I am heading down to GA/TN/NC area in the spring. I have two options in the norther GA area and am looking for suggestions. Leaving Helen I can 1. take 348 north to 180, make a left and ride Blood Moutain south to 60 north and continue on to Robbinsville or 2. take 75 south out of Helen to 129 and ride Blood Mountain north to Wolf Pen Gap south/west to 60 north to Robbinsville area. I have heard that 348 is a very good road, but that 129 (Blood Mountain) is best ridden south to north. I can't really do both as this is just in the middle of the day from Sevierville to Robbinsville. I have been on Wolf Pen Gap so missing that is not the end of the world, especially two up. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

Been a couple of years since I've been through there (used to spend a lot of time there on a VFR) but I would have to agree that 129 is best ridden "uphill" from south to north. 348 is a good road. My suggestion would be take 348 to 129, then take a right on 180 through Wolf Pen Gap, left on 60 down to 19, left on 19 to 129 then north on 129 up to Blairsville and north to Robbinsville. Back in my sport-touring days we called the 180/60/19/129 loop "The Triangle." This puts you on 180 and 129 "the right way."

Another nice road on your way down to Helen is to come down to Clayton then take 76 over past Lake Burton, turn on 197 and then right on 356 to Helen. Nice curves, beautiful ride, usually not much traffic.

 

All of that riding is my back yard and bike playground. Any road you take is a good road. If you're riding 2-up, then I'd maybe skip Wolf Penn Gap (Hwy 180) because you'll get those hairpin turns on the Dragon. Richard B. Russell Scenic Hwy (348) is a good road and 2-up friendly, however it'll put you too far north on 129 to get the good twists over Blood Mt. - I believe it intersects 129 in Booger Holler on the north side of Blood Mountain.

I frequently take 197 from its start in Mt. Airy near my house all the way up to its intersection w/ 76 north of Lake Burton. Turn left onto 76 toward Hiawassee. Just outside of Hiawassee turn left onto 17/75 toward Helen and take that down toward Brasstown Bald - sometimes if I'm making a shorter run I'll head up to the bald. If I'm in for a longer run I'll take 180 all the way across from 17/75 to Suches and stop in at TWO for lunch. From there I'll head down 19/60 to Dahlonega, but at Stonepile Gap I'll shoot across 19 to Turner's Corner. At Turner's Corner head north up 129 to hit Blood Mt. from the south and then across Richard Russell in Booger Holler. By then I've been riding a while, so I'll head through Unicoi to Batesville and then back home down 197.

Come to think of it...since it has been so stinkin' cold, just thinking about my favorite route has been nice. If you think about it, shoot me an email when you're here. If I'm free I'll ride with you to Blairsville.

 

Thanks guys -- appreciate the input. Now if you could just help getting rid of the snow here in MI all would be well.

 

The area you want to ride in over here has a light covering of snow too. There's still some lingering ice spots in the shady areas on the roads. It should all be gone by tomorrow.

 

+1 on blood mountain being better going up... Dunno how/what you ride, but on my Ultra, two-up, draggin' the boards, it's a blast!

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