Me and some buds (6 bikes) are going up to Deal's Gap & thru the Smoky's the weekend of May 30 from Jacksonville, FL area if anyone is looking to join us. We're leaving Fri. morning early and retuningSunday afternoon.Send me a PM (personal message) if you're interested. Some are staying in Etowah, Tn some outside Knoxville.

 

Have fun there and be careful of the squids on the twisties riding too fast. I have been down twice and we always fall in love with the scenic riding down there.

 

This will be my 3rd trip and I get psyched about it every time! Last Memorial weekend I spent 4 nights up there between Hiawasse, Ga (near Helen) and Franklin, NC. The ride from Franklin to Deal's Gap was outstanding too but I don't remember the highway #'s.

 

How are ya gonna go, Atlanta or Augusta? Either way, if you can get to Dahlonega (north of Atlanta), find Hwy 60 in Suches, Ga., and take it to Ducktown, Tn. Then get on Hwy 68, and take it to Tellico Plains, Tn. Then get on the Cherohalla Skyway and take it to Robbinsville, N.C. this is one of the many scenic routes in the area. My map program tells me that the fastest route, through Brunswick and Macon would be 10.5 hours (535 miles).

 

The Dragon is cool, but Cherohala is THE ride!

Enjoy.

 

There's lots of great riding out there, not just the Dragon. The best time to ride the Dragon is a weekday morning as there's fewer folks out there and hardly no squids. I rode the Dragon this past weekend and am working on a story about it (complete with a map and route).

Mike