If you get a chance stop in Maggie Valley to the Wheels Through Time Museum.
See if Dale will fire up the old Crocker and do a burnout. One of the coolest
museums ever. They are closing on November 30 to move to AZ. There's a real nice B&B they recommended
Smokey Shadows Lodge. We were passing through and ended up staying 5 nights. Also if you like ribs, try Butts On The Creek.
I have no affiliation with any of the above, just a great experience.
Have a safe ride wherever you end up.

 

yep, i got there a half hour before sunset, and 2 ferrari's and a porsche came around a turn, and the porsche guy was over in my lane.

a few sport bikes made passes, and then they loaded up, and i had the place to my self just before sundown.

it was FREEZING cold coming down Black Mountain on I-40.

one of the BEST roads around is 181 from Morganton NC up to the BRP, its nice & windy, with some slow & some fast sweepers, and a gas station with a mom & pop hamburger shop in it.
;

 

See: http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

My daughter lives about 5 miles from the foot of the Dragon. Never rode it tho.

 

if you ride the Skyway, make sure to go to Bald River Falls, great photo spot.
Be safe, let the sportbike guys go. Have fun...ride within yourself....

 

You should stop at the Wheels Through Time Museum. I hear they are shutting down for good at the end of Oct. Something you dont want to miss. That area has to be some of the best riding east of the Miss. Forget weekends if you can or you run the risk of get a proformance award for sure. Ask me how I know!!

 

LABOR DAY TRIP: Headed north on I-75 from Apopka Fl on my 08 Ultra Classic and my buddy on a 06 Street Glide we arrived at the Comfort Inn in Blue Ridge, Georgia 9 hours later - tired but looking forward to meet the owners of the Comfort Inn that graciously aloud us to leave the bikes at the Inn without staying there. We had to leave the bikes at the Inn due to several miles of unpaved roads to reach the cabin where we where all staying.

We had planned every day perfectly and every day was perfect. The Tail of the Dragon, the Smokies, Amicalola Falls, Helen loop, the Appalachians, Cherohala Sky loop, Hiawassee State Park loop, Prayer Mountain and the Cherokee Natl. Forest almost every thing Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina could offer and to top it off we where staying at my friends’ cabin – 3 pristine acres smack in the mountains of Blue Ridge. After several beers that where getting cold in the river and trying to catch trout with my hands, we tried to call it quits for the day but that did not work – an octane high that only the Tail of the Dragon can give keep me awake all night.

Before I left for this trip I had read up on the Dragon/Cherohala 120 mile loop and was looking forward to test my Ultra against the infamous curves and the challenging raging crouch rockets. The morning came and as we got our gear ready and headed towards the rental we notice that it had been visited by two local brown bears looking for food, the car was assessed with no more than minimal scratches, I ran down to the river – the beer had not been touched!

The Dragon awaited us with a mischievous smile, it had already taken a victim hence several Rescue Vehicles and Ambulances had raced up the mountain – I imagine these guys have their personal best times and wait for the next time to break it.

No sooner we had started our ascent and the first sight of a crouch rocket I decided to sneak up behind it – and after explaining to my wife that foot rests have more than one purpose I slowly approached the Japanese bike and in less than a second I was reminded why they are called rockets. I reluctantly decided the stay close to my buddy’s 06 Street Glide and spare myself the embarrassment. Lesson learned never let your ego and your bikes abilities collide.

After 1800 miles and 6 days of riding the Tri State Area it was time to head back home, none of us wanted, the smiles where gone, the adrenalin was replaced by depression but the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment was real - the bikes had worked great, the weather was perfect and despite the fact that we had gained several pounds we will be back next year for more great food, scenery and company. My country is the best.

 

I was in Maggie valley for a week starting May 27. Bei=utiful temps in town, once you get into the altitude.......60 degrees was nice. I can imagine October might be a little chillier. Like some else said.......dress in layers.
I bet a nice wind breaker and gloves in the bags will come in handy. If you have a windshield, all you need is a good pair off 'yellow' glasses. (When you enter those Blueridge tunnels.....you go BLIND with regular sunglasses.)
Enjoy the ride.

 

Spent a lot of years on the East Coast. Thought you might enjoy this little clip of me following one of my buddies on his Gold Wing up the Dragon. Ready, set, GOOOOOOO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFleFrJx7nw
Hear the grinding floorboards and kickstand, yea, it ain't me, I'm not quite that crazy any more. Those days are behind me. But, still a great ride, huh....

 

Fuse????? That you?

 

Speed limit on Skyline Dr is 35 and 45 on Blueridge Pwy. I have riden both in the summer two times and had no weather problems. A buddy and his wife did it later, fall I think, and they had several days of fog, mist and rain. I found from 8AM to just before noon to be the best time to ride. One ride was just after memorial day (Rolling Thunder in DC) and I hardly saw a car in the morning. 120 miles on the Dr and 470 on the Pwy.

I have riden the dragon several times and weekdays are the best time to ride. One time there was a Honda S2000 club (weekend) making passes. As I came around a very tight left turn a S2000 was coming straight at me. As I thought I was going to be T-boned. He went thru the turn and stayed in his lane. I didn't like the feeling at all. The last time I rode it it was a weekday just after noon. It seemed like I could see a lot of skid marks that just went straight off the road at the entrance to the turn. To me that says inexperienced riders riding way over their head. The tree of shame was (is) not lacking for parts!