The Snake near Shady Valley Tenn on Hwy 421 is awesome. I can't decide if it's tougher than the Dragon at Deals Gap, but it's a damn site less crowded. If you ever find yourself near Johnson City, give it a shot....

 

I rode it Sunday - I like it better than the Dragon... the leaves were beautiful!

 

I live over here in that area. Takes me about an hour to ride from my house to the Country Store in Shady. Any of the 4 directions going out from the store is great rode. Damascus, Bristol, Elizabethton, or Mountain City. I love living here. I think it is a little more technical than the Dragon as you are either riding UP the mountain or DOWN the mountain. The Dragon goes along the top ridge.

I regularly ride the Snake from Bristol, TN to Boone, NC for lunch at Macado's. Then come back via 321 to Elizabethton, TN then back to Bristol. All day ride on nothing but 2 lane road.

 

Thought I was reading a Doors song from the title.

 

hmm.. rode the dragon for the first time last thursday, had a blast!

this is farther west, correct? will have to look at for my next trip there.

 

The Snake, AKA US 421, is northeast of the Dragon. Follow I81 from the Smokies east to Bristol, VA. then take US 421 south. Once you cross South Holston Lake you are on the Snake.

 

The Snake is good, not quite as challenging as the Dragon, but not as populated either. It's a tradeoff.

 

Love the Snake. I feel pretty lucky to live so close. Shady Valley Country Store is great.

http://www.shadyvalleycountrystore.com/

 

I am with you on that vols12m. So many roads here and so little time to ride them. One of the best rides I had was from here to The Breaks Interstate Park and back.

 

209, 28, and Wayah Rd. make the Dragon look tame. Not for the inexperienced.