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So many fine roads and we've been fortunate to ride more than our share of them. 209, 276, 441, FHP, LRG, 28, 80, 226A, 221, 9.....and many more. The worst thing is having to choose one or two on a given day and ignore all the others. So many more to discover too.
One of the most beautiful places on earth I have seen in my life.
I know you guys are going to mock me, but I've ridden motorcycles for 41 years, lived in NC for 37 years and never been anywhere west of Asheville in the state. (we're beach bums) My wife and I are taking 6 days in July, heading from Raleigh to Floyd VA, then Roanoke, back down to Boone, Asheville, over to Knoxville (Maryville) then to Tellico Plains, TN for two nights. Heading home through Franklin NC and Maggie Valley. Can't wait.
You will probably mock yourself for not having done this sooner. The main thing is you're finally doing it and I predict you're going to love it!
Definitely not a road to miss when you're in the area. For my money I enjoyed the Moonshiner 28 the best of any of the roads (including the Dragon) I rode in the area.
Just got back from the Tail of the Dragon and the Cherahola? and Moonshiner beat the Dragon in my opinion, but I don't know if there is a bad ride in that whole area!
Just got back from the Tail of the Dragon and the Cherahola? and Moonshiner beat the Dragon in my opinion, but I don't know if there is a bad ride in that whole area!
Moonshiner is great, good speed and nice sweepers.
for the beach. BUT..... next Wednesday my wife and I are heading west which doesn't happen often. We have an oxygen tank for the high altitude if req'd. And bringing a banjo so I can fit in with locals. We're packing our own BBQ because we're afraid of pork with tomatoes and molasses on it.
I have tentative itinerary but will check back Monday to get last minute advice. I have Batphone connection to Cosmic so that will help. Our route is leave Wake Forest (Raleigh) at noon on Wed 10th to Thurmond NC (fam visit ~2 hrs) then on to Floyd VA for the night. Thurs morning to Roanoke HD and meet with Adam Sandoval 2024 Convoy. From there to Asheville. Not sure the Convoy route, but I'm planning fast road to Blowing Rock. Town Tavern for grub. Then on to BRP and continue to just before Little Switzerland and head down 226 to 70 to I-40 into Asheville. (we've been BRP Asheville-Little Switz in car) Fri morning is Convoy event at Asheville HD and then to Maryville HD Friday late afternoon. Plan to ride where Road Captain says. We are splitting off the convoy and going on to Lodge at Tellico for Friday and Saturday nights.
Saturday plan is to head to north end of Dragon as early as possible and run it south. Then 28, 143 and back up 129 loop to Tapoco Lodge for lunch. Then back down 129 to Cherohala to Tellico Plains. Iron Works Grille for dinner. Sunday plan is leave Tellico Plains and run Cherohala east to Wayah Road to Franklin. Stay with High School buddy. Leave Monday morning and take 28 north to Bryson Cty, Cherokee, Maggie. Stop at Wheels as long as we can. Then take the fastest way back to Raleigh. Plan to be home before 8pm. If I get tired or hungry or thirsty or broke, employ batphone to Cosmic to ask for food/drink/bed/money.
Let me know what you think. And have a great 4th of July weekend!
for the beach. BUT..... next Wednesday my wife and I are heading west which doesn't happen often. We have an oxygen tank for the high altitude if req'd. And bringing a banjo so I can fit in with locals. We're packing our own BBQ because we're afraid of pork with tomatoes and molasses on it.
I have tentative itinerary but will check back Monday to get last minute advice. I have Batphone connection to Cosmic so that will help. Our route is leave Wake Forest (Raleigh) at noon on Wed 10th to Thurmond NC (fam visit ~2 hrs) then on to Floyd VA for the night. Thurs morning to Roanoke HD and meet with Adam Sandoval 2024 Convoy. From there to Asheville. Not sure the Convoy route, but I'm planning fast road to Blowing Rock. Town Tavern for grub. Then on to BRP and continue to just before Little Switzerland and head down 226 to 70 to I-40 into Asheville. (we've been BRP Asheville-Little Switz in car) Fri morning is Convoy event at Asheville HD and then to Maryville HD Friday late afternoon. Plan to ride where Road Captain says. We are splitting off the convoy and going on to Lodge at Tellico for Friday and Saturday nights.
Saturday plan is to head to north end of Dragon as early as possible and run it south. Then 28, 143 and back up 129 loop to Tapoco Lodge for lunch. Then back down 129 to Cherohala to Tellico Plains. Iron Works Grille for dinner. Sunday plan is leave Tellico Plains and run Cherohala east to Wayah Road to Franklin. Stay with High School buddy. Leave Monday morning and take 28 north to Bryson Cty, Cherokee, Maggie. Stop at Wheels as long as we can. Then take the fastest way back to Raleigh. Plan to be home before 8pm. If I get tired or hungry or thirsty or broke, employ batphone to Cosmic to ask for food/drink/bed/money.
Let me know what you think. And have a great 4th of July weekend!
From: Marion NC / Lake Norman NC / Panama City Fla
Originally Posted by Rob Harper
Well, I'm leaving at 7am tomorrow
for the beach. BUT..... next Wednesday my wife and I are heading west which doesn't happen often. We have an oxygen tank for the high altitude if req'd. And bringing a banjo so I can fit in with locals. We're packing our own BBQ because we're afraid of pork with tomatoes and molasses on it.
I have tentative itinerary but will check back Monday to get last minute advice. I have Batphone connection to Cosmic so that will help. Our route is leave Wake Forest (Raleigh) at noon on Wed 10th to Thurmond NC (fam visit ~2 hrs) then on to Floyd VA for the night. Thurs morning to Roanoke HD and meet with Adam Sandoval 2024 Convoy. From there to Asheville. Not sure the Convoy route, but I'm planning fast road to Blowing Rock. Town Tavern for grub. Then on to BRP and continue to just before Little Switzerland and head down 226 to 70 to I-40 into Asheville. (we've been BRP Asheville-Little Switz in car) Fri morning is Convoy event at Asheville HD and then to Maryville HD Friday late afternoon. Plan to ride where Road Captain says. We are splitting off the convoy and going on to Lodge at Tellico for Friday and Saturday nights.
Saturday plan is to head to north end of Dragon as early as possible and run it south. Then 28, 143 and back up 129 loop to Tapoco Lodge for lunch. Then back down 129 to Cherohala to Tellico Plains. Iron Works Grille for dinner. Sunday plan is leave Tellico Plains and run Cherohala east to Wayah Road to Franklin. Stay with High School buddy. Leave Monday morning and take 28 north to Bryson Cty, Cherokee, Maggie. Stop at Wheels as long as we can. Then take the fastest way back to Raleigh. Plan to be home before 8pm. If I get tired or hungry or thirsty or broke, employ batphone to Cosmic to ask for food/drink/bed/money.
Let me know what you think. And have a great 4th of July weekend!
If you are going down 221 to 70, you will be within 2 miles of my place. Enjoy the ride, I am staying off the roads this week, its already a chit show with the bikes and sports cars here.
My wife and I left last Wednesday at noon and got home yesterday at 10:15pm. Total trip of 1,376 miles in 4 states. It was an awesome trip. I still can't wrap my head around all we did and saw. Floyd VA, Blowing Rock NC, Asheville, Deal's Gap, Maryville TN, Tellico Plains, Blue Ridge GA, Chimney Rock/Lake Lure. Blue Ridge Pkwy, Tail of Dragon, Hwy 68, Cherohala, Wayah Rd, US64 from Franklin heading east. We splurged a bit on hotels and some meals. Rode with YouTube content creators Adam Sandoval, Doodle on a Motorcycle, She Rides Moto and Scooter Tramp Scotty. We even made a stop to see HD Forum celebrity Cosmic Razorback and Carolina Girl. Thanks for letting us dry out at your place for a while! I'll create a new post in Road Trips, but it may take me a week to get it all together.
Riding a portion of Great American Convoy with Adam Sandoval. Did it last year too. Proceeds go to Wounded Warrior Foundation. Found Scooter Tramp Scotty deep in the NC woods in un-disclosed location.
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