"Southern Loop" from Robbinsville, NC

[dnj1965]

Hi all,

A friend and I (he on a KLR 650 and me on an '08 FJR) are scheduled to be in Robbinsville, NC to do the traditional "Tail of the Dragon" bit. We plan for the first full day in that area (of two) to include hitting the Dragon at least once and then circling around North to Vonroe, on to Tellico Plains (on 360), and then on to Robbinsville (via the Cherohala Skyway). Depending upon time (e.g., stops for photos, lunch, buying stickers/shirts, re-running the Dragon and/or Cherohala, etc., we'll play a bit around the Fontana Dam area [143 and 28]).

To the point of this post: Asking for suggestions for a second day of riding south of Robbinsville. For OCD reasons, if we can hit GA and SC on this day I'd like it, but this is not a "need" as much as a "want", and good riding trumps claiming states. As of now, I'm thinking we'll take 28 south all through the Northeast corner of GA to just past Mountain Rest in SC and then take 107 North, working our way to Robbinsville via the Smoky Mountain Expressway.

Final Note: We are coming from the north (Central NY), and will hit some of the Blue Ridge Parkway on the way back (slabbing it down due to time constraints). Thus the easterly side of Robbinsville will likely, I think, get explored on our way to and from the area. We are both employed with wives and young children, so it will not help to hear we should take an extra X days to ride the BLP the whole way back, or that Skyline Drive is not-to-be-missed. Assuming we'll survive trip, we'll live to ride Skyline and BLP another day. We have committed to at least 2 hours on BLP on the way back, so if you have suggestions for the best part of it to be seen, please do share that as well.

THANK YOU in advance for any advice. Trip report to follow in late May.

dnj

 

[lonerider]

As regards the Parkway, the southern end is the best, IMHO. From the French Broad River to Cherokee, also the stretch from Crabtree Falls to Craggy Gardens (Mt. Mitchell inclusive). The loop around Asheville struck me as rather boring, with moderate traffic in rush hour times. The Parkway is well worth riding from end to end; I hope you get to do it sometime.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Your choice of hwy 28 is a good one, be sure to catch Dry Falls after you get south of Franklin. If you get to Bridal Veil Falls, which is the one the loop road runs under, turn around and go back. The parking area for Dry Falls will be on the west side of the road. I hope when you get on the Cherohala you take the road down to Bald River Falls which heads south off the Cherohala. It is marked with a brown sign showing the Ranger Station.

Any part of the BRP from Little Switzerland back toward Cherokee is excellent. The whole road is worthwhile but the southern 130 or so miles are in my opinion the best motorcycle part. The road that goes through Great Smoky Mountains National Park which is what the BRP terminates on is also an excellent ride. If you do have time to come off the BRP and turn right (north) make time to take the side road west to Clingman's Dome.

You could spend a week using Robbinsville as a hub and not get a chance to ride all of the great roads in that area, you don't have to get it all in one trip.

 

[blrfjr]

Your choice of hwy 28 is a good one, be sure to catch Dry Falls after you get south of Franklin. If you get to Bridal Veil Falls, which is the one the loop road runs under, turn around and go back. The parking area for Dry Falls will be on the west side of the road. I hope when you get on the Cherohala you take the road down to Bald River Falls which heads south off the Cherohala. It is marked with a brown sign showing the Ranger Station.

Any part of the BRP from Little Switzerland back toward Cherokee is excellent. The whole road is worthwhile but the southern 130 or so miles are in my opinion the best motorcycle part. The road that goes through Great Smoky Mountains National Park which is what the BRP terminates on is also an excellent ride. If you do have time to come off the BRP and turn right (north) make time to take the side road west to Clingman's Dome.

You could spend a week using Robbinsville as a hub and not get a chance to ride all of the great roads in that area, you don't have to get it all in one trip.

+1 Redfish, Ive been going to this area the last four years in a row and love it every time :yahoo: go to devilstriangle.com for more info enjoy!!

 

[1911]

If you want to replace some traffic lights and four lane with more good riding, from 107 just south of the SC/NC border take Wigonton Rd (listed only as sc-s-37-413 in Mapsource) over to SC130/NC281. NC281 north to NC64, east to NC215, north to the BRP, west to 441. 441 north through GSMNP is a great road but we've only hit it once when it wasn't a bumper to bumper crawl. +1 on RH's Clingman's Dome suggestion.

Dome's parking lot

This adds miles but little time. Riding the westernmost section of the BRP again on your way home won't be too sucky.

Just my 2 cents worth

 

[dnj1965]

Thanks everyone! Very helpful (as always).

dnj

 

[Goodman4]

You may already be on the trip, but +1 on Moonshiner 28 as suggested if you get the chance. That was one of our favorite rides after stretching out a Cherohala trip. Stayed in Franklin for the night since it got late. Bridal Falls:

 

[dnj1965]

Thanks again everyone! I'm back. Report in Trip Report section: "Another FJR Visits the Tale of the Dragon".

dnj