June 2 & 3 2006

Hwy 129 Tennessee/North Carolina

http://www.wakinthedragonbikerrally.com/

 

I went last year and will probably do it again this year. I was worried, due to all the rain last year, it might not happen this year. Tough start on an annual event.

Fun party -- lots to beads for ***** and good Southern Rock music. The roads around here speak for themselves. Beer at regular prices is a welcome touch!

 

I'll be there but not staying. Just riding over during the day.

Lynn

 

I dont know any of the bands, but it should be a good time. I had to work last year during the rally but from what I heard it was great.

 

I plan on going this year with a few friends. I know nothing about it except what I have read on the internet and that there are no vacancies on the resort except maybe tent spots. Can you recommend a decent hotel or cabin to stay at that is convienent to the rally?

 

forHD25,

Townsend, TN is about 25-30 minutes from the location of the rally. If you do a Google map search you can find some hotels that are located there. There are also many cabin rentals in the Townsend area, but these are typically pretty costly.

There are also some hotels located in Maryville, Vonore, and Madisionville. I would look for hotels located along HWY 411, because these would be the most convienant.

When I get a chance I will ride down there and get the names of some of the hotels.

 

As for Vonore and Madisonville you can forget a hotel room, camping on the other hand yes...... Maryville and Alcoa would be the prime place to get a room..... Theres several hotels along Hwy 129 near the airport........ I wouldnt advise anyone to use the Jameson Inn in Alcoa. I stayed there last year for 3 days and it was AWFUL.... I only paid for 1 night because it was a BAd experience!!!!

 

The Princess Motel:
2614 US Highway 411 South
Maryville, TN 37801
865-982-2490
http://www.princessofmaryville.com
Sign out front sez: Bikers Welcome
It is the closest place to the Pumpkin Ctr. (no curvy roads to tangle with either)

 

I don't know what kind of accommodations ya'll are lookin for
Here are a few;


411 Motel
5651 Hwy 411 S, Maryville, TN 37801
From $25.00-$44.50/night
Located approximately 7 miles from the event. Not a five star but decent location. Additionally you should be able to park your bike right close to the door of your room. Panchos Restaurant sptting distance away.

Hilton Knoxville Airport 2001 Alcoa Highway, Alcoa, Tennessee, United States 37701-3163
Tel: +1-865-970-4300 Fax: +1-865-984-7080
A lot nicer of a place complete with lounge. This is about 18-20 miles from the event and you have to go through town to get to it.

Jameson Inn, Alcoa
206 Corporate Place, Alcoa, TN 37701 - Map
From $73.54/night -
About 18 miles from the event and again you have to go through town to get to it. There is an TX Roadhouse and Fish Camp Restaurants located within walking distance.

Hope this helps!

 

Article from local paper:

Wakin the Dragon Biker Rally expected to attract big crowd
2006-06-01
by Iva Butler

and Anna C. Irwin

of The Daily Times Staff

Thousands of motorcycles are expected in Blount County this weekend for the 2nd annual Wakin the Dragon Biker Rally.

The rally will be a typical biker gathering -- with a biker parade and day ride, Biker Rodeo with events like the burnout pits, a tattoo-artist contest, live music and late-night biker dances.

The event will be headquartered at Punkin Center Motorcycle Resort, which is located off U.S. 129 about nine miles from the beginning of the Dragon.

Blount native Jody Montgomery, who along with wife Sherry operate the motorcycle resort, expects ``5,000 to 7,000 bikes to pass through (Punkin Center resort) this weekend and 10,000 to 15,000 bikes to pass through the area.'

The event held last year at Smoky Mountain Speedway drew 3,500 to 3,800, he said.

Throughout the weekend motorcycles are expected at many of the popular tourist draws -- Townsend, Foothills Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Cherokee and Cherohala Skyway.

Montgomery said he expects the Wakin the Dragon Biker Rally to bring in $225,000 to $500,000 in sales throughout the area. This would include lodging, food, gasoline, clothing and other purchases.

Again this year, a large motorcycle ride is expected. Instead of being limited to the Dragon, this year the ride will make a loop through Robbinsville, N.C., Cherohala Skyway, Vonore and back to Punkin Center, encompassing 60 miles. The dragon portion runs 11.2 miles through 318 curves on U.S. 129.

For this ride, which is free, motorcycles will start lining up at Punkin Center Resort at 8:30 a.m. and the ride will start at 10 a.m.

Tennessee and North Carolina law enforcement agencies are expected to be ride behind the bikers for traffic control, Montgomery said.

At the motorcycle resort there are spaces for tents (with and without hookups), cabins (all of which have been rented) and recreational vehicles. Costs vary per space.

It will be $20 per person to attend the entertainment at Punkin Center for the entire weekend. The resort will open to campers at 9 a.m. Friday. Food vendors had already started setting up on the site on Wednesday.

The Bike Rodeo will start at 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with live entertainment from 6:30 p.m. to midnight and a biker dance off-site at A.J.'s Sports Bar in Foothills Plaza in Maryville from midnight until 3 a.m.