Great smokey mountain week of riding

[emptysea]

I hope you're having a Great Smoky Mountains time, MP.

There are people following this thread that know so much more about riding in that area than I do that I feel a little reluctant to make any suggestions, but I'm going to go ahead and do so.

If you're up for a long-a** day, but with some great roads, here's an option for you.

https://goo.gl/maps/tV9UNf84Z7E6j52u8




I have not been as far a Bryson City on 2 wheels (as far as I can recall at least) so there may be a better way out and back from there than US74.

This route is 300+ miles, so there's that.
It takes you up NC28 and gives you an out and back run at Tail of the Dragon. After that is puts you on Cherohala into Tellico Plains and then south on TN315 which I found to be a delightful, uncomplicated respite from the more technical roads you would have just been on. There's an old Texaco gas station in or near Reliance that has been converted to a rafting outfitter and is a great stop for a photo. Then TN68 back to Tellico Plains for another traverse of Cherohala and then back to base camp. If your ambitious, you could stay on 68 south to Copperhill/McCaysville for photos of the TN/GA state line that is painted through the middle of the towns. If you're really ambitious, you can pick up US129 at Robbinsville on the return trip and take that to US74 for a very pretty ride along the Nantahala River. The Appilacian Trail crosses 74 along there and there's a neat little convenience store there that has local brews for your post-ride enjoyment (if that gives you enjoyment).

Again, you may know all this and there are certainly folks here that have more local knowledge. I just really liked riding TN315 and TN68 in addition to 129 and Cherohala and combined them in to one long loop.