Rode down there a couple weeks ago with a friend from Minneapolis on our Ultras, had a blast on 129. We hit it on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, which was super crowded in all the little towns on the north end of the park by Gatlinburg.

The night before we rode 129, there was a major storm that knocked down a bunch of trees, and probably kept the traffic down on the Dragon, which was fine by us. In fact, the main road (441?) from Pigeon Forge down into the park was closed, so we rode around to the east, closer to Asheville before turning back west to get to the south end of 129, where the Deal's Gap resort is.

Worth the trip, highly recommended if you like to stretch the legs of your machine. We had little trouble with traffic on the Dragon itself--very fun road!

Here's a few shots of me and my friend on that road. I'm on orange, he's on black, just scroll through from the starting linked picture: https://xtremesportsphotography.phot...o=6558&pc=8518


One tip though, if you want to avoid the tourist onslaught, find another way around than through Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg. There are any number of nice little spots dotted throughout that area where it's not like a big amusement park along the roadside for miles on end.

All the best,

Shane

 

Thanks for that photo link!!! I plan on going down there next month. Sucks that it's a mess on the weekends but I've got no choice. Got take time off from work when I can get it. Plan on hitting up the skyway as well!!!

 

The ride on 28 south from Fontana Dam to Franklin and then back up through the Nathahla gorge on #1310 Wayah Rd is a bomb to ride...

 

I rode the Dragon in late October '15 on an early weekday, cold, rainy morning and had it more or less to myself. Granted, there are probably more fun times to ride it than that.

 

Thanks

 

I have a cabin near Tellico Plains. Everyone that rides wants to hit the Dragon when they come to visit. Anymore I just point them in that direction and wish them well.

 

Go early the road racers like to sleep in.

 

There is a nice ride south out of Tellico Plains down 68 to 64. Take a right and ride along the Ocoee River to 30. Take a right on 30 back up to Tellico Plains. We did not see anyone playing a banjo, but you could hear them from there.


The first time a bunch of us went up to ride the Dragon, we rode it, HARD. I said if I ever went back I would not ride it like that again and I have not. Been back several times.


I also like riding Foothills Pkwy, long sweepers.

 

Yep ... Wayah Road is definitely worth the ride

 

Yeah for sure!!! I plan on hitting it early and keeping it moving. Just gotta check it off my bucket list.....