RainMaker's Route to Inzane

[RainMaker]

I've been working on this a lot and with input from Disco, have put together a route for my trip to Inzane.

Plan to leave either Friday, July 22nd at 3PM or early on Saturday, July 23rd from Arlington with a super slab ride to Sweetwater, TN.  The Friday departure would allow a stop in Hot Springs to stay at my father-in-laws house and cut the Saturday ride down. Some fun riding Sunday as the route goes through Deals Gap then will soon hook up with the Blue Ridge Parkway.   Probable stop in Asheville for Sunday night.  From there, head up 16 through West Virginia and then to Columbus or Toledo for the overnight Monday.  From there, it's straight into Michigan through Flint and Saginaw onto Bellaire Tuesday afternoon, in plenty of time for HotGlue's hamburgers.

Haven't seen any other routes yet that would be leaving on Friday or Saturday.  Hope to have some company along the way.

Here's the link for the route on Google Maps:

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=916+Wayland+Drive,+Arlington,+TX&daddr=I-40+E+to:Sweetwater,+TN+to:Tellico+Plains,+TN+to:Robbinsville,+NC+to:Deals+Gap,+TN+to:Happy+Valley,+TN+to:35.6705975,-83.6744869+to:Little+River+Rd+to:Cherokee,+NC+to:Asheville,+NC+to:35.72246,-82.08407+to:35.791934,-82.165234+to:35.873147,-82.026245+to:36.064002,-81.8475521+to:36.1739501,-81.6121291+to:36.230201,-81.532325+to:36.2585031,-81.4493201+to:N+Carolina+16+N+to:I-270+W+to:Shanty+Creek+Road,+Bellaire,+MI&hl=en&ll=35.586968,-83.424683&spn=0.300421,0.529404&sll=35.665386,-83.62999&sspn=0.150063,0.264702&geocode=FRb38wEdXRQ2-inFoHDIwH1OhjFGFc2ju2rZEw%3BFUCqJwIdDi3U-g%3BFTg8HwIdETr3-im1dhKDiW9eiDGd6R-gxfkO_w%3BFSeYGwIdOcb5-iklCRTxzvVeiDFiX13D2XjmPA%3BFfL7GgIdWTMB-ymhFrijXsZeiDFDnNdSoDE46Q%3BFUxLHQIdP43_-in7UOiXPr5eiDEuSoIZNRbkIw%3BFTpZHwIdBOn--inRo1ghP5heiDHzZ7p9LU-a6g%3BFUVKIAIdijoD-ynX4-aR_ateiDFRJzlWoTa4NA%3BFc48IAIdKnIE-w%3BFVpLHQIdRrcI-yk3hNaTEENZiDGWFr7GuFeZow%3BFTE6HwIdYVMU-ykJbw88qYxZiDFdOjQGwTHvlA%3BFdwUIQIdGn8b-ylBO3fxyq1QiDGlu20OIeLXDA%3BFT4kIgIdDkIa-yk9VLK4_ahQiDHW5YynS7X33A%3BFXthIwId-2Ac-ymBKSKdJrtQiDExkV_R2ZXRcA%3BFQJLJgIdABsf-ynn5DWWXetQiDFyGTWp13k8Zw%3BFX74JwIdn7Ii-yn55_cVZftQiDEWsM6waCTNiQ%3BFTnUKAIdW-oj-ym9P5WGBv5QiDEXg3gpKvcBFw%3BFcdCKQIdmC4l-yn5LVAWIAFRiDHNvGfYylqz9Q%3BFboYKgId-H8m-w%3BFT73YwIdYEYO-w%3BFXngrQIdIkXs-ik_SFpUirNKTTFNZKAQ7rb1AQ&mra=dpe&mrsp=7&sz=12&via=7,11,12,13,14,15,16,17&z=11

RainMaker

[Rocketman]

I'll be a week too early to meet you in the Smokies.  Oh well.  Ya'll have fun.

[Bullgoose]

That's a wild route from Tx to Mich. How many days are you talking about to get there. I've done alot of that route at various times. If you're thinking leisurely, I'd be into that. Let me know.
Later

[Hoser]

Don't forget to bring your rain gear!     Hoser

[RainMaker]

I always have the rain gear packed.  With my handle, it's mandatory!

Here's a revised route with the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ashland, OH and Hell, Michigan on the route.  Didn't add much to the time but makes it more fun.
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=916+Wayland+Drive,+Arlington,+TX&daddr=34.30466,-93.06527+to:Wedgewood+Terrace+to:I-40+E+to:Sweetwater,+TN+to:Tellico+Plains,+TN+to:Robbinsville,+NC+to:Deals+Gap,+TN+to:Happy+Valley,+TN+to:%4035.670598,-83.674486+to:Little+River+Rd+to:Cherokee,+NC+to:Asheville,+NC+to:35.6617041,-82.4598169+to:35.791934,-82.165234+to:35.873147,-82.026245+to:36.064002,-81.8475521+to:36.1739501,-81.6121291+to:36.230201,-81.532325+to:36.2585031,-81.4493201+to:N+Carolina+16+N+to:I-77+N+to:Elmarna+Ave+to:42.43313,-83.98728+to:Shanty+Creek+Road,+Bellaire,+MI&hl=en&ll=37.961523,-87.451172&spn=18.607614,33.881836&sll=40.821003,-81.394529&sspn=0.008736,0.016544&geocode=FRb38wEdXRQ2-inFoHDIwH1OhjFGFc2ju2rZEw%3BFZRyCwIdyu9z-ikjGRiAhdcyhjHN3WQFVEt_1Q%3BFTAkDgIdv6N0-g%3BFUCqJwIdDi3U-g%3BFTg8HwIdETr3-im1dhKDiW9eiDGd6R-gxfkO_w%3BFSeYGwIdOcb5-iklCRTxzvVeiDFiX13D2XjmPA%3BFfL7GgIdWTMB-ymhFrijXsZeiDFDnNdSoDE46Q%3BFUxLHQIdP43_-in7UOiXPr5eiDEuSoIZNRbkIw%3BFTpZHwIdBOn--inRo1ghP5heiDHzZ7p9LU-a6g%3BFUZKIAIdijoD-w%3BFc48IAIdKnIE-w%3BFVpLHQIdRrcI-yk3hNaTEENZiDGWFr7GuFeZow%3BFTE6HwIdYVMU-ykJbw88qYxZiDFdOjQGwTHvlA%3BFYgnIAIdWMMV-ykRr4CRFfZZiDFx2nnc9Rq-5A%3BFT4kIgIdDkIa-yk9VLK4_ahQiDHW5YynS7X33A%3BFXthIwId-2Ac-ymBKSKdJrtQiDExkV_R2ZXRcA%3BFQJLJgIdABsf-ynn5DWWXetQiDFyGTWp13k8Zw%3BFX74JwIdn7Ii-yn55_cVZftQiDEWsM6waCTNiQ%3BFTnUKAIdW-oj-ym9P5WGBv5QiDEXg3gpKvcBFw%3BFcdCKQIdmC4l-yn5LVAWIAFRiDHNvGfYylqz9Q%3BFboYKgId-H8m-w%3BFZfgbgIdhP4l-w%3BFZx7bwIdp7YX-w%3BFWp6hwIdsHT--in9pOQSWDQjiDEzDvzNVRjW6A%3BFXngrQIdIkXs-ik_SFpUirNKTTFNZKAQ7rb1AQ&mra=mivtw&via=1,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,23&dirflg=d&z=5

[Skinhead]

Hey Rainmaker,

I made a few changes to your route down in WV and SE OH, I highly recommend you take rt 555 since you are down that way.  It's Ohio's version of the dragon.  Not sure if this will fit your schedule or not, just hate to see you miss it if you have the time.  I didn't spend any time on the route through Michigan, if you'd like something other riding the slab, I could consult with my human GPS and make some recommendations.  Either way have a safe trip and see you in Bellaire.

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=916+Wayland+Drive,+Arlington,+TX&daddr=I-40+E+to:Sweetwater,+TN+to:Tellico+Plains,+TN+to:Robbinsville,+NC+to:Deals+Gap,+TN+to:Happy+Valley,+TN+to:35.6705975,-83.6744869+to:Little+River+Rd+to:Cherokee,+NC+to:Asheville,+NC+to:35.72246,-82.08407+to:35.791934,-82.165234+to:35.873147,-82.026245+to:36.064002,-81.8475521+to:36.1739501,-81.6121291+to:36.230201,-81.532325+to:36.2585031,-81.4493201+to:N+Carolina+16+N+to:I-270+W+to:Shanty+Creek+Road,+Bellaire,+MI&hl=en&ll=35.586968,-83.424683&spn=0.300421,0.529404&sll=35.665386,-83.62999&sspn=0.150063,0.264702&geocode=FRb38wEdXRQ2-inFoHDIwH1OhjFGFc2ju2rZEw%3BFUCqJwIdDi3U-g%3BFTg8HwIdETr3-im1dhKDiW9eiDGd6R-gxfkO_w%3BFSeYGwIdOcb5-iklCRTxzvVeiDFiX13D2XjmPA%3BFfL7GgIdWTMB-ymhFrijXsZeiDFDnNdSoDE46Q%3BFUxLHQIdP43_-in7UOiXPr5eiDEuSoIZNRbkIw%3BFTpZHwIdBOn--inRo1ghP5heiDHzZ7p9LU-a6g%3BFUVKIAIdijoD-ynX4-aR_ateiDFRJzlWoTa4NA%3BFc48IAIdKnIE-w%3BFVpLHQIdRrcI-yk3hNaTEENZiDGWFr7GuFeZow%3BFTE6HwIdYVMU-ykJbw88qYxZiDFdOjQGwTHvlA%3BFdwUIQIdGn8b-ylBO3fxyq1QiDGlu20OIeLXDA%3BFT4kIgIdDkIa-yk9VLK4_ahQiDHW5YynS7X33A%3BFXthIwId-2Ac-ymBKSKdJrtQiDExkV_R2ZXRcA%3BFQJLJgIdABsf-ynn5DWWXetQiDFyGTWp13k8Zw%3BFX74JwIdn7Ii-yn55_cVZftQiDEWsM6waCTNiQ%3BFTnUKAIdW-oj-ym9P5WGBv5QiDEXg3gpKvcBFw%3BFcdCKQIdmC4l-yn5LVAWIAFRiDHNvGfYylqz9Q%3BFboYKgId-H8m-w%3BFT73YwIdYEYO-w%3BFXngrQIdIkXs-ik_SFpUirNKTTFNZKAQ7rb1AQ&mra=dpe&mrsp=7&sz=12&via=7,11,12,13,14,15,16,17&z=11

[MP]

+1 on taking 555 in Ohio.  We went that way on our way to the VOAI Reunion in Marlington a couple years ago.  GREAT road to ride!

MP

[RainMaker]

All recommendations are welcomed and appreciated!

Not sure if we can make 555 based upon the stop in Ashland.  But will take a look.

Thanks!

[Skinhead]

Rainman,

The changes I made don't show on the route attached to my previous route, I'm not sure why, maybe I didn't save them our something, (not used to google maps).  Just an FYI.

[5_19]

Mark you will have a very nice ride out to InZane. It reminds me of the trip Disco, HayHauler, 2Valk and I took last year. About halve way you will be asking yourself : "why am I going to MI again". Last year was my first time out in God's country like Smokin-Joe calls it. He's sure got me thinking!! You will have a blast! See you there, be safe.

[RainMaker]

Rainman,

The changes I made don't show on the route attached to my previous route, I'm not sure why, maybe I didn't save them our something, (not used to google maps).  Just an FYI.

You just have to get the map like you like it, then click on link and copy the link.  No need to save it.

I found 555 just west of Parkerville or Parkerburg or something.  It adds 2 hours to our trip and makes a really long day.  Will need to discuss but after reading about it and thinking we might be tired, it may not be a good idea.

Again, thanks for all the help!

RainMaker

[RainMaker]

Mark you will have a very nice ride out to InZane. It reminds me of the trip Disco, HayHauler, 2Valk and I took last year. About halve way you will be asking yourself : "why am I going to MI again". Last year was my first time out in God's country like Smokin-Joe calls it. He's sure got me thinking!! You will have a blast! See you there, be safe.

It should remind you of it as Disco told me the cities you went thru/stopped in and I just mapped out the route based on that!

Thanks for the good mojo!

Mark

[TXFireman07b]

I would love to make that ride. It would be so nice to enjoy riding with so many of my Valk Brothers. I dont have the time off this year, maybe next. I will have to make plans... When do they usually have the ride and where so I can schedule it next year?
Ride safe and return home in one piece.

[Disco]

When do they usually have the ride and where so I can schedule it next year?

Like this year, '08 and, '09, were the last week of July.  Last year was the third week of July.  I don't know about the previous years. 

Next year's location has not been announced yet. 

[us385south]

Rainmaker...

Rode a few of those routes about a week ago... there is a VERY decent Days Inn in Sweetwater that has rooms for 41 clams per night.(single queen)  Rooms were small but very comfortable... Mickey D's next door and a couple of other restaurants at that exit.  That made a good jumping off point for me... be mindful... the rates of travel diminish in the mountains... time slows by at least two.  Both an element of twisty roads and the Texas flat-lander "oh wow" factor.  Google Maps does not reflect this... plan for extra time.

Ride safe... wait for daybreak... stay in your lane.  I had a lady Harley rider just about creme me in my own lane on NC28 just as I crossed the Fontana bridge headed south.  Oncoming she passed between me and the easement!  I had to just stop.  Four bike rounded that curve oncoming in my lane.  They were obviously in a twist to get up to the Dragon and buy superfluous biker crap with Dragon logos screen printed on it!

Scary!  Very Scary!  What if she had been a truck?  I'd be a widow's insurance claim...

[RainMaker]

Rainmaker...

Rode a few of those routes about a week ago... there is a VERY decent Days Inn in Sweetwater that has rooms for 41 clams per night.(single queen)  Rooms were small but very comfortable... Mickey D's next door and a couple of other restaurants at that exit.  That made a good jumping off point for me... be mindful... the rates of travel diminish in the mountains... time slows by at least two.  Both an element of twisty roads and the Texas flat-lander "oh wow" factor.  Google Maps does not reflect this... plan for extra time.

Ride safe... wait for daybreak... stay in your lane.  I had a lady Harley rider just about creme me in my own lane on NC28 just as I crossed the Fontana bridge headed south.  Oncoming she passed between me and the easement!  I had to just stop.  Four bike rounded that curve oncoming in my lane.  They were obviously in a twist to get up to the Dragon and buy superfluous biker crap with Dragon logos screen printed on it!

Scary!  Very Scary!  What if she had been a truck?  I'd be a widow's insurance claim...

Thank you for all the helpful hints and I agree that our mph will probably decrease tremendously in the mountains.  But that's OK.  The visit to the Hall of Fame is designed to take 5-7 hours.  If we get behind, we skip that and dedicate those hours to riding.  It's a built in buffer.

How about good places for money shots on this route?

RM

[us385south]

Rainmaker...

Just about any of those routes in or around the Smokies will have some spectacular places for M-shots.  That ride up the Blue Ridge will have a few as well.  Many years ago, I used to live in nawth gawga and nawth carolina.  That is quite a convoluted route you,ve chosen there...

ride safe...

T