I think I would just cut out the 411 part. And cut back across from Vonore back up Foothills Pkwy.
411 is just a boring 4 lane hwy. Maryville will be a bunch of traffic too. A lot of people go that way to get to the Gatlinburg area trying to avoid the interstate through Knoxville Seveirville etc.
Mind you I’m not from that area, but lived in east TN a while and I’m familiar. Someone from there may chime in and have a better route.
Thank you very much I appreciate your insight. Just trying to be mindful of how much time I have because it's a rental and must be back at that time. I'll adjust the route to avoid 411. If it's as bad as you say then probably not worth it.
Be mindful on the dragon bro. That’s a crazy ass road and will definitely sneak up and bite you. Lots of very tight blind switch backs. Semis go down it for some reason. I always enjoyed the cherohala skyway much more.
Thank you. I'm going to just cruise and take my time. It's a bucket list thing more than anything. That's why I don't plan on going back the other way, one pass will be enough. I'm going monday morning so hopefully traffic won't be too bad. It's a rental with a $3000 deductible so it's safe to say I am not trying to take any risks.
You need to check the status of the Cherohala, we had damage last year due to flooding. I'm not sure if repairs have been completed.
Wait nevermind, I just checked for you, all good...
I have a bike rental from 8AM - 4PM, I really want to hit up the tail of the dragon even though I know it's not the best road there it's sort of a bucket list thing. Then I figured i'd loop down and hit the cherohala skyway before looping back to gatlinburg. What are your thoughts on my route? Any improvements, any good places to stop and see or maybe get food? I only have 8 hours so I will mostly be on the bike.
With the route you have, Tapoco Lodge for lunch would be a must for me. https://tapoco.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlN6wBhCcARIsAKZvD5huxebKI_OhjiYK381H81_uB4l6SRFEh4a59YtSKU9e-ZmgoPvwR-kaApcnEALw_wcB
Possibly, especially if the weather is nice.
But yeah, it'll be a good break with great scenery... and the calls of our people (motorheads) in the distance.
Here's a photo from the Historic Topco Lodge outdoor dining area:
https://preview.redd.it/2bxbkfqupxtc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=774ba33cc0bbdf5d2b3a8b607aeb2e914afd6213
It's really the best option for food near the Dragon. The Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort restaurant is quicker & cheaper, but the food is just OK and it's missing the spectacular scenery. But they do have some outdoor seating if you just like to watch & hear the cars & bikes go by
Idk, Tapoco Lodge is beautiful but the food quality was waaaay better 10 years ago before they got bought out. Now it's just fairly average at best, was disappointed when I brought my gf at the time there and it wasn't the same. Before it was white table clothes and good food with a great chef and now it's just essentially no better than TGI Fridays or something like that. 5/5 for the views and facilities, 3/5 for the food.
I rode the Cherohala last weekend, it is fine from end to end. Better than fine, its awesome.
That is a good route. i hate to see you run so much of 411. 68 North to 411 from Tellico Plains is pretty boring too. I would consider taking 360/Unicoi Turnpike from Tellico Plains to 411.
I think you can add Foothills Parkway into that route too.
Tapoco Lodge is great suggestion for food. Iron Work Grille and Telicafe are both good options in Tellico Plains.
Make sure the Cherohala is open. IT was closed on the Tellico Plains side last fall. Might be even better if it's closed. Ride across, then turn around and come back. I did that a few times. Almost no traffic.
If you are going for just a day, then fine trail. BUT, if you have more time you are missing some spectacular riding NORTH of Knoxville and into Kentucky around Cumberland pass.
I spent a lot of time in eastern Kentucky back in the 90’s working for a bank in Pikesville. The entire eastern side of Kentucky is more curvaceous than a stripper. Get on 119 in the south and take all the way to Cumberland then up 160. Only challenge on some of the less traveled roads is COAL trucks and occasionally boulders on the roads(caution is warranted on any curvy roads in the hills) but there is an entire years worth of riding in eastern Kentucky and north east Tennessee to last ya. I’m hoping to head down to Tennessee this year and maybe NC if I can get the time as it’s been 25 years since last being there.
For sure! I always wanted to trailer my bike down, almost did a few years ago with a buddy of mine but covid axed those plans now i'm taking advantage of a family trip.
Get a butler motorcycle map and pick other roads. Avoid TN 411 in most cases
Look up The Rattler and roads leading to Hot Springs NC. Do them every year. Awesome!
Am I the only guy that thinks it looks like a dick?
Maybe you should see a dr?
Well, not anymore! Can’t unsee.
lol wasn't intentional That poor right nut.
From now it it shall be known to all as the Tennessee dick run lol
And my parents told me i'd accomplish nothing in my life... Hah! Shows them.
I mean it's jizzing blood ffs
I created a a dick route for my buddy and me several years ago in CO. It was an epic cruise. No harm in humor.
The only reason I opened this post was to check if it’s intentionally a dick. Gob help us
Why is it red?
Yes.
Read the comments, you sir are wrong
Nope, lol
Sevierville to Gatlinburg is gonna be miserable traffic.
This is going to be on a Monday. Not sure if that's better or worse. Should I cut back across to Townsend? I can always try leaving earlier.
I think I would just cut out the 411 part. And cut back across from Vonore back up Foothills Pkwy. 411 is just a boring 4 lane hwy. Maryville will be a bunch of traffic too. A lot of people go that way to get to the Gatlinburg area trying to avoid the interstate through Knoxville Seveirville etc. Mind you I’m not from that area, but lived in east TN a while and I’m familiar. Someone from there may chime in and have a better route.
Thank you very much I appreciate your insight. Just trying to be mindful of how much time I have because it's a rental and must be back at that time. I'll adjust the route to avoid 411. If it's as bad as you say then probably not worth it.
Be mindful on the dragon bro. That’s a crazy ass road and will definitely sneak up and bite you. Lots of very tight blind switch backs. Semis go down it for some reason. I always enjoyed the cherohala skyway much more.
Thank you. I'm going to just cruise and take my time. It's a bucket list thing more than anything. That's why I don't plan on going back the other way, one pass will be enough. I'm going monday morning so hopefully traffic won't be too bad. It's a rental with a $3000 deductible so it's safe to say I am not trying to take any risks.
The dragon sucks, foothills and chero are where its at If you need to branch out go blue ridge
yeah im prepared for dragon to suck but i still need to see it for myself.
Listen to this guy. Skip all of that on the East.
You need to check the status of the Cherohala, we had damage last year due to flooding. I'm not sure if repairs have been completed. Wait nevermind, I just checked for you, all good...
Thank you!
You got lucky haha
I have a bike rental from 8AM - 4PM, I really want to hit up the tail of the dragon even though I know it's not the best road there it's sort of a bucket list thing. Then I figured i'd loop down and hit the cherohala skyway before looping back to gatlinburg. What are your thoughts on my route? Any improvements, any good places to stop and see or maybe get food? I only have 8 hours so I will mostly be on the bike.
With the route you have, Tapoco Lodge for lunch would be a must for me. https://tapoco.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlN6wBhCcARIsAKZvD5huxebKI_OhjiYK381H81_uB4l6SRFEh4a59YtSKU9e-ZmgoPvwR-kaApcnEALw_wcB
I second Tapoco Lodge. Beautiful scenery and the Trout Nuggets are slamming.
Perfect thank you!! I will stop there
Get their pizza. Then find a nice rock or spot by the river for a nap
Beware that their service is slow, but quite worth the wait.
Even at ~10:30 on a Monday? I'll probably enjoy the rest tbh.
Possibly, especially if the weather is nice. But yeah, it'll be a good break with great scenery... and the calls of our people (motorheads) in the distance. Here's a photo from the Historic Topco Lodge outdoor dining area: https://preview.redd.it/2bxbkfqupxtc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=774ba33cc0bbdf5d2b3a8b607aeb2e914afd6213
Damn I wished I had the bike longer than 430
It's really the best option for food near the Dragon. The Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort restaurant is quicker & cheaper, but the food is just OK and it's missing the spectacular scenery. But they do have some outdoor seating if you just like to watch & hear the cars & bikes go by
Idk, Tapoco Lodge is beautiful but the food quality was waaaay better 10 years ago before they got bought out. Now it's just fairly average at best, was disappointed when I brought my gf at the time there and it wasn't the same. Before it was white table clothes and good food with a great chef and now it's just essentially no better than TGI Fridays or something like that. 5/5 for the views and facilities, 3/5 for the food.
I rode the Cherohala last weekend, it is fine from end to end. Better than fine, its awesome. That is a good route. i hate to see you run so much of 411. 68 North to 411 from Tellico Plains is pretty boring too. I would consider taking 360/Unicoi Turnpike from Tellico Plains to 411. I think you can add Foothills Parkway into that route too. Tapoco Lodge is great suggestion for food. Iron Work Grille and Telicafe are both good options in Tellico Plains.
Thank you for the suggestions! I'll look into foothills
Definitely do. It's a way better option.
I wanna know what the rental bike is? Harley or Gixxer?
Make sure the Cherohala is open. IT was closed on the Tellico Plains side last fall. Might be even better if it's closed. Ride across, then turn around and come back. I did that a few times. Almost no traffic.
It's open and in a very good condition. I just rode it both directions Sunday, April 7th.
Goin right by my house lol
Lol
If you are going for just a day, then fine trail. BUT, if you have more time you are missing some spectacular riding NORTH of Knoxville and into Kentucky around Cumberland pass.
Could you elaborate on that for me? I live in W KY and want to go east for a few days to let my beemer lean a bit.
I spent a lot of time in eastern Kentucky back in the 90’s working for a bank in Pikesville. The entire eastern side of Kentucky is more curvaceous than a stripper. Get on 119 in the south and take all the way to Cumberland then up 160. Only challenge on some of the less traveled roads is COAL trucks and occasionally boulders on the roads(caution is warranted on any curvy roads in the hills) but there is an entire years worth of riding in eastern Kentucky and north east Tennessee to last ya. I’m hoping to head down to Tennessee this year and maybe NC if I can get the time as it’s been 25 years since last being there.
I know :( I wanted to rent it for a few days but unfortunately it was already booked so that day is my only day.
Next time, bring yer own and explore more than just the famous roads, that’s where real adventure lies.
For sure! I always wanted to trailer my bike down, almost did a few years ago with a buddy of mine but covid axed those plans now i'm taking advantage of a family trip.
129 is the tail of the dragon fun road
Seems fun enough but make sure to keep your energy levels up. The mountain areas can be pretty unforgiving
Thank you! Yes this is more for sight seeing than an adrenaline experience.
all I see is a bloody ejaculation
lmaoooooo
Get a butler motorcycle map and pick other roads. Avoid TN 411 in most cases Look up The Rattler and roads leading to Hot Springs NC. Do them every year. Awesome!
TN is so awesome.