Smokey mountains tour advice
#31
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#34
The Devil Triangle is a good ride there are so many different ways to get to any place. 99% of the two lanes are great.
Remember to stay in your lane and don't ride the center line.
#35
Atlanta traffic would not enter into the equation if it were me. I'm from there and have also lived in Nashville and been through Knoxville many times. Those cities have their share of crazy traffic too. I just came back from a north Georgia ride (which included a trip up the dragon on my way back). You really don't have to get far north of Atlanta to find good riding. I would go up I-85 to I-985 and head toward Cleveland. Just south of Cleveland (between Cleveland and Gainesville), pick up 129 north. After you get through Cleveland you go over Blood Mountain on your way to Blairsville. Before you get to Blairsville there is Hwy 180. Go west and you're in Suches, home of T.W.O. (Two Wheel Only) motorcycle resort. Go east on 180 and it takes you to Brasstown Bald, highest mountain in Georgia, or you can detour onto Hwy 75 and go to Alpine Helen. That whole area of GA, TN and NC is just a motorcycle rider's paradise. You could actually spend your whole vacation in North Georgia and still not run out of good roads to ride. Once you get to Blairsville, GA (my mom lives there) you're less than 20 miles from the NC state line on US 129. You can be in Knoxville in less than 3 hours from there, including a trip up the dragon and a stop at Smokey Mountain Harley Davidson in Maryville. As others have said, don't miss the Cherohala and try to avoid the Dragon on weekends. The Dragon is more dangerous because of the other idiots than the road itself. You wouldn't believe some of the stupid **** people do on that road. Hope this helps and enjoy your trip to the States.
#36
#37
Hi all,
I have now booked my flights and rental from Hellbender HD in atlanta.
I have booked a few nights in maggie valley as suggested and now have a few nights left to sort out.
You guys have have been great - thank you all very much.
By the way, whats the climate,temp like in mid to late september in the smokey moountains ? Will i need my cold weather gear ??
Thanks again.
Rowle - UK
I have now booked my flights and rental from Hellbender HD in atlanta.
I have booked a few nights in maggie valley as suggested and now have a few nights left to sort out.
You guys have have been great - thank you all very much.
By the way, whats the climate,temp like in mid to late september in the smokey moountains ? Will i need my cold weather gear ??
Thanks again.
Rowle - UK
#38
Yupper, I'd do that and the Moonshiner for sure!
I also strongly suggest contacting the HOG chapter at Hellbender, or my favorite, Smokey Mtn HD. I'm sure they will go above and beyond to assist you while you're in the area. I'm an officer in our local chapter + we do this all the time for our guests. Especially since you're coming in from out of the country.
I also strongly suggest contacting the HOG chapter at Hellbender, or my favorite, Smokey Mtn HD. I'm sure they will go above and beyond to assist you while you're in the area. I'm an officer in our local chapter + we do this all the time for our guests. Especially since you're coming in from out of the country.
Last edited by CRocks; 01-02-2017 at 09:17 AM.
#39
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
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I'm sure you'll have a great time in the area, and welcome to NC when you get here.
Weather-wise, the temps are generally in the high 70s in the day and low to mid 50s at night in that area. You might be approaching our 'dry' season, but an occasional rain shower is possible, so rain gear comes in handy. You might see some fall leaves changing color during that time also, as the peak time is in October.
The tip on contacting the local HOG chapter is good and am sure you have your riding planned. But here's a site with some road maps for riding..here.
Good luck and enjoy your stay!
Weather-wise, the temps are generally in the high 70s in the day and low to mid 50s at night in that area. You might be approaching our 'dry' season, but an occasional rain shower is possible, so rain gear comes in handy. You might see some fall leaves changing color during that time also, as the peak time is in October.
The tip on contacting the local HOG chapter is good and am sure you have your riding planned. But here's a site with some road maps for riding..here.
Good luck and enjoy your stay!
#40
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: FL East Coast /Western NC
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rowle... u r gettin all this feedback because those of us who often ride the smokys get so excited talkin about it... no other place like it..i have cabin in franklin,nc for 12 years so very familiar with all over... heres my 2 cents... dragon just a real twisty scenic rode like many others but do it once..the approach ride there from the franklin area is more enjoyable to me....moonshiner 28 just as good as dragon and not as crowded....hellbender not much..cherahala skyway is fair, nothing special except the harley outpost in tellico plains at the west end of it ( beautiful little area ).. maggie great place to stay and perfect take off spot every day...eat at butts on the creek and go see wheels museum... u gotta do gatlinburg up and over the smoky parkway ( 441 )and down other side to cherokee..( stop often and check out trails and rushing river ).might see elk or turkey around cherokee visitor center... then jump on blue ridge right by visitor center and do up and over into maggie.. ( parkway comes out just outside maggie )..fantastic especially in summer .. again, stop often.... ride into asheville on the blue ridge too if u can... great town... as one guy said earlier... no bad roads..just some a little better than others... sorry to ramble but i told ya... we get excited talkin about them hills.. i wanna go now...have fun