deals gap NC

Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:46 am

planning a trip to the dragon and surrounding area in june..we could use some tips on the area and very important lodging...any help would be great. plan on getting in 4 days of riding and thought a centeral place to stay would be a good start and do a different route every day. I know that alot of you have done this trip and your wisdom would give us a better idea of what to expect
Ed

Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 2:37 am

There are several places to stay close to the head of the tail and one place that is VERY cycle friendly right at the start of it. Be aware that there is not much in that part of NC or TN so take a good look around before you settle on a place to stay. I say not much around there if you plan on doing anything but ride BUT if you pretty much are going to stay in the saddle the whole time it's beautiful country. Word to the wise, 1)the tail is saturated with TN cops so be aware 2) there have been a lot of wrecks and deaths so take it easy at least the first time through before you push it at all. There are a few places that I said "oh shit! that was a tricky bitch!! 3) hard to find a better road to be on! so enjoy your time!

Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 3:24 am

I have stayed at Fontana Village several times --- nothing special really, but it is convenient to the area and bike friendly. I have also stayed at the Phillips Motel, Two Wheel Inn, and the Tapoco Lodge. The Tapoco Lodge was my favorite, but someone told me they have moved up quite a bit on the price scale.

http://www.fontanavillage.com/
http://www.phillipsmotelonline.com/
http://www.twowheelinn.com/
http://www.tapocolodge.com/

Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 3:54 am

nathanhouse wrote:

...Word to the wise, 1)the tail is saturated with TN cops so be aware 2) there have been a lot of wrecks and deaths so take it easy at least the first time through before you push it at all. There are a few places that I said "oh shit! that was a tricky bitch!!.....

And this is why I do Track Days to get my adrenaline rush... Heck, don't you live close to the New York Safety Track? You could get that deal that Toddk got from his wife..

But taking a bike trip to the south sounds like fun.. Hope it happens for you.

Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:23 am

If you wish to stay "away from the tourist trap" type area I recommend Bryson City which is about 30/40 min's from the Dragon. The ride to the "Motor Resort" at the Dragon is a very nice run on it's own going Northwest on #28, and a nice warm up for the Dragon. The Gracey Manor in Bryson is a mom and pop operation that caters to motorcycle riders. Older, a bit worn, but always a warm welcome. Local color is within walking distance. Although the "Dragon" is the attraction..do not discount all the other roads in the area that afford both great riding and nice corners but beautiful vistas and scenic over looks. The Cherohala is a great ride, 'Blueridge Parkway, just about any other road in the area. Lots of good riding down that way. I like Gatlinburg over Pigeon Forge myself. Traffic into and out of the area can be a bit rough a peak hours, this is why Bryson City is such a nice run.

Tony

p.s. ride report from last year located here:

http://www.chromeheads.org/discus/messages/8/530735.html?1373373952

Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:55 am

Another somewhat relate link to the riding down yonder with a few pic's.

http://www.cb1100f.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=37643

Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:38 am

+1 on Bryson City.
When you go, make sure to go to Pasqualino's Italian Restaurant for prime rib dinner served on Fridays and Saturdays only. One of the best meals you've ever eaten, I promise.
Tell the chef/owner (heavy-set Mexican) you're one of the "Canadian" riders and the rest of us all say hello. He always gave us great service every time we went. Too funny, as soon as he'd see us at the door, he'd raise his hands snapping his fingers to the waitresses and say "Get tables ready for my Canadian friends!"
One time he cooked a prime rib on a Sunday just for us.
And now my mouth is watering......

Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 11:57 am

I always stay at the Microtel in Robbinsville NC. Beautiful 12 mile ride to the Dragon and located at the beginning of the Cherohala Skyway. They allow you to cancel 24 hours prior to reservation and don't require a 2 day minimum(free breakfast). The absolute best Inn close to the action! 828-479-6772

Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 4:15 pm

ZGrand wrote:

I have stayed at Fontana Village several times --- nothing special really, but it is convenient to the area and bike friendly. I have also stayed at the Phillips Motel, Two Wheel Inn, and the Tapoco Lodge. The Tapoco Lodge was my favorite, but someone told me they have moved up quite a bit on the price scale.

http://www.fontanavillage.com/
http://www.phillipsmotelonline.com/
http://www.twowheelinn.com/
http://www.tapocolodge.com/

I forgot to mention -- Two Wheel Inn has individual garages for your bike if that's important to you.

Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:39 pm

Hey Ed. Can't go wrong down there for entertaining roads. We stayed in Gatlinburg so we were about an hour away from US 129 but even that was a good ride, BTW we were on the 'Wing. If you're looking to do some non-riding activity I'd suggest heading to Maggie Valley to check out the Wheels Through Time Museum. Very cool. The pictures from that trip in 2010 are still by desktop background slideshow.
Gabe

Twinstar Joined: Dec 18, 2013 Posts: 255 Location: NC

We mostly stay in the Carolina Motel in Franklin.

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 2:13 pm

cb1100fer wrote:

+1 on Bryson City.
When you go, make sure to go to Pasqualino's Italian Restaurant ............

+1

Great eating there for sure!

Tony

Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 12:36 am

great tips every one.. thank you ..keep them coming. I see lots of great riding down there. What looks good so far is the dragon of coarse, and we will definitely be doing a few runs on it but we would also like to ride the diamondback, blue ridge pkwy, the Ocoee loop, moonshiner, cherohala/ dragon loop, six gap and devil's triangle. we have no less than 4 days to ride maby 5 so finding a central location to call home base is important so we can access these places. also it would be great if the lodging had a restraunt on site or very close bye. not looking for 5 * but need a decent 1 brm that's clean and quiet. with all of the roads I mentioned do you think it's possible to get them all in in 4 days? or am I dreaming... Laughing

thanks ... Ed

Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 1:20 am

basmn wrote:

great tips every one.. thank you ..keep them coming. I see lots of great riding down there. What looks good so far is the dragon of coarse, and we will definitely be doing a few runs on it but we would also like to ride the diamondback, blue ridge pkwy, the Ocoee loop, moonshiner, cherohala/ dragon loop, six gap and devil's triangle. we have no less than 4 days to ride maby 5 so finding a central location to call home base is important so we can access these places. also it would be great if the lodging had a restraunt on site or very close bye. not looking for 5 * but need a decent 1 brm that's clean and quiet. with all of the roads I mentioned do you think it's possible to get them all in in 4 days? or am I dreaming... Laughing

thanks ... Ed

That's a good question, it depends on whether you plan on nothing but riding, eating and sleeping, then maybe you can get all those roads done.
Road construction and tourist traffic will be present that time of year. We found early October and mid May has the best riding weather and the least amount of traffic.
Them first trip in October 2006 across the Dragon at 9:00am was a great ride. NO ONE in front of us and the only one going the other way was Yellow Wolf (Rick), chasing someone on a sportbike. Guess how far the sportbike was in front of the big yellow Goldwing? Lol. Traffic stayed that way until sometime after lunch.

Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 1:34 am

and if you get bored with the dragon here are some other great roads a little east
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=204553501196364173351.00049114bc2cfefac1958&msa=0
this is where I play most every weekend

I've seen Rick ride, my guess is about 5 feet, if that

Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 1:45 am

don't think ill be spending to much time on the dragon....lots more roads to explore....besides how many times can you travel a 11 mile rd before it gets to busy but it is a must do ? the loops seem be be a good gig

Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 2:03 am

Get in touch when you do finalize your plans, I play in these mountains almost every weekend and know a lot of roads that don't see nearly as much traffic as many of the more well known ones

Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 2:34 am

Will do thanks for the offer
ed

Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 2:40 am

Ed are you riding or trailering south? There are good roads out of Buffalo, off the beaten path in a fashion that are good for testing the skills and working out the winter kinks. But this will be slower going then slabbing it to make time. We like the U.S219 out of Buffalo as a means to get south but staying off the Interstate. You must run the I-90 West for a bit to hook up to the 219, but it goes a long way south if you've got the time.

Tony

Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 1:28 pm

Tony. We are trailering the bikes down....knees won't take 1000km 1 day trip.....sucks gettin old doesn't it

Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 4:55 pm

djhurayt wrote:

and if you get bored with the dragon here are some other great roads a little east
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=204553501196364173351.00049114bc2cfefac1958&msa=0
this is where I play most every weekend

Thanks for the map. More good data for the GPS Very Happy

Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:25 pm

Maggie valley is a good place to stay lodging is not bad and cheap as well. Stayed there for a week when I went down there to see Tattoo. There are much better roads than the Dragon. 276 out of Maggie Vally is an intense ride makes the Dragon look like childs play and not much traffic at all. At the top it hooks up with the B R M parkway for about 1/10 mile than back down the other side of the mountain.

Tattoo said to stay away from the dragon on the weekends to many cops and squids.

.

.

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 2:35 am

I'm back in Atlanta and used to ride all the roads up that way. The Dragon was fun when there was the Crossroads of Time. That was before it got popular and when I was tooling around on a 92 Ducati 750 Supersport. That was fun. I've done the Dragon on a crazy ass CBX with my wife on the back. I'll keep this time frame open and head up for some fun too, let me know.

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 4:55 pm

Spike,
Next time loop back around on 215, if your in the area you gotta hit it. For that matter check all the roads I have marked on that version of the link above. Let me know when you are in the area I have another version with a few special section of road that are a little less know about. Talk to Tattoo lately?

david

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 3:13 pm

does anyone have some feed back on the town of Robbinsville.....there seems to be good lodging ( cabins) at very reasonable rates.

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 3:47 pm

basmn wrote:

does anyone have some feed back on the town of Robbinsville.....there seems to be good lodging ( cabins) at very reasonable rates.

I had a pork chop and baked potato dinner there some years ago. The biggest and hottest (temperature wise) potato I've ever eaten. No idea how they got it that hot. Ed, what dates are you looking at in June?

Tony

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 8:46 pm

tony and nunzio u have a pm

Twinstar Joined: Dec 18, 2013 Posts: 255 Location: NC

TigreST wrote:

basmn wrote:

does anyone have some feed back on the town of Robbinsville.....there seems to be good lodging ( cabins) at very reasonable rates.

I had a pork chop and baked potato dinner there some years ago. The biggest and hottest (temperature wise) potato I've ever eaten. No idea how they got it that hot. Ed, what dates are you looking at in June?

Tony

Spent an overnight there with a bunch of ZRX riders. What I remember is the good rides on good roads.

Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 1:11 am

Robbinsville is centrally located and you can also catch a run from there across the Cherohala Skyway to Telico Plains up 360 and down the backside of the Dragon. That will wear you out for sure. My personal favorite, we used to call it the road to nowhere back in the day, becase when they were constructing it, it just went on for miles and then stopped. Eventually NC and Tenn met in the middle

Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 3:33 am

Its still there -- and still called "The Road to Nowhere" - rode it just this past summer.

Link: Road to Nowhere