Riding in NC and Tennessee

Donvito · May 1, 2015

Planning a ride to NC and Tenn in May and I'm wondering about a few of the roads I'm considering using. I'm primarily interested in Rts. 143 and 294 in NC and Rts. 165, 68, 315 and 360 in Tennessee. Looking for condition, rating, places to avoid or watch out for, etc. I plan on taking 129 from south to north and looking for roads to loop around on. Any opinions? Thanks.

Edited May 1, 2015 by Donvito

YamahaLarry · May 1, 2015

Planning a ride to NC and Tenn in May and I'm wondering about a few of the roads I'm considering using. I'm primarily interested in Rts. 143 and 294 in NC and Rts. 165, 68, 315 and 360 in Tennessee. Looking for condition, rating, places to avoid or watch out for, etc. I plan on taking 129 from south to north and looking for roads to loop around on. Any opinions? Thanks.

Just curious, what dates? I will be taking my bike up to Pigeon Forge the last week of May (my entire family is vacationing, but I just got to take the bike and ride the dragon). Was thinking if you were going to be coming thru while I am up there, maybe............................

cowpuc · May 1, 2015

Yea,, I got opinion, YOU ARE GONNA HAVE A BLAST!!!! Have fun and ride safe out there Donv!!!!!

BigLenny · May 1, 2015

Donvito,

I would say branching off of 129 and riding the Cherohala Skyway to Tellico Plains, Tn and back to 129 would be an absolute must.

Tisunac · May 1, 2015

I'm gonna ride The Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway on Sat & Sun, May 23rd and 24th. We'll spend the two nights at Dragons Rest Cabins. If anybody's there, please stop by and say Hi. Also, any place we need to see there, apart from the "usual"?

steamer · May 1, 2015

We were there last year and did not find a bad road. Keep an eye on the weather, if they have heavy rains some roads may be washed out.

Motorcycle Mike · May 1, 2015

NC143 & Tn165 is the Cherohala Skyway. It runs off of 129 in Robbinsville NC. GREAT ride.

165 runs into 68 in Telico plains. Take it south to Duck Town and go west on 64 to highway 30 north then take a right on 315 back to Telico Plains.

Get back on 165 for a short piece, probably less than a mile the left on 360. 360 will dump you out on US 411. Go north on 411 till you go over the lake then turn right on 72. 72 will bring you out on 129 north of the dragon. This is probably a 200 mile loop of some great riding.

Robbinsville is a great place to make your base camp.

294 is a good road. Fairly tame for the area its in. If your a Christian, make sure you check out Fields of the wood. http://fieldsofthewoodbiblepark.com/

This is my playground. Lots of great roads in the area. You may want to check out some of the north Ga. roads on your way up. We have some great ons that are on your way.

Try to ride the dragon early in the morning (07:00 - 08:00) before it gets busy. Its alot safer then.

Motorcycle Mike · May 1, 2015

I'm gonna ride The Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway on Sat & Sun, May 23rd and 24th. We'll spend the two nights at Dragons Rest Cabins. If anybody's there, please stop by and say Hi. Also, any place we need to see there, apart from the "usual"?

We'll be ariving in Robbinsville and meeting up with Kensattitude May 22nd and heading home on the 24th. Maybe we can meet up with you too.

Donvito · May 1, 2015

Just curious, what dates? I will be taking my bike up to Pigeon Forge the last week of May (my entire family is vacationing, but I just got to take the bike and ride the dragon). Was thinking if you were going to be coming thru while I am up there, maybe............................

Current plans are to be there the week of May 10th. Although, a family member is in the hospital in NJ so going to have to wait and see how he does.

YamahaLarry · May 1, 2015

I will be in the area 24th to the 30th. Not sure what days I must spend with grand babies, but will be riding the area a couple days.

djh3 · May 2, 2015

Don did you get a GPS? Seems I remember some discussion about that. I can link some of the route I have run up that way. Usually we run up I75 to Macon Ga then get on 441 I think it is and stay the night in Madison Ga. Then continue north on that road to wherever we are going. Franklin Nc on 28 or Saphire , Highland whatever.

Wrench · May 2, 2015

Not a bad road among the ones you mention. If you get the chance take 321 east out of Gatlinburg to Cosby, then a right on 32. It takes you to the TN/NC state line where the Appalachian Trail crosses, and in my opinion is every bit as much fun to ride as Deal's Gap. The next 4 or 5 miles are well maintained gravel, don't know how you feel about that, but you can come out at the old TVA plant at Waterville or turn around and go back to Cosby and pick up the Foothills Pkwy over to I-40. It's a good little ride and well worth the time. You can go to eastTNVacations.com and get some great info too. I'm an "old school" map kinda guy, and I picked up a brochure last fall called "The Long & Winding Road", you can find them just about anywhere in a brochure stand down there. Good luck and good riding!!

alwrmcusn · May 2, 2015

I live and ride in east Tennessee and those roads seem to be covered here, but also consider (if you have time) a ride down to Helen, Georgia. Really nice ride and the little town attracts LOTS of bikes/bikers/cars.

Wrench · May 2, 2015

I live and ride in east Tennessee and those roads seem to be covered here, but also consider (if you have time) a ride down to Helen, Georgia. Really nice ride and the little town attracts LOTS of bikes/bikers/cars.

OOPS!!! My bad, I forgot Helen, it is a must-see. It's been a few years since I was there but it's well worth the trip. Another good ride is the Moonshiner 28 from Deal's Gap to Walhalla SC. You can take in some sweet scenery and stop at Dry Falls for a little break. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever found a "bad" road down there.

Donvito · May 20, 2015

Got back from our ride and had a great time. Thanks for all the road suggestions, they were all fantastic. Living in FL, it's been many years since riding in country like this. The weather was great too. Can't wait to do it again.