On Sunday I rode from the Detroit area to Alcoa, TN, 587 meils. Yesterday I rode the Tail of the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway. Spectacular, and challenging. Definitely honed my skillz, and got noticeably better as the day progressed. Saw a lot of TN and Georgia countryside today and avoided rain to boot. Now parked in Atlanta for a week long conference.

Thanks go to Blusmbl for the great route suggestion, and sportypig for the hotel recommendation in Alcoa - Perfect!

Here's a pic of me at the top of the tail before the ride. My timing was great - very cool Monday morning, ZERO traffic, and I was able to ride my ride and concentrate.



Quick view from 129slayer, not thrilled with the pics, killboy hasnt been posted yet.

 

those roads are very cool up there , we go and stay 2 weeks in Robbinsville every year and ride the entire area , will be there this Friday

 

My only regret is that I only had time for 1 pass at it, I had to high-tail it down to Atlanta.

 

I did the Cherahala Skyway - Dragon this spring, defiantly a great run!
Keep the shiny side up

 

Have to agree. Been wanting to take a bike to TN for some time now.

Wife and I went July 4 weekend and wish we made more hast to get there. We took our time and left on Wed stayed off the main highways got to TN on a Friday. Went through the Smokey Mountains on Rt 441 then took the blue ridge parkway a bit before coming back to our lodge. I thought about doing the dragon for the weekend but thought it would be too crowded and there was nasty rain approaching.
Took the foothills parkway home and RT23 from TN to Ohio all on Saturday. What a ride.
Cheers!!

Here are a few pics:
http://photobucket.com/20120704smkmt

 

I have nothing but awsome memories of the area!! Been a few years and i cant wait to get back.Not a bad ride from Chicago and souther Indiana also has some nice roads. Thanks for the jump start as i need to plan a trip soon... :-)

 

I'll take the Cherohala any day over the Dragon. I'm more into long sweepers and great scenery than a crowded roller coaster in the woods.
To each his own.

 

i love having these roads withing about a hour of my house, i take off to the dragon after work alot, the skyway is really a more fun road because it is faster and not near as crowded

 

First time I did the dragon was in 1991 on my Yamaha FZR1000. THAT was great. No cops, no crowds and no weekend warriors. 129 was just another twisty backhills road. My buddy and I were literally by ourselves. I've gone periodically through the years but it's no fun anymore.

I went last year and it's just stupid. Idiots everywhere and WAY too crowded. I'll stick with any other road in the vicinity over 129.

If you've never done it then I'd go but only on off days/times. My 2 cents.

 

The Dragon is definitely more intense riding then the Cherohala.