Which way to go, Colorado or Tail of the Dragon?

The OP is from Iowa, I would guess he has experienced heat and humidity while riding.

The Dragon is a "bragging rights" goal for motorcycle riders. Kinda like Daytona for Nascar fans. Like I mentioned earlier, ride it both ways, get your Tee shirt, check it off the list and move on (45-60 min.). Lots of good roads in the area. If you have the time do some browsing on the old BRG and EaSTOC threads. There may be some routes posted.

The Cherrycola has some sneaky corners with decreasing radius curves. It can also get congested if the Hogs get lose. I rode it a few years ago with a couple other ST riders and we came upon a herd of Harleys (40-50). They slow way way down for every curve! We finally got around them without creating an incident. :)
 
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As I mentioned earlier, leaning toward the South.
So far I have this: I'm gonna need at least 2 days to get to the "area".Camping in Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground.
Day 3: Cherohala Skyway, Tail of the Dragon, via Townsend to Great Smokey National Park (US-441, to Cherokee), Blue Ridge Parkway (southern part to French Broad River, I know it's only ~80 miles but dont'' have time to ride whole trail).
Day 4: from BRP to Walhalla, and then ride North by Moonshine 28, to Horse Cove Campground.
Day 5: leaving to Barber Motorcycle Museum.
Days 6, 7, 8 riding home via Tupelo, Memphis, Jonesboro, Lake Ozark...



https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Che...aa!2m2!1d-83.9196467!2d35.3644333!2m1!1b1!3e0

Comments?
 
According to wunderground.com, accuweather.com, weather.org, weather.gov... Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed... are going to be "... Mostly cloudy, showers and a thunderstorm; humid; precipitation 40%-60%..." :eek:
Did I pick the wrong time of the year?!?
robbinsville, weather.jpg
 
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Afan said:
According to wunderground.com, accuweather.com, weather.org, weather.gov... Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed... are going to be "... Mostly cloudy, showers and a thunderstorm; humid; precipitation 40%-60%..." :eek:
Did I pick the wrong time of the year?!?
robbinsville, weather.jpg
Click to expand...

Sometimes, mother nature picks for you... I always plan 2 or 3 trips in other directions when I plan one main trip... that way, if the weather looks iffy... I go to plan B or C as they are usually in the other direction.. it's not a perfect plan because I seem to always ride in the rain... but, it's usually better than the original plan.
 
What you have looks great. You're going to be in rider heaven.

Around Robbinsville, stay on NC-143 instead of county road 1127. 143 has better pavement, and there are some really fun and challenging curves in that section.

The section of NC-28 between the Dragon and Stecoah is known as "Moonshiner 28" and is definitely worth it if you can figure out a way to fit it in.

TN-68 from Tellico Plains to Ducktown is an outstanding road that you can easily do on your way to Barber. It would force you to have to ride the Cherohala again, too; tough duty. :)

By all means avoid Chattanooga during morning and afternoon rush hours!

Have an awesome trip.
 
There was a road we always called "The Road to Nowhere" that we would pack a lunch and ride. The end of the road was a tunnel cut into the mountain. On the other side of the tunnel, the road just ended. We'd stop there for eats. The road up and back was fun, challenging, curvy and in great shape. No reason to travel on it so it wasn't torn up by travelers. I think Lunch was about an hour from Deal's Gap (IIRC).

Any idea what road I'm talking about?
I haven't been there for 15 or 20 years so for all I know it may have been finished and actually goes somewhere now.

Later,
Kent Larson from Minnesota
 
mudduc said:
There was a road we always called "The Road to Nowhere" that we would pack a lunch and ride. The end of the road was a tunnel cut into the mountain. On the other side of the tunnel, the road just ended. We'd stop there for eats. The road up and back was fun, challenging, curvy and in great shape. No reason to travel on it so it wasn't torn up by travelers. I think Lunch was about an hour from Deal's Gap (IIRC).

Any idea what road I'm talking about?
I haven't been there for 15 or 20 years so for all I know it may have been finished and actually goes somewhere now.

Later,
Kent Larson from Minnesota
Click to expand...

This?

Google map
 
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I talked to my friend and he suggested to go in September because the colors are more pretty. Is weather usually better in September?


Also, there is HU event in Ironhorse Lodge, Stecoah, NC on September 20-23. Never was on any but always wanted... So, two birds one stone... :D
 
Afan said:
I talked to my friend and he suggested to go in September because the colors are more pretty. Is weather usually better in September?


Also, there is HU event in Ironhorse Lodge, Stecoah, NC on September 20-23. Never was on any but always wanted... So, two birds one stone... :D
Click to expand...

East or west; you really can't go wrong...

September and October are my favorite months because the summer heat has usually broken and there is generally less rain. Color (and leaf watchers) peak mid October.

Townsend to Sugarlands and Sugarlands to Cherokee: Beautiful roads and landscape. I'd go early as there can be slow traffic.

Enjoy!
 
This time of year I'd vote Colorado. East it hot and humid, I'd go east in the fall or spring. Colorado maybe hot but at altitude it cools off. Afternoon thunder storms in both. If you go to CO don't forget Phantom Canyon. I'm in CO now and haven't had a bad ride yet, nearly everywhere is go pro worthy as far as scenery.
 
Afan said:
I talked to my friend and he suggested to go in September because the colors are more pretty. Is weather usually better in September?


Also, there is HU event in Ironhorse Lodge, Stecoah, NC on September 20-23. Never was on any but always wanted... So, two birds one stone... :D
Click to expand...

There won't be much color in September down around Deals Gap. The elevation there is not very high. The leaf peeping season down there is mid October.
 
coolbreez1 said:
Arkansas Ozarks are close by; and brief respite from humidity;
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There must be two Arkansas Ozarks as you can cut the air with a knife in summer usually at the Ozarks I know.
 
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ZIAMON said:
There must be two Arkansas Ozarks as you can cut the air with a knife in summer usually at the Ozarks I know.
Click to expand...


+1. The Ozarks aren't near high enough to be cool (°F) like Colorado.
 
Afan said:
As I mentioned earlier, leaning toward the South.
So far I have this: I'm gonna need at least 2 days to get to the "area".Camping in Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground.
Day 3: Cherohala Skyway, Tail of the Dragon, via Townsend to Great Smokey National Park (US-441, to Cherokee), Blue Ridge Parkway (southern part to French Broad River, I know it's only ~80 miles but dont'' have time to ride whole trail).
Day 4: from BRP to Walhalla, and then ride North by Moonshine 28, to Horse Cove Campground.
Day 5: leaving to Barber Motorcycle Museum.
Days 6, 7, 8 riding home via Tupelo, Memphis, Jonesboro, Lake Ozark...


Comments?
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+1 on Barber Museum. Another thought, if you come through Chattanooga on the way to Birmingham is the Coker Tire Museum. Corky Coker has an impressive collection of cars & cycles in a warehouse there. Only a fraction of what Mr. Barber has put together but definitely worth taking a look at.

https://www.cokertire.com/tours


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