I started another thread where I asked for tips on roads to ride and things to see on my return from Jacksonville, FL to SLC, UT. In a couple of weeks we'll get doing a 50CC from San Diego to Jacksonville, then returning via "the scenic route." What I know I want to do while I'm East is ride the Tail of the Dragon (I missed it two years ago when we did our 48/10 ride).

Now that I have the main stops along the way figured out, I thought it might be helpful to seeks some more specifics regarding the best route along each leg of the return trip, so the first leg is to get to the Dragon.

What do you suggest from Jacksonville to Deals Gap? It looks like a pretty direct route would be to go up I-95 to I-26 and take that to Asheville. I'm wondering, though, if there's a different route that would take in some more interesting roads and scenery. Your suggestions will be much appreciated.

Thanks,

 

check out the woodpecker trail http://www.woodpeckertrail.com/ Take it to Augusta I can't get the google map to post but taking highways from augusta to deals gap looks like a interesting ride

 

Well one thing's for sure...it won't get much more boring than taking 95 and 26 the whole way.

I would make my way over to 441 in Georgia and ride that up where you can take 17 west into Helen (great little town and popular for bikes). Out of Helen I like 348 that runs through the national forest. There you can hit 19 north where you could either run on up 74 toward Murphy and Topton. If you take that route go to Robbinsville and head east to hook up with 28 which will take you back to the west where it will run into 129 at Deals Gap. I think they call 28 to Hellbender. OR...from 19 in Georgia head east on 76 and grab 68 through Ducktown, Tennessee to Tellico Plains. Once in Tellico Plains you can head east on the Cherohala Skyway for an excellent ride to 129 and Deals Gap.

 

Excellent input and exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks.

 

Any particular reason to choose 441 over any of the other highways that run up that direction? Mostly asking because I might want to stay along the coast for a while before heading inland.

Also, any thoughts about a good place to spend the night between Jacksonville and Helen? We'll probably arrive in Jacksonville about mid-day and spend a few hours there before heading north. Won't likely make it all the way to Helen by sleepy time.

 

I recommended 441 because it's the most direct route to where you're headed and because I've ridden most of it. It's a better, quicker ride than the other state roads going through Georgia and you'll see just as much.

Also you really won't have any coastal highways until you get close to Myrtle Beach, SC. US-17 is farther east than I-95 but you still won't get a glimpse of the ocean until you get north of Charleston. It's not like riding A1A in Florida.

 

I've done this route; http://moonshiner28.com/

 

Good point. Maybe I ought to ride the A1A down to St. Augustine before heading north.

 

Good rides! I'd suggest if you're going to be in Helen, which is a nice town, find Rte 180 west, aka Wolf Pen Gap Rd, over to Rte 60 in Suches, GA which will bring you to Rte 68 in TN and Tellico Plains where you can pick up The Cherohala east to Rte 129.

Wolf Pen Gap is a highly technical ride once you're west of Rte 19. Not as long, but more challenging than The Dragon. It will end at Rte 60, where you can head north to TN and Rte 68. Its a nice scenic ride through small towns and has a lot of curves. Once you're in Deal's Gap, you have a choice of The Tail Of The Dragon (129) and The Moonshiner (28). Ride both, if possible. Have fun and ride safe.