Bike Rental suggestions? November weather

[PeddlePower]

I'm new to this Forum. I'll be in Asheville for work Nov 8, I'd like to rent a bike for
for November 4 to 7. Any suggestions beyond Eagle of Knoxville? What can I expect for weather in early November? Also thinking of staying in Dolly's home town for day one, are there better choices?

Thanks,

[khelton]

Man..don't even consider staying in Pigeon Forge..what an armpit..probably the absolute worst place you can stay in the area.

Are you bringing family or by yourself ?

[PeddlePower]

Thanks for the info on Pigeon Forge. I'm travelling with the wife, no kids. Where should I be looking to stay. Our initial plan is to rent a bike in Kodak, TN, then do a little motel hopping. Avoiding dry counties would be nice.

[khelton]

I'm not certain The Resort will still be open but that is where we prefer when it is just a bunch of guys. Clean, great people and friends.

After that and with the wife, I prefer cabin in Townsend. Laurel Valley will have some good rates by then comparable to Motel rates, you can have a fire in the fireplace, coffee on the deck in the morning before you ride, hot tub at night, maybe see a bear or two, temps should not be too bad that early in November. There will be virtually no traffic in Townsend then so you can just enjoy the ride and company.

From there you can get to Deals' Gap in 20 minutes via the Foothills Parkway, itself a good ride. Do not miss Deal's Ga for any reason. You are also 7 or 8 minutes from the National Park, great run into Cades Cove, or left to see The Y, The Sinks ( water falls) , over the mountain into Cherokee, plenty of places to ride w/o a lot of traffic or stop lights. Can also be on the Cherohala in about an hour.

I have PM'd you a cuppla websites.

[ZX10R115]

I have stayed in Townsend my last 8 visits, Really nice and peacful place to stay. The foothills Pky is a nice ride and when you hit 129 along the river its one of my favorites.
Have a great trip!

[brad@dealsgap]

Keith we will be open until 22 Nov, Resturaunt will have to close earlier as we will be relocating the store their for the winter. The weather is always up for grabs in Nov, we could have snow or we could have 70 deg weather or both in the same week.

[brad@dealsgap]

also try smoky mountain HD they rent bikes as well.

[khelton]

Keith we will be open until 22 Nov, Resturaunt will have to close earlier as we will be relocating the store their for the winter. The weather is always up for grabs in Nov, we could have snow or we could have 70 deg weather or both in the same week.

Good..that means I can come and lower your property values even in November

[MilleArp]

I have stayed in Townsend my last 8 visits, Really nice and peacful place to stay. The foothills Pky is a nice ride and when you hit 129 along the river its one of my favorites.
Have a great trip!

+1

If you're looking for motels/cabins/hotels/food/gas/etc. and "small city-ish" settings (with beer!), without all the Dollywood glitz, can't beat Townsend !
Have stayed there several times myself.

Of course, my #1 recommendation is Deal's Gap Motorcycle Campground and Resort ! ! ! ! !


However, if you plan on staying for several days or a week, and it really does take at least that long to at least see some fo the area's sights, may I suggest a cabin? There's TONS of them for rent.

;)

[748L052]

General rule of thumb near Smoky Mtn NP - northeast to southwest there is distinct fade from max touristNE to almost zero touristSW. North side SMNP 3x tourist vs South side. Same NE to SW tourist fade applies to south side SMNP. The Gap is, obviously, still for a few more years, on the presently tolerable SW corner.

If in the equation of the bike vs the tourism your bias is toward the 'tourism/night life/need several restaurants to choose from' then the Townsend option is excellent. If your bias is toward the 'bike/roads/damn it's dark out here at night' then DGMR at the Gap is THE option. My pillion rider is Atypesquarex3 fussy about neat & clean and DGMR rooms (tnx Iris & Donna) always pass inspection. And if the DGMR cafe is closed simply go down 129 a couple of miles to Tapoco Lodge for excellent meals, beer & wine available. (open thru Nov I think - better check)

If you are lucky with your dates you can have very little traffic, excellent weather & visibility.