Need ride recommendations for Murphy N.C.

[FLAVALK]

On october 3rd, four of us will be riding our bikes up to Murphy NC for a week.  . We will be taking highway 441 from Florida all the way to Murphy. None of has been that way but it looks like a good ride.

Ya'll that live/ride in that area, what are some "must do" roads to ride and restaurants to eat at. 

All recommendations are appreciated....thanks!

[..]

In Clayton GA turn right onto Warwoman Rd. This is the road right next to the BP gas station on the right heading north.

Follow Warwoman to the end.
TL Hwy 28 to Highlands, NC
TL Hwy 64 to Franklin, NC and on towards Hayesville, NC This will take you past a number of waterfalls.
On the 4 lane section of Hwy west of Franklin look for State Route 1442 / 1310 Wayah Bald Rd. on the right. This will take you north towards Robbinsville, NC

BE WARNED that there will be gravel on the switchbacks as you go over the mountain.

TL  onto Evans Rd / Dicks Creek Rd  which will take you to Andrews, NC
TL Hwy 74 to Murphy, NC

OR you can take Hwy 28 north out of Franklin and follow that all the way to the southern tip of Deals Gap. If you see a speed posted for a bend HEED IT.

In the Murphy area there is, in no special order

Deals Gap, Cheroahla Skywya loop.

You can ride down into N GA and visit T.W.O. http://www.twowheelsonly.com/. There are a number of fine roads in and around Dahlonega, GA and Helen, GA.

So many roads so little time.  

[Normandog]

Brittman covered it. ditto what he said.
As for resteraunts I've never ate anywhere in that area that I would make the trip back there just to eat. There is a fish place in Murphy that was good but I can't remember the name of it. I hope you enjoy your trip.

[FLAVALK]

Thanks guys, I'm ready to hit the road... NOW!! Is it the 3rd yet??? 

[..]

Before one bend on the Cherohala Skywya someone has painted SLO in white.

HEED IT. This reducing radius bend has caused many riders to crash. DO NOT be distracted by the great views. There are plenty of places to pull over so that you can take in the scenery. DO NOT lose focus on the road.

I know I sound like a worry wart but I've seen too the aftermath of too many Cherohala crashes.

Deals Gap.
Keep to the right of your lane especially approaching a bend.
Keep one eye in your mirrors.
Wave past other road users who zoom up behind you. It's not a competition. Let them pass.
There are plenty of places to pull over so that you can take in the riding styles of others.

You can hear the cruisers enter bends in the wrong gear and change down as they come out of the bend.
You can hear the cruisers go around the bends completely off the throttle.
You can watch cruisers drag a brake all the way around a bend.
You can watch the sportsbikes hug the centre line risking having there heads hit by oncoming traffic.
You can watch pickups towing trailers spit gravel onto the bends as they run wide onto the soft shoulders.
You can watch semis take up the WHOLE road.

It's a spectacle.

[bg]

be careful in Murphy.
4 of my buds will be there that week hunting for bear and wild hogs.

[FLAVALK]

be careful in Murphy.
4 of my buds will be there that week hunting for bear and wild hogs.

I promise, we will be dressed as neither 

Maybe I should wear my orange deer hunting vest??? Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, then someone might mistake me for a Volunteer fan....NOT!

[..]

You might see signs on the Cherohala Skyway warning of hunters. The feral hogs get pretty big and you also have  to look out for lost hunting dogs running about on the road.

[Normandog]

1st time we rode the Cherahala we saw some feral pigs. These were young enough not to be a scare.

[FLAVALK]

1st time we rode the Cherahala we saw some feral pigs. These were young enough not to be a scare.

Ferrel hogs are very common here in Central Florida. Those cursed things are everywhere. However, the Russian/Asia strain in Georgia get much bigger....and meaner

[Thunderbolt]

it has been 4 laned in several places, so if your gps has old sofware like mine, it will tell you that you are off route.  Ignore it!!!!  There are a couple of places that you need to pay attention.  One is in Athens.  Watch the signs closely, you sorta get on a bypass loop on a 4 lane.  When you get around Milledgeville heed the speed limit signs, there always seems to be law enforcement guys trying to make their quota hiding there.
Wave when you come through Lake City, I work two blocks from 441.  I would say stop in and I would buy you a cup of coffee, but I roam around during the day, so I never know when I will be in the office.

[FLAVALK]

it has been 4 laned in several places, so if your gps has old sofware like mine, it will tell you that you are off route.  Ignore it!!!!  There are a couple of places that you need to pay attention.  One is in Athens.  Watch the signs closely, you sorta get on a bypass loop on a 4 lane.  When you get around Milledgeville heed the speed limit signs, there always seems to be law enforcement guys trying to make their quota hiding there.
Wave when you come through Lake City, I work two blocks from 441.  I would say stop in and I would buy you a cup of coffee, but I roam around during the day, so I never know when I will be in the office.

Thanks for the tips!