Western NC Rides?

[seevtsaab]

Heading with the group to Franklin NC at the end of June for a week of riding. We'll pluck a few rides from MADD maps.
Any recommended roads we might other wise miss? We're probably good for 200-300 mi of back roads daily. 
I checked out NC regional forum, and it's very quiet.
Journeyman's post caught my eye (I think I remember seeing it) - but the pics are gone
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=37859.msg0#new

[Slide Panda]

Follow Jms route numbers - they will lead you right. He's down there so knows the way.

Of course, you're right in striking distance if 120, the Tail of the Dragon if you want - but there's a lot of great, less travelled roads out there was well. Basically if you plonk around the Smokies, you'll do well.

[Steve.In.Atlanta]

See if this link comes up for you, http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=
200542169365824350960.0004c229c2c43615b1a3a

This is a good ride. My in-law's have a mountain house up in Franklin, maybe we can meet up for a day of riding.

[the_Journeyman]

Out in the Franklin area you're pretty surrounded by good riding.  Taking NC28 southbound from Franklin/Highlands down into SC and picking up 107 in Walhalla coming back into Cashiers is a nice little loop.  You can use US64 back west into Franklin or take it East and pick NC215 to the Blue Ridge Parkway or further North into Haywood county and make a loop with some other roads. 

US64 gets really slow & crowded between Franklin and Highlands, a popular alternative for that leg of any ride is taking Buck Creek from the base of the gorge and it puts you just on the east side of Highlands.

If you want to ride 129, Taking NC28 from Franklin to Bryson city is a great way to start that day, then just follow NC28 to it.  Make a few passes, and if you want to make it good day, grab the Foothills Parkway from NC28 along the lake.  This puts you in Townsend when it terminates.  Take Wears Valley Rd for a look at nice scenery to Pigeon Forge, and from Pigeon Forge (heavy traffic for a few miles) head to Sevierville and pick up 411 over to Newport.  Take US25/70 to Hot Springs, NC and then pick up NC209 south in Hot Springs.  NC209 has some really nice sections through there. It is partially in the park, so keep that in mind.  NC209 brings you right into Waynesville and you can use US23/74 for a quick slab back to Franklin or if you want more 2-lane, then take US23/74 to Sylva and pick up NC107 past WCU and to Cashiers and us US64 to get back to Franklin.

Hope that helps!  I'd offer to help with a ride but I'll be in the Caribbean that week.  PM or keep posting here with questions and I'll be glad to help. I live about 40 miles from Franklin, so I'll all over the area.

I don't know where my pictures went. 

[the_Journeyman]

Also, if you're looking at maps and need a way to connect US19 (Nantahala Gorge area) to US64 Wayah Rd is a very nice ride.  Not sure of current condition though. 

Cherohala on your list?  You can also us US19 to get to Murphy and pick up NC264 on the west side (almost in TN when you turn) and take it north.  You can take a quick sight-seeing side trip past "The Dam Store" and to Hawassee Dam, ride across it, stop at the visitors center and backtrack to 264.  Back on 264 you will a place called "Field of the Wood" and see the world's largest ten commandments if you'd like.  Keep following 264 into TN (it becomes TN123) and soon you will hit TN68.  You can take 68 north to Tellico Plains.  Tellico Plains is where the TN side of the Cherohala Skyway starts.  Look for TN165 which is the Skyway.  It'll bring you back to NC, the Skyway becomes NC143.  Once you cross the Skyway, you will eventually hit US129.  You're between Robinsville, NC (south) and the Dragon (north).  You can either go north and use NC28 all the way back to Franklin or go south, follow 143 when it turns off in Robinsville and it will put you on NC28 a lot closer to Bryson city than the north route does.  The north route lets you hit the best parts if NC28. the south route is less interesting from a twisty standpoint.

JM

[seevtsaab]

Awesome, thanks for the advice.

JM, SP I'll have to digest with a map in front of me.

Steve your link didn't come up. I'll send a PM with contact info, would be great to connect even if for dinner.

We're not desperate to do the dragon but it might be hard not too. Just riding roads that are not pot-holed and frost-heaved will be
a pleasure.

JM enjoy the Caribbean. Spent a week in Jamaica this March, wow.

[Steve.In.Atlanta]

Heading with the group to Franklin NC at the end of June for a week of riding. We'll pluck a few rides from MADD maps.
Any recommended roads we might other wise miss? We're probably good for 200-300 mi of back roads daily. 
I checked out NC regional forum, and it's very quiet.
Journeyman's post caught my eye (I think I remember seeing it) - but the pics are gone
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=37859.msg0#new

What are the dates you'll be in NC? My buddy just got a new monster and we're heading to Franklin Saturday the 22nd for the night. A beer may be in order.

[seevtsaab]

Ah Steve, I'm a loser, I forgot all about you. we arrived in Franklin June 29. I really didn't have a lot of time for doodling online.

I'll post some further updates, but here's a few items:

3170 miles. Lots of Slab down and back. The littlest Ducati acquitted itself very well. I added about a half quart of oil. I was afraid
of how that would go, I was thrilled. I still get shit about any smoke visible coming from my bike, it's funny.

Journeyman was spot on for routes. I missed the Cherohala. Rt 28 Franklin to Deals Gap is awesome. Rt 215, 276, awesome. Traffic on
64 Franklin to Highlands, not so much. Never used the recommended Buck Creek, kept thinking we'd get lucky.  Nice road though! You guys that ride those roads, you suck!

PR3's - can't say enough good about them. They saw A LOT of work in the rain. No give up on dry. Gravel, well, there's that.

BRP - to avoid traffic: weekdays, pouring rain, low 50's, heavy fog, wind. Had it to ourselves.

Airhawk seat pad - my ass never bothered me. Once. Did a 550 mile day. Amazing.

[Steve.In.Atlanta]

I guess you'll have to come back in the fall. Cherohala is a great right and really needs to be done.

[the_Journeyman]

Sounds like a great ride!  Glad you enjoyed it!

JM

[LA]

Stay out of the South East. Roads are terrible and you wouldn't be able to abide the ignorance. 

And it rains a lot.