The Ride of a Lifetime - Part 3

LAM Associate Bob Hart winds up his Southern adventure

Day 10 – A day off the bikes. More sightseeing, at the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman theatre famous for the “Grand Ole Opry” plus more beer at Roberts Bar and Tootsies on The Broadway.

Day 11 – Nashville to Monticello 150 miles on I53 and various A & B roads

A lovely ride on perfect Roads through rolling hilly countryside, lunch at Doris‘s diner, then a ride to Cumberland Lake for ice cream followed by dinner at Black stallion steakhouse. Monticello is famous as the primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson, a Founding Father and the third president of the United States.

Day 12 –Monticello to Pigeon Forge 152 miles on various twisty A & B roads

Rode through some very quaint villages then round the very twisty ‘Devils Triangle’ one of the best motorbike rides in America. Arrived at the mountain town home of country singer Dolly Parton. Finished the day at the Dolly Parton Stampede, a cowboy show with horses, bison, pig and chicken racing, a great fun night, followed by drinks in the funky Buddha bar watching the Coronation of King Charles III on TV.

Day 13 – Pigeon Forge to Little Switzerland 120 miles on Highway 226A via the Blue Ridge Parkway

Julian got a puncture which was repaired at the roadside, then had a lovely ride along through the valley along the Blue Ridge Parkway (a twisty Mountain Road) to an excellent hotel and evening dinner

The Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles in the Appalachian Mountains has a 45 mph speed limit and gentle curves that make this ride ideal anyone who wants to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and innumerable curves that make the ride interesting, the roadway is well-kept, with no traffic lights or stop signs

 Blue Ridge Parkway

Day 14 – A day off the bikes in Little Switzerland

Day spent walking in the woods plus a short 20 mile ride to the Emerald Mine.

Day – 15 Ride to Blowing Rock on the Blue Ridge Parkway north 180 miles - A lovely, lovely ride.

Day 16 - Little Switzerland to Stecoah 150 miles riding the blue Ridge Parkway South on I70

Day – 17 Stecoah Ride over the Cherohala Skyway and back 150 miles in the intermittent rain.

Day – 18 Stecoah Ride to Deals Gap 80 miles, situated by the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest on US 129 to ride the Tail of the Dragon

The imposing-sounding Tail of the Dragon is the most famous (or infamous) motorcycle route in the USA. It is 11 miles long and has 318 curves. The road is well maintained with steep drop-offs and hairpin bends. The ride is challenging, yet thrilling, and takes you through the mountains facing switchbacks and elevation changes. "This ride is one to add to your bucket list for sure." Rode back via Robbinsville and views over Lake Fontana.

Rode the Tail of the Dragon (318 curves over 11 miles)

Day 19 Stecoah to Lake chatuge 75 miles along the Moonshine H28

Stayed at the Ridges Resort at lovely lakeside property. Rode along the highway 28 via the Moonshine ride following a gravel road beside a river. A nice expensive dinner in the oak restaurant, watching local belly dancers.

Day 20 - Lake Chatuge to Chattanooga 100 miles a lovely ride following a white water river

Day 21 – Chattanooga to Atlanta 70 miles down Highway 71

A very windy and scary ride with trucks passing at 75mph 1m away. Dropped the bikes off at Eagle Rider, then caught a taxi to the airport for the flight home.

In summary we rode 2200 miles in total, average daily ride was 130 miles, longest was 190 miles, shortest was 75 miles. The routes we took were
New Orleans to Natzchez on Highway 61 via Baton Rouge
Natchez to Vicksburg on Highway 61, riding the Natchez Trace Parkway
Vicksburg to Clarksdale on Highway 61 via tornado struck Rolling Fork
Clarksdale to Memphis on Highway 61
Memphis to Land Between The Lakes on Highway 51
Land Between The Lakes to Nashville on Highway 104
Nashville to Montecello via local roads
Montecello to Pigeon Forge on Highway 75
Pigeon Forge to Stecoah motorcycle lodge on local roads
Various rides from Ironhorse motorcycle lodge on the ‘Blue Ridge Parkway’ through the Blue Ridge Montains and the Great Smoky Mountains
Stecoah to Chattannooga on Highway 74
Chattannooga to Atlanta on Highway 75

A wonderful adventure and experience