Need quick suggestions-Riding Atlanta to NY soon.

[Harvey Mushman]

It looks like I'm finally buying the bike that I've wanted for over 20 years. Two days ago I found a beautiful 1985 Honda 1000R online. Monday I'm flying down to Atlanta to pick it up. My current plan is to ride to Deals Gap to spend the first night. I will ride Tail of the Dragon on Tuesday. I think that I'll ride the Blue Ridge parkway up to Shenandoah and Skyline Drive over the next day or two. From there it's the PA "Grand Canyon" and home to the Bristol Hills of NY.
I'm going to be away from the computer for a couple days, but can check back here on Saturday before I leave. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I'll post pictures after I return next week.
Tom

[R5_350]

Hi, congrats on your new purchase. Sounds like quite the adventure you have planned. Be extra careful when traveling through the Deals Gap area, especially on the TN side. The THP annd Blount Co. have for all purposes put an end to the fun at the "Dragon"! Watch your speed, yellow lines, don't call attention to yourself. Take it SLOW and enjoy the ride and you won't be harassed or worse. One advantage is hitting the Dragon on a weekday, much less enforcement. Be careful and have a safe, fun trip!

[R5_350]

Oh yeah, check out this web link:

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

[Harvey Mushman]

Scott, Thanks for the well wishes, warning and link. I just got off the phone with an old friend who lives part way between the airport and the dragon. I might spend the night there and get a fresh start on Tuesday morning. Dan also warned me about the heavy traffic around Atlanta. I have driven there recently, but was in a car. I was glad to hear that bikes can use the HOV lanes. That should make it a little safer. It sure does make a difference in SanFrancisco. This trip is going to be an easy paced ride. No time constraints and lots of fun.

[R5_350]

Hey Harvey,
No problem my friend. If you have the time there are some great roads in North Georgia as well, on the way to the dragon; or at least in the same general vicinity. Heading north from Atl, I'd suggest GA hwy 400 to get north out of town. It will be a big interstate type of highway at first but will change over to some sweet two lane blacktop near Dahlonega(a neat little town) a good place to stretch your legs, about an hour north of Atl. Then I'd suggest hwy 19/129. Hwy 129 will take you directly to and through the "dragon" a couple more hours ride north. There are some other great roads and lops in the area if you have some extra time to spend. If you need some more suggestions... hwy 60, 180, 348, the ever popular loop, 60/180/19-129. If you have any questions about north GA feel free to ask, i'm pretty familiar with the area. Oh yeah, be sure to have your paperwork in order, bill of sale, insurance, etc. just in case you get stopped by the local sheriff, they love to pop out of towners (yankees) cheers, and ride safe and fun. Exactly where in Atl will you be picking up the bike?

[Harvey Mushman]

Scott, I'm going to forward this thread to my friend Dan so he can look at it. Hopefully he can link some of these rides into my trip.
I already have my insurance and the seller is going to keep the plates legal for my ride back. I too was afraid of being a Yank without a Georgia plate. Nothing like riding a conspicuous (SP?) bike and looking like an out of stater. Might as well write "Free money for Boss Hogg" across my back.
I'll be picking up the bike at the airport. The seller works there. He's got it all set up and even threw in a tank bag after we made the deal. Seems like a 100% good guy.

[R5_350]

Harvey, not sure if it's quite that bad but I'm an extra careful guy for the most part. You'll have to mail the tag back to the seller, he'll have to turn it in or get a nasty letter and fine from DMV once he cancels the insurance. There's really no great way to get from the airport to the north side of town without slabbing it. The most direct way would be leaving the airport, I-85 north to the I-85/75 connector north and then I-85 north to hwy 400 north. It'll take you straight though town, it could be a mess depending upon time of day, etc. the other alternative and not a great one would be around the loop I-285 which is usually a mess too. or secondary streets, north though town. I'd probably opt for I-85 north to hwy 400(the first part of 400 is a toll road, I think 50cents). As long as you have a bill of sale(most important), title and insurance you'll be in good shape, even without a tag. Hope this helps ;-)

[Harvey Mushman]

I will send his tag back as soon as I get home. I will slab it straight through to Dan's place in Marrietta. I just did this about a month ago when I bought a Honda Insight near there. I also borrowed the seller's plate for that drive. I drove the expressways all the way home on that one though.
So, there's no Boss Hogg? No Daisy?!

[R5_350]

Well, your chances of meeting Boss Hog are greater than bumping into Daisy Duke. However, Daisy is MUCH more fun!! At least in my experience. If your friend is in Marietta, from the airport, you'll slab it up I-85 to I-75 that'll take you to the Marietta area just north of town. Or I-285 west around the west side of town to I-75north. There are several options to get from Marietta to the North Georgia mountains. I'm sure your friend can help you plan your route.
A suggestion, I-75 north from marietta to I-575 north to 108, Tate, Marble Hill area to 53 to Dawsonville and then 9 to Dahlonega and you can pick up 19 there. 19 will take you to 129.

[redzdvl]

dont know if i'm too late on this ... but SkyLine drive is for the most part 35-40 mph limit for the entire 105mile stretch ... it is a beutiful way to go, but if time isn't on your side, you may want to bypass the entire length...

(for me to go from Fredericksburg, VA to the South entrance of Skyline & up to the "1/2 way point" where route 33 (?) intersects & back home is a 300 mile trip & takes a good 8 hours at a modest 70mph to/from skyline & 35-40mph while on skyline.)

also remember that skyline (& i think, most of the BRP) is on State Parks territory - their po po dont play as nice as the rest of the locals...

my .02

sounds like a great trip! congrats on the purchase - have fun whatever you decide!