09-08-2025, 04:28 AM
Here are some ideas about Murphy, NC, one major caveat being that I've only personally ridden on about half of the routes that I'm suggesting, but... I know that several other rally-goers have experiences in this area to contribute also.
First, Murphy is located about 75 miles further west from our 2022 rally in Maggie Valley. It's near the intersections of far western NC, northern GA, and far eastern TN, on the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway. From here, you can reach numerous "famous" motorcycle roads: Cherohala Skyway, Moonshiner 28 (the portion south of 74 that we didn't ride in 2022, the Wayah (county road 1310), and, of course, the Tail of the Dragon is within easy reach. Additionally, there are attractions like Suches, GA (in the Chatahoochee-Oconee Nat'l Forest, the quaint mountain town of Highlands, NC (with a famous waterfall that you can walk behind the wall of water), Bald River Falls, Fontana Dam, Nantahala Outdoor Center, and Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort that would either be on a planned route, or within easy reach if some riders want to strike out on their own.
I did just enough cursory route planning to convince myself that there's a week of riding from here, with loops mostly around 125-140 miles that would be "rally-worthy".
There's a Holiday Inn that looks suitable in Murphy, and suitable dinner venues. As a contingency, the town of Andrews is only about 15 miles further East, and I have stayed there, so I know it to be acceptable in terms of hotel and eateries.
There are also suitable "rainy day" or non-riding day activities/attractions as well. Cherokee is about 55 miles away, with it's Casino, Cherokee Indian Museum, and numerous t-shirt shops, etc. Highlands is an absoutely picturesque mountain town with a historic "feel" about it's downtown.
Bottom line is that I think we could construct a great rally out of this area, assuming we're not all "burning out" on the Appalachain mountains. If we decide on this area, I'll be glad to put some more effort into researching it.
First, Murphy is located about 75 miles further west from our 2022 rally in Maggie Valley. It's near the intersections of far western NC, northern GA, and far eastern TN, on the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway. From here, you can reach numerous "famous" motorcycle roads: Cherohala Skyway, Moonshiner 28 (the portion south of 74 that we didn't ride in 2022, the Wayah (county road 1310), and, of course, the Tail of the Dragon is within easy reach. Additionally, there are attractions like Suches, GA (in the Chatahoochee-Oconee Nat'l Forest, the quaint mountain town of Highlands, NC (with a famous waterfall that you can walk behind the wall of water), Bald River Falls, Fontana Dam, Nantahala Outdoor Center, and Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort that would either be on a planned route, or within easy reach if some riders want to strike out on their own.
I did just enough cursory route planning to convince myself that there's a week of riding from here, with loops mostly around 125-140 miles that would be "rally-worthy".
There's a Holiday Inn that looks suitable in Murphy, and suitable dinner venues. As a contingency, the town of Andrews is only about 15 miles further East, and I have stayed there, so I know it to be acceptable in terms of hotel and eateries.
There are also suitable "rainy day" or non-riding day activities/attractions as well. Cherokee is about 55 miles away, with it's Casino, Cherokee Indian Museum, and numerous t-shirt shops, etc. Highlands is an absoutely picturesque mountain town with a historic "feel" about it's downtown.
Bottom line is that I think we could construct a great rally out of this area, assuming we're not all "burning out" on the Appalachain mountains. If we decide on this area, I'll be glad to put some more effort into researching it.