I'm also planning a trip to the Smokys again this year. The last two years we stayed in Maggie Valley and did a lot of rides from there. However, we never made it up past Asheville. Here are my questions.

Since we already did many roads south and west of Maggie Valley, should we stay in a different location northeast of Asheville? Little Switzerland area?

Are the rides north and east of Asheville as good as the rides west and south of Maggie Valley?

What town should we stay in? Is Little Switz a good place to make base camp? We are planning to rent a house for the week.

 

Roads all around there are just as good. NC 80, NC 181, 226 and 226A, the BRP of course as well as US 221 from Linville to Blowing Rock. Lots of others. Not much in Little Switz except an expensive motel and restaurant. Any town around is good: Spruce Pine, Burnsville, Linville, Linville Falls, Newland. All have decent restaurants and motels. The high dollar places that are crowded with tourists are Blowing Rock, Boone, and Banner Elk areas. Great restuarants though. Eat at either of these and you will not be hungry the rest of the day.

http://www.shatleysprings.com/

http://www.danlbooneinn.com/

 

The riding is great like Mike said Hwy 80, 226A are great roads right off the parkway and worth riding down and back up for the different feel. Many places to see and visit. Also try 19E out of Spruce Pine toward Tennessee then come back over Roan Mountain into Burnsville man what a ride. These areas aren't as popularized as the Maggie Valley area is for motorcycles but there are some great places to ride to and good places to eat.

Stations Inn is a place that normally has a band on Sunday and a lot of riders go to it is right off the BRP.

Can't help ya with the renting of the house think as I live in the area and don't really look for that....lol Good luck and enjoy your ride here. And I will add thanks for planning to come to NC and helping our economy.

 

Check this out:http://www.parkviewlodge.com/ I've never stayed there, cause I live nearby. It sure is close to all the good rides, 221, BRP, 19E, 181,80,226A, and at least 3 excellent places to eat really close. 500 feet south of the BRP on US221! Did I mention they sell beer here? Handy thing in a dry county.

 

Since you live nearby, can you say which area has the better rides? South and west of Maggie Valley or up your way?

 

Know where that's at well. I grew up in McDowell County just down the road...lol

 

I will say as I grew up in that area and still live about 40 minutes away that all the areas are great. Each have their own personalities as the roads go. The Maggie area is a bit more geared toward motorcycles then the Linville/Boone area as it has been geared more toward the cage tourist and skiers. But honestly you can ride to either area for a day ride no matter where you stay.

The Ferguson area has a nice motorcycle only camp ground called Rider's Roost http://www.ridersroost.com/ makes for a great base camp if you want to camp. Even was in the AMA book Ride Guide To America. It even had a couple of rides in there for the area that included the Linville Falls area.

 

All of the mountain roads are just that, mountain roads. Look at the maps, if a road crosses the NC/TN state line, two lane or four, you are going to get a great view and some good elevation (3000-6000 ft.). The little two lane roads are the best for me, mostly the ones that were built in the 20's & 30's are really crooked, less traveled, and have better scenery. There are higher elevations north of Asheville, but there are steep roads on the southern end as well. Generally speaking, the roads are in better shape south of Asheville and on the Tn. side, the winter weather plays hell on asphalt up on my end on toward the Va. border. I ride quite a bit on the Tn. side, really smooth roads over there!
It looks like there may be some major repaving in store for the BRP this spring, the survey markers are already in place. Be sure and check for updates on their website just before you ride.
As Nabubba says, it really don't matter, just come on up, you'll have a good time.
Later,
Madmax

 

Found this good little read about the Diamondback Loop what we use to call the Little Switzerland Loop around here...lol

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/Diamondback/index.html

 

That is a favorite for me as well. Heres a shot from last summer with the Night Train and The House in the Lake......
Let me add the link near my house:http://tailofthedragon.com/ValleCrucis/trip.html
By the way, that is a really good website Nabubba!