Planning our route and looking for advice

[HIspyder]

Aloha to all you seasoned Spyder riders.

Mrs. and I will be riding East from Greenville, TX up into Maine and can't decide on the route from Nashville to DC. I've put together two routes and both are pretty close to travel time and mileage according to Google Maps. We'd like to get the most out of this leg, sights to see, places to eat and things to do, and for me, twisties .

Option #1

Nashville, TN
Knoxville, TN
Pigeon Forge, TN
Gatlinburg, TN
Asheville, NC
Charlottesville, VA

Option #2

Nashville, TN
Maryville, TN
Through Deal's Gap
Asheville, NC
Charlottesville, VA

All responses are very much appreciated.

Mahalo!

[IGETAROUND]

perhaps you could go one route and retun by the other

[HIspyder]

perhaps you could go one route and retun by the other

We would except for one minor detail. We're returning via Northern routes, then down to Long Beach were the Spyder will be shipped back to Kauai. We're even kicking around the idea of visiting the Spyders birth place.

[gmcgarrity]

route 2 will be more fun IMHO
the dragon is worth the time.

ride safe
geo

[vided]

Nice trip.
how long will you be traveling?
have a great and safe trip

[cmungen]

This area of the Smokey Mountains is very special. Make sure you stop in Maggy Valley (40 miles from Ashville) and visit the Wheels Thru Time museum.
It is a bucket list visit for any motorcyclist. Dale or Matt Walksler will make you at home!

Carl

[maliamd]

Aloha!! Lived in HI for many years. Our son was born at Kapiolani/Childrens. We live in Maggie Valley and I would recommend Option 1. This will take you through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park which is a once in a lifetime ride since you live so far away. The vistas are amazing, the waterfalls and streams wonderful, and there are many side roads you can take to explore. There are plenty of twisties on the main road through the park. This option will also give you the wonderful opportunity to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway to Asheville. Again an amazing ride and one your should take. There are great twisties on this road as well.

In my opinion, the Dragon is fun but way over rated. Not particularly a pretty stretch of road and certainly NOT worth giving up the ride through the park and the BRP. We would love to ride with you on the Maggie Valley stretch of the BRP. Let me know and we can meet you at the southern end of the park and ride the BRP!

[SPYD3R]

Rt. 100 in Vermont.... south to north, then over to Maine.... AWESOME can't even describe it.....
ride safely and enjoy....
dp

[bruiser]

Aloha!! Lived in HI for many years. Our son was born at Kapiolani/Childrens. We live in Maggie Valley and I would recommend Option 1. This will take you through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park which is a once in a lifetime ride since you live so far away. The vistas are amazing, the waterfalls and streams wonderful, and there are many side roads you can take to explore. There are plenty of twisties on the main road through the park. This option will also give you the wonderful opportunity to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway to Asheville. Again an amazing ride and one your should take. There are great twisties on this road as well.

In my opinion, the Dragon is fun but way over rated. Not particularly a pretty stretch of road and certainly NOT worth giving up the ride through the park and the BRP. We would love to ride with you on the Maggie Valley stretch of the BRP. Let me know and we can meet you at the southern end of the park and ride the BRP!

Agree 100%. You can even ride the Rattler out of Maggie Valley. IMHO a better ride than the Dragon.

[wiredgeorge]

I did a bike trip across Tennessee a few years ago (2-up on a 1981 CB650 with the missus) and recall the interstate going from Nashville to Knoxville was pretty boring ride. I would work my way up through Kentucky which is a wonderful state for riding... don't get me wrong about Tennessee, it is also a great state to ride just not that long interstate.

[oldgoat]

Last year we did the Natchez Trace, Blue Ridge Parkway & Skyline drive. No trucks allowed!

[Deanna777]

Rt. 100 in Vermont.... south to north, then over to Maine.... AWESOME can't even describe it.....
ride safely and enjoy....
dp

Nice twisty's and scenic on Route 100 in Vermont( north to South) I have ridden route 100 in Vermont several times. Deanna

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Aloha to all you seasoned Spyder riders.

Mrs. and I will be riding East from Greenville, TX up into Maine and can't decide on the route from Nashville to DC. I've put together two routes and both are pretty close to travel time and mileage according to Google Maps. We'd like to get the most out of this leg, sights to see, places to eat and things to do, and for me, twisties .

Option #1

Nashville, TN
Knoxville, TN
Pigeon Forge, TN
Gatlinburg, TN
Asheville, NC
Charlottesville, VA

Option #2

Nashville, TN
Maryville, TN
Through Deal's Gap
Asheville, NC
Charlottesville, VA

All responses are very much appreciated.

Mahalo!

Have you given any thought to " THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY ".....it would sure simplify your mapping .......ANNNNNNNNNND if you come thru Vermont you and the misses are more than welcome to come for an extended visit at my abode ( highly recommended by Murphy Brown and some others ).....I know just about about every twisty, turny, hilly, swoopy, knuckle biter of road in these parts. .......PM me for details .....I live near Montpelier Vt. 05660......Mike ...............PS I need to know when ????

[ravseren]

The wife and I are from Northern Maine. If you need suggestions on what to do, where to go or see, let us know. If you need a place for a break in the Knoxville area, that's now home. Email me with dates and such.
Seth
seth@smintz.com

[HIspyder]

I spent last week in Desert Springs for a work related convention and met up with the Mrs. in LAX yesterday. We're in Dallas at the moment, getting ready to Uber off to Greenville to pick up the Spyder, I'll be sending PM's out this evening after we settle down in Fayetteville, AR.

Thank you all for your suggestions. This trip will cross off many bucket list items for us both and it's looking like we'll have the opportunity to make new friends along the way.