Rode these yesterday. Let me just say that I like the Devil's Whip (NC 80) better than I do the Dragon now & the Diamond Back was fun too. Blue Ridge Parkway was in the Area there at Little Switzerland. Absolutely no one on the roads! Was a day trip for us. 500 miles round trip. Already made reservations to stay in the area next month. Love this area. If y'all haven't rode these, I highly recommend it.
More curves with elevation changes than the Dragon & with a lot less traffic.

 

Thanks! A "lot less traffic" is what I like to hear!

 

mmancuso,

Come on and go with us next month.

 

So many awesome roads in that area. I've done the "Little Switzerland Loop" a few times. Head north a bit from there, take US421 into TN and then hit "The Snake".

 

Love to (!), and would commit to if not for the fact that I'm getting a disk removal and vertebrae fusion in my neck in 2 weeks, so my planning is non-existent until I see how I recover from that.

I WILL keep the offer in mind!

 

Nice thread.
The part regarding no traffic is the best.
Will do it in early September.

Got two questions for those that have done it as I haven't had the pleasure yet.

Why is traffic so light?
Was it the time of day or the week day you did it?

I plan to head up that way from Texas area and going Natchez Trace up to Tn. then head across. May do it earlier as I keep hearing traffic is not an issue unless its the weekend/holiday weekend.

thanks

 

Genesee,

Just not as commercialized area. It was around 1:00 when we were on it yesterday. The traffic on the Dragon of course heavy on Saturday & Sunday. But it's not unbearable for me though. There are so many great roads to ride in the Smokies. I just like the The Whip is only 3.5 hours from the house. You can pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway in Cherokee & go 469 miles!

 

Good luck! Keep in touch.

 

Are there maps to these roads available? I'll be at Deals Gap in a few weeks and am noting these suggestions but I'll need to be able to find them.

 

Here's the links for just a few of the rides in the area:

http://www.thedevilnc80.com/
http://www.diamondbacknc.com/
http://www.421thesnake.com/
http://www.moonshiner28.com/

And, and couple of more "comprehensive" links for riding in the Blue Ridge/Smokies:

http://tailofthedragontours.com/
http://smokymountainrider.com/