[2wheelsforme]

Any locals around that area that can tell me about the roads? I want to go North up 129 and after Deal Gap turn right on Happy Valley Rd. just before the Foothills Parky. Follow that and Abrams Cr. Rd to Cades Cove. Then head North on Old Cades Cove Rd. up to 331 and Townsend. Are these roads paved? Is this a good route? Thanks in advance. Mike
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[Jiabob]

I'm not sure about the road names. The following route is paved, and the roads aren't so big that I feel a need to look for anything smaller: I'd take Foothills Pkwy. It is a very nice road. If you take it to the end and turn right, that will take you into the park and through Townsend. Eventually, there is a T in the road. Turn right to go to Cades Cove. If it is a weekend, the ride throug there is very slow. I've heard that bears and panthers have been seen lately because it is so dry, so be sure to keep your windows up. :lol:

 

[KevTN]

Sounds like a good route...While you're at the gap hit Hellsbender too...it right there and I have a friend who has road it and he liked it....All of those roads are paved except Cades Cove but it is heavly packed and it really shouldn't prove to be any problem. The Cove it THE place to see wildlife...

Kevin

ps I'm from Pinellas Park

 

[jshenry1963]

Is Abrams Creek Road / Cooper Road still a traveled road anymore? I thought it was only a trail. Pardon my question, but I've lived in Sevierville most of my life and only know of two real roads anymore out of the Cove, other than the loop itself. One is Parsons branch, which is a one way out of the cove and dead ends into mid way through the Dragon, and the other is the Old Cove Road, which is actually known on local maps as Rich Mtn Road, to Townsend area. Another one way out of the cove.

Am I missing one? I know most of the roads there, know where the bear dens are, know the cave and the hidden picnic tables that not a single tourist has ever seen, except the locals and the old timers.

Not saying it isn't there, just need some other confirmation.
I don't see it on a park map either as a road, but as a trail.

Thanks,
John Henry

 

[Cajundude]

John Henry, Being from the area, what do you know of TN 32 from 321 out to the NC state Line? Is that what they call the Hellbender (Hell Blender or maybe the Grinder would be more appropriate!)?

C'Dude

 

[jshenry1963]

John Henry, Being from the area, what do you know of TN 32 from 321 out to the NC state Line? Is that what they call the Hellbender (Hell Blender or maybe the Grinder would be more appropriate!)?

C'Dude

C'Dude,

Hellbender is hwy 28 in NC. It goes from Deals Gap to Stecoah, NC.
Its a pretty good road, or set of roads. Not as twisty as the Dragon, but most people use it as a warm up for the Dragon. Very beautiful scenery, road not as maintained as the main part of the Dragon, but good run anyway. Right now there is one store that actually sells Hellbender stickers and stuff on Hellbender right at one of the main Fontana Village entrances.


32 from Newport to Cosby is a very pretty ride, a few curves, but not really a road for twisties, but definitely a road worth riding for the scenery. Some of the best views of the Smokies are on what is called "Cosby Highway". Once you pass through Cosby (don't blink, its just a school and a few very active beer halls), and continue on TN 32 through the mountains, it will turn to packed pike rock/dirt. So not a great ride for the bike. But can be done on the bike. Beware the churches on that road towards the end. One is a known snake handling church that only the really insane go to. And sometimes don't walk away from.

I prefer a route including:
Staring in Downtown Sevierville, 411 out to Newport, 25E back to White Pine, 113/70/139 along Douglas back to hwy 66, out hwy 66 through four points to hwy 11e, 11e to 92 in Jefferson City, 92 to 375, 375 to Bean Station (aka Scarecrows Stomping Grounds), 25 back to Morristown, then county 66 from Morristown to Dandridge, have lunch at Tinsley Bible and Drug, great dogs, then take 92 to Chestnut hill, trust me, 92 will challenge you for a few curves, 411 back out to Newport, again, twisties, then 32 back to Cosby, and take 339 (Jones Cove Road) back to Sevierville...... It will keep you grinning the entire time.

Tons of places to stop and eat.

Eat at Cowboys Seafood along 139 between Dandridge and Hwy 66, owned by Kane at one time, oops, not suppose to say that.

There is a little gas station sized joint on Dolly Parton Parkway (between Chestnut Hill and Millican Grove that is regularly voted the best Hamburgers in East TN, hands down, a Barbque place.. On that same stretch of road, in case you can't find the tiny hamburger place, is Clints Barbque, great stuff, and on some nights Clint regularly entertains with some guitar playing, if you're lucky, he's really good.

I also suggest taking 70 out of Newport going east towards Hot Springs. If you do go that way, stop at Barbarosa. Its an outdoor motorcycle bar on the river. Tons of bikes every day/night. Be careful though, it gets really rowdy later into the weekend nights, and some pretty wild groups do show up, rivals, etc. But great fun.

Once in Hot Springs, you MUST NOT miss out taking taking 209 south and taking the BRP back to Cherokee. 209 is a MUST DO road. It has wonderful scenery and a few stretches of curves that will blow the mind of the most Dragon'd rider. I am not a great rider, as many know, but I tell you I hit the floorboards more there than I do on the Dragon, and actually bounced up off of MC engine guard twice. Scared the living crap out of my wife on the back, seeing that hitting the engine guard made the tire come up. God was watching out for me that day. (ooops sorry, mentioned God, well, if you don't like it, then don't read it) My brother was behind me and witnessed it. It was also the road that Mark who co-owns Smoky Mountain Motor Sports have to do $1500 worth of repairs to his M109.

Sorry, got carried away, but there is so much riding available in East TN and West NC that it would take days to cover the areas that aren't known by Tourists, and are wide open, twisties, views, etc. Thank God I live where I can hit these roads. I'm sure there are others, Colorado, etc.

 

[Cajundude]

Now that's one he77 of a testimonial! Have some friends from Louisiana coming up for the natl' HOG rally in Knoxville in late August and will use this to entertain them and will make sure we don't miss 209 or the establishments! 8)

Dpearly, Jeff Hester (Angie too!) and I did 32 from Crosby to the N/C state line where it turns to that gravel road you speak of. That's one wild stretch of switchbacks (7 miles I think) - and then the gravel...WOW, one heck of a ride. It's really cool to stop there and walk the AT a bit. Finally bailed and took some road from the horse camp to the hydro dam on the Pigeon River back to 40 just as some T-storms were rolling in (Did not want to get caught on gravel in heavy rain!). We definetly ground down some pegs/floorboards on that road - glad you warned of the 'alternative' churches back there....explains a strange smell or two :wink: ...will keep that in mind for future runs through there!

Ride safe!
C'Dude