'06 Dogwood Rally Ride Report
The Twinster
04/16/2006
Hi Folks,
Well I set here with happy exhaustion.
What a great weekend. For 5 years running The Dogwood Rally has been blessed with perfect
weather!
Even though this year fell on Easter, we had a great turnout.
I managed to get 16 people to fill out my roster on my laptop. We also had 4 wives or
girlfriends in attendance.
My wife attended for the first time. I think she now understands why I love these events
so much.
First and foremost, I must say Kudos to TWO. They really out did themselves this year.
If you have never been to TWO, it is hard to convince people how good the food,
hospitality, and down right family atmosphere is there.
The menu included "Sushi Grade Tuna Ahi" cooked or Sashimi style. And it was
"To Die For"!
The roads were in excellent condition thanks to the GA. DOT & the upcoming "Tour
de Georgia" bycycle race next weekend.
My Wife, Barbara stayed behind at TWO to greet those that missed the 10:00am departure.
Greg Johnson of Birmingham, AL lead the "Deals Gap" run. Riding with Greg, as
passenger was his son Ryan, (who also races a Honda XR 100)..
Following Greg:
Jason Johnson on his Kawasaki ZRX1100,
Buck Mitchell of Cohutta, GA on his most excellant '75 XS Tracker,
Eric "e-dogg" Renneisen of Chattanoga, TN ,on his BMW R100RS,
"Nashvlle Bill" Murrin on his Suzuki DL1000,
John Anderson (Roger's brother) of Bell Buckle, TN on his Suzuki SV650 (started with this
group, but decided they were a little out of his comfort range and defected to the less
challaning group I led in Morganton, GA)
The "Deals Gap" group were met on the Cherohala Skyway By Jack Higday of
Clenton, TN, on his 270? TDM & Jacks neighbor John Radar, on, I think, a Victory.
The Group rode the "Cherohala Skyway" and "The Tail of The Dagon".
Chalked up some 250 miles round trip.
Maybe Someone from that group will fill in the details.
The Other Group Ride was led by me on my '79 XS650F Standard (she now has 1400+ miles).
Also in this group were:
Marty Hallberg, of Fayetteville, GA & passanger Robin Goff also of Fayetteville, on
Marty's '03 XS650 Heritage Special,
Adam Mikolajczyk of Lawrenceville, GA on his '78 XS650 Special
Roger Anderson of Murfreesboro, TN. on his Custom '80 XS650GS Special,
Rick Miller of Woodstock, GA, on his '96 Kawasaki Vulcan 500
Bob Haist of Blairsville, GA on his Sportster,
Joined by John Anderson of Belt Buckel, TN on his Suzuki 650 in Morganton, GA.
And Joined later, in Cherry Log, GA. by Al & Vicky Cooper of Medina, Oh. on his Yamaha
XJ650RJ,and Rod Bagly of Belt Buckel, TN on his Honda GL1800 Golg Wing.
Other small groups went on there own rides, such as Barry Berrong & Maggie Oliver on Bear's Triumph Speedmaster along with Danny Denhart on his Honda VTX 1300. Al and Vicky Cooper on his XJ650JR and Rod Bagley on his Honda GL 1800.
The two big Groups left Suches and traveled north on Hwy 60, a most excellant mountain
road to Morganton.
Here the groups split and Greg's group continued up 60 into TN.
Our Group turned west to Blue Ridge. Then south on Aska Rd, through rolling hills and
along the Toccoa River, then right onto Newport Rd. along horse and chicken farms to right
on Double Head Gap Rd. to left onto Roy Road. to Hwy 52 No. to Cherry Log and the
"Pink Pig" for some Bar-B-Q and Garlic Salad.
This is where we picked up Al, Vicky and Rod who had been on their on ride to Hellen, Ga.
and had also come for some Bar-B-Q.
Al, Vicky and Rod decided to contenue with us to see Bill Elliot's old Race shop in Dawsonville. So we went back down Hwy 52, then east on Hwy 136 across Burnt Mtn. to Hwy 53 So. at Jasper, GA-then south on Hwy 53 to Tate, where 53 turns east, past the Historic Tate House, past the Marbel mines then left onto Hwy 183, Elliot Family Hwy, to the Elliot Race shop. Here, John Anderson posed by the Muriel of Bill Elliot's record braking speed of 212.809. (see the photo link below)
Then from the race shop we went north to Amicalola Falls, a quick pass by the Falls, then on to Hwy 52 and east to Dahlonega then left onto Clay Creek Falls Rd. and Oak Grove Rd. and then Hwy 60 N back to TWO at Suches. Some 200 miles in all.
All made it back without a hitch. Another fine meal at the lodge, and then the party
around the fire, with Barry Berrong of Lithia Springs, GA who had been on his on day ride
on his Triumph Speedmaster, with Miggie Oliver of Hiawassee, Ga and Danny Denhart of
Rockmart, Ga. on his Honda VTX1300.
And of corse, the Deals Gap group.
Later, Barry played a few songs as "the Angels" sang along and much Ale was consumed as Flying Dog Brewery, Denver, CO had supplyed a case of there fine Ales. Thanks to their rep Jamie Simpson.
As Sunday was Easter, everone packed up early and was gone by noon, although Marty,
Greg & Jason did have to do one more "Cooler Run".
And, I cannot leave out, Jason let me ride the ZRX 1100 up 60 to the Fire House and back,
WHAT A GREAT BIKE!
Time for some rest, got to work tomorrow.
Thanks to all that came and made it all a success.
We will do it again next year, third weekend in April, just as the Dogwoods come into bloom.
Till Then,----ride Safe.
Mike Davis
The Twinster
Yamaha 650 Society Member #5247
Greg's Report of The Deals Gap Ride
Hey everybody,
Just got back home to Alabama after another great Dogwood rally hosted by
Mike Davis. Every year we all have such a good time at's amazing that the
next rally is even better. This year was the best weather, good roads, and
light traffic.
My 2 sons & I got to TWO after lunch on Friday and we decided to do the
"Cooler" run down 60, over Blood mtn on 129, & back up 180 a nice 40 mile
spin. My older son had recently bought a '99 ZRX1100, the green retro naked
bike, so this was his first real ride on the big bike. My younger son rode
on the back of my TDM850 though he's getting pretty big lately for that. We
were joined by Danny on a big Honda VTX cruiser. After chasing after us he
had ground off the edges of his floor boards running in the twisties.
That night there was tasty fresh Ahi tuna served in the lodge though service
was very slow. Over 70 people came in for dinner so the small staff was
over whemed. The night was not bad as group conversions cut through the
time.
Saturday was a full day starting with breakfast in the lodge and fueling up
the bikes. I short rider's meeting at 9:30 and we broke up into groups and
off we went at 10:00. I lead the Deal's gap ride and we rode a quick pace
up 60, then 68 up to Tellico Plains, Tenn. We headed east up & over the
Chelehala skyway were we met up with Jack Higday, with his rare '98 TDM850,
and his friend. Up on the crest of the skyway it got very cold since we
were over a mile high. The group rode along the river on 129 to the bottom
of Deal's gap and stop there for some lunch and sight seeing. After lunch
we made a run over Deal's gap and down the dragon to the dam overlook. Yes
Jack forced me to ride his '98 TDM, I rode down to tab cat bridge and back.
Compared to my '92 with it's 360 crank Jack's has a 270 crank and does rev
out better, they both have the same clunky gearbox though. Jack left us
there to return home and we turned back to ride the dragon in reverse. We
took 28 south to Robbinsville and decided to come straight down 129 because
it was getting pretty late by then. It was 6:30 by time we arrived at
Suches and time for another great dinner in the lodge followed by a fire and
beers (life is good).
This morning we all packed up but not before we did the cooler run one more
time before leaving. Well after drive home and some unpacking it's back to
work for a week and then the Barber superbike races next weekend.
Greg Johnson