Topic: Smoky Mountains

[Bill K]

 Anybody ride in or around the Smokys ? Wife and I vacation there, always see TONS of bikes. I'll have the 750 ready by spring and its going along this year! I cant wait to ride through those mountains. Heres a pic of a big trike I snaped a quick pic of in the rain, downtown Gatlinburg.

[Rocking-M]

I'm in the mountains of Virginia and ride down to NC quite often.

[Artfrombama]

The ride from Gatlinburg to Cherokee NC is awesome.

[Bill K]

I'm in the in the Blue Ridge too, near Harrisonburg. Access to skyline drive just a few miles from the house. Beautiful hear, just something about the Smokies. Looking forward to that ride Gatlinburg to Cherokee, did that in the car, just not the same !

[techy5025]

My plan for the year is to hit the "Dragon". I was close last year, but time ran out on a trip I was on.

In March, I will be riding in Northern Thailand for a few days. The roads there are a strong competition for the Dragon...and you don't see many elephants on the road in Tenn/N. Carolina! 

Jim

[Bill K]

Did a quick google on the Dragon. 11 miles, 318 turns ! Better have your $%it together! Id like to check it out while Im down that way this year. Northern Thailand, what are the roads like there? Probably no worse than WV 

[Venturous]

Love the area!

This coming May I have a week long ride I am calling Appalachia Loop. Will start in Front Royal VA and run the entire
Blue Ridge Parkway to Cherokee. Run the Dragon and Cherahola. Then over the Smokys to visit the
Appalachia Musuem north of Knoxville, then up into Kentucky and through West Virginia back to Front Royal.
Can't wait!!

[1884dale]

I live in Cleveland, Tenn. and have heard that the ridin' is nice up there.  I've also heard that alot of people have burned up there bike's ridin the loop around Cades Cove.  It is a nice 11 mile loop to ride if it is not to crowded.  That is the only problem with the Gatlinburg/ Pigeon Forge area, TOO CROWDED!!!!

[tortelvis]

I live in the Smokies! It's bike heaven and even my daily commute is a blast.

[techy5025]

Bill,

The roads in N. Thailand are very well maintained...just like two lane roads here. Riding is on the left..mostly!    The twisty roads in the mountains are very lightly traveled. Most traffic is scooters and small trucks....some small 125cc type bikes. Riding in the cities is insane. It was quite common to have four bikes wide..in a traffic lane...at traffic stops.  You just have to get used to being in close proximity to a lot of bikes. Having said that, I didn't see a single accident in two days of riding.

The scenery is fantastic...you want to stop everywhere to take pics. Terrific people and great food. Food and housing is very cheap. 

The bike I rented last year was a CB400..a large bike for Thailand. It was 25 bucks a day. There is a website run by a Brit who has been there for years and does mapping for the Thai government. It has a lot of helpful info.

http://www.gt-rider.com/index.html

Can't wait to go back! 

Jim