I know it has been a while since I did an update, but with going to work, and riding motorcycles, and going on vacation it is hard to find time to update the site!
Last week we were at Deals Gap. We lucked out and got one of the apartment rooms at the Gap so we did not have to camp at all! It was kind of a bummer that we packed and hauled all the camping equipment with us all week.
This was the first time my kids had ever been in the area. I was hoping this would inspire both of them to want to get a motorcycle license, but it does not appear to have had that effect. I guess they are just not motorcycle people. We did have a great time and they did enjoy seeing all the sights. We hit the Cherohola Skyway, did some swimming, went to the Ripley’s Aquarium, the Knoxville Zoo, and generally kept pretty busy the entire time. We never saw a single drop of rain the entire week, but the weather was not perfect. The heat was unbelievable. The highest temperature I saw on my thermometer in the shade was 105. That is just silly heat. We did not let it ruin our fun, when we got too hot we did something cool like swimming.
Click here to see some pictures from our trip.
The law enforcement situation is still going on at Deals Gap. Last Friday I got to experience it first hand. I have to say that I never saw anything that looked like harassment from the THP. They were just as hot as everyone else and did not seem to even want to be there.
I talked to a couple of THP on motorcycles at the state line. They seemed to be pretty humorless and really did not seem at all interested in having a conversation with me, but it was pretty miserably hot so I will give them a break.
I was sitting at a pull off taking a break and one stopped and asked if everything was OK. I told him I was just taking and break and cooling down and he said he had some ice water and offered one to me. I said no thanks but I thought it was pretty decent of him to make the offer. I think it is important for us all to remember that even if some of these guys do have an attitude problem there are some pretty good people who work for the THP. Many of them may not agree with what they are being told to do down there but they have to do what they are told to do. If you have ever had a job I am sure you have been told to do things that you do not agree with, but you have to do them anyway. What I am trying to say is lets not just focus on the bad guys, lets also thank the good guys. The links further down do provide a place to acknowledge the guys who deserve a pat on the back.
The only thing that can be done is to raise the speed limit on this road. 30 mph is just too low, and I really think there is no justification for it. It is actually difficult to keep yourself below 30mph on that road. You cannot complain about a speeding ticket for 35mph when the speed limit is set at 30. This road should be 55mph. All the other US highways are 55. I have been on many other roads with sharper, tighter turns that are 55mph. Rt. 16 from Virginia to West Virginia has signs marking 15mph curves for the next 3 miles. Guess what the speed limit is? 55mph. It is time to stop writing tickets for going faster than a certain number and start writing tickets for unsafe driving.
Next weekend I guess I will get to be fully immersed in this whole situation because I will be there for the entire Labor Day weekend. I really hope I don’t get a ticket, but I expect them to be out thicker than ever for the holiday weekend. If I deserved a ticket I would not complain. If I get one for going 35mph in a perfectly safe manner I’ll be pretty upset. If they are pulling every bike over just to harass people and find something to fine them for I’ll also be upset. I am hoping for the best, and actually doubt if I’ll ride Deals Gap much during the holiday weekend anyhow. Even without the law enforcement the traffic is just too heavy. I’ll check out some of the other roads and hang out and watch the show and then on Tuesday when everyone goes home I’ll enjoy the Gap for a while.