Louisville Mojo: Chronicles of the Dragon

June 16, 2008: We left the cabin in Gatlinburg at 10:30 AM. We took Hwy 441/321 south out of Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge where it switches to 321 south at which time some asshat in a pickup pulls out in front of us….Sam handled it. From 321, we pickup the Foothills Parkway which looks kind of straight on the map but it has some very nice little twisties. There was some mowing being done; we got around the first mower just fine. Then a mini van had come to a stop behind the second mower. Sam brought us to a very smooth quick stop with in a foot or so from the back of the van. However, there happen to be a couple of bikes about 2 min behind us which didn't manage the quick stop so well. The one guy was apparently a newer rider, pretty much use only the rear brake locked it up and parked it in the ditch. Sam told me to get off, I did and ran back to help. He had just laid it over, neither he nor the bike was hurt but he was pretty shaken. The second bike ended up turning into the ditch next to the first but did not go down. While Sam helped with the bikes I walked to the where I could see on coming traffic so I could slow them down…there were a couple more bikes that came and a car. These two rolled then we were moving again too…there was a pull-off just a short ways up the rode at which the bikes stopped and we stopped to make sure they were ok. They were nice folks. We talked about our bikes and the Gap. Then we were off….we were less then a mile from 129!

We turned onto Hwy 129 aka Deals Gap aka Tail of the Dragon. There was the most beautiful lake to the right side of the rode but at first Sam thought…..”The lake beautiful but the rode is not much!” The rode along the lake was VERY straight for the most part except for some long sweeper. Again, Sam was thinking…”What is everyone talking about?” So he told me later in the hot tub… Once past the lake, we got into the twisties, what fun. Had our picture made by Moonshinephoto.com, Killboy.com and zeefoto.com, I waved at all three as we passed. See if you can find us! Then we got behind a pack of Harleys and followed then all the way to the Tail of the Dragon Resort. This did gave us a chance to see the sights and for Sam to get a feel for the road. At the resort, I use the term loosely, we took pics of the “Tree of Shame” & the famous Dragon sign, and all the bikes, got something to drink and did some shopping at the TailoftheDragon.com store. Of course I picked up a beautiful lime green t-shirt! Then back on the bike picking up Hwy 28 aka Hellbender 28. We stopped at Fontana Village Pit Stop for gas & a coke to have with our picnic lunch. From there we took a little side road that take you back to the Fontana Dam. We stopped at a picnic area to have lunch and a much needed break it's nearly 2 PM. There was a stunning view of the lake from this spot. After lunch we take in a view of the Dam, man that was something!

Then we picked up Hwy 28 again which is a very nice road over to Hwy 143. Of which the first 5 miles were being readied for paving NOT much fun for riding! We stopped at Robbinsville for gas the last chance for gas until the other end of the Cherohala Skyway and we all know how small the tank is on the Motard!!!! That was a nice little store; I got a 129 key ring & something to drink. We talked to a couple of guys that had just come across the Cherohala Skyway headed for the Gap. Then back on Hwy 143 to Hwy 165 aka the Cherohala Skyway we were going along just fine then we came upon a pack of Harley cruisers! Need I say more? At one point we pulled off becuz the last guy in the pack did not know how to ride the twisties at all! It was driving Sam crazy! However, we did catch back up with them, of course, and ended up following them where they turned off at Hwy 360 which loops back to 129. We rode on into Tellico Plains, TN at about 6:45 PM where we gassed up again, had a power bar, & a coke. While there Sam saw this…..and said, “Sue what's that?” I said, "What a blonde lady in a car?” She had her sun glasses on her head leaning forward…..Sam thought there was something very wrong with this person. I laugh until I cried.

The positive about following a pack of slow rolling cruisers is that it gives you time to enjoy the spectacular views of which there were many and to learn the road! But we rocked n' rolled the return trip!

Then we back tracked 165: stopped at Huckleberry 5,300 ft (the highest point) so we could walk around a min and we got to watch a baby bunny eat some grass. The ride back was a blast! Sam said, “That we came out of some of the curves at 90 mph.” Then we took hwy 143 to 129 to the Foothills Pwy to 321 back to Gatlinburg. We arrived back at the cabin at 10:00 PM, pealed of the leathers, open a couple of beers and went straight to the hot tub for an hour which we spent most of the time talking about the ride. Then we ended a prefect day the most perfect way with triple chocolate ice cream. 12 hours, 300 + miles, and chicken strips nearly gone what a day!

Sam thanks again for a wonderful time!

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