dragon, cherahala area riding???

[wildcat5415]

hey i will be in the gatlinburg area next sunday for a week with some buddies doing some area riding. i have never ridden the dragon or the cherahala skyway but am looking forward to it. i am looking for any tips/advise for riding these areas. i have been checking out www.killboy.com (http://www.killboy.com) and i hear the tn. state patrol have kind of been on a rampage lately...... what else should i know about riding these areas?? thanks.

[dpearly]

441 to Cherokee is VERY nice.

due to the amount of traffic and stupid riders, we opted not to do the Dragon a few weeks ago and found a million super-great roads.

a really nice ride would be 441 south to Cherokee/19 East to the Blue Ridge Parkway south to Cruso Rd/276 back west to Waynesville......from there.......you decide..too many options.

have a great time. you will love it.

[MotorMark]

Don't let the LEO presence keep you from riding the Dragon/Skyway. Just follow the speed limits and ride safey and you'll be fine. That's the best way to ride them anyway if it's your first trip through.

Mark

[battoo]

i agree you should do both , the police are after the super fast riders and unsafe ones not the cruiser types ,

[KevTN]

Here are some pages for you:

http://easttnriders.com/
http://www.hellbender28.com/
http://tailofthedragon.com/

hope this helps...

Kevin

[wildcat5415]

thanks for the tips and advice. if you see a black 1300 with missouri plates riding with a red 1300 with ky. plates that could be us! (we will be the ones looking lost) ha! we will be in the area most of next week.

[THORN]

I would recommend doing the dragon Mon thru Thurs
If your just cruising. I know Fri you will have some sport bikes
and sport cars zooming thru sat & sun they say it's just crazy with
sport bikes like there's know tomorrow. And thru the week I've heard
you may meet a "SEMI" or two. But what ever day you chose
be careful and have a safe trip. As for the parkway I can't say
but I've heard it some very good riding.

[Cajundude]

BTW - you also need to check http://www.cherahola.com too!

[jshenry1963]

FYI, after 3 deaths in two days, LEOs are now patrolling the dragon more, checking for speeding, illegal equipment (helmets, pipes, mirrors, license plates, etc) They are also ticketing truck drivers who try to go over the road and excessively go over the double yellow.
So it is probably going to be a tamer ride for a while than it has in the past. Equates to a lot slower and with the amount of cars and bikes that hit it this time of year, it won't be much fun.

[kjelders]

thanks for the tips and advice. if you see a black 1300 with missouri plates riding with a red 1300 with ky. plates that could be us! (we will be the ones looking lost) ha! we will be in the area most of next week.

The great thing about riding back there...is if you do get lost....well...it was a great ride anyway....

[wildcat5415]

FYI, after 3 deaths in two days, LEOs are now patrolling the dragon more, checking for speeding, illegal equipment (helmets, pipes, mirrors, license plates, etc) They are also ticketing truck drivers who try to go over the road and excessively go over the double yellow.
So it is probably going to be a tamer ride for a while than it has in the past. Equates to a lot slower and with the amount of cars and bikes that hit it this time of year, it won't be much fun.

i have a laydown liscense plate on my vtx 1300R, should i put the stock one back on before riding in the area??

[Cajundude]

You're fine, just don't act a fool and they won't even notice you....

[Kingcruiser]

Just for your info. Trucks are allowed to travel the dragon. It is a U.S. highway wich makes it legal. There is no restrictions for tractor trailers. I am a truck driver and a rider, and I have been thru there in a truck. How do you think those dams get thier supplies?

[wav6940]

like thorn said ,ride the dragon on a weekday not on weekends.theres nothing to it you will be fine, ive ridden it many times.

[JLMEMT]

If you ride it;

Stay off the double yellow- The next guy probably won't! Expect the unexpected around the next curve.

Don't pay attention to the photographer's or spectators on the side of the road! If you are riding at or near your potential you will have your hands full.

Don't pass! There is really no safe place to do it and from what I understand the police don't like it. It is better and safer to pull over and wait for a lull to go.

Have fun! It is not that hard, but it is easy to see how people get in over their head.




Jason

[vtx10-uh-c]

I took my first trip on the Cherohala and I could care less about the Dragon. More peaceful ride, much less traffic and fantastic views. That will be a favorite ride for a while.

DK

[Cajundude]

If you ride it;

Stay off the double yellow- The next guy probably won't! Expect the unexpected around the next curve.

Don't pay attention to the photographer's or spectators on the side of the road! If you are riding at or near your potential you will have your hands full.

Don't pass! There is really no safe place to do it and from what I understand the police don't like it. It is better and safer to pull over and wait for a lull to go.

Have fun! It is not that hard, but it is easy to see how people get in over their head.

Jason

Hey Jason, How was that ride back north with the GF? Dpearly & I spent the rest of the day riding the BRP north to Little Switzerland, checked out some more off the beaten path twisties and called it a weekend.

See ya next year?!?
Jim