ROAD TO
THE GATHERING
CLEMSON, SC · JUNE 2026
Route 66 IMRG rides to The Gathering hosted by IMRG Middle TN — a 1,257-mile expedition through the heart of the Appalachians.
ROUTE CORRIDORS
Four legendary roads that define this expedition.
The Bluegrass Breaker
Rolling ride through central Kentucky horse country with limestone cliffs and world-renowned stables.
Dixie Highway
National Scenic Byway through the historic Wilderness Road, culminating at the Cumberland Gap Tunnel.
Newfound Gap Road
185 curves and a 2,200-ft vertical ascent through the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Moonshiner 28
Legendary motorcycle corridor and Gateway to the Dragon. Stop at Dry Falls and Highlands, NC.
ROUTE 66 IMRG · EST. 1992
Indian Motorcycle Riders Group · Oak Brook, Illinois · Riding to The Gathering 2026 in Clemson, SC
EXPEDITION ITINERARY
Click any stop to expand details. 8 riders · 4 days · 1,257 miles
Trans-Indiana Transit
Oak Brook, IL → Lexington, KY
Objective: Clear the Indianapolis loop before the heaviest truck and commuter gridlock.
Staging Point
Primary Fuel & Calibration
Group Lunch
Indian Dealership Stop
Group Dinner & Day 2 Briefing
ROUTE MAP
Interactive map — numbered markers match the itinerary stops. Click any marker for details.
GPX WAYPOINTS
Lock these into your Garmin to prevent recalculation to the I-75 slab. Click coordinates to copy.
US-25E — The Dixie Highway
Corbin, KY → Newport, TN · 112 miles
| Miles | Direction | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Depart Corbin | US-25E South toward Middlesboro |
| 52.0 | Cumberland Gap Tunnel | Lighting adaptation — switch to single file |
| 53.5 | Pinnacle Overlook | Walkable POI: 3-state vista (KY, TN, VA) |
| 112.0 | Newport Junction | Junction with I-40 toward Gatlinburg |
US-28 — Moonshiner 28
Franklin, NC → Clemson, SC · 72 miles
| Miles | Direction | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Depart Franklin | NC-28 South toward Highlands |
| 12.0 | Dry Falls | Walk behind the 75-ft waterfall — paved path |
| 20.0 | Highlands, NC | Boutique town — caution with low sun glare |
| 35.0 | SC State Line | Chattooga River crossing into Oconee County |
| 72.0 | Arrive Clemson | Terminus at Tiger Blvd |
FORMATION & SAFETY
MSF-standard protocols for 8-rider group cohesion across all terrain types.
Staggered Formation
Utilize on interstates (I-65, I-75). Lead rider in the left third of the lane; second rider 1 second behind in the right third. Maintain visual contact at all times.
Single-File Formation
Transition on technical sections (185 curves of US-441 and switchbacks of US-28) or in tunnels. Maintain a minimum 2-second gap between riders.
Tunnel Protocol
When entering the Cumberland Gap Tunnel, expect a 10–30 second visual delay with transition lenses. Lead rider signals to reduce speed and increase following distance.
Altitude & Gear
Expect 20–30°F temperature drops at the 5,000-ft Smokies summit. Keep thermal mid-layers and hydration systems (Camelbak) accessible in tank bags to prevent cognitive fatigue.
STAGGERED FORMATION DIAGRAM
Pattern continues for all 8 riders. Switch to single-file on US-441, US-28, and in tunnels.
EVENT HOTEL
Official hotel for The Gathering 2026 — Clemson, South Carolina.
Best Western Plus Clemson Hotel & Conference Center
Valid 3 days before and after the event
Use this code when booking to receive the group rate.
Note: The Gathering 2026 has officially sold out. Hotel rooms are still available to book using the code above.
RV & CAMPING ALTERNATIVES
- Tiger Mountain RV
- Clemson Hills RV Club
- Twelve Mile Recreation Area