planning a trip to the dragon

Like it said I'm starting to make plans for a trip to the famous dragon and to ride many of the roads nearby. Thought I would ask here if anyone could tell me some good motorcycle friendly motels or campsites in or near the dragon. Also if anyne could suggest roads that are nearby that I should ride or things or views I should see while in the area as this will be my first time. When I lived in so.cal I made several trips up the coast to laguna seca and we would camp at the track. Some of the best times I have had on a bike for sure. Hoping to have the same good time doing the smokies. A friend at work has mentioned wanting to go b ut I doubt that he actually will. So I may be going on a solo trip which is fine sometmes. I will be coming from northwest al. Which should only take me about a half a day to get there leaving me plenty of riding time once I get there. I look forward to any suggestions. Thanks

 

Definitely make sure you ride the Foothills Pkwy. It's a close second to The Dragon. The FP has wide sweepers and nice places to stop at various lookout points. The Cherohala Skyway is another popular day trip. Also, NC28 into Franklin and a few others I would have to go look up.

 

The Cherahola and the Blueridge Parkway are a must. When exactly do you plan on going? There are numerous lodging choices from cheap motels to simple campgrounds. I recommend the Kickstand Lodge or the Iron Horse Lodge for camping/camping cabins and the Two Wheel In for a cheap motel. I'll be up that way for a few days during the 2nd week of October. Let me know when you are planning on going and I might join you for the day.

Rollin

 

Thanks for the responses. I have heard that there are a lot of roads up near the dragon that are nearly as good. I'm hoping for about the same time rollin. It will depend on what's going on at work and the weather of course. But I'm shooting for the 2nd or 3rd week in october. That would be great to meet some fellow vfrians. If there is anyone else wanting to meet up and do some riding just let me know. Be cool to have a vfr ride day or something. I already have the green light from the wife and I have been savingv my vacation time this year for the fall.

 

maybe we'll see you on killboy.com..

 

Killboy.com?

 

Yeah man as you ride the dragon you will see lots of folks on the side of the road under tents taking pictures. They post them all online and probably make good money selling them. Just try not to get distracted from that twisty!

 

I stayed at the Ironhorse lodge last October, I had planned to camp but the weather was iffy so I rented a bunk in the bunkhouse instead, $15 to camp in the rain or $30 to sleep in a warm dry bunk. I took the bunk lol.

I've been down almost every summer since 05, I missed 07 , we rent this place as a group and it's awesome Tail of the Dragon Vacation Rentals near Cherohala Skyway and Deals Gap .

The Dragon is amazing but don't spend all your time on it. Hit the Cherohala Skyway over to Telico Plains. 55 miles of 25 and 35 mph sweeper with a 5000ft elevation change. It's a little pricey but the Telico bakery has some good food and deserts while your there.

Foothills parkway is fun, as is the 28 loop that takes you from the CROT all the way around and back into Robbinsville. Just about anywhere you stop will have a one page map of the area with some great rides on it. Old NC28 is a great road, lot's of twists and they were repaving it this summer to the pavement was a huge improvement over previous years.

Here's a link to a bunch of roads. http://www.tailofthedragon.com/pdf/Brochure.pdf

Have fun and take lot's of pictures.

PS don't be like me and take your summer weight sleeping bag, it's a little nippy in October lol. Thankfully I had track pants and a sweater to pull on when I woke shivering at 3am in my tent.

 

As I said before I am planning on being up that way next month and you are more than welcome to join me and a few friends. The tentative dates will be October 12,13,14 although I might add another day to the trip and either arrive 1 day earlier or leave 1 day later. Fellow forum member VietHorse is flying in to Houston from Vietnam for business and stated that he wanted to ride some of the roads in the U.S. before he leaves to go back home. Somehow I've convinced him to fly to Atlanta for a week and ride up to the Dragon and surrounding area for a few days. I'll only stay for a few days but I think he was planning on riding all week. Lemme know if you are interested in joining us. I know the roads around the area pretty well and will be happy to ride lead and show you all the best roads. I'll start a separate thread about the trip the closer we get.

Rollin

 

Sounds great and thanks all

 

I want to ride along I am in Indiana. Have been there once already this year but would love to do it once more let me know when you are riding I can meet you close to your place and ride along

 

Sounds great. I had been considering taking

a tent and camping out one or two nights but I think for my first time I will stick with the motels nearby. Vfryellow, sure that would be great. As it gets closer I will better know the exact date I'm going. But for now still looks good for 2nd or 3rd week of october. Really looking forward to it.

 

Have you nailed a date down yet

 

Guys, I have a lot going on in October, but I may be able to join you depending on what days you decide on. I have a travel trailer on a permanent campsite in Chimney Rock NC, which is <2hr ride from the dragon. So depending on my schedule, I might can ride up there for the weekend and then meet up with you guys somewhere to ride. If anyone is interested, they are welcome to stay at my place. I can sleep two extra people comfortably, three if someone wants to sleep in my hammock on the front porch.:smile: Let me know when you get a concrete date/itenerary.

 

I HIGHLY recommned staying OFF of US441 between Cherokee and Pigeon Forge. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinberg are just tourist trap towns and 441 between the two has rediucolously low speed limits with lots of leaf watchers going even slow. Traffic gets backed up 10-15 long nad there is no way to get around it. It was absolutely the worst part of my trip when I went last year. As others have said, The Cherohola Skyway is a must. The Dragon is hairpin after hairpin and the Skyway is sweeper after sweeper.

 

The wife and I stay at the Two Wheel Inn. We like it because it's quiet and the attached garage is nice.

 

I live in Nashville, and a BMW-riding friend and I are already planning on taking a trip to the Dragon sometime within the next month or so. Definitely let me know when you head out this way, and maybe we can link up! Also, there are some fantastic roads around Gatlinburg, not too far from the Dragon and I'm sure less traveled.

 

Everybody needs to start tossing out some dates so we can get this rolling. I am stoked on meeting all you guys. I own my own bis so I can come any time. But it is a long ride for me so I need at the lest a weeks notice.

 

I will be up there October 12,13,14,15 with Viethorse and Wrestler. Anyone who wants to join us is more than welcome. I think we will probably stay at the Iron Horse Lodge or similar.

Rollin

 

The wife and I are arriving on October 6 and leaving on the 10th. We will be at the Two Wheel Inn.

Don't try to rob my house while we are gone. My parents will be there with the kids. Mom and Dad are always packin' heat. :chaingun: