Help - those familiar with the smokey mtns, dragon, area
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: KS
Help - those familiar with the smokey mtns, dragon, area
The wife and I have 7 days to blow starting oct. 14th. We would like to ride the blue ridge pkwy, tail of the dragon, etc. My question is, is this a good time of year to ride these areas or would we be better served to wait until next spring.
Thanks
Thanks
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 690
Likes: 26
From: Knoxville, TN
+1 It is one of the best times of the year for riding. rwtrick is right about the temps. At the higher elevations it can be 15 or more degrees colder than at the bottom.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 326
Likes: 22
From: Panama City, FL
Second half of September is a terrific time to bike that entire area. The temperatures are usually just about perfect, just cool enough to make you feel really alive, but you won't freeze your *** off. Leaves have not started to fall yet so that is a hazard you don't have to worry about. Far fewer people on the roads because it is before the "leaf lookers" show up in October. Don't miss doing the Foothills Parkway from Townsend, TN to the start of the Dragon on the TN side. Or, run it the other way starting in NC. Lived there for quite a few years and these were all my "local" roads. I envy you!
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
From: NC
Great time of year to visit. Temps are normally cooler, leaves are starting to turn although this year they aren't sure how good they will be due to all the rain we have had here in western NC this year. But with some leaves off the trees you can get some great views that you may not see during the time when the leaves are out full.
Also many of the small towns you will be near will be having fall festivals on the town squares and you can get a nice piece of small town America. And it makes for a nice break while riding.
Ride the Dragon during the week and not on the weekend you will enjoy it more and watch your speed there they have been using motorcycle cops on it a lot lately. And be sure you keep jackets on the bike at all times cause it can get real cool on top of some of those hills....lol
http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.ht
http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htmhttp://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm
Also many of the small towns you will be near will be having fall festivals on the town squares and you can get a nice piece of small town America. And it makes for a nice break while riding.
Ride the Dragon during the week and not on the weekend you will enjoy it more and watch your speed there they have been using motorcycle cops on it a lot lately. And be sure you keep jackets on the bike at all times cause it can get real cool on top of some of those hills....lol
http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.ht
http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htmhttp://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm
Last edited by Nabubba; Sep 22, 2013 at 08:46 AM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 907
Likes: 8
From: Greeneville, TN
Ride or Not Ride
We are moving into the year's optimal riding season for the Smokies, BRP, Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, and many other great roads. The threat of rain exists but is smaller than in the spring. One note, the BRP near Asheville developed a crack right down the center line. The crack was pretty deep and quite long, therefore a section of the Parkway is closed. I think that closure is north of Asheville so you can have lots of good BRP riding between Asheville and Cherokee. US441 crosses the Smokies between Cherokee and Gatlinburg, a very good ride. Traveling from Gatlinburg toward Pigeon Forge, turn left ant the Sugarloaf Welcome Center. That road will take you along the river all the way to Townsend. If you go through Townsend, you can take the Foothills Parkway over to US129, go left and you will hit the Dragon. Yea, I know that's a lot but its just an example of the great rides we have. So come on down and enjoy our roads, rides and fellow bikers.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
From: NC
We are moving into the year's optimal riding season for the Smokies, BRP, Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, and many other great roads. The threat of rain exists but is smaller than in the spring. One note, the BRP near Asheville developed a crack right down the center line. The crack was pretty deep and quite long, therefore a section of the Parkway is closed. I think that closure is north of Asheville so you can have lots of good BRP riding between Asheville and Cherokee. US441 crosses the Smokies between Cherokee and Gatlinburg, a very good ride. Traveling from Gatlinburg toward Pigeon Forge, turn left ant the Sugarloaf Welcome Center. That road will take you along the river all the way to Townsend. If you go through Townsend, you can take the Foothills Parkway over to US129, go left and you will hit the Dragon. Yea, I know that's a lot but its just an example of the great rides we have. So come on down and enjoy our roads, rides and fellow bikers.
Actually the BRP is currently open all the way through there is a website you can go to to check road closures there it is. www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htmit is at NPS.gov (For some reason the link isn't showing up when I submit my response.) Just look for Blue Ridge Parkway and you can find it.
Just to help out
Last edited by Nabubba; Sep 22, 2013 at 08:58 AM.
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,697
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From: San Angelo, Texas
Turn the GPS on ONLY to find your way back to the hotel, other than that, stick your finger in the wind and ride! Don't miss The Cherohala Skyway, long sweepers and after riding the Tail of the Dragon, a very relaxing ride!
If you've not already, check out this site!
http://www.openroadjourney.com/rides...north-carolina
If you've not already, check out this site!
http://www.openroadjourney.com/rides...north-carolina
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 24
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From: KS
Awesome. Thanks everyone for ur input. I am really starting to get excited about this trip now.
Any recommendations on a place to stay that is nice and clean, but wont blow up the wallet. $100-$200 a night range. Thanks again.
Any recommendations on a place to stay that is nice and clean, but wont blow up the wallet. $100-$200 a night range. Thanks again.