Former ‘Usual Suspect’ & the Tail of the Dragon

[low drag]

I moved from Colorado to North Carolina 3 years ago, I’ve been intending the do the Tail of the Dragon and other rides in the Smoky Mountains. I finally did it! I've been too busy with my house/yard. I'm caught up now so I can get out on the S10.

Not sure if any of the other ‘Usual Suspects’ are lurking out here or not.

I can honestly say the Smoky Mountains are right up there with the Rocky Mountains. The Appalachian Mountains and Smoky Mountains specifically are older, you can tell by the darker rock and erosion. There are more trees/green here as well, it’s very lush. The valley floors to the peaks are every bit as high as they are in Colorado. The Appalachians are very steep and they built roads all over the place that make for fantastic riding.

There’s plenty of off roading in the Smoky area. I’ll have to find a riding partner and try some of those next.

 

[RCinNC]

Check out the website at www.gravelmap.com. They have maps of a ton of dirt and gravel roads to ride out in the western part of North Carolina.

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . I can honestly say the Smoky Mountains are right up there with the Rocky Mountains. . . .

Just as pretty, but a whole lot easier to breathe. And, who/what are the usual suspects?

 

[low drag]

I think the roads I saw in the Smokies where better to ride than the Rockies. Much more twisty.

Don't get me wrong, they are both good riding.....

 

[RCinNC]

Here's my bike from a week ago, right after we finished the "other" Dragon....

 

[low drag]

I'm heading the the Back of the Dragon in a week or so!

 

[RCinNC]

It was a fun ride, low drag....and during the week, we were almost the only people on it for the entire length. If you're riding two up like I was, I suggest some Dramamine for the passenger. By the time we got done, she was glad she'd taken some.

You won't get a chance to admire a lot of the scenery (you really have to keep your eyes on the road), but here's a nice view of what's in store. I love Virginia and West Virginia for riding. I've ridden in Colorado, and I'm not sure either VA or West VA are comparable in sheer epic grandeur, but that doesn't detract at all from the awesome riding and beautiful scenery to found in both those states.

 

[PhilPhilippines]

The Appalachian Mountains and Smoky Mountains specifically are older, you can tell by the darker rock and erosion.

Love to ride, drive or tramp any of those areas.

Not sure about any of it being "older" though. It's all 4.5ish billion or 6,000ish years old according to experts - they all agree it came together on a Tuesday though...

 

[tallpaul]

Love to ride, drive or tramp any of those areas.

Not sure about any of it being "older" though. It's all 4.5ish billion or 6,000ish years old according to experts - they all agree it came together on a Tuesday though...

Tuesday morning or afternoon...?

 

[PhilPhilippines]

Tuesday morning or afternoon...?

Trick question? Anything notable happens after lunch...