta, at the Allegheny Inn was a good time with great riding. The hotel and town had everything we needed and the parking lot was central to a lot of hotel room front doors. A good time.

But I left regretting being so close to the Dragon and Cherohala Pkwy and not getting down there to ride that it still bums me to this day.

My vote is to stay as close to Robbinsville as possible maybe Maryville.  Heck if we're going south let's enjoy what they have to offer.

[sprint_st]

EST.N 07, Sparta, at the Allegheny Inn was a good time with great riding. The hotel and town had everything we needed and the parking lot was central to a lot of hotel room front doors. A good time.

But I left regretting being so close to the Dragon and Cherohala Pkwy and not getting down there to ride that it still bums me to this day.

My vote is to stay as close to Robbinsville as possible maybe Maryville.  Heck if we're going south let's enjoy what they have to offer.

As one who rides the area from Sparta to Robbinsville and everything in between almost every weekend from some time in March to early December,  I would like to make some comments on time, speed and distances involved.   You "can" make a day trip out of Sparta to the Robbinsville area but it will a dawn to dusk run and very little time to smell the roses.  Hitting the Dragon on a Saturday is like hitting the circus on kids get in for free day.   Sparta has as many or more great roads, and a better variety of roads than the Robbinsville area with less packs of rolling road blocks on cruisers.  When you look at this area you have to consider the Great Smokies as a big natural hazard to navigation.  That is why Maryville isn't so good a choice.  You just waste too much time getting to and from the good routes from there.  Madisonville or Tellico Plains are better choices but don't have good facilities either.   If you like N.Ga, which I'm not all that fond of, then Clayton is a good choice and you can make the Robbinsville area very easily.  A very good place would be the Johnson City area.  You can get to all the places you can it from Sparta and take a run at the Gap if you want.   Waynesville, Brevard and Asheville are also good choices, but anything that leans toward the Robbinsville area will have higher traffic density.  Last comment, the Cherohala and Dragon are getting a lot of deserved attention from the LEO's.  Last summer had more fatalities on those two roads than any summer that anyone can remember.  The bottom line is PICK ONE!!!!  
Here are my top ten places to go riding from:
1. Marlinton, WV
2. Sparta, NC
3. Mountain City, TN
4. Johnson City, Erwin TN
5. Asheville, NC
6. Mt.Airy,NC
7. Waynesville,NC
8. Franklin, NC
9. Robbinsvill,NC
10. Clayton, Ga (Dillard)

[maddjack]

Sorry but vacation picking is long over, I cannot get the time off. So I am not attending this one.

I wouldn't worry though, somebody will pick up the ball. I am just really bummed (winter blues also) I cannot go, I had a blast down there.

[tomballos]

As one who rides the area from Sparta to Robbinsville and everything in between almost every weekend from some time in March to early December,  I would like to make some comments on time, speed and distances involved.   You "can" make a day trip out of Sparta to the Robbinsville area but it will a dawn to dusk run and very little time to smell the roses.  Hitting the Dragon on a Saturday is like hitting the circus on kids get in for free day.   Sparta has as many or more great roads, and a better variety of roads than the Robbinsville area with less packs of rolling road blocks on cruisers.  When you look at this area you have to consider the Great Smokies as a big natural hazard to navigation.  That is why Maryville isn't so good a choice.  You just waste too much time getting to and from the good routes from there.  Madisonville or Tellico Plains are better choices but don't have good facilities either.   If you like N.Ga, which I'm not all that fond of, then Clayton is a good choice and you can make the Robbinsville area very easily.  A very good place would be the Johnson City area.  You can get to all the places you can it from Sparta and take a run at the Gap if you want.   Waynesville, Brevard and Asheville are also good choices, but anything that leans toward the Robbinsville area will have higher traffic density.  Last comment, the Cherohala and Dragon are getting a lot of deserved attention from the LEO's.  Last summer had more fatalities on those two roads than any summer that anyone can remember.  The bottom line is PICK ONE!!!!  
Here are my top ten places to go riding from:
1. Marlinton, WV
2. Sparta, NC
3. Mountain City, TN
4. Johnson City, Erwin TN
5. Asheville, NC
6. Mt.Airy,NC
7. Waynesville,NC
8. Franklin, NC
9. Robbinsvill,NC
10. Clayton, Ga (Dillard)

I haven't ridden the Robbinsville area yet so if it's busy or full of cruisers it won't bother me.  It will be my first time.    I agree their are better times than the weekend to take these high visited rides but if that's how it works out so be it. I am still leaning toward getting as close to the Robbinsville area as possible.  Johnson City or Greeneville could work?

[sprint_st]

When you consider that the STN National is in WV, I'm just wondering how big the turn out for ESTN10 will be?  Throw in the fact that other organizations like MSTA, VFR, and BMW groups have events from late April through September in this same area.  Yes there will be folks who can't go to the National, but then again I for one will pick the National over ESTN if I have to make a choice.  Just sayin'  

[Oilhed]

When you consider that the STN National is in WV, I'm just wondering how big the turn out for ESTN10 will be?  Throw in the fact that other organizations like MSTA, VFR, and BMW groups have events from late April through September in this same area.  Yes there will be folks who can't go to the National, but then again I for one will pick the National over ESTN if I have to make a choice.  Just sayin'  

My point.  I wont go back in Sept cuz I'm going to the national.  But if it's in New England or NY/PA/NJ I would try to make it.

[malbojah]

Come on Oilhead, you've got 2 full months to recover.

[stefrrr]

Sorry but vacation picking is long over, I cannot get the time off. So I am not attending this one.

I wouldn't worry though, somebody will pick up the ball. I am just really bummed (winter blues also) I cannot go, I had a blast down there.

That sucks.  

[Oilhed]

Come on Oilhead, you've got 2 full months to recover.

Its a matter of available vac time

[PirateT7]

  I'm keeping an eye out for whatever decisions are made; I've never been to such a gathering but if the timing and distance fit I'd love to meet some of you lunatics.

[sprint_st]

There was a point in time that I thought Sparta was "the place."

Do we need to pick another place?  If so, then maybe we should have another pole?

Just keep in mind, pole or no pole, somebody has to step up to the plate and organize it.

IMO, after this discussion, that person isn't going to be easy to find.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Just keep in mind, pole or no pole, somebody has to step up to the plate and organize it.

IMO, after this discussion, that person isn't going to be easy to find.

Eh, its not that hard to organize one of these things. It mostly depends on how much that person asks for suggestions versus just goes ahead and plans the damn thing.  

[sprint_st]

Eh, its not that hard to organize one of these things. It mostly depends on how much that person asks for suggestions versus just goes ahead and plans the damn thing.  

No, it is not hard to organize it, and yes you are absolutely right the "just do it approach" is probably the best if not the only way.  That still doesn't answer the question of is Sparta the place or not.  Once that is decided things get much simpler, people will go or they won't.  The thing is just about any place you pick in the SE, there will be enough folks show up to make it a success, you JUST HAVE TO PICK ONE!

[Oilhed]

PA PA PA PA PA.............RT 6

[Mrs. DantesDame]

...you JUST HAVE TO PICK ONE!

We'll know on Friday  

[servicerifle]

Wow, lots of kicking this one around huh?    

I agree with Sprint_ST's assessment.  Even though Sparta isn't "perfect" it IS perfect at the same time.  There are lots of great roads in the area, but it is a little "remote" as well.  That gives the following pros/cons:

Sparta pros:  
Kinda distant from the MC "hotspots" of Robbinsville/Suches so there is less LEO pressure, less MC presence altogether.
Distant from true "tourist" areas so much less traffic.
Distant from true "tourist" areas so prices are lower on most things.
Allegheny Inn was excellent, they gave us a good price, and even gave us free rooms as door prizes.
Breakfast place right out in front of the hotel with good food and good prices.  Invaluable when trying to get the most ride time out of a day.

Sparta Cons:
Not close to the MC hotspots in SE NC that lots of people want to visit.
Not very high-brow (who cares?)
No true MC mechanic support in town, but they are around...even one open on Sunday/Mondays in Winston-Salem if necessary.


One thing to keep in mind when considering locales in SE NC is that many of the counties are DRY...to include the county where Robbinsville is.  That sucks.

I know Sprint_ST doesn't like N. Ga.  I do, especially basing out of TWO.  That may not work with ESTNers though, as most are "hotel" folks not "camp" folks and that's fine.

I still think Sparta is one of the best places to have it in the South for "our" needs.  If you have it there, someone needs to reach out to Max Speed Cycles in Kernersville and get a kick-ass door prize...I'm sure they'll pony up.  Tell them Steve Smith (the guy with the Sprint and the GS) sent you.

Sorry I am out of the country, otherwise I'd help.  

BTW, if the organizers need a spreadsheet to help with dinner/hotel/shirt order organization, I am sure I still have it (the 2007 one) around somewhere, let me me know and I can email it.

[chornbe]

Addressing some of Service's points, it looks like I'll be trailering in because my pillion is still adjusting to the idea of "a day or two on the bike to get there", so I'll be able to provide certain logistical support like trailer should someone need it, a van should we need to transport people/stuff, I can haul in stuff to help with the whole "dry" thing .

I'd prefer to ride, but look at me adapting and helping to promote harmony... go me!  

PS... Sparta is the clear winner and in hindsight, I shouldn't have bothered with the voting thread. Sorry, again, to have stepped on toes and misread some of the communications.  

[sprint_st]

Just come back from two days of riding.  There may not be a Deals Gap option this year.  There was a rock slide 14 miles into TN from the Store.  For a day or so there was a Dragon heaven for some of the squids, they could ride to the overlook and back from the store with ABSOLUTELY NO LEO's or much traffic other than bikes.  That ended some time yesterday, the Gov of TN put up a barricade with LEO's at the TN line.  TN is squabbling with the Feds trying to get money to fix it.  That AIN'T going to happen and the prospects are not good.  The are quite a bit of other road closing making getting where you want to go a bit difficult.  The Cherohala was pretty clean yesterday afternoon but I did not run this morning because it was cold enough for ice from melting snow:
I planned on going to Shady Valley and the Snake today which is still short of Sparta.  What I discovered was just how far that was.  Running from Tellico Plains to Sparta is in theory doable, but the reality is you are talking four hours or more to either Tellico or Robbinsville with lots of slab time.  So, my points, actually two, are you pretty much have to choose Sparta OR Robbinsville area and the road closings that affect access in the Robbinsville area make Sparta a much better choice for this season.  Just a final comment on picking a date.  Find out what is going on at Bristol and Charlotte during the candidate weekends.  ESTN07 had a major event at Charlotte that weekend and something else that I no recall.  The roads were empty because of it.

[servicerifle]

To Sprint_ST's post in the "where" thread, here's the NASCAR schedule.  Like it or not, it DOES make a difference.  I'd say weekend of Aug 21 or Sep 10-12 will be a good time to be in Sparta...lots of people will be going to Bristol or Richmond.  

 23     August 15     Michigan     
Sun 1 p.m.
espn    Tickets | Travel
   
   24    August 21    Bristol    
Sat 7:30 p.m.
abc    Tickets    

   25    September 5    Atlanta    
Sun 7:30 p.m.
espn    Tickets | Travel    

   26    September 11    Richmond    
Sat 7:30 p.m.
abc    Tickets | Travel    

[Jamier]

Sparta looks great for me
Only a few hours from Richmond. That's Andy Griffith country (a little to the west). VIR is just south of Danville, Va. Could be a stop for some who want to see the track or events there.
 Looking forward to it!

  Jamier

[stefrrr]

PS... Sparta is the clear winner and in hindsight, I shouldn't have bothered with the voting thread. Sorry, again, to have stepped on toes and misread some of the communications.  

That's right - you f@cked up. Good thing you're trailering. You're going to need the space to bring the loot since YOU'RE PLANNING IT NOW.