Blue Ridge/Smoky Mtns drive

[Wwabbit]

The next 6-7 weeks are going to epic fall driving in the NC-TN-GA-VA mountains. We're getting our first tastes of that wonderful fall sensation now. I'll sure be out getting some miles in. So get out there!. Days, weekends whatever. PM me and we'll meet up. We're safer in numbers. But where ever you go, be safe and enjoy!

 

[Xcentric]

^^^ +1

 

[ViperJoe]

Just got back from TN/NC, Ran the Dragon, Cherohala, Foothills Pkwy, Moonshiner 28, and several others. Amazingly beautiful area so very well suited to motoring. Huge Fall Hot Rod meet in Pigeon Forge this coming weekend BTW. Ripped the Dragon on my bike but seriously wondered if the GT could do likewise without bottoming out.

 

[RALPHIE]

When Jeff & I did the Dragon back in 2010, we came across a head-on between 2 bikers - an ugly scene, with no cell phone access. I don't suggest "ripping" the Dragon, either on a bike or in a GT. Just enjoy the scenery.

 

[Sinovac]

Avoid the Dragon on the weekends. Mid-week is much safer than the weekends. Less police too. Whatever you do, stay in your lane!

 

[PL510*Jeff]

+1 on What Ralphie said!

other than the bike wreck, it was a very good day.

 

[STORMCAT]

The next 6-7 weeks are going to epic fall driving in the NC-TN-GA-VA mountains. We're getting our first tastes of that wonderful fall sensation now. I'll sure be out getting some miles in. So get out there!. Days, weekends whatever. PM me and we'll meet up. We're safer in numbers. But where ever you go, be safe and enjoy!

Keep driving south and west so you end up in New Orleans on October 10. The Rally is the most fun you will have with the car and meeting the other GT owners. It is the best way for new owners to really learn more about the GT and the GT community. You won't regret it. :thumbsup

 

[Wwabbit]

Just got back from TN/NC, Ran the Dragon, Cherohala, Foothills Pkwy, Moonshiner 28, and several others. Amazingly beautiful area so very well suited to motoring. Huge Fall Hot Rod meet in Pigeon Forge this coming weekend BTW. Ripped the Dragon on my bike but seriously wondered if the GT could do likewise without bottoming out.

We live 10 mi from the Dragon. It's ok during the week on a bike, but I don't like the GT there, no room. But there are plenty of awesome roads back in there.

Keep driving south and west so you end up in New Orleans on October 10. The Rally is the most fun you will have with the car and meeting the other GT owners. It is the best way for new owners to really learn more about the GT and the GT community. You won't regret it. :thumbsup

Yep, see you in NO.

 

[steved57]

Done the Dragon a couple of times on a bike during the week and even then it was crowded enough that you needed to take it easy

 

[TO AWSUM]

Just got back from TN/NC, Ran the Dragon, Cherohala, Foothills Pkwy, Moonshiner 28, and several others. Amazingly beautiful area so very well suited to motoring. Huge Fall Hot Rod meet in Pigeon Forge this coming weekend BTW. Ripped the Dragon on my bike but seriously wondered if the GT could do likewise without bottoming out.

I also just returned from this cruise. I drove the below routes on Thursday, 6 Sep, to avoid all the weekend traffic. I also started the cruise at 7 AM which also helped reduce the traffic. I drove it just prior to attending the Shades-of-the-Past car show in Pigeon Forge TN. Although there were hundreds of cars at the show, I believe I had the only FGT in attendance. Always had a crowd around it and answered a lot of questions. Repeated myself over and over again. I think I'm going to have a folding bulletin board made with specs, etc. so everyone can read it and save my vocal cords a little. We had a FGT, Cobra Daytona Coupe, and a bunch of AC Cobra replicas all parked together.

 

[Gene Cassone]

I am headed down the blue ridge parkway next weekend and hope to be smokey park in 10 days from Pa on bikes (touring). any suggestions which routes to take and how to loop around the park? will be in the area 2 days before heading back up north. thanks

 

[Wwabbit]

I believe I had the only FGT in attendance.

Look's like there were two of us. I'm over there a lot. Sorry we missed.

I am headed down the blue ridge parkway next weekend and hope to be smokey park in 10 days from Pa on bikes (touring). any suggestions which routes to take and how to loop around the park? will be in the area 2 days before heading back up north. thanks

Hard to go wrong on anything you choose. One favorite is 441 south out of Gatlinburg then take the Little River Rd over to Cades Cove. Nice loop through an old farm valley maintained by the park service. From there you can continue on 321/73 to Townsend and connect to the Dragon via the Foothills Pkwy or go back to 441 and over the mtns to Cherokee and then back toward the Dragon/Robinsville, etc.

 

[ViperJoe]

I don't suggest "ripping" the Dragon, either on a bike or in a GT. Just enjoy the scenery.

Point taken!

 

[ViperJoe]

..... attending the Shades-of-the-Past car show in Pigeon Forge TN.

I was there; fabulous event. I wish I had seen you there!

 

[TO AWSUM]

I was there; fabulous event. I wish I had seen you there!

Viper and wabbit, yes, too bad we didn't know each other were there. Would have liked to have met you guys. I'll be in New Orleans for Rally 7. If you are going, I'll see you there. I have attended the Shades-of-the-Past several times. I'll probably attend again next year. We park in front of the Norma Dan Hotel on the south end of the strip across from the rodeo show barn.

 

[TO AWSUM]

Hard to go wrong on anything you choose. One favorite is 441 south out of Gatlinburg then take the Little River Rd over to Cades Cove. Nice loop through an old farm valley maintained by the park service. From there you can continue on 321/73 to Townsend and connect to the Dragon via the Foothills Pkwy or go back to 441 and over the mtns to Cherokee and then back toward the Dragon/Robinsville, etc.

Gene, Look at the map I posted. The yellow highlighted route is what Wwabbit suggested above. There is also a purlple highlighted route through Marysville. I drove both routes easily in one day and stopped to take pictures, refuel, and had lunch.

 

[Wwabbit]

I live just outside of Maryville. Give me a shout, email or flare and we'll join you for a section or two. I'll even buy you a welcome to TN beer. :cheers

 

[Gene Cassone]

i am just heading north after my bike ride down the skyline to blue ridge parkway (truly amazing 460 miles of a beautiful road with no stoplights!!). We ended up in Cherokee. Then through the park to the Foothills parkway (incredible). afterwards did the Dragon (fun) and Cherolaha skyway (beautiful way to end the trip). I lived in Europe and traveled throughout the US but these roads are tops!! Great condition, awesome views and little traffic. I am glad I did it on a bike (BMW R1200RT) great overall sportouring bike. I believe most of these roads are better suited for a bike though the Cherolaha would be fun in the GT (larger curves would suit it); Viper club was on it today. As far as the Dragon; either a bike or a small rally car would be fun with its tight curves (I have a subaru STI with 400hp would make a good go of it!!). Anyway for those who haven't driven these roads put them on your must do list and for those who live in the area : I am jealous!!