©
2008-2011
Planned group rides start from
the Ingles parking lot at the time designated by ride leaders.
Alternatively, any of the routes below may be taken by anyone or any group;
just follow the directions.
A note on rides: Ingles
parking lot is the meeting place to ride, but there are no assigned leaders.
So that all may have time to enjoy the activities, we suggest that groups
leave [kickstands up] by 9 AM [or earlier] to have afternoon downtime before
the evening events. Print out rides you want to take beforehand.
Here's a map of the staging area;
rides to start by 9 AM or earlier if your group is so inclined:
Ingles, Hwy 19 & Hughes Branch Road
Google reports Latitude 35.420 N, Longitude 83.455 W
Here are the vendor locations:
Area Map from Carolina Mountain
Riders
| Be sure to check for road closures for any
of these routes first! |
To Load Bart's routes (updated)
CLICK HERE.
This is a .zip file with both the .gdb (Version 2 and 3 GPS Database) and .gpx
formats. Depending on your version of MapSource, you can choose between V2
and V3.
OK, I've been doing some tweaking to the MapSource file. I have shortened the
"ALL Day BRP" ride and added another route for those that might want to hear
Banjo music.
In green is the "Dragon" and the Cherohala
Skyway loop. 179 miles
Magenta is the Nantahala Gorge, Wayah Road
and BRP loop. 200/242 miles - One quick note about this loop. If you're riding
this counter-clockwise, when you exit the BRP onto Highway 19, Mapsource plots a
long way around. Why I don't know. You don't have to do this. Just get off on 19
and head back to Bryson City. I also added a section that will add about 42
miles to the whole loop. In MapSource you can see this as "Wayah Road BRP+" both
CW and CCW (thanks Snoopy).
Blue is Gatlinburg, Ober Gatlinburg, Cades Cove
and Clingman's Dome. 170 miles - Another heads up. Even though this is only 170
miles, it might prove to be a very long day. Traffic around Cades Cove tends to
be extreme during the summer months, especially on the weekends. If you plan on
riding this route, do it on Thursday or Friday.
Light Blue is all day on the Blue Ridge Parkway
to Highway 25 in Asheville for lunch. 185 miles. I shortened this route because
the speed limit on the BRP is 45MPH and a 300+ mile day would be VERY LONG. When
you get to highway 25, there are all sorts of places to eat and then ride the
BRP back. Also, fill up with gas when you stop to eat. There are no gas stations
on the BRP. Also, I have added the
Pisgah Inn as a POI on the route. Very pretty place to stop and visit.
Dark Gray is the Reliance Loop. 200
miles. Remember the movie Deliverance? Can you hear the Banjo Music? This will
take you across the Cherohala, down Highway 30 through Reliance to Lake Ocoee
(anyone for whitewater rafting?) and then back up 74 to Bryson city. Great route
and some amazing views.
Last but not least is Red which is the route to
Honda Direct Line for farkles. 160 miles
All the distances are round trip and to HDL is the "fastest" route since you
might want to do that after one of the other rides.
These five routes should keep EVERYONE busy!
Here is a quick picture of the routes:
Rides from Gary, aka FL Cracker:
From Bryson City take
Hwy 74 west to 28 south to 64 west to 64/17 to Hiawassee, GA and down to Helen,
GA for lunch then over to 441 north to 74 back to Bryson City.
From Bryson City take
Hwy 74 west to 28 south to 64 east past the water falls through Highlands &
Cashiers at that point we can either go (straight to Hals) or turn at 276 to
Waynesville to 74 west and back to Bryson City.
I have more rides If
we need some. I can Lead a Ride if needed - let me know.
AAA Magazine published an article on
roads less traveled in the Smokies.
Click here to open a pdf file
that you can print.
BBQ
Lunch Ride - Link to
Google Maps
about 175 miles; lunch near 'H'
From Ingles: Take 19 S
to 74 W. Left on 28 S through Franklin to 64 E. Stay on 64 E
through Brevard, then left on 276. Just after left on 276 there is a
BBQ place on the left for lunch. Continue on 276 towards the Blue
Ridge Parkway - BRP. Turn left on BRP towards the Smoky Mountains.
At end of BRP, turn left on 441. At Cherokee, take 19 S to Bryson
City.
Slow Joe's Ride
Run down to 28
28 over to the South end of dragon's Tail
NO DRAGON'S TAIL RIDE
129 South to Robbinsville
Cherohala over to Tellico Plains
68 South to Turtle Town
294 to 64/74 to Murphy
64 to Wayah Rd.
Wayah to 19/74
Right to Bryson City
Link:
http://gl1800riders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227592&page=3
Shorty's Ride
28 over to hwy 64 at Franklin
to the Highlands with stops at Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls
28 south to Stumphouse mtn. falls and back to Warwoman Road to Clayton GA
North on 441 to NC-GA line and up through Scaly Mtn. to Highlands
64 to Cashiers and south on 107 to Sylva
74 back to Bryson City
Smoky Mountain Loop: Link
to Google Maps
137 miles: Coffee near C, lunch near E
From Ingles: Take 19 N
to Maggie Valley. Left on 276 N with coffee break at restaurant near C
- Marathon gas station on right. I-40 E
to exit 443 for Foothills Parkway. Stop at first overlook on right for
photos. End of parkway, 321 towards Gatlinburg. Stop at Bear Ridge
Grill near E on left for lunch. Left on 441 through Smoky Mt Park.
Photos at summit near F. Right on 19 S to Bryson
City.
Smoky - Cherohala Loop:
Link to Google Maps
210 Miles
From Ingles: Take 19 N
to 441 N across the Smokies. Left Little River Road/Scenic 73 through
Townsend. 321 to Foothills Parkway. Right on 129 to 411 through
Vonore. Left on TN 360 to Tellico Plains with stop at museum/lunch.
West to Cherohala to Robbinsville on NC 143. Right on 129 then left on
NC 143 to NC 28. Left on 74 to 19 returning to Bryson City.
Links:
http://www.tailofthedragonmaps.com/
http://tailofthedragonresorts.com/
http://www.tailofthedragontours.com/
Mad Maps Smoky
Mountains:
http://www.madmaps.com/roadtrips/smoky-mountains
Printable brochure:
http://tailofthedragon.com/pdf/Brochure2011_LowRes.pdf
Robeth has found these:
Maggie Valley - Newport - Hot Springs loop: http://tinyurl.com/3ko9ug7
Gatlinburg to Erwin loop: http://tinyurl.com/3chfoeo
Clayton, GA, loop: http://tinyurl.com/3o223wb
This one has a little bit on the BRP, but it's a nice route: http://tinyurl.com/3e37x6c
Bryson City - Erwin loop (a little different than the Gatlinburg to
Erwin loop):
http://tinyurl.com/3mqan9g