Travel advise

[dano1946]

I'm taking off next weekend on a ride from WI to do the Blue Ridge from south to north.  Planning on going down the Mississippi River to around St Louis then to Kentucky (land between the lakes) then across Tenn to Southern Blue Ridge.  Would appreciate any road advise.  Trying to stay off of major Interstates.
Thanks.

[Mr Whiskey]

70 outta Nashville will keep ya off the interstate & bring ya to Knoxville but I'd hit 321 in Lenoir City, cross the Loudon Dam & straight into Maryville. Stay on 321 through Townsend & it'll turn into River Rd. This brings you out at Sugarland Visitors Center, ( 'bout half mile from Gatlinburg). Turn L on 441 for Gatlinburg, or R for Cherokee Nc. BRP will be on your L just before Cherokee.
(If you run 441 between Gburg & Cherokee, the 7 mi. run at the top of mountain to Clingmans Dome is sure worth the view!)
Enjoy the ride!
Peace, Whiskey.

[Patrick]

I can't be of any help with the route, but, I would recommend the Wheels thru Time museum in Maggie Valley. Dale has done a great job with this place and its a neat little town.  We also like Lexington Va, the home of VMI. Its a nice town. If you're planning on traveling all the way north on Skyline Dr, then I'd also recommend Gettysburg Pa.

[dano1946]

Thanks.   I'd like to go south of Nashville toward Chattanooga so I could do the Cherohala Skyway.  Any suggestions on good west to east roads in southern TN?  Also, any suggestions on good return routes through W. VA. and KY?

Thanks.

[dragon_slayer_129]

If you are going to hit the skyway you might as well roll through the "dragon" as well.  If you take 129 from maryville you'll run right through the tail of the dragon on your way to 143 to hit the skyway.....all great roads in that area.   If you are hitting the skyway from the south then you still could potentially hit the dragon if you go through venore on 360 then to 411 I believe to 72.....it will take you back to 129 north of the dragon.  It'a a good loop (there are directions for the loop on www.tailofthedragon.com website).  After you run the dragon (both ways) you could take the foothills parkway (great road off 129 back to 321) back across to townsend then across the smoky mountain park (good ride if traffic is decent) and hit 441 towards cherokee right about at clingmans dome....all things mentioned to see.

I think the best part of the parkway is probably the lower 50-75 miles outside asheville than it becomes less scenic. That's my opionion anyway.....take it for whats it's worth.....not even $.02

Wheels through time is a great place to visit if you have several hours to spare.....I've been there 4 times and it still takes me a long time to just look around.  See something you like ask Dale or his son to fire it up and they normally will.

Little slideshow I out together from my visit to wheels through time back in 2011

Wheels Through Time 2011

Sorry if I didn't explain the directions very well as it's been a few years since I've been to the smoky mountain area.......normally don't even take a map with us as we have been to the area so many times

Dragon Slayer 129

[Mr Whiskey]

Thanks.   I'd like to go south of Nashville toward Chattanooga so I could do the Cherohala Skyway.  Any suggestions on good west to east roads in southern TN?  Also, any suggestions on good return routes through W. VA. and KY?

Thanks.

In that case.........................
70 outta Nashville to Crossville. 68 outta Crossville through Grandview, Watts Bar, Sweetwater, & Madisonville to Tellico. 165 is Cherohala outta Tellico, (Side trip a few miles for Bald River Falls! Watch for signs on R not long after you start up mountain. Well worth the detour! Falls are right at bridge, don't even hafta get outta the saddle).
Cherohala becomes 143 at Nc. line.
L on 129 when Cherohala ends. (It's a great ride along Santeetlah Lake to Deals Gap!)
Run Dragon, both ways, trust me! When you get to the lake at the bottom, turn around & go back.
When you get back to Deals Gap, 28 through Fontana all the way to 19 where it t's off. L on 19 will take you right to 441 into Cherokee from the south. BRP is on the north end of Cherokee up 441.
Peace, Whiskey.

[BobB]

It looks like you have good advice on routes.  I visited the area last year, the week after Inzane 12.
Stayed near the Tusteegee Motel on NC-28, NE of Robbinsville.
Have to provide a strong second to the Wheels Through Time Museum, it is amazing to see 100 year old iron and then to see and hear them running.  Getting to Maggie Valley is also a great ride.

[dano1946]

thanks all.  any good routes back across W.VA., KY?