That was a good trip.
No crashes. No tickets. No breakdowns (other than a brief snag which got resolved). Tons of good roads. Good swimming. Good food.
Thanks all!
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That was a good trip.
No crashes. No tickets. No breakdowns (other than a brief snag which got resolved). Tons of good roads. Good swimming. Good food.
Thanks all!
Thanks for organizing the trip Clayton. I had a great time!
Anytime. Solid group this year, nobody riding over their head (for the most part :D).
I only saw a couple little crossing the double yellow ooopsie's since I was leading 95% of the week, but apparently a few instances of people just having a bit too much fun occurred mid-pack. Nothing to ruin the fun though!
Assuming the van gets out of the shop, going to plan a trip to the area in May. Probably going down alone and meeting up.
Where is a good aiming point to stay? I’d plan to drive down, unload the bike, and make day trips.
Renting a house from Ron is a solid move. Wifi, hot tubs, quiet, all at the start of the Cherohola. thetreetops.com
The Microtel in Robbinsville is cheap and clean. Plenty of other lodging too nearby. Tapoco Lodge is spendy, but swank. Right at the end of the Dragon as well.
https://tapoco.com/
Sept 2019 anyone????
I have no problem organizing this go around, it's been nice not doing for a while and just showing up!
another good option is gatlinburg.. decent priced hotels, lots of places to drink and eat and night and all kinds of people watching.
I’m planning to drive the van down this fall, pinning down dates after Aug 7.
Two Wheel Inn (Two Wheeled Inn?)
So TTD is trying to set up an event Oct 14,15,16 at a track in NC. Thinking I’ll take the van down, ride there, then head for TOD and environs. So I’d plan to camp or stay at a hotel, and ride in the area for a few days, before heading to Ft Benning GA by 10/25.
So what town or area would be my “Aiming point?”
Robbinsville, NC is the large-ish town on the NC side. Not as much on the TN side of the dragon.
Tellico Plains is on the TN side of the Cherohala Skyway.. and isn't dry (Robbinsville is).
Most of the good riding in that area is pretty obvious from the maps; look for squigly roads. Honestly you have to try really hard to not find nice day-rides in that area. Some solid ADV-bike material there too.
"Devil's Triangle" (TN 62, TN 116, TN 330) north of Oak Ridge TN is a decent day ride from the area.
To the south, head down NC 64 towards Highlands. Loop back through GA around Chatage Lake.
Or, you know, just spend all day making laps across 129.
421 (the 'snake') east of Johnson City, TN and VA 16 north of Marion VA (the 'back of the dragon') are exceptional rides too, should you have the opportunity. Arguably out of reach for a day ride if based in the area of the Dragon.
When i went solo around xmas 2005 (or 06?) i stayed in Maryville TN, and while not ideal, it offers a good length of ride in to the TN end of the dragon,
so you know the tires are as warm as they will get by the time you cross the overlook and get into the more fun stuff.
Also Maryville is not in a dry county.
Every fucking time I start scheduling this trip, something bad happens.