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[Dr.D]

Last Sunday we went up for the first good loop into the southern smoky mountains. We started out in Tazewell TN one hour north of Knoxville and went south on 411 to entrance of the Cherohala Skyway. Up the Sky way and down the Dragon, 129 and north back home.

280 miles on the SE Fatbob and my ass was ready to quit.

We got the Snake (US 421) coming up soon.

Those of you that ride this area tell me which of the three you think is the best and why.

[16HD117]

Last Sunday we went up for the first good loop into the southern smoky mountains. We started out in Tazewell TN one hour north of Knoxville and went south on 411 to entrance of the Cherohala Skyway. Up the Sky way and down the Dragon, 129 and north back home.

280 miles on the SE Fatbob and my ass was ready to quit.

We got the Snake (US 421) coming up soon.

Those of you that ride this area tell me which of the three you think is the best and why.

Depends on what you like.  For me it's the Cherohala.  Much more relaxing ride than 129. 

I like the Snake except the section that has about three switch backs on a 40 degree grade!  Not to bad going down but coming up is a b**ch!

[shortdog]

Hey Dr. D,
             I have not ridden the Snake, but I'll chime in anyway.
To me the Dragon and Cherohala are difficult to compare straight up. The Dragon is a kind of "technical" ride, i.e. hitting the marks on entry, apex, and exit to maintain a smooth transition from one curve to another while carrying an acceptable amount of speed. The Cherohala is a truly "scenic" ride through the mountains where you can look around and pull over for numerous photo ops.
How much I would favor either one would depend on my mood that particular day!
Shortdog

[1sharprdkg]

Last Sunday we went up for the first good loop into the southern smoky mountains. We started out in Tazewell TN one hour north of Knoxville and went south on 411 to entrance of the Cherohala Skyway. Up the Sky way and down the Dragon, 129 and north back home.

280 miles on the SE Fatbob and my ass was ready to quit.

We got the Snake (US 421) coming up soon.

Those of you that ride this area tell me which of the three you think is the best and why.

My wife and I like Cherahola the best. More relaxing, cooler temps in summer.

[Dr.D]

I prefer the Cherahola over all for these reasons:

Safer
Less traffic
More scenic
More speed
and cooler in summer.

Getting stuck behind poor drivers and head on reckless drivers makes me to nervous on the Dragon.

The Snake has the best mix of both.
The Devils triangle has poor surface.

[iski]

I prefer the Cherahola over all for these reasons:

Safer
Less traffic
More scenic
More speed
and cooler in summer.

Getting stuck behind poor drivers and head on reckless drivers makes me to nervous on the Dragon.

The Snake has the best mix of both.
The Devils triangle has poor surface.

Appreciate the info on The Snake Doc D.  Am planning to ride this for the first time next month.  Have ridden all the other roads mentioned many times& each has it's drawbacks/pluses.  The Dragon it's mostly other vehicles busting lanes & squids riding like squids, the Cherahala overall is great for fast cruising & viewing for the reasons you mentioned (the others do not offer anything comparable as to views either ) plus has decent turns, Devil's Triangle is a blast but the road surface was not so great last time there plus had a few logging trucks in switchback corners which sort of took some of the fun out of them from that point forward. 

As for "The Snake" - will be looking at looping out from Boone & possibly back to Boone.  Any suggested routes?  Any towns worth a look see along the way?  Lunch or beer watering holes to check out?  What's the "best" part of the Snake, if there is one? 

[Dr.D]

The Snake has two main parts on either side of Shady Valley. Don't miss the store and go for the double snake burger, spicy. Good luck choking that monster down. I don't know if they have beer. I am not much of a drinker any more. 133 north to Damascus is a nice ride and then down 91 to Mountain city.

My extended ride is 421 to Shady Valley,north 133 to Damascus, south 91 to Mountain city and back to Shady Valley on 421 then south 91 to Elizabethton. the last half of 91 sucks but coming down the mountain on the first half is worth it,.

321 from Hampton to Boone is another great ride.

[iski]

Thanks for the info.  May try the single Snake burger there & if no beer am perfectly fine with a Dr. Pepper, the other nectar of the gods. 421 looks like a good ride.  May head into Bristol after SV then pick up 37 & 321 then maybe Pogo Rd. since it looks good from the maps & back into Boone on 321.  Alternate would be the 133 & 91 route.  Looks like a ton of good roads in the area. 

Riding in FL we mainly have 2 road types - flat & straight.  Nice break to get into a little elevation.

From  reading others plus what you posted expect the Snake to become another favorite. 

[Dr.D]

Depending on how many days you have consider State rd. 70 that runs north to south from Jonesville Va. thru  Greenville up into NC. Over all a most favorite of mine as it has every nice component that blue ribbon road should have. Mountains, flats, curves, speed, towns, farms, scenic +++. Loop over through Hot Springs NC and down US 70 to Newport. You will find the  Barbarosa biker bar on the river between Hot Springs and Newport, there is your beer stop mate.

[pado]

The "Frog Level Yacht Club" is a must see near Tazewell.  They have had Tee shirts all over the world including the north pole.

Then you must experience the fine dining at "Dot's" in Damascas.

[Dr.D]

The "Frog Level Yacht Club" is a must see near Tazewell.  They have had Tee shirts all over the world including the north pole.

Then you must experience the fine dining at "Dot's" in Damascas.

Are you referring to the Frog Level just north of the Clinch River at Kyles Ford? If so they are closed last time I went by.

[Rio]

THE SNAKE, hands down!

[DesertHOG]

I prefer the Cherahola over all for these reasons:

Safer
Less traffic
More scenic
More speed
and cooler in summer.

Getting stuck behind poor drivers and head on reckless drivers makes me to nervous on the Dragon.

The Snake has the best mix of both.
The Devils triangle has poor surface.

Hey, for us non-easterners who are unfamiliar with these runs, could you put up google maps of;

Snake,
Dragon,
Devil's Triangle &
Cherahola

It would be nice to know where the ends (start/stop) are located and what constitutes each run. If map screen capture doesn't work, maybe links to  google maps of the routes.

Thanks
DH

[GregKhougaz]

Gentlemen, I respectfully submit:


                                
                          

[Dr.D]

Gentlemen, I respectfully submit:


                                
                          

I'm barely able to work this here computer and you all ask for pics and maps? I'll try to ling the google maps wish me luck. Satelite and terrain views would be best if I can get them.