A newbie needs some info

[kaw750]

Is there anyone out there that can give me some tips on visiting the dragon? The best place to stay? The best roads to tour in the area? The best place for fuel (motorcycle and human consumption). How many days needed for a full visit? Any comment would be helpful.. Thanks

[Tara]

Hey kaw750,

During my past visits to Deals Gap I've stayed in Gatlinburg, Robbinsville, Alcoa/Maryville and The Crossroads (right in Deals Gap).

Here are my thoughts:

Gatlinburg was filled with way too many tourists and was a little bit far from Deals Gap and the Cherohala Skyway for my liking (over an hour, if I recall correctly). However, there were a lot of amenities and tourist attractions... and it's not in a dry county.

Robbinsville is close to Deals Gap and many other great roads. I stayed there in the past because I figured there would be stuff to do in the evenings... turns out there isn't anything to do and the restaurants leave a lot to be desired (with the exception of Lynn's). Most of the town seems to close down quite early (except for all the kids cruising main street). Oh, I almost forgot, the town is in a dry county and the cops seem to have very little patience for tourists on sportbikes, they tend to favour their own.

Alcoa/Maryville: I enjoyed staying here. Everything was close and the ride to Deals Gap is on nice roads (about 45 minutes). There is a variety of restaurants and entertainment and everything any other American city would sport. The smaller motels are quite reasonably priced as well.

Deals Gap: I had the most fun staying here and wouldn't dream of staying anywhere else in the future. You're in the middle of all the action. The rooms have no telephones or televisions (which is great because everyone tends to socialize when they're not riding). There is a restaurant onsite (with a limited menu but it does the trick) along with a gas station and store. However, just like Robbinsville, it's in a dry county (so beer runs are a necessity if you're so inclined).

Hope that helps.
Tara

[kitesurfer]

i just took a 7 day trip to that area. i camped at T.W.O. in the ga mountains and the other half at the deals gap store/hotel/campground. camping at DG is the best--during the week. real quiet and peaceful. when the crowds come in, you might want to be somewhere else. for cool camping, camp on the banks of the natahala river at BIG NANTAHALA. that's about 15 minutes south of robinsville. T.W.O in ga is nice quiet camping too and is surrounded by many good roads. it's located in suches,ga. between those two "homebases", you can hit some of the best riding in the world! so if you're riding for a good week or more, that would keep you "fulfilled" :) both spots have rooms to rent if camping is not your thing.

[kaw750]

Thanks for the info Tara and kitesurfer. I was looking at staying at the two wheel inn. I heard good things about it. I just want to know, in anybodies opinion, how many days do I need to stay in the area to ride any other routes around the Dragon. I know the Smokey Mountains are beautiful and there has to be more than US129 as a popular ride.

[v2wyn]

:) Thanks for the info Tara and kitesurfer. I was looking at staying at the two wheel inn. I heard good things about it. I just want to know, in anybodies opinion, how many days do I need to stay in the area to ride any other routes around the Dragon. I know the Smokey Mountains are beautiful and there has to be more than US129 as a popular ride.

Two Wheel Inn is great. I've stayed there for a week this past June and last summer as well. Barry and Linda are fine hosts and will help you out in any way. Next time I want to stay at the resort at the Gap but will need to make my reservations sooner, as they have been full the times I have tried to make get a room. Have never heard anything but good words for the folks at the Crossroads as well and the times I have spent just hanging around, they have always been very friendly. RT 28 south to Franklin is an excellent road for the most part once you get south of RT 74. Then you can pick up Wayah Rd (watch for gravel) back to 129 via a short ride on Rt 74. The Cherohala Skway is unreal for beauty and it's sweepers. Remember, it's a FEDERAL road and the speed limit is low:eek: Best to ride thru the week when there are less LEOs lurking about. Rt 441 to Gatlinburg is a road you have to do at least once, if for no other reason than to see the road signs. Beware of it on the weekends as traffic is thick. The road outside of G'burg off Rt441(Little River Rd??) that will take you to the northern end of the Foothills Parkway is amazing, both for it's natural beauty along the way, and for the folks that insist on driving 20MPH in a 35MPH zone. At least it's usually cool due to the trout streams the road follows for many miles. And don't forget the 100 Ft tall BALD RIVER FALLS off the Chereohala Skyway. The possibilities are nearly endless. Get yourself the $3 map that the folks from that "other" website. It's well worth it and the folks at Two Wheel Inn sell 'em. I love testing myself on the Dragon (within my abilities) but basically, I suck on that road (but will keep trying). Ride it, get the t-shirt, some stickers, buy some water and other stuff from the good folks there (plus the food is great!!), then go exploring. The possibilities are many! Enjoy!:D

ps)I would want to have a minimum of 4 days to get a good feel for the area. Preferably 4 days during the week!

[kaw750]

Thanks v2wyn that was the valuable info that I needed. I guess I will give up a gallon of premium gasoline to get that map of the area. How is the month of August in that area? Is it busy being that summer is almost over or dead?

[v2wyn]

Thanks v2wyn that was the valuable info that I needed. I guess I will give up a gallon of premium gasoline to get that map of the area. How is the month of August in that area? Is it busy being that summer is almost over or dead?

I was in the area for 8 days last year which included the first week of August and it was great! Someone else may have a different opinion of that time of year. The trick is to be there mostly thru the week and it's not as hectic as Fri, Sat, and half of Sunday. If you can swing it, do it. I was torn about leaving for Gatlinburg to meet my G/F last year(I was having a blast!) on a Friday when I realized that there was a Honda Prelude club that was having a meet begining on that same Friday. As soon as I figured that out, I left in a hurry(and had a great time in G'burg!). On the way out, I saw a couple of rollbacks hauling off 2 Preludes that had crashed into the rock wall on Rt 28 just north of Fontana Dam. Use the net and find out when different clubs are having rallys, which is usually on the weekends. No offense intended but sometimes cars and bikes aren't the best mix...... It depends on the group. Avoid the ones that may seem an obvious risk. :eek: I didn't heed my own advice this year and booked a 4 day weekend begining the 27th of this month. With rumours of up to 400 Miatas being expected that weekend, I cancelled and booked a weekend in Abingdon, VA, to ride the Shady Valley, TN/Damascus, VA area. Miatas are cool, as well as their drivers:D , but the sheer number, and the probability that LEOs would be about, made me change my plans. :(

[kitesurfer]

the better roads 'in my opinion' are a little farther south. from franklin, take 64 east, past all the waterfalls that you must stop and see, to highlands. drop south there on 28, then right on warwoman road to clayton georgia. then 76 east. in that area are many great roads--ga 60, ga 180, richard russell scenic hwy, and more, also from highlands--continue east on 64 to cashiers and go either north or south on 107 or on eat to rosman, taking 178 south or 215 north. or on east to brevard taking 276 north or south. all withing a days driving of the gap (350 m ile day). check out www.ncroads.com and clink on Map of God's country. it truly is!

[v2wyn]

I've heard that.... I wanted to explore more to the south on my last visit but after 1400+ miles while there added on, my tires were well worn and I didn't want to stray too far from home base. I correct my previous statement and now say that you need at least 2 WEEKS to get a good feel for the area! :D :D

[kaw750]

thanks folks for all the info. It looks like I have to take multiple trips to the area to get the best of things. I will do the gap area in august because I have the itch then maybe in the fall I will travel south of that area. I always like to get riders advice on places to ride because I hate to go to places to ride then get home and someone tells me I should have traveled on this road down there because of this and that. Thanks again

[khelton]

Here;'s one for you, I just got back from a drive through Mt Rainer up to the base of the Glacier. here is the surprise, highest point was 5,400 feet. We can get higher than that in Tennessee..that really surprised me...felt like I was 9,500 feet up though....

[jmsrbrt]

NCROADS dot com doesn't work for me. Others?

[Tu Kewl]

Doesn't work for me either