Smokey Mountain
#21
05-16-2010, 09:14 PM
I will say that the one down side I found to Maggie Valley is that most every place closes at 8 or something like that. The first night we got in after 8 and the one place for food was some Italian place that delivered (according to the person at the hotel desk). The second night we got there right before 8 so we had to rush to the bar next to the hotel for dinner.
#22
05-17-2010, 06:58 AM
I don't know how else to explain this. You have your opinion and I have mine. Period, simple and end of discussion. And it takes you 1.5 hours to cover a ride of 33 miles? It takes me 50 minutes on a bad day. I bought my cabin in a location that makes me happy so that is where I go. I personally don't care for Maggie Valley but you do so that is fine with me. Just let it go, it ain't a competition for goodness sake.
I still think you have a better starting point to the better roads from the east side of the park such as Maggie Valley. Think about it, it takes 1 1/2 hours to go thru the park each way (longer if you are behind a bunch of RVs). You are adding 3 hours to each of your rides and if you are heading up the BRP, you won't get very far before you have to head back. The ride thru the park is nice too, but to do it each day I take a new ride takes too much time. With only a week, I have a limited amount of time. I'd rather have that time to ride further for example up the BRP or other roads east and north of Asheville instead of retracing the same road and using up 3 hours each day to get to other places and roads.
The most central location for a week if you are staying in one place is Maggie Valley.
The most central location for a week if you are staying in one place is Maggie Valley.
#25
05-17-2010, 01:28 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
I choose Maggie because it is central. Night life is not a concern of mine. My G/F used to go to Gattlenburg every year for work events and she says what most say about it. She wanted nothing to do with staying there.
I agree with Ozoneman. Staying more central gives you more range on the rides during the day.
I agree with Ozoneman. Staying more central gives you more range on the rides during the day.
#26
05-18-2010, 12:10 AM
#27
05-18-2010, 01:47 AM
I have to say that Cherokee freaked me out a bit. We were running late getting to Maggie Valley the first night so it was dark. I come around the bend and there is this giant lit up sign with Wayne Newton on it. A bit of a change after coming off the Cherohala byway on the way in.
#28
05-19-2010, 12:58 PM
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I'm going to suggest something a little different as I usually try to stay away from the "tourist" area when I'm riding that region. I usually stay in Franklin, NC. Not only does it provide easy access to riding some of the best roads in NC, (I espeically like 28) it also makes riding through northern GA and the Chatahoochee National Forest accessable.
Since there is only one road through the park from Galenburg south it can get pretty backed up with traffic, you may also want to check on the condition of the gap due to the rockslide when you get close to the time for your trip.
Since there is only one road through the park from Galenburg south it can get pretty backed up with traffic, you may also want to check on the condition of the gap due to the rockslide when you get close to the time for your trip.
#29
05-20-2010, 03:58 AM
#30
05-20-2010, 10:55 AM
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I choose Maggie because it is central. Night life is not a concern of mine. My G/F used to go to Gattlenburg every year for work events and she says what most say about it. She wanted nothing to do with staying there.
I agree with Ozoneman. Staying more central gives you more range on the rides during the day.
I agree with Ozoneman. Staying more central gives you more range on the rides during the day.
Check this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X9If...layer_embedded