Driving to Gatlinburg TN.....any nice roads?

Cornpanzer · 10-14-2002, 09:35 AM

My wife and I are taking the Pcar to Gatlinburg this weekend for a little R&R. Any Pelicanheads in the area that can recommend some nice touring roads? Thanks, Dave Conklin

jpnovak · 10-15-2002, 05:23 AM

Check out Deal's Gap, Very close (TN/NC border) and well worth it!

Jamie

LeeH · 10-15-2002, 08:14 AM

Find 321 on a map.. east of Maryville, TN take "The Foothills Parkway" south to 129. Take 129 south toward the TN and NC border. Rinse. Repeat. There's little else you need to know.

Cornpanzer · 10-15-2002, 09:51 AM

Thanks guys......sounds like fun, Dave

Jim Savage · 10-15-2002, 10:50 AM

Was there last weekend. The trees haven't turned and probably won't turn color until the end of Oct. Also the color is not predicted to be very good this year because of the drought. But still a great time to go. Rained on us though. Lots of "smoke" in the mountains. Saw one bear on the roaring fork motor trail and lots of deer in Cades Cove.

Took 454(?) out of Gatlinburg home to avoid the "shopping" crowd of Pigeon Forge. Nice road to cruise the twistys but not very many straight streches. Ends at Sevierville

Stay off of 640 around Knoxville going home. Construction on 640 west kept me at a CA type pace. Covered 5 miles in one hour. Yee Haw!!!!

Jim

Cornpanzer · 10-15-2002, 12:34 PM

Thanks Jim, thats some good advice. I appreciate it.

JBunkley · 10-15-2002, 08:55 PM

I attended college in the Blue ridge mountains near Gatlinburg and I can tell you from experience that there are more roads out there that you will love than you will have time to drive.

Make certain that you take the trip to Smoky Mountain National Park, just outside of Gatlinburg, it is well worth it.

You do have sport seats, don't you?

Enjoy
-JB

slammed1000 · 10-15-2002, 11:57 PM

check out this website for more info about deals gap www.tailofthedragon.com

LeeH · 10-16-2002, 02:30 PM

That web site is a great place to visit before driving/riding in the area. Click on "2002 News" and "2001 News" to read about all of the accidents that occur on 129. It's lots of fun, but there's a lot of death and destruction (in the literal sense) there too.

slammed1000 · 10-16-2002, 02:55 PM

deals gap is a fun time. i would try and stay away from it on the weekend but during the week it is a great place to ride or drive. i normally take my bike down 2-3 times a year. there are some nice roads off of 129 that go through n/c also that might not be as crowded. if your wife goes with you be prebared to bring a barf bag(318 curves-11 miles) the last time i drove it in a car i had my girlfriend with me and we had to pull off to the side of the road so that she could get her cookies together

try and printing out some of the maps so you can explore a little more than just the dragon..

Cornpanzer · 10-16-2002, 05:55 PM

I am so there!!!