"This ain'"This ain't no poker run" Rat raid on the Dragon Sept. 27-29
article and photography by Neale Bayly
Situated just a couple of miles from the world famous "Tail of the Dragon," the Tapoco Lodge in Robbinsville, North Carolina, was the venue for the September Rat raid. Events coordinator Greg Casey, ably assisted by Knoxville Rat Pack leader Scot Dail, did an excellent job of putting the event together and keeping it running smoothly. Around 80-85 Triumph owners showed up from all over the country, and the turn out was a lot better than might have been expected looking at the weather earlier in the week.
With a Tropical storm roaming around in the Gulf of Mexico and battering Louisiana into submission, 
North Carolina found itself walled in with rain with no sign of blue skies in any direction. I live a couple of hours from the Tapoco lodge, and for many days I sat at my computer gazing out at the steadily falling rain wondering if it would ever stop. By Friday morning my good friend Eric Bock and his new Speed Triple were sitting in my living room watching it too. Having driven more than 10 hours from Florida with his friend Jim Sands, he was glued to the weather channel in the hopes of some positive news. Late afternoon found us pulling into the Tapoco Lodge, having ridden on damp roads but thankfully no rain. Later in the evening, Rat member Colin Lees and his buddies pulled in as the rain began again, having had a wild ride up from Orlando in Florida. A bunch of serious riders, these guys had already set up their tents at a nearby campsite before riding over to join us. 
The rain had not deterred too many people though, and a good crowd had assembled as we went to an MSF safety talk by Rat Rider Andy Kay. Andy, of Riders of the Lost Empire fame, rode the whole Triumph Across America ride and you can read his account in Moto Euro, a fine European only motorcycle magazine. A more dedicated Triumph enthusiast would be hard to find and his well-delivered talk was extremely insightful and helpful. For the group attending it was a chance to refresh old skills, learn new ones and enjoy a QA session with Andy.
Safety talk over it was time to head down to the lodge to take in a little blue grass music and enjoy some conversation with the many riders from around the country. There were other celebrities on hand, aside from Greg Casey, and the "Legendary" Jim Howell was in attendance, having ridden his Bonneville down from Pennsylvania. As one of a small number of people who made the whole Triumph Across America ride, Jim has the unenviable distinction of having his name left out of every story about the ride. As a tireless worker, and all around great guy, his presence at the Dragon raid was one of the many highlights of the weekend.
Saturday morning started cloudy and warm with a positive feeling that better things were to come. We enjoyed an excellent breakfast at the lodge before saddling up for an early morning blast along the dragon. Joey Peterson had kindly brought me a new TT600 for the weekend and armed with Triumphs incredible sporting middleweight, I joined my friends Eric and Jim. We found the Dragon shrouded in early morning mist and the road conditions were wet with much debris scattered on the roads. Reaching the overlook on the Tennessee side, we were greeted by shafts of warming sunlight and awesome views of the Chilhowee lake, the steep mountains filled with fast moving clouds. A more picturesque setting is hard to imagine and as we stood we could visibly see the clouds burning off in the sun.
Back at the lodge, everyone was grouping up for his or her rides. Greg and Scott had provided us with very comprehensive folders on arrival, containing schedules information and detailed route finders. This gave people the opportunity to take the ride of their choice with their chosen group of riders as people were riding Bonneville's, Tigers, Speed Triples and more. Mike Vaughan had come to join in the fun and took off on his Daytona. I opted to join Greg Casey, Dan Harmon, Joey Peterson and a few others mostly on Speed Triples and Daytona's. Eric Bock and Jim Sands joined us, as did Tod Cole, Jonathon West, Andy Kay, Chris Langlois, Carey Davis and a gentleman on a new Daytona whose name escapes me.
Our ride left out a little before noon with the bright sun streaming through the canopy of leaves. Rolling up to the Dragon through the soft green light I settled into the TT's comfortable seat and got ready for a great days riding. The roads had dried and our ride along the Dragon was spirited and fun. We had to maneuver past a number of slower moving BMWs, and by the time we had reached the overlook the early morning mist had passed, leaving nearly clear blue skies and a bunch of smiling faces. A quick look at the map and Greg lead us all back down the Dragon and along route 129 bound for Wayah road. We rode fast and smooth, the group settling itself into a natural order with Dan Harmon, Jonathan West and Myself sitting behind Greg. Through Robbinsville the tarmac smoothes out and the road opens up a little. It throws in some high-speed sweepers and a few tight turns and after a time we picked up US 74 and made for Wayah road. Eric Bock and I found this road a year or so ago, and it is a gem. Lightly trafficked and very technical, it climbs up hill and down dale as you blast along through tunnels of shady trees and through occasional open fields. 
The road surface was a little debris strewn in places, but with almost no other vehicles we were able to make haste. I found myself tucked in behind Dan, who in turn was tucked in behind Greg, and as we put our bikes through their paces I grabbed a glance in my rearview mirror. Way back up through the trees I saw a headlight rounding a turn. Minutes later the headlight was closing and I wondered who was riding so fast, especially as we were not hanging around. Moments later my rear view mirror was filled with fairings and bags as Jonathan West slid, scraped and muscled his 97 Trophy round the twisting country roads. Out of respect for us lesser mortals on sport bikes he was polite enough not too pass.
Later in the day, we came across Ricky Road racer himself as we made our way back to the Lodge. Able to hang off and get his knee out in a straight line he had forgotten to learn the fast way round a corner. Unfortunately on the narrow roads, and riding a sport bike, he was able to get up enough speed on the straights to make it near impossible to pass. Greg and Dan squeezed by, but Ricky kept up his theatricals. Then, with what I thought should be the final insult, Jonathon blitzed him through some tight bends. He just kept on hogging the road while I sat and marveled at the sight of a Triumph Trophy creaming a sport bike with its undercarriage merrily scraping along the asphalt: Awesome stuff.
But I digress. Back on Wayah road we did our own share of sliding and spinning as we made for Franklin. Up ahead of me I had a ringside seat as I watch Dan lose the front end at speed and perform a miraculous recovery. With his Speed Triple back under control it was throttle to the stop and back on Greg's case until we pulled over for gas. Moments later the rest of the group pulled in and we made a plan for lunch. Eric Bock knew a cool place and led us out onto the main road for a civilized ride to the Creekside Café Gazebo. Indulging in some tall tales we ate before saddling up for our afternoon ride.
This saw us picking up US 28 and making our way north. The sun was shining, the roads lightly trafficked and we enjoyed smooth, twisting roads that ran through the local countryside. Again we were able to stretch our throttle cables and it was no surprise to find Jonathon West first to the end of the road. US 28 is an excellent piece of road. If you are ever out this way pencil it in. The scenery is awesome, the road condition first class and it is stuffed full of great corners. Arriving at the gas station on US 74, we pulled in across from some Harley riders. Slowly pacing around practicing being cool, I wonder what they made of the group of adrenaline crazed Triumph riders all slapping high fives laughing and grinning like a bunch of school boys that have just gotten away with something.
Leaving the parking lot to the Dennis and Peter look a likes we continued north on 28. We took a photo opportunity at a scenic overlook that afforded breathtaking views of Fontana lake before hooking up with US 129 that would take us back to the lodge. The first part of the road was little rough, but the second half was pure heaven. Smooth, technical and again nearly devoid of traffic we all had a blast as we attempted to straighten it out. The views of Cheoah lake were magnificent as we rolled along in the soft afternoon light heading back to the lodge. On arrival, we met up with the many other riders who had all enjoyed an awesome days riding over many different routes.
The evenings festivities were just like the day's ride: first class. Close to a hundred people ate a great meal served out in the peaceful grounds of the Tapoco lodge. With Triumphs lined up in every direction, good food and the sound of the river rushing by the front of the lodge it was just picture perfect. Dinner over, it was time for Chris Langlois to give a tech seminar before Greg took the mike and did his thing. A keg had been provided to accompany the great food and everyone was in great spirits for his speech. Greg gave a rousing talk and thanked all the people that had made the event so special before dragging Mike Vaughan up to speak. Attending his first Rat event, Mike and his lovely girlfriend, Bonnie, were having a great time. He did a little question and answer session for people and brought everyone up to speed on some of the latest developments at Triumph. 
I know many people that came to the event really enjoyed having Mike attend and rightly so: he has to be one of the best storytellers you will ever meet and I often wonder if there is a limit to the amount of funny jokes he knows. Speeches over Greg performed the raffle, which contained some great prizes. Lots of T. Shirts, (many thanks to Ron and Nancy Johnson from www.tailofthedragon.com) Triumph jackets, back packs and a huge neon clock. Lots of people left with a prize and afterwards people wandered off to listen to some great blue grass by the local band "Lonesome Wind" or head to sleep after a very full day.
Sunday morning brought the end of the Raid. People began pulling out early and it was certainly a little sad to see them go. No one seemed to be in a hurry though and there were still people left at noon. One thing everyone was in agreement on was that they would all be back next year. It really was an awesome event made better by the great people I met. Sharon Maddin on her Bonneville from the Jolly Hooligans in Pensacola who was joined by her husband and Dave Furford on his 99 Thunderbird. Tim Comatser and his brother Michael riding Tigers with four other Tiger owners. The list goes on. If I didn't put your name in and should have, my apologies, lets see if I can do better next year. Many thanks to Greg Casey, Scott Dail and all the Triumph staff and Rat members who made this special event possible. If you can't wait a whole year, then give the good folks a call at the Topoco lodge and come on over. Their web site is www.topocolodge.com and all the information you need is right there. If you are not on the web, call 1 800 822 5083. You can also check in with Ron and Nancy at www.tailofthedragon.com for information about riding opportunities on and off road in this area.
