What a class act for friends to get together to honor a friend and fellow rider.
I read of Larry Weaver tragic end while doing what he loved.
You all have my respect.

 

All around those parts is good riding!




Thank you. Us too, great roads everywhere!



Thank you. We miss him.

 

Day 3 continued-

On Foothills Parkway...






...a great day to be riding, and a beautiful road to be riding on.







On 129 now, headed for...








The Dragon.







I really enjoy riding on roads where the tree canopy covers the road.






Not sure why John stopped at the beginning of the Dragon, but pretty much as soon as we stopped, we started moving again.







Mary is pretty good about getting some creative shots with the camera...







...it is difficult to fully appreciate 311 curves in 11 miles, in this photo we're coming out of one and you can see two more up ahead.







Pulled over to let some space get between us and some slower traffic we could not pass.

Roger was to the left of us...having a blast.







And Paul to the right, enjoying the ride!





More of Day 3 coming soon.

 

Kevin, is all of the Foothills Parkway completed/paved? Just did a google search and it looks like some of it is unpaved.

 

The section we rode is all paved...however, there is a "bridge to nowhere" that is part of the future Foothills Parkway...on one or both sides of that bridge there are some unpaved sections....even though the bridge has been completed for over 10 years, they only just got the money this year to continue the road.

So soon the bridge to nowhere will be to somewhere as they complete the Foothills Parkway.

Oh, the section we rode is the cut-over off the 321 northeast of Townsend, near Wallend to where it T's at the 129 near Chilhowee. That entire section is paved. Beautiful road!

 

Foothills is paved from Townsend all the way to 129. There is a section headed the other direction from Townsend that has never been completed but is suppose to be an awesome road if they ever finish it. Some kind of engineering issue that has gone on for years/decades.

 

Day 3 Continued-

Back rolling, taking a look back at Roger.







Many say The Dragon is over-hyped...I have even said that. And, yes, there are a ton of great roads out there to ride if you like the twistys.

BUT, there is something about how nicely the road was made here. Not only a ton of curves, the the camber in many of them, just begs (if you're so inclined) for you to power thru them.







This red truck was in our lane, saw us, and swerved back into his own. Gotta pay attention for those not staying in their own lane.







Not only is it a challenging road, one to enjoy the twistys, but it is a beautiful ride also!







Coming out of a sharp right and headed into a sharp downhill left. I never get tired of riding this road.








We started The Dragon in Tennessee, we are finishing it up in North Carolina.







There is no law (that I know of) against poking your own eye out....but it is pretty stupid to do.

There is no possible way this truck can make the curves in The Dragon and stay in his own lane. Most 18 wheelers can't even make it thru using BOTH lanes.

Do a youtube search on semi trucks on the dragon, you will see what I'm talking about. I hope he did not kill anybody that day.








Looking down on part of Deals Gap, after the end of The Dragon.








Part of the Crew gathered for a photo at Deals Gap.







Leaving a little memory of Larry at one of his favorite places.






More of Day 3 coming soon.

 

I've been all over this country on a bike but have never ridden the Dragon. Sure need to do that before life's end.

 

I thought trucks were banned from The Dragon....

 

They are, but the gps sends them there. Then they look at the map and it seems like a great shortcut that will save hours for them. They take it anyway.