I went up Monday (24th) rode Cherohala Skyway and Tuesday rode the Dragon. The Cherohala Skyway is a better ride, it does not have as tight of curves and some areas has the wider mowed shoulders of a senic byway. They both provide a challenge and require concentration on the road ahead of you.
A lot of people were there both days, now I have been there and done that, twice.
Tennessee does need the tax dollars so come and spend money.

 

Without a doubt that area has some of the best riding you will ever find. You should also try the waterfall ride down Hwy 64 to Highland NC and back. Long ride but well worth it.

 

I haven't gotten to ride the Dragons Tail yet, hoping to get enough time off to go next fall.

 

Skyway is more scenic I think, but for all out fun the Dragon is the best. There are actually a lot of back roads around that area that you can get into just by looking at a map. When I was there last weekend we had to wait for a farmer to actually move a cow off the road so we could proceed!

 

Three good rides begin or end at Tellico Plains. Cherohala Skyway, Scenic 360 (takes you over by the North end of the dragon, well at least 10-15 miles), and Route 68, which takes you towards Georgia. I recommend those 3 if you ever get back to that area, and there's a great motorcycle-only campground outside of Tellico Plains that makes for a good base camp. The Nut-N-Fancy restaurant in Tellico has awesome breakfasts as well.

 

Those roads are great, but there is so many more. 276, 115, 107, 64 are all great roads.

Here is one of my favorite rides that takes you down Wayah Road, past several waterfalls, and many twisty scenic roads, some as challenging as the Dragon.
http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.c...8&locale=en_US

 

One of the best parts of the Dragon, is getting too the Dragon. Too many beautiful roads around there. Be sure to check out the tree of shame...

Here's a photo of my bike on the Dragon this year...

 

The Dragon is a great road, but the Cherohala is the best road Ive had the pleasure of riding. 43 miles of sweepers, great scenery, and high speed. As you start up the hill in Robinsville, Nc the temp drops 15 to 20 degrees, and the bike starts to run cleaner, smoother, faster (sorry for that, just wishing I was there right now!) At 39, I still haven't outgrown my childish, how fast can I go from point A to point B faze, and this road makes me feel younger. Lord, I hope I never grow up!

 

Sounds like a "tour de force" on a single weekend. But that area (as stated above) is replete with amazing roads. Even though you think you have seen so much and ridden so far.......you just got your feet wet! Start you plans for next year and see some of the above mentioned roads.

 

For those who live away from this area, you can watch videos of the Dragon on Youtube. Also you can go to Killboy.com and look at pictures of bikes that have ridden the Dragon on any particular day. Broken down in catagories of bike type. You will see alot of happy faces.