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Great Smokey Mtns - need tips

Discussion in 'Trips N' Trails - the ride is the adventure' started by jimstallard, May 15, 2013.

  1. jimstallard

    jimstallard New Member

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    Location:
    Odess, FL
    Mine son & I are riding our HDs to Pigeon Forge, TN, wil rent a cabin and do day trips.

    I already have routes for The Dragon's Tail/Diehl's Gap and Cullasaja Gorge but need ideas for other rides. Please, email me at jim.stallard@gd-ots.com with your suggestions for routes, things to see & do etc.

    Ride Safe
    jimstallard, May 15, 2013
    #1
  3. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Take 28 out of franklin south (and into franklin) it's a really good road.

    Do the Gap from the TN side not from the NC side, it's better to be on the
    outside vs hugging the mountain due to inability to see and rocks in the road from
    cars and trucks.

    Ride the Cherahala Skyway is better than the gap, and 28 coming into Franklin is as well.
    at the end of the Cherahala is a HD dealer, good for a stop and a break.

    http://www.tellico-plains.com/cherohala-skyway.html
    hotroadking, May 15, 2013
    #2
  4. jimstallard

    jimstallard New Member

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    I mapped this out. This looks like a fantastic ride Pigeon Forge to Tellico Plains to Robbinsville (with a side trip to the Bald River Falls) and back to Pigeon Forge. About 5 1/2 hrs and 210 miles. THANKS!!!!
    jimstallard, May 15, 2013
    #3
  5. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Yeah just so you know fine dining in Robbinsville is Hardees LOL
    used to be a diner and it might still be there, on S Main we would get
    breakfast there real cheap local food. It's called Lynns Place.

    OUt of PF go to Gatlinburg on 73, then take 441 over the mountains
    up to clingmans dome, it is a great road, very windy, tunnels, goes right up top and there is a place to pull out and get some pictures up top.

    Be sure fill up before you go over to Cherokee/bryson Falls, there is a casino in Cherokee and plenty of tourist local indian flavor shops.

    My advice to you is to do this weekdays if you can, weekends are full of people in cages
    going back and forth nothing sucks worse than having to follow a cage on a good set of twisty roads.

    Also watch the speed limit on the skyways, you can push but let the squibs take the bait. Also lot of folks overdrive those hills, being from CFL you know our idea of a hill is 20 ft up and down, curves are taken at stop signs....

    There are a lot of decreasing radius turns, inside turns may have loose rocks and gravel and you need to be careful..
    hotroadking, May 15, 2013
    #4
  6. marc 55

    marc 55 Well-Known Member

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    Don't forget your rain gear...Been down there several times and always had some rain...It is beautiful down there...Have fun and be careful...
    marc 55, May 16, 2013
    #5
  7. jimstallard

    jimstallard New Member

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    Yea, the highest point in the Tampa/Odesa area is the overpass at Tampa International airport.

    Thanks for the info. We will be riding Mon - Fri so hopefully, few cages and even worse, RV elephants lumbering along.
    jimstallard, May 16, 2013
    #6
  8. jimstallard

    jimstallard New Member

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    Yep, last time I did this a bud & I rode the entire Blue Ridge Pkwy/Skyline Drive and got rainded on a little everyday. And I HATE riding a dirty bike.
    jimstallard, May 16, 2013
    #7
  9. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    and warm clothing, temps drop fast up top...
    hotroadking, May 16, 2013
    #8
  10. MountainCruiser

    MountainCruiser Well-Known Member

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    Did you ever make this trip? Have had a lot of rain here.... how did it go?
    MountainCruiser, Jun 2, 2013
    #9
  11. baggerpaul

    baggerpaul Well-Known Member

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    The ride from Cherokee to Gatlinberg through the park and then to pigeon forge is awesome . downtown gatlinberg is kinda cool just outside the park on your left is a little pub lots of bikes and you can get a nice cold one or some good ol ice tea . ober gatlinberg has an awesome leather shop great prices on vest and jackets . there is awesome views of the smokies in the park cool trails to take breaks of the scoot . and stop for a drink . enjoy your ride !
    baggerpaul, Jun 2, 2013
    #10
  12. jimstallard

    jimstallard New Member

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    My trip is 7 - 13 July. Doing the Dragon's Tail, Devil's Triangle, Cherohala Skyway & Cullasaja Gorge Run so far are planned rides.
    jimstallard, Jun 3, 2013
    #11
  13. MountainCruiser

    MountainCruiser Well-Known Member

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    Check out smokymountainrider.com He posts good rides, updates on any closed roads (have had some slides with all the rain). He authors a set of maps of rides off the BBP that are excellent. Map #7 centers on the area you will be in. Gives best roads to ride, best connectors between rides, nearest gas, MC shops, etc. They are water resist and tear resist and fold to fit your pocket. Check it out. Also the Kickstand Lodge has link to rides that shows two good loops east and west from Stecoha / Robbinsville.

    HRK was right, the ride south on 28 through Franklin, Highlands and Cashiers is outstanding. I like it better than through the Dragon. If the weather is nice, it can be a zoo at the Dragon... take it easy, keep your eyes peeled...ride safe.

    If you have time, go into Maggie Valley and see Wheels Through Time Museum. One of the best private collections of vintage iron in the country. He is on Velocity Channel this year in "Whats in the Barn".

    Post some pix, this is my home country...great, great riding...enjoy! :cool:
    MountainCruiser, Jun 3, 2013
    #12

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