Dragon
- Thread starter Darpo_imp
- Start date
Randy B
Road warrior
emptysea
Road warrior
Great pics! I was there June 20th, but only had a little taste of the roads. Our big trip in May hit most of the best known roads, but I cannot wait to get back. Thanks for the vicarious trip 
Great pics. Thanks Darpo (and Randy).
the Ferret
Road warrior
A special place indeed, not so much the Dragon, which gets all the hype, but the area surrounding the Dragon which is a motorcyclists paradise.
Gingersdaddy_imp
Running like a top
Heading to the Dragon in a couple of weeks. Not looking to set any speed records and will be two up with the wife on the back. Hopefully we will survive without any issues.
the Ferret
Road warrior
It's just a road, albeit a curvy one, but there are lots of curvy roads. Ride your pace, don't get caught up in the frenzy, stay in your lane, practice late apexes, ride near the while line, look thru your turn and you should be fine. If there is an idiot pushing you, use one of the pull offs, there are many.Gingersdaddy_imp said:
emptysea
Road warrior
^+1 -- Too many warning tales before I went. It's a US Highway for crying out loud. It only gets difficult when you try to make it difficult. Ferret's advice about your pace and the pull-offs is exactly correct. Your wife will probably enjoy the view more than you will, though, because she can look around and you need to look ahead. Remind her to smile for the cameras (there usually are three photographers out there) It's fun....just pay attention.
Gingersdaddy_imp
Running like a top
Thanks, Ferret and EmptySea. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm sure me and the wife will both be smiling.EmptySea_imp said:^+1 -- Too many warning tales before I went. It's a US Highway for crying out loud. It only gets difficult when you try to make it difficult. Ferret's advice about your pace and the pull-offs is exactly correct. Your wife will probably enjoy the view more than you will, though, because she can look around and you need to look ahead. Remind her to smile for the cameras (there usually are three photographers out there) It's fun....just pay attention.
the Ferret
Road warrior
Make sure you ride the Cherahola Skyway, and ride up the BRP for aways.
HikerToo_imp
Road warrior
Maybe having a passenger, the fast ones won't pressure you as much to go so fast....I feel that way with my saddle bags on, don't get as many sport bikes pushing me through turns or cars for that matter.
Gingersdaddy_imp
Running like a top
Was just mapping out a route. Thinking about the trip out going through Deals Gap on into TN and over to Sweetwater, spend the night and then come back to NC on the Cherahola Skyway.The ferret_imp said:
Or should I switch and come back to NC through Deals Gap.
Is the Dragon better in one direction than the other?
emptysea
Road warrior
My two cents: pretty damn attention-getting in either direction, but if I was riding it two-up, I think south to north would be a little less daunting. My theory being that you will be on the mountain side as opossed to the cliff side. On the other hand, I think I'd recommend making time to do it both ways if only for twice the photo ops.
Also, 72 is a nice connecting road back to 411 if you're headed to Sweetwater, although continuing north on 129 is very pretty, too. If you're hitting Cherohala on the return trip and you're near Tellico Plains at lunchtime, stop at Tellico Kats for a deli sandwich...great food and you eat on a deck right on the river...it's just south (Or east?) of the main town of Tellico Plains. If you stop, tell them that the Guy from Chicago for whom they made the ham and egg sandwich sent you. (they don't usually serve hot breakfasts, but I think I looked lonely and pathetic..LOL).
Also, 72 is a nice connecting road back to 411 if you're headed to Sweetwater, although continuing north on 129 is very pretty, too. If you're hitting Cherohala on the return trip and you're near Tellico Plains at lunchtime, stop at Tellico Kats for a deli sandwich...great food and you eat on a deck right on the river...it's just south (Or east?) of the main town of Tellico Plains. If you stop, tell them that the Guy from Chicago for whom they made the ham and egg sandwich sent you. (they don't usually serve hot breakfasts, but I think I looked lonely and pathetic..LOL).
Offroad
Road warrior
Thanks for all the tips and tricks!
I'm going sometime in the next 3 weeks, but I'm taking a trailer to get near there....what is a good home base to ride the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway? I guess I'm asking what is a good hotel to leave a truck and trailer at during the day and has a hotel with or near restaurants? I'm sure there are plenty near Knoxville, but any closer? Is a weekday better than a weekend?
I'm going sometime in the next 3 weeks, but I'm taking a trailer to get near there....what is a good home base to ride the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway? I guess I'm asking what is a good hotel to leave a truck and trailer at during the day and has a hotel with or near restaurants? I'm sure there are plenty near Knoxville, but any closer? Is a weekday better than a weekend?
emptysea
Road warrior
We stayed at Two Wheel Inn which is a few miles south of Tail of the Dragon on 129, but a very short distance to Cherohala. Being on the south end also gives you a shorter ride down to US74/19 which takes you to NC28 (aka Moonshiner 28). 74/19 is a nice ride along the river and 28 is beautiful. Two Wheel Inn will have parking for your truck and trailer and each room has its own bike garage (which is nice and saves you having to load and unload the trailer each day). Here's the website with their rates: Two Wheel Inn - Rates. When I was there a couple of weeks ago, I stayed at the Quality Inn in Alcoa, TN. It was a little bit of a hike to Deal's Gap, but not too bad. The room was clean and the staff were very accommodating. There was plenty of parking and the area was surprisingly quiet at night. There are three or four restaurants within walking distance. I went to the Texas Roadhouse for dinner. [url=http://www.qualityinn.com/hotel-alcoa-tennessee-TN663#listpos8]Quality Inn - Alocaoffroadfx4_imp said:
Weekday is HUGELY better. We were there on a Tuesday and Wednesday in early May and it was pretty quiet except for a few Minis arriving early for their rally. When I went back in late June, I was there on a Friday evening after a very strong rain and I was very surprised at how many other people were on The Dragon considering it was dusk and it had just poured. If you want to ride a bit and then stop and talk with ALOT of people, do it on the weekend. If you want to ride, and then ride some more, go on a weekday....Tuesday/Wednesday probably being the quietest. Oh..and bring layers on Cherohala..the weather changes in a snap up there.
Offroad
Road warrior
Gingersdaddy_imp
Running like a top
Thanks to everyone for the tips and input. I'm really looking forward to this trip. I found some interesting places to stop along the way.
emptysea
Road warrior
Remember, Gingersdaddy and offroadfx4: Pictures (and a ride report) or it didn't happen
+1EmptySea_imp said:Remember, Gingersdaddy and offroadfx4: Pictures (and a ride report) or it didn't happen
tylersc_imp
First service completed
My favorite place to stay up there is the Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge. Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge
My preferred route is to go west on the Cherohala in the morning, and stop for lunch at Tellico Grains bakery/deli. You will want to hang out at the motorcycle gear store in Tellico Plains. You will see all the bikes out front and the owner is usually riding something old and cool. His wife runs the ice cream shop across the street.
Then, head north on Hwy 360, which is a beautiful country ride on moderately twisty roads, through TN hill and lake country. Then take a right on Hwy 33, and go about two miles and make a right on 72. This comes out on 129 a few miles north of the Dragon section. Make a right on 129 and do the Dragon. That's a good day ride. 145 miles. Plenty of time to stop here and there.
My preferred route is to go west on the Cherohala in the morning, and stop for lunch at Tellico Grains bakery/deli. You will want to hang out at the motorcycle gear store in Tellico Plains. You will see all the bikes out front and the owner is usually riding something old and cool. His wife runs the ice cream shop across the street.
Then, head north on Hwy 360, which is a beautiful country ride on moderately twisty roads, through TN hill and lake country. Then take a right on Hwy 33, and go about two miles and make a right on 72. This comes out on 129 a few miles north of the Dragon section. Make a right on 129 and do the Dragon. That's a good day ride. 145 miles. Plenty of time to stop here and there.
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