East Tennessee Roads

[SpyderRx]

Ok, me and a group of friends are heading to the Townsend/Gatlinburg area in about a week and a half for a 3 day trip. We plan on leaving Jackson, ms Wednesday afternoon and driving to probably Birmingham, spending the night, and continuing on Thursday. We will be staying in Townsend as far as I know. Plan on riding Thursday, Friday, and start back on Saturday. So my question is what route should we take. Which rides are a must ride that Friday? I've had several people mention the cherohola skyway and of course the dragon. Let me here what's your favorite? This trip is pending good weather. If its bad that direction we will head west (Texas), north (Arkansas), or south (florida). All I know is we are all off work and ready to cruise somewhere!! Spyder601 will be joining me with the rest being 2 wheelers!

 

[jScotD]

if I was going to east TN and only had 3 days

i wouldn't got to Gatlinburg or Dolly World... that's just me... too much traffic... might take you your whole 3 days to get into Gatlinburg.. and that was over 30 years ago when I passed it by.. traffic backed up all the way to the highway I was traveling,, and yes I went there in 1973... it's a tourist thing for sure

to get the feel of East TN go to Norris Dam Area..Clinton, Oak Ridge . http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=norris+dam+tennessee&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

I lived in this area in the early 70's the Appalachian "museum" was just beginning.. this individual was bringing history here

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I ROAD ON THIS ONE

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[Pennyrick]

Ok, me and a group of friends are heading to the Townsend/Gatlinburg area in about a week and a half for a 3 day trip. We plan on leaving Jackson, ms Wednesday afternoon and driving to probably Birmingham, spending the night, and continuing on Thursday. We will be staying in Townsend as far as I know. Plan on riding Thursday, Friday, and start back on Saturday. So my question is what route should we take. Which rides are a must ride that Friday? I've had several people mention the cherohola skyway and of course the dragon. Let me here what's your favorite? This trip is pending good weather. If its bad that direction we will head west (Texas), north (Arkansas), or south (florida). All I know is we are all off work and ready to cruise somewhere!! Spyder601 will be joining me with the rest being 2 wheelers!

If it was me, I too would steer clear of Gatlinburg/PigeonForge area. (Just too much traffic to deal with). I would stay south of there and go to Tellico Plains. There is the Tellico Lodge there that is biker friendly (even has garages for bikes). Take the Cherohola Skyway to the Dragon and take it north only to Deal's Gap and then cut across to highway 28. Make a huge circle down toward Murphy NC and take 64 west into Georgia. Try to stay south of Chattanooga and plan to make a stop at Cloudland Canyon before cutting across into Alabama and heading home.

 

[Spyder601]

Can't wait to get this trip going. It's going to be a blast!

 

[Daisyjoe]

Townsend is a great place to stay. I have been there several times. I will be visiting the first weekend in May to attend a festival. Townsend is called the quiet side of the Smokies. And it is. Small town, no worries about traffic jams. Take road toward Maryville, US 321, turn left on the Foothills Parkway and you will end up on US129, the DRAGON. Follow US 129 toward Robbinsville to SR143, the Cherohala Skyway. Foothills Pkwy is a very scenic route with some good twisties. I think the road is still closed from Gatlinburg to Cherokee. The Highland Manor motel in Townsend is a good place to stay. Ryde safe!!

 

[Cavman]

Here ya go, check out these links to a bunch of roads for riding. The first two are the better sites. Enjoy!

http://www.motorcycleroads.us/

http://www.cherohala.com/

http://motorcycleroads.com/

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

YOU DA MAN

,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.

 

[SpyderRx]

Thank you for the info so far. One of the guys I'm riding with, my pastor from church, grandparents have a big house in Townsend. We will be taking advantage of the free room and board there for the 2 nights. Just hope the weather is good. Having to make this ride instead of spyderfest because I have a baby boy coming the second week of may. Wife told me spyderfest was a little too close to the due date to be wandering off. Ha! Guess I can agree!

 

[cjackg]

Let's ryde... get in touch... :thumbup:

 

[Spyder601]

Sounds great :yes::yes: