dschult2
Junior Member
Finally took my dream trip to the Tail of the Dragon and adjacent roads! This has been a dream of mine ever since I got my FZ6 and the trip did not disappoint!:rockon: We stayed in Gatlinburg which was a bit of a disappointment for me(too touristy, and to be honest the people were kinda trashy, but it did make for good people watching). It did have a nightlife so I was at least able to go out in the late evening but not sure I would stay there again. But back to the trip, the roads were awesome and had hardly any potholes or gravel which is something I am definitely not used to and the views were spectacular! A far cry from the scenery in Michigan. It got to the point at the end of the trip where I was actually looking for bit of a straight road so I could relax for a bit.
Day 1 8/25
We got into Gatlinburg around 2 that afternoon and after we got settled into our hotel room we took a ride through the Great Smokey Mountains National Park up to Clingmans Dome.
Day 2 8/26
We were on the road by ten and again went through the park down to NC28 over to US129 and the Tail then back to Gatlinburg via the Foothills parkway and TN73. It was kinda slow on the Tail as we were following some cruisers but NC28 was a lot of fun with some great views and good twisties! The action shot with me giving the peace sign was on the Tail(like I said, it was slow).
Day 3 8/27
We again were on the road by 10 but this time drove to the north end of the Tail again via TN73 and the Foothills Parkway. The run on the dragon was better this time as we were not following anybody and were able to go a bit faster but not too fast. After that we ran the Cherohala Skyway which was extremely fun with nice sweeping turns and very fast. I finally scrapped a peg that day! The other two action shots are from this day, one on the Tail and the other Thunder Mt. at the east end of the Cherohala. This was a long day as we did not get back to the hotel until 7. By that time my body was feeling it and I was ready for a cold beer!
Day 4 8/28
As this was our last day down here we decided to make it an easy day. We got on the road around 11 and just rode the Blue Ridge Parkway up to its highest point of 6,047 ft. and then back to the hotel to pack and load the bikes to get an early start in the morning. The Blue Ridge might actually have been my favorite road of all though. Plenty of sweeping turns and chicanes. We took this road quite fast and my chicken strips are about gone now. Absolutely smooth as can be, no gravel, and great vistas! All in all, a great trip and something I will never forget.
Day 1 8/25
We got into Gatlinburg around 2 that afternoon and after we got settled into our hotel room we took a ride through the Great Smokey Mountains National Park up to Clingmans Dome.
Day 2 8/26
We were on the road by ten and again went through the park down to NC28 over to US129 and the Tail then back to Gatlinburg via the Foothills parkway and TN73. It was kinda slow on the Tail as we were following some cruisers but NC28 was a lot of fun with some great views and good twisties! The action shot with me giving the peace sign was on the Tail(like I said, it was slow).
Day 3 8/27
We again were on the road by 10 but this time drove to the north end of the Tail again via TN73 and the Foothills Parkway. The run on the dragon was better this time as we were not following anybody and were able to go a bit faster but not too fast. After that we ran the Cherohala Skyway which was extremely fun with nice sweeping turns and very fast. I finally scrapped a peg that day! The other two action shots are from this day, one on the Tail and the other Thunder Mt. at the east end of the Cherohala. This was a long day as we did not get back to the hotel until 7. By that time my body was feeling it and I was ready for a cold beer!
Day 4 8/28
As this was our last day down here we decided to make it an easy day. We got on the road around 11 and just rode the Blue Ridge Parkway up to its highest point of 6,047 ft. and then back to the hotel to pack and load the bikes to get an early start in the morning. The Blue Ridge might actually have been my favorite road of all though. Plenty of sweeping turns and chicanes. We took this road quite fast and my chicken strips are about gone now. Absolutely smooth as can be, no gravel, and great vistas! All in all, a great trip and something I will never forget.
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