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Cherohala Skyway, TN. A question..

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 11:12 pm
by Pete88
I am touring on my R1150R and will be in Northern Georgia and TN shortly. This is a question for our members who have done the Cherohala Skyway and Deal's Gap. I want to do a loop that includes Deal's Gap and Tellico Plains, TN. Is this trip best done clockwise (south on the 129 then west on the Cherohala) or counter clockwise (north on 129 and east on the Cherohala)? Sometimes going the wrong way on a great road is disappointing. Any other tips would be appreciated! Many thanks ..peter

Re: Cherohala Skyway, TN. A question..

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 8:21 am
by hbrandan
that is a GREAT loop, and you can't go wrong in either direction. I've done it in both ways and it's equally good.
The Dragon definitely has more bikers going north bound, but I think is because they take of from Deals Gap. There is not much of a "meeting place" on the north end of The Dragon.
I'm actually doing this loop tomorrow morning Sat. 6/15. look for my silver R1200R.
Another great challenging ride is hwy 209 from Waynesville to Hot Springs. Much less popular, but equally challenging and with less traffic.
have fun

Re: Cherohala Skyway, TN. A question..

Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:11 pm
by Pete88
Just got back. Thanks hbrandan for the tips. I looked for your silver 12R but didn't find you. I was kinda disappointed in the Dragon. Too congested on a weekend and I never just relaxed and enjoyed the ride. However the Cherohala was incredible. Also the 28 along the Little Tennessee river was really nice.

Re: Cherohala Skyway, TN. A question..

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 7:20 am
by sjbmw
Another great road in that neighborhood is the 421 the Snake.
I was able to do that at the Johnson City MOA rally.
What was cool was that I entered it going in the opposite direction from all the rally goers, I was not totally sure how we did that as I was following a friend, but the bike parade was in the other direction. At the base of the mountain is a store/flea market, that catered to M/C riders. A band, a meat Smoker, etc.

It was a 2 up adventure with my son on the back and the tilting tarmac on some of the hairpins was absolutely frightening.


http://421thesnake.com/

Re: Cherohala Skyway, TN. A question..

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 8:03 am
by Boxer
You got it right on about the Dragon on the weekend. It's chaos! You can't beat 28 though, for sheer riding pleasure.

Now, I hope you didn't mispronounce Cherohala to anyone. The name comes from a combination of the Cherokee Nat'l Forest and the Nantahala Nat'ln Forest since the road goes through those two forests. Pronounced "Cherro-Hayla"...NOT Cherohola, or Cherrohollow, or Cherohalla.
Just a pet peeve of mine. I sit around a campfire sometimes listening to stories of the day's rides and hear the name pronounced 10 different ways.

Re: Cherohala Skyway, TN. A question..

Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 7:08 pm
by Biff's R
It doesn't matter which way you go on those two roads. Going in the middle of the week is definitely a bonus due to the lack of traffic. The weekends are busy. Wayah Rd. near US129 and US 74 is good too.

Re: Cherohala Skyway, TN. A question..

Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 8:40 am
by Pete88
Thanks for the tips on pronunciation, Boxer. I WAS getting it wrong. Duh...