Dragon or Rattler?

[Chefex]

This a little off the thread, I haven't ridden either the Dragon nor the Rattler, but plan on heading that way next month. Wife wants to do the Dragon, so may end up doing that one. We just got back from Deadwood, SD, and we rode Iron Mountain Road, so the Dragon better be great to beat IMR! No traffic, beautiful country side and a wonderful ride........OK, now back to The Dragon, traffic is what will disappoint me!

Off thread is fine for this post, I'm learning about several cool rides that I didn't know about. Like the Devil's Triangle. Keep the comments coming. thank you.

[blacklightning]

Off thread is fine for this post, I'm learning about several cool rides that I didn't know about. Like the Devil's Triangle. Keep the comments coming. thank you.

If you liked the Devil's Triangle, then you should really contact me for some roads in the area. The Devil's Triangle is actually not one of the better ones in the area (although, that opinion is about 7-8 years old, when the road was a mess). But there are loads of roads everywhere in those hills.

[Aesculapius]

Any of those roads are liable to have more traffic on the weekends, especially the Dragon. But if you choose to ride them on a weekday you are almost guaranteed to have clean roads.

[Pallidus Aranea]

I am from the area and ride them all when I am home. I like them all but as stated before the Dragon has been so commercialized that it is actually crowded at times. Not to mention the occasional tractor trailer that decides it is a short cut ... even though they need someone to literally walk the truck safely around some corners. For me I think that the charm is that there are no bad roads to ride. All are twisty and have elevation change. As a driver scenery should be somewhat secondary If you have a chance take SR28 from Robbinsville to Franklin for a change of pace - just another beautiful mountain road.
Don't forget to support the local businesses - on the Waynesville end of 209 is the 209 Diner (great breakfast place), in Canton is the BearWaters Brewery .... have fun in the mountains.

[Fire34]

Cherohala for sure for those contemplating it, we rode it last fall all I can say is OMG it wa beautifull , we rode the dragon on the way back home all I can say is it was ok glad we were in front of the semi, Thanks for all the other info
Dave

[Benmannino]

Did the Rattler very easy.
This year we did https://cherohala.com/ Cherohala Skyway very cool! Check it out, also I had friend do the back of the dragon suppose to be great.

[easysuper]

Off thread is fine for this post, I'm learning about several cool rides that I didn't know about. Like the Devil's Triangle. Keep the comments coming. thank you.

Some of the must Rides have become very crowed and unsafe. I'll take Hwy 12 west from Lolo Pass Idaho anytime. You may see 1/2 dozen bikes and cars on a busy weekend.
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[YIRYDE]

I don't know what part of Virginia you are traveling through but this ride is getting a lot of attention, https://www.backofthedragon.com/. I have ridden this one and Tail of the Dragon and found Back of the Dragon not has congested as Tail of of the Dragon.

[NorthAlabamaSpyder]

Rode both this weekend. But I would go with Wayah rd or Hwy 28 between Franklin and Hwy 74

[Dasmoetorhead]

I like the "Snake", and it's only 40 min from my house. Road it today, after a light rain. This spyder is so nice to ride in the wet. Very confident inspiring, as long as you don't go crazy.
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[rjinaz86323]

Almost the other side of the world, but the Devil's Highway in Arizona is a great ride. over 400 curves and elevation change of just over 5,000 ft. Last time I did it was early October. It is just about 100 miles and I met a total of 27 vehicles. Definitely the road less travelled.

[Chasdog]

Lolo pass is one of my favorite rides. Haven’t done it in the Spyder yet but it’s just a matter of time before I do it. 100 miles of sweepers and in very beautiful country.

[K80Shooter]

Another vote for Moonshiner 28, I take it all the way down to Walhalla SC and from there it's just a short trip home.

[chipveres]

Any way to get from Lake Junaluska to Hot Springs is a good way, so I guess that's a vote for 209.

[Columbia]

Oh. Uh. Wrong side of the continent.

We've got plenty of rattle snakes here in eastern Oregon.

One road got its name from said snakes. Not the "Rattler," but the "Rattlesnake."

I've ridden it more than once, both directions. Terrific either way.

It's a bit of a commute from where you guys are. Still: recommended:

https://www.motorcycleroads.com/moto...o-wallowa-lake

Among MANY choice roads in Oregon and Washington. Most without the traffic of the Tail.

Go West, young man!

[Scotts8826]

The Dragon will be crowded but one nice thing about it is there are a couple of professional photographers who will take pictures of you as you pass by. It is nice to have pictures of yourself riding the Spyder. I don't know if the Rattler has any photographers.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

The Dragon will be crowded but one nice thing about it is there are a couple of professional photographers who will take pictures of you as you pass by. It is nice to have pictures of yourself riding the Spyder. I don't know if the Rattler has any photographers.

I've done the Rattler a dozen times .... never saw anyone taking pics ..... IMHO the " rattler " is mostly used by locals who either live there or nearby ..... Never saw an LEO either .... Mike

[blacklightning]

I like the "Snake", and it's only 40 min from my house. Road it today, after a light rain. This spyder is so nice to ride in the wet. Very confident inspiring, as long as you don't go crazy.
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We were in Grundy, Va all last week. I took the long way home to Raleigh and did 1/2 of the Snake also. We came in from Damascus and headed south on 421.

[Jesster72]

This a little off the thread, I haven't ridden either the Dragon nor the Rattler, but plan on heading that way next month. Wife wants to do the Dragon, so may end up doing that one. We just got back from Deadwood, SD, and we rode Iron Mountain Road, so the Dragon better be great to beat IMR! No traffic, beautiful country side and a wonderful ride........OK, now back to The Dragon, traffic is what will disappoint me!

Just the opposite for us, we have ridden the Dragon, but will be out to ride the IMR during the 3 Wheeler Rally in Deadwood. I am one that rode the Dragon to say I did it, it was a few years ago, and the traffic wasn't horrible. The Cherahola Skyway was better for me as the driver - less technical and I was able to enjoy the scenery more.

I know the OP said he was taking other requests after this post, but if you are like me, I say ride the Dragon to say you did it. Catch the other roads when you have more time, they are all fun to ride and have beautiful scenery. That area of the country is my favorite place to ride.

[Dasmoetorhead]

The Cherahola skyway is a wonderful ride. Stop in Tellico planes for lunch, next to the river.