There are still some 'brown' spots on the seats....
I never noticed getting in? 😉 So ready for this event. We've been out a few times this year already, but definitely ready for a change of view. We're planning on the whole event this year. Even starting our trip that way a day earlier than expected now we're heading out on Monday. Meeting up with a couple down by Indy on Tuesday and riding down with them.
So ready for some time off work and some good riding.
Riding the Tail of the Dragon is usually a pain in the butt. Lots of traffic always getting behind someone barely doing the speed limit. If you never rode it before ya gotta do it once - after that there are much better rides with little to no traffic. The Rattler is a good one for everybody but EjFord
Wasn't that 2 years ago he had that incident? That was our first time there and he took me for a ride to show off the baker wind wings. If my memory serves me correctly he didn't tell me about it till after our quick ride.
I remember him telling me about this amazing guy that helped him straighten things out......
We did the rattler I think the next day.
DAMN BUDDY!! At least let ‘em get here and figure out I’m an asshole on their own
I've seen your posts and a lot of others regarding you and the antics involving lots of liquid truth serum.
I'm pretty sure I have friends that are way worse. At least from what I've read about you.
I look forward to meeting ya and you are invited to my creek — we will certainly have plenty bourbon and shine for you to test.. BTW my Dad was from Hazard, KY
I have seen a lot of posts regarding you or posts about festivities at your place during the Maggie event. You seem to be a popular host for the area. I'll have EJ point me in your direction when we get down there.
Is anyone starting a countdown to Maggie Valley?
All I know is that I am ready to go. Praying for good weather and nice riding conditions, and some good Bourbon!
Oh I forgot to say Good People and conversation and Bourbon!!!!!
I know me and the misses are so ready. Rooms are booked, vacation time approved at work, already pre-registered for the event, Credit cards are ready for the hit they are surely going to get. Even got plans to meet up with some fellow
Hoosiers for the ride down on Tuesday.
Didn't make it last down last year as we had a benefit ride for a friend with brain cancer. Won "Best Trike"award at the ride for the sling.😎 Looking forward to getting back down there this year.
What's with all the talk of bourbon? I understand Kentucky bourbon and all that, but aren't you guys real true southerners? I thought moonshine was the life-water of the South?
My mom's side of the family is from Kentucky. 😉
Baker is no longer making products... they still have some for sale the last I heard so give them a call. A different company may take over there product line.
That explains the other companies now making a couple different style deflectors. Yours might be worth something now.
Wasn't your set the first or one of the first ones?
Hey EJ,
We are planning on making it down again this year. Staying over in Cherokee so we will have a nice ride to and from the fairgrounds. As of now should be getting in on Tuesday staying up to Saturday. I still haven't bought those baker wings.😉
Randy
Ej,
I mentioned this to my wife yesterday. We're going to try and make it if I'm not working.👍 It'd give us a chance to talk more and possibly meet some new faces. Hope to see you there.
Randy
Randy we need to get together in the near future for a weekend afternoon ride and maybbe a bite to eat. Georgia likes a nice afternoon ride whenit's not to hot.
EJ,
Sounds good! Hoping this heat breaks, haven't rode all week because of it. So beat down by the time I'm done working just wouldn't be enjoyable. Julie doesn't like riding when it is that hot either.
Got a long weekend so maybe this weekend? I've got your number so maybe I'll hit you up if we're out and about. Maybe you have some areas that we haven't explored yet. 😎
Randy
Ej,
Was nice meeting you at Maggie. Thanks for the ride to check out the baker wings. I didn't pull the trigger on them this year.😉 Couldn't even tell you had a mishap by the ride.🤷🏻♂️
Was hoping to run into you again and do some riding but never seen you after that one night? Got some good riding in on the rattler and blue ridge parkway. We met a lot of nice folks from all over and saw a lot of nice rides. Got lots of ideas for future options/add ons.
Had a great time as did the wife. Picked up some sling bling and went through the museum. Was really interesting and met Dale's son (super nice guy). Found out his wife is from a town 15 minutes from my place here in Northern Indiana. Such a small world.😎
Only riding we did with anyone else was a couple we meet in hot springs. They had a brake issue (lost a brake pad due to a bolt coming loose) and we ran across them as they just finished getting it back together with the help of some great locals. Followed them back to Maggie to make sure they made it ok.
Pretty sure we'll be back next year.😁
Randy
Display MorePersonally I would avoid the group rides. They take too many people and it goes very slow trying to keep everyone together. You will meet a ton of new people that know the area or are at least somewhat familiar with it and would be more than happy to have you tag along and show you around. I would hop in with a small group of people like 5-7 total and go out with them. It will be a lot more fun.
There are a ton of great rides in the area. My favorite by far is the Cherohala Skyway. Tons of long swooping turns and tons of scenic overlooks. That is about 30-40min from Maggie. Another great ride is The Rattler. There are some nice long turns, a tight technical section, and a couple long straights where you can stretch your slings legs out. It winds through a cool area and there's a general store roughly in the middle if you need to stop for a snack or something to drink. It ends in a cool town (can't think of the name something springs I think) where you can grab lunch and head back later. That is also about 30min from Maggie. The Blue Ridge Parkway is maybe 10min from Maggie. That is another great ride with lots of scenic overlooks. Tail of the dragon is cool if you've never done it. I get a little bored on it because it is usually so crowded, the speed limit is 25 and its littered with police handing out tickets. BUT I would definitely do it if you've never done it. Hit it early in the week before the weekend and there is a LOT less traffic.
In Maggie there is a sports bar called Legends. They have good food and some nights have live music. There is a Mexican restaurant next to the fairgrounds where the event is at called Guyabitos (spelled horribly wrong) that is pretty solid. Cafe Italiano across from the fairgrounds is pretty solid also. Brickhouse burgers and pizza is pretty good but the service is a little slow. There's also a couple solid BBQ places East of the fairgrounds as well.
If you are in to motorcycles at all I would also make a stop in the Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum. There's at least 300 bikes in there with some dating back as far as the early 1900s. There's a British guy there that I believe is the GM there. If you see him wondering around or talking to others as him for the guided tour. It's worth it. I think I spent about 2hrs talking to the guy about all the bikes and the back stories behind some of them. His personal back story is also pretty interesting.
Sorry for the novel. I'll have a booth set up there. Swing by and introduce yourself and if you're still looking for a group to ride with, I can definitely get you paired up with some great folks in the Sling community that would be happy to show you around.
Kyle,
Wow thanks for the great highly detailed reply. Your explanation of the group rides covered my concerns. I'll be looking forward to seeing all the vendors and products when we get there.
Restaurants sound like are covered pretty well also. Love some authentic mexican food. 
Burgers and 🍕 as well so more than enough to choose.
Was hoping to make it to Wheels through time as well. Along with just some random sight seeing also. Also sounds like plenty of options for rides in the area.
Getting closer and really looking forward to the time off work and some much needed wind therapy.😎
Not sure if you have a room or not but there are lots of motels in Maggie Valley. We're staying at the Four Seasons an older unit but nice price clean and comfortable. I would recommend that you hook up with just a guys and head for the hills. Any more than 6 or 8 is to many for running the Smokies. I'm going to send you a pm.
Ej,
Yep got a room booked for the 3 days were going to be there and a room for a night on the way down there. Jonathan Creek inn is where we are staying. Looks nice and see most have said the same.
That's what I was thinking about the rides. Just don't want to be stuck in a large group in case of breakdowns or traffic issues.
I'll shoot you a message this afternoon. Thanks! 😎
So me and my wife are attending SSITS this year. I have been planting that bug in my wifes ear for awhile and finally we decided to go. We've been getting into longer rides/vacations and have now done a few trips down to Tennessee. Rooms are booked and already registered months ago.
We're coming down from northern Indiana real close to EJ's neck of the woods. Not much for scenery up this way so looking for some suggestions. Was wondering what areas guys recommend for rides out of the options for the groups rides they have planed? Is it better off to go explore on your own or join in the group rides? I'm not afraid of exploring new areas but my wife and I would like to try some of the group rides also.
Any good places to go see or areas to avoid? We've done plenty of adventures/exploring and ended up in some great scenic areas but also some really ugly areas to be in a sling so trying to avoid any stressfull areas.
Any recommendations for good restaurants to try out in the area would also be appreciated. We're not foodies by any means but we do like to eat good food.😋
Thanks in advance.🙂👍
Randy
