Chicago to Gatlinburg Ride -- advice/suggestions requested

[emptysea]

Hi, fellow CB1100ers!

I am in charge of planning 2014's annual "big trip" for my little group of biking friends here in Chicago. It's snowy and cold here today, so I cannot think of a better way to spend the afternoon than planning for this trip, but I could use a little help.

Here's the high-level view of the trip:

Dates: probably the first week of June, 2014
Loose plan: Ride from Chicago to someplace close to Cincinnati on Day 1. Ride to Gatlinburg, TN on Day 2. We'd rent a cabin or house for 4 days or so near G'burg and use it as a base camp for rides in the area. I know we are going to ride Tail of the Dragon and we (or at least I) will take a day trip to Chattanooga to visit my best friend who has been very ill for a very long time.

Here's some things with which I could use some help:
1. Places to stay near Cinncy...are there any cool little towns near there with a hotel or B&B walking distance to a decent (preferably local) eatery?
2. Anyone have a contact for decent vacation rentals in or near Gatlinburg?
3. Any route advice for the trip from Cinncy to G'burg? I was thinking of stopping at Cumberland Falls, but otherwise I'm looking for points of interest and fun routes.
4. Any advice for 1st time riders at Deal's Gap? We've got 3 Wings, a CB, and a CTX in our group if that helps.
5. Any ideas on things to do besides ride? Rafting? hiking? Etc.
6. Any other "not to be missed" roads to hit while we are in the area?

Any help on any of this will be GREATLY appreciated!!
Thanks!!
Matt.

[Obleo]

Fontana village is near the dragon. Go to the deals gap web site or the tailof the dragon web site . Lot's of info there.Cherohala skyway is a must. A side trip to Maggie Valley (Wheels thru time museum) Blue Ridge Parkway is near by.

[the Ferret]

How many days do you have planned for the trip? How many hours do you figure you can spend on the road each day ? (figure 50 mph average for freeway days and 40 mph for back roads days and 45 mh for mixed road days....which will tell you how many miles you can make each day)

[emptysea]

As it stands now, we'd leave Chicago on a Saturday morning and arrive in Gatlinburg toward the end of the day Sunday....300-350 each day...probably a combo of interstate and state highways with some back roads tossed in once we get to southern OH and into KY. We would head back from Gatlinburg probably Friday stopping someplace along the way and returning home on Saturday or Sunday. While in Gatlingburg, our day trips probably would not exceed 200 miles round trip.

[emptysea]

Update: Looks like our group will stop for the night in Lebanon, OH. It's about halfway from Chicago to Gatlinburg. I have mapped out a route that keeps us off the interstate and on state and US highways for most of the way, but I'd love suggestions of any good roads to hit, especially south and east of Indy.

I'm still working on our route from Lebanon to Gatlinburg which includes a stop at Cumberland Falls State Park. I might be persuaded to hop on I-75 south of Cincy for part of that leg, if people think that's a pleasant route (for an interstate). Any suggestions on routes, or even individual sections of road, would be appreciated.

Been visiting websites telling me about Tail of the Dragon and other roads in the area, but I haven't planned anything for our day rides once in Gatlinburg. Keep those ideas coming, too.

Thanks so much for everyone's help. Very excited about this trip.

[the Ferret]

Hey Lebanon is right up the road. Maybe I'll ride up and meet you guys for dinner or something.

[emptysea]

THAT would be awesome!!

[jchoby_imp]

It's just a little south from me….

[the Ferret]

Do I sense a mini gathering of CB's?

[emptysea]

If not dinner, maybe meet for breakfast. My crew is always looking for a good, local, diner for the morning meal. Plus, maybe the Ohio CBers could lead us for part of our ride toward Cumberland Falls. Sure would be nice to have some local knowledge. Just a thought