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

[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