There’s fire in the mountains October 2-5, 2008, as motorcycles rumble into Fontana Village for the Smoky Mountain Bike Week.  Bikers arrive from near and far for this big party held each year in North Carolina over the first weekend of October.

Of course it’s not just the great food, live music, and vendors that call to riders.  It’s the need to ride some of the most exciting roads in the country. 

Slay the Dragon’s 318 curves in 11 miles on US-129. Cruise the incredible Hellbender 28, running for 30 miles along Fontana Lake and the foothills of the Smoky Mountains.  Run the mile high Cherohala Skyway for sweeping curves and breathtaking views. 

After a great day of riding, head back to Fontana Village to share stories and enjoy the festivities of this premiere motorcycle rally in the Great Smoky Mountains. 

For more information visit Smoky Mountain Bike Week.  If you need a great place to stay close to all the fun, be sure to check out this Deals Gap Home!

So, you are making your first of what is sure to become many trips to the Dragon. You are probably excited and perhaps a little bit nervous. That is understandable – 318 curves in 11 miles! Ask any “Dragon Slayer” and they will tell you that there is nothing like the first time. 

There is also no reason any average rider cannot enjoy a memorable ride through the mountains and avoid any addition to the tree of shame. Just follow these 10 basic tips… 

Before you hit the road….. 

Tip #1 – The Dragon is not for first time riders. Unless you have at least 2,500-4,500 miles on your bike you might want to enjoy some of the other local roads this visit (and there are plenty of them). 

Tip #2 - Make sure your bike is ready. Make sure your tires are inflated to specs and you have a full tank of gas. Before heading up here, whether you are riding the Dragon or not, have your bike serviced. If any tires or brakes are “getting close” now is the time to change them.

Tip #3 – Make sure you are ready. People are on the Dragon at all hours of the day (including cars). Try to plan your day accordingly. If you can help it, make sure you are fresh and ready to ride. If you have been riding all day to get there, take a break, then tackle the Dragon. The Dragon will require you to have all your senses and attention.

Tip #4 – Put on the Armor! Even your best Dragon Slayers have the right gear. Boots, Jeans, Helmet, and Gloves are usually the minimum. Many rocket riders have full racing gear. I don’t care what kind of bike you ride, the pavement doesn’t know the difference or care if you have a $3,000 import or a $75,000 racing bike – it hurts either way!

Riding the Dragon…..

Tip #5 – Go your own pace. Some people ride fast, some ride at a slower speed. Stick to your own comfort zone. Don’t push yourself to keep up with friends or other riders. You will all end up in the same spot –better with great stories than road rash because you were riding outside your abilities.

Tip #6 -Turn your head. Ok, you probably remember your original bike instructor telling you this when you got your motorcycle license but it is certainly true around here. Your bike goes where you look. You don’t have the time to site see on the Dragon and you don’t have the luxury (unless you are on the back) to stare at your current spot in a corner. Turn your head and look where you want to go. Sometimes you may be looking well over your right or left shoulder – that is when you will know you are doing it right.

Tip #7 – Slow down BEFORE the corner. Hey, more basic stuff, but you won’t have a lot of time to slow down in a corner (remember, if you apply breaks your bike goes upright – kind of hard to keep turning huh?). Slow down into the corner and accelerate out.

TIP #8 – Stay on Your Own Side.  For God’s sake, stay on your own side of the yellow line (and watch for others that don’t!)

TIP #9 – Practice Safe Passing.  While no passing is safe passing, at some point someone will want to pass you. This is not a reflection on you and we are all out there for different experiences. Bottom line – let them pass! Accidents happen because someone thinks they own the road or are “going fast enough” and won’t let someone by. Even the best Dragon Slayers will let a bike pass. The best way to let someone pass is to, after a corner, move over to the right side of a lane and slow down. Waive them by. I don’t recommend pulling off the road. Other than the “lookout” or the “store” most of the pullouts are gravel and can create more headache than they are worth.

If you want to pass someone make sure they see you. I like to wait for the wave (see above). Never, never, never pass on the right or go between bikes. I know this seems like obvious stuff but I never said there were not stupid people on the Dragon as well.

Tip #10- Lastly, say “Cheese.” There are plenty of people shooting photos on the gap. You can log on to their websites and purchase a photo of yourself slaying the Dragon. You will see them on the side of the road when you come around a corner. The best photos are usually the ones where you look at the road, not the photographer – but you decide. 

That’s it. Follow the 10 tips above and you will not only have a great experience, you will also join a long list of people that are hooked on not only some of the best riding around but also the ability to show a slight smile when someone asks if you have ever ridden the Dragon at Deals Gap.  

Sure, motorcycles and sports car clubs may get a lot of attention in these parts, especially at The Dragon on US 129,  but 4×4’s certainly have a lot to choose from.

Look at any local map and you will find plenty of roads that send shivers up the spine of a motorcyclist or someone that has to wax their car every other week. These roads – typically a “dotted” line on the map – were meant for you! 

Top of the list are the trails located at the Upper Tellico ORV Area.  These great off road trails are part of the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina near the Tennessee border. The cost to access is only $10.00 for a one-day pass available at a self-service pay station located at the two entrances (or exits depending on where you enter and leave)! 

With something for every skill level this off-road paradise is frequented by Four Wheel Drive Clubs from all over.  In fact members of the Southern 4WD Association help maintain the public trails.

Unless you are sporting a GPS with trail maps, you are going to need to obtain a map through the Tusquitee Ranger District at 123 Woodland Drive in Murphy, NC (Phone 828-837-5152).   You can also download in PDF from the Forest Service. While there is a map for viewing at the entrance, they are not available to take with you. 

It is also a good idea to pay attention to the difficulty ratings. Don’t confuse the trail numbers (ranging from 1 through 12) with the ratings or you could end up down a road that you or your vehicle is not ready for. 

With that said, there are plenty of trails for the newbie. Trail #1 or Tipton Creek Trail is rated easy and really nothing more than a gravel road that cuts through the Unicoi mountains and connects both entrances. Four-wheel drive is actually not needed for this road but unless you want to fling rocks at your wheels, we recommend a pick-up or SUV at a minimum. 

Step it up with Trails #4 or #5. On our first visit we ran into someone at the entrance that knew the area well and pointed us in the right direction but you will find plenty of well-marked trails along the way. We took #1 to trail #5. Going up (and down) trail #5 was a great taste of going off road.  You have the option to turn around when you hit trail #4 and come back down the hill. No question – you will need 4WD and above average clearance. We opt for the Jeep Wrangler and leave the motorcycles at home for the ORV area.

Looking for more 4×4 information? Check out the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association for great local trail information and organized events. 

Getting There…..

The Northwest Entrance is probably the easiest entrance site to locate.  From Tellico Plains, TN take Highway 165, also known as the Cherohala Skyway.  From Hwy165 turn onto Forest Service Road #210 and follow until the pavement runs out to reach Upper Tellico ORV Area. This route also gives you an opportunity to visit Bald River Falls on your way there. If you are on street bikes #210 is a nice paved two lane road to travel along the Tellico River but you will probably want to turn around when it turns to gravel at the ORV area.  

When you are done playing around the ORV area you can head back on #210 or elect to take Trail #1 to the Southwest Entrance and head towards Murphy, NC.  You are on gravel for about 8.5 miles and then hit pavement around Davis Creek Road.  Turn left at Hanging Dog Road, left at Joe Brown Highway, and follow the signs into Murphy, NC (about a 20 mile drive into town).  

A Depression era project, the Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia (Milepost 0) with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina (Milepost 469).   Boasting over 200 scenic overlooks you could conceivably stop an average of every 2.5 miles along the 469 mile route! 

You will find North/South directional signs at each entrance to the Parkway along with mile markers.  When traveling North the numbers will go down and when traveling South they will go up. 

Travel is slow along the Parkway, especially in the busy summer and fall months.  Generally the speed limit is 45 miles per hour with a few areas posted at 35 miles per area. Gas is found by exiting the Parkway and following state highways into local towns.

Many visitors plan their travel times around nature’s flower and foliage displays.  The azaleas and rhododendrons put on a show of pink, red, and white blooms from Mid May to June.

The much anticipated fall foliage colors start around the middle of October.  Keep in mind that the weather and large altitude variations (650 to 6,000 feet) will play a major role in where and when the colors peak. 

For similar incredible sites you might also want to travel the nearby Cherohala Skyway. 

Getting There… 

From Robbinsville, NC (approx. 42 miles)

• Head East on NC-143
• Turn Right onto NC-28
• Turn left onto US-74
• Take Exit 69 toward Ela
• Turn right at US-19
• Follow US-19 to Cherokee
• Turn left at US-441
• Follow US-441 about 2.8 miles
• Take slight right at Blue Ridge Parkway Entrance 

From the Dragon at Deals Gap (approx. 53 miles)

• From the US-129 and NC-28 Intersection (The Store)
• Head East onto NC-28 (this is a right turn if heading North on US-129 and a left turn if heading South on US-129)
• Follow Balance of Instructions From Robbinsville, NC (Turn Left at US-74, etc)