jerben Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 Who's ridden this route? Any tips? Where to stay around there? Where to eat, etc.? How long does it take to get there?Thinking of heading down there this summer and wanted the 411. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clevie69 Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 This will be our 2nd trip this year. www.ridgetopmotel.com is where we have stayed. It is an older motel and the owners are awesome. The motel is located in Bryson City. We are going May 19-22. There is a small diner in Bryson City (cant remember the name). There's an Italian Rest. also in town that is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerben Posted March 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 Thanks! What route do you take to get there? I'd like to avoid Interstates as much as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbot Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 this is the first time this thread has been created, so i am at a loss for input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 We Always stay in robbinsville,nc at the microtel inn it is real clean affordable and they cater to bikers and the have a excellent breakfast area...there are restaurants, stores, gas stations, and a near by repair shop (wheelers)...we always take the freeway down so I can't help ya there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnor Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 I go a couple times per year. The last time , I stayed at the deals Gap Resort www.dealsgap.com it was great. Prior to that I always stayed at the Microtel in Robbinsville. I've got a good way to get there from here to Lexington, without 4 lanes, and going thru Cinci.........Take 33 to Lancaster, then RT22 to Rt159, take 159 to Waverly to RT32, 32 to Rt41, RT41 to the river at Aberdeen, from there take RT39 to Lexington at Rt75. I usually do this after work, stay at Lexington at the Ramada next to the Waffle House, then take 75 on down to Knoxville, and on to 129.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8mmDale Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 My wife and I went do there on our honeymoon. We stayed in Pigeon Forge and made the drive, its pretty close. Its alot of fun, and that part of Tennessee is beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beegreenstrings Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 Talk to Big3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NinjaNick Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 I've heard great things about staying in Robbinsville as posted above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pain636 Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 Went for the very first time last summer, going again this July. Took roughly 6 hours to get to Pigeon Forge Tenn, where we stayed. Lots to see, and do there, plenty of restaurants. From there I think it was about a 30 min ride to the Dragon, maybe less I'm not too sure. I can't wait till we go back had a blast. Oh and also about 3-4 days after you ride it hit up www.killboy.com, or www.us129photos.com and check out your pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walther_gsp Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 Honestly, Robbinsville kinda blows. I stay up in Alcoa, TN. Better access to "civilization" and the ride to the gap is about the same. There are a couple nice chain hotels right on 129 and even our resident racist asian (jbot) approves of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonik Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 Honestly, Robbinsville kinda blows. I stay up in Alcoa, TN.That is where we always stay. Jameson Inn in Alcoa, three good resturants within crawling distance of the hotel....VERY biker friendly. Been there lots of times. Plus you get to ride the Foothills Pkwy on the way to the Dragon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buildit Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 this is the first time this thread has been created, so i am at a loss for input.Sounds like a tourist trap area. Do's:Expect rainwatch for speed trapspack lightexplore areas outside of Deals Gaptake 23 from Columbus all the way down to avoid interstateBe very carefull on the dragon, curves are not the greatest dangerCheck out online bike friendly campgrounds, most have cabins too.Don'ts:Go on a weekendthink you'll be the only one thereforget the $$$ for ticketsget mad at the RVs and trucksforget to get off the bike and explore on foot too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jschaf Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 I would suggest US35, US119, SR32, I81,SR71,US441,SR28 to Robbinsville NC. At least thats the way I went last time. US 119 is like the West Virginia Autobahn (No LEOs, no traffic & 4 lanes winding thru the hills. Fun riding but you can accumulate some miles real quick. Have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonik Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 US 119 is like the West Virginia Autobahn I went that way one year, EXCELLENT suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myhondas Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 I went down last august , & stayed in robbinsville at the " two wheel inn". It is for bikers only and has mini (6'x12' garages next to your room to store your bikes in . great rates, but no restaurant. It is 20 miles south of Deals Gap MC on US129. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crf69 Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 i will be joining the supermoto junkies....im hoping!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadyone Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 we tend to stay in cherokee at a camp ground forget the name.. they have small bunk houses and obviously tents.. about an hourb to the gap though.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagger Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 Here is the best place to find all the info you are looking for.http://www.tailofthedragon.com/If you have a decent sized group i recommend renting a cabin/cottage for a week as that's you biggest bang for your money. I prefer TailoftheDragon: The Ridge and the TwoSistersChalet. Both have hot tubs and garages in case you need to work on the bikes. The TwoSisters is more relaxed and nicer accommodations but smaller garage and located at the south end of the Foothills Parkway and about 3 miles from the north end of the gap. Not too far from Townsend, Marysville. Alcoa etc.The Ridge has a nice big pole barn style garage you can easily fit a large number of bikes in with pool table, ping pong and couches..(more party freindly) but it's located farther from stores. Located around 30-40 minutes from the Dragon but also directly on the eastern end of the Charohalla Skyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socaln8tv Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 (edited) pigeon forge warning -- super mickey mouse. i found it completely obnoxious. gatlinsburg was a better option and has more charm imo. even then its a drive to the dragon despite the offerings of the smokey mountains. cherokee is closer by an hour Edited March 12, 2011 by socaln8tv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buildit Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 Pigeon Forge Now there's a tourist trap! How many knife and sword shops does one town need? It's bad enough most road side shops sell one of three items. Roasted peanuts, BBQ or gem mining. I had a lot more fun running unnamed roads along the foot hills up and down the hills on the TN side. 25W also has some fun stretches and areas to avoid because of endless traffic lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 I'm planning a trip may 15th if anyone else is interested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerben Posted March 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoneRanger Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 I've stayed in Townsend Tenn which is nice and quiet. Plenty of places to stay and good food. You cut across the Foothills Parkway and you are at the Dragon from there.I stayed at the Deals Gap resort last year. Nice place and lots of bikers to interact with. Food was so so. Robbinsville is your best source of chow from there. Make sure you run 28 down to Highlands, SC. It's like 100 miles of Dragon. Also do the Cherhola while you are there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4DAIVI PAI2K5 Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 We stay in maryville/acola tn at a place called luxbury inn cheap rooms, have a car port for motorcycle parking, fresh towels to wipe your bikes off. You also dont have to trailer your bike down the gap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.