BMWROK Fan Club
From OH & PA - June, 2012
“Tennessee in Memorial Mode” By Don P.
It’s not unusual for motorcyclists to begin considering distant destinations when a long weekend looms. On this occasion it was the posting from the BMW Riders of Knoxville (ROK) about their weekend rally the Two Creeks campground in Del Rio, Tennessee that moved the dial from maybe to definitely. The participants from Pennsylvania and Ohio hadn’t heard about that particular town, but they were familiar with names like Cherohala Skyway, Tail of the Dragon, Devil’s Triangle and the new one, The Rattler.
At first there was a suspicion that the club was using reverse psychology when the flyer stated that participation was limited to the first 100 registrants. That was goad enough to get registered early, but there were no shenanigans afoot. The Two Creeks site is nestled between, you guessed it, two creeks and really couldn’t support much more than the stated maximum. Shaded, grassy, Kudzu-less—the site easily accommodated the gathering, and is available for groups other than motorcyclists.
Okay, so if it’s close to all those famous loops, just where is it? Del Rio is about half way between Newport TN and Hot Springs NC. More details available from twocreekstn@aol.com or call Jerry or Cindy Dobrianski, the owners, at 423-587-1718. This is the French Broad River, Asheville, Johnson City, Knoxville area and offers access to excellent riding, named or un-named. Saturday, riding day #1 consisted of a rip to Tellico Motorcycle Outfitters (www.tellicomoto.com) for that item of gear that will complete your accessory requirements and it’s at the western end of the skyway. Are you a sucker for waterfalls? After entering the Skyway and while you’re still on TN Rt. 165 look for the sign for Bald River Falls; take the side trip. The route number changes to NC 143 just beyond White Rattlesnake Rock Trailhead. Most riders head toward Robbinsville when they hit the intersection of NC 129. Those with energy left can do the Tail of the Dragon if they turn left. If you did so and went back to Rt. 411, you would have completed what’s known at the Cherohala Triangle.
Our small group had eyes for the Rattler which begins at Clyde NC so we turned right on 129 and picked up 19/74. Get on NC209 at Clyde, but gas up at Ferguson’s Fines Creek Supply and grab a pin, patch or tee to show you were there.
After dinner back at camp the dancing flames may put you into a more reflective mood and Two Creeks has just the solution. Walk toward the tree line in May and early June and you’ll see a firefly mating ritual worthy of a holiday weekend; plenty of lights but no booms. Sunday, riding day #2 gave two of the visitors the chance to ride with the ROK President, Mike Copenhaver. I wish I could offer details of this ride, but it was all I could do to keep up. I remember TN80, NC 226A, Erwin, signs that kept trying to direct us to Asheville and my cheeks hurting from smiling inside my helmet.
The date of this rally may move for 2013, but if you’ve been looking for a really bucolic rally site, extremely helpful club staff and a location that will suit ANY weekend activity in the area, be it riding, shopping, botanizing or just sharing stories, consider keeping the ROK club on your computer’s bookmarks. I will. Don P.
It’s not unusual for motorcyclists to begin considering distant destinations when a long weekend looms. On this occasion it was the posting from the BMW Riders of Knoxville (ROK) about their weekend rally the Two Creeks campground in Del Rio, Tennessee that moved the dial from maybe to definitely. The participants from Pennsylvania and Ohio hadn’t heard about that particular town, but they were familiar with names like Cherohala Skyway, Tail of the Dragon, Devil’s Triangle and the new one, The Rattler.
At first there was a suspicion that the club was using reverse psychology when the flyer stated that participation was limited to the first 100 registrants. That was goad enough to get registered early, but there were no shenanigans afoot. The Two Creeks site is nestled between, you guessed it, two creeks and really couldn’t support much more than the stated maximum. Shaded, grassy, Kudzu-less—the site easily accommodated the gathering, and is available for groups other than motorcyclists.
Okay, so if it’s close to all those famous loops, just where is it? Del Rio is about half way between Newport TN and Hot Springs NC. More details available from twocreekstn@aol.com or call Jerry or Cindy Dobrianski, the owners, at 423-587-1718. This is the French Broad River, Asheville, Johnson City, Knoxville area and offers access to excellent riding, named or un-named. Saturday, riding day #1 consisted of a rip to Tellico Motorcycle Outfitters (www.tellicomoto.com) for that item of gear that will complete your accessory requirements and it’s at the western end of the skyway. Are you a sucker for waterfalls? After entering the Skyway and while you’re still on TN Rt. 165 look for the sign for Bald River Falls; take the side trip. The route number changes to NC 143 just beyond White Rattlesnake Rock Trailhead. Most riders head toward Robbinsville when they hit the intersection of NC 129. Those with energy left can do the Tail of the Dragon if they turn left. If you did so and went back to Rt. 411, you would have completed what’s known at the Cherohala Triangle.
Our small group had eyes for the Rattler which begins at Clyde NC so we turned right on 129 and picked up 19/74. Get on NC209 at Clyde, but gas up at Ferguson’s Fines Creek Supply and grab a pin, patch or tee to show you were there.
After dinner back at camp the dancing flames may put you into a more reflective mood and Two Creeks has just the solution. Walk toward the tree line in May and early June and you’ll see a firefly mating ritual worthy of a holiday weekend; plenty of lights but no booms. Sunday, riding day #2 gave two of the visitors the chance to ride with the ROK President, Mike Copenhaver. I wish I could offer details of this ride, but it was all I could do to keep up. I remember TN80, NC 226A, Erwin, signs that kept trying to direct us to Asheville and my cheeks hurting from smiling inside my helmet.
The date of this rally may move for 2013, but if you’ve been looking for a really bucolic rally site, extremely helpful club staff and a location that will suit ANY weekend activity in the area, be it riding, shopping, botanizing or just sharing stories, consider keeping the ROK club on your computer’s bookmarks. I will. Don P.
