My Solo Trip to the Smoky Mountains | Cherohala Skyway + Tail of the Dragon & BBQ!
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- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
- During my solo motorcycle ride across the country, I spent a few days riding the Smoky Mountains, home to some of the best motorcycling roads in the country. On day one, I rode the Cherohala Skyway, Tail of the Dragon, and then ended my ride in Maryville at the Shed Smokehouse and Juke Joint.
Check out the blog to see what other roads you need to ride in the Smokies! ridetofood.com/best-motorcycl...
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ABOUT ME:
Howdy, Y’all! My name’s Staci. I’ve been riding motorcycles for ten years and predominantly travel solo on my adventures. I’ve ridden over 150,000 miles throughout the United States and Mexico on my 2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster chopper and a 2015 Harley-Davidson Dyna LowRider.
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Smoky Mountain H-D is perhaps my favorite dealership I’ve visited in the Country so far. Not just a well set up operation, but they went out of their way to help a couple on our trip that wrecked. They made it easy for us to get the bike in, get the insurance handled, and settle the claim. I love them. The Shed is always a good time too.
Bummer about your friends but glad they were okay and everything got taken care of! Smoky is definitely a gem of a dealership
I'm going to check out The Shed the next time I'm up there. I love learning about new places through your videos! On the Tellico Plains side of the Cherohala Skyway there is a bar/restaurant called the Iron Works Grille, which is right across from Cherohala Harley Davidson, that has good food, nice ambience and scenery. I always try to stop there at least once when I'm in the area.
Just came back from the smokies last week. It was glorious On a gold wing😁
I really enjoyed this video. Great production, great editing. Looking forward to riding the Cherohala soon.
Love it down there. Cant wait to get back. Great vid!
If you have time, you need to ride the Devil’s Triangle that’s west of Knoxville, near Oak Ridge! It’s a fabulous ride! Not as crowded as the Dragon. By the way, it Tell-i-co Plains. (a little East Tenn pronunciation, Lol..,). This is a great ride and review! The Skyway is beautiful. We trout fished and rode over there long before it was ever finished. Have a safe trip! Thanks for the video.
hahahha! I knew I probably said something wrong. Devils triangle is on my list for my next ride out there! :)
Ride to Food ..... haha.... no problem. Like Texas, we have some names that we don’t pronounce like they look!... And actually ..., it’s Tell-ah-co...... lol.... your video was great! Really enjoyed it! The Devil’s Triangle is another great loop. Maybe closer to 30 miles or so. You’ll enjoy it for sure! Ride safe!
Another great video thanks for sharing
Highway 34 in oregon is fantastic. The road to Bald Peak taught me how to ride.
i'll have to look that one up!
Great episode. 🤘⚡️🤘
I'm eager to ride the dragon. I'm still somewhat of a noob but do have 11k miles on my bike since December including two 3000+ mile trips (Daytona/ Keys and Sturgis). While in Sturgis this July we rode Iron Mountain road which is 17 miles with 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, 3 pig tails and 3 one way tunnels! It was a blast...so much fun at the end we turned around and rode it in the other direction! That evening at dinner we were talking and realized that the dragon was 6 miles shorter with almost same amount of curves but no switchbacks or real elevation change...when I heard that I said BRING IT ON! Hoping to do this trip in Spring / Summer 2021.
Iron Mountain Road is one of my favorite roads in the country! Love the pig tails and tunnels! It's far more scenic that the tail of the dragon, too. Everyone needs to ride the dragon at least once. Enjoy! :)
@@ridetofood Yes, I LOVED Iron Mountain and we are already planning a Sturgis trip for next year so I'm sure we will do it again. Hubby had done it last year with a friend and he said the same thing...you can never get enough of that road. The pig tails intimidated me when I saw them in the pics...but once I rode the first one we stopped for a pic and he asked how I liked it and I said "that was all there is to it?" ha ha ha.
Nice video showing the rides. Food looks awesome. Thanks for the video
Your videos are so great!!! This is my neck of the woods where I grew up. Keep it up!
Ahhhhh Lordy lordy this video makes me happy! Good riding, fantastic food, and cold drinks! Riding in the Smokies!=) Living close enough to the Parkway is totally a blessing for me. I'm like you in that I like taking my time and stopping quite often to see and take in all the lovely views! Loved this video!=)
Ohhhh living close to these roads would be such a treat! Thanks for watching :)
Agree about the Dragon... Fun but over-hyped. Pick just about any road that crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC and ride it.NC 80, 151 & 215 are some of my favorites. US 276 is also a good one! Stop by Kickstand Lodge in Stecoah, NC (right on NC 28) for a great place to camp. :)
Yes! I was supposed to go there on this trip, but a friend offered me their spare bed and I couldn't say no. haha! Great rec, tho!
I've done those rides. That is amazing Motorcycling country! Maryville has a great dealership. Stayed in Maggie Valley for home base for a week, visited Wheels Through Time there and rode the southern half of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Love your channel!
yesssss! smoky mountain HD and their staff are so awesome! WTT is a must stop in maggie valley. bummed to hear of dale's passing a few days ago. blue ridge parkway is absolutely outstanding. thanks for watching!!! working on the next one right now :)
Sorry to hear of Dales passing tooo!
Great Museum! First time visiting channel, I’m a new subscriber now! Thanks!
Did the Dragon and all those wonderful roads twice in Summer of 2020😷😷. Great riding from Savannah,Ga to Those beautiful mountains! Thanks for the memories!
Now that looks like a great day. Thx for sharing.
David Peterson beautiful day, with great riding! Thanks for watching :)
Wow food and and motorcycles, this channel is awesome!
These are a few of my favorite things 😎
Totally enjoyed your video and I'm so happy that you mentioned there are many more great roads to ride in the Smoky's besides the Tail of the Dragon. You've got to do the Dragon just to say you did but don't forget about the other awesome scenic challenging roads and don't forget the waterfalls. ❤✌
yessss. gotta chase those waterfalls!!! thanks for watching :)
So excited to ride out there next month!!! 🖤🖤
It's beautiful out there! You're going to looove it!!!!
I must thank you for these videos. I knocked them all out in two days at work since we have nothing at all going on. Definly helped pass the time. Excited for the next ones.
Thanks, Eric! Glad you enjoyed them. Should have the next one up sunday or monday. :)
I have rode the Cherohala Skyway and Dragons tail many times to the Foothills Parkway into Pigeon Forge! I absolutely love it every time! I usually come back over New Found Gap into Cherokee to the Casino and then on through Natahala Gorge to Murphy and River Valley Casino,then back to home sweet home in Ellijay Georgia! Love these mountains I live in!😎🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🏴☠️🏴☠️
Very cool. I have a north GA video coming out in a few weeks you’ll love, then! :)
Seen "Tail of the Dragon" thru a lot of posted videos and I have to say, yours give a different twist to it. As well as the Food aspect is a big thumbs up from me, "This is on my bucket list". ty
looks like ya back in the cold & damp again.. l did 120 mile round trip yesterday in 15c temps
great ride but cold..lolll great vid..& some awrsom camera work...
cheers from Down Under & Keep Ya Knee's in Da Breeezzzeeeeee......
Very good video and views of the SMs.. I'm going to check out your other videos too.
Wow that place looks like a lot of fun and get u into trouble definitely need to go there
Thanks for the ride
Thanks for watching!
Went there in Oct. Stayed 3 nights in Cherokee rode blue Ridge Pkwy over to Maggie's valley. Next day rode to robbinsville 129 tail of the dragon. Rode back moonshiner 28 . that
28 is one of my favorite rides. Love riding US 19 anywhere around there
The 28 is a beaut!
Hey! New to the channel...just found ya by accident! I'm new to the state of NC and was able to hit those places last year! Great Roads, Great Scenery, Great Story, and Great Editing! Look forward to seeing more from ya!
nice! that's a beautiful area. New video drops tomorrow (Wednesday 2/24) at 6pm MST! ...so 8 for you I think? Hope you enjoy it! :)
I just did this ride last week. Stayed at the tapoco lodge for 2 nights. Hit up Smoky Mt Harley and had a few beers. Awesome experience. Can't wait to do it again!
Jealous!!! Such a good ride! :)
great vid 👍👍😎
thanks for watching! :)
Great Video! I agree DRAGON is over hyped! I found so many awesome roads around that area that are incredible!
Agreeeed! can't wait to get back out there
Scott and his team are a great bunch of guys. Spent the weekend with them when we did the Blackberry Smoke show and got to ride one of his personal bikes
So rad! I agree, they're all awesome people.
Excellent vid...thanks for sharing
thanks for watching! :)
Love the name RIDE to FOOD, I'll be watching more.
You're in luck. I'm exporting the next video right now! New video will be up this week! :) Thanks for watching!
Real nice job on this video, love all these roads.
Thanks! The smokies are beautiful!!!
@@ridetofood Check my channel, lot's of videos, not as good as yours but I'm learning. LOL
Staci, I really enjoy your videos. Several years ago I rode down the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's was a beautiful ride. I stopped at Grandfather's Mountain. That's a must see. I rode on down and stayed at a cheap motel in Maggie Valley for several days. While I was there I rode the Dragon and went to the Wheels Through Time Museum. I spent a day just riding around checking out water falls. Somehow I ended up in South Carolina. That was my most memorable trip. Maybe someday I'll make it down there again. I'm 68 now so I guess I better make it soon before time catches up to me.
Keep riding, keep the videos coming and stay safe.
That's such a great area! Glad you got to experience that. Thanks for the kind words :)
Staci, Another excellent video. I look forward to these uploads. I think Tail of The Dragon would be fun in a lowered muscle car or a sports car that really hugs the road.
I bet it is! there's so many sports cars on that road as well as sport bikes. Looks super fun
found your channel via another channel and 1st video of yours i saw was this one, i almost moved to Marysville , Tenn. i was a low level manager at Low Country HD and felt i had gone as far as i was going to in Charleston, and started looking for places to advance my career, and Smokey Mountain was one of the Finalists so much so i was looking as homes there........long story short i ended up at a dealer in western mass, then Rhode Island then i retired. Well looking forward to seeing more of your video's, Enjoyed this one
nice! the smokies are a beautiful area. hopefully you've gotten to enjoy the riding since you've retired. Thanks for watching! :)
Awesome video girl
Thanks, Jeff! :)
Great video she right there are so many roads here in western n.c I live here dragon is one of many
soooo many beautiful roads!
I road the NC side and it was awesome. I am from Ontario Canada so it was an awesome trip for me. Take Care
I ended up at the tail of the dragon on the weekend and there where people racing up and down timing themselfs. I did not really enjoy that
Yeah, unfortunately that has become a "thing" there.
I try to take at least one riding trip down there every year. I don't always hit the Dragon though, I prefer roads like the Cherohala honestly, or VA 16 north out of Marion.
I think the blue ridge parkway is my favorite in the area so far!
I will ride this area one day! Great vid
It's a beautiful area to ride! Wish these vids did it it even more justice
I agree with ya Stacey. The dragon is fun but there are sooo many better roads to ride out there!
Awesome content, I just started a vlog channel, I will be in TN and NC this coming September to improve my videos. Keep up the great rides! Get after it.
Enjoy the ride! 🤙
I dont care for tail of the dragon . I much prefer the skyway. Sweeping turns, great views/overlooks. And the elevation change makes for a welcome temp drop in summer.
Agreeeed! I wish it wouldnt have been covered in fresh grass clippings when I rode it, but nonetheless it was a beautiful ride!
First time coming across your videos love the paint scheme on your bike, I’ve been to the tapoco lounge (great pizza) we rented a little cabin there Because our ride got rained out halfway, great content by the way
Nice! Thanks for the kind words. Taylor Schultz (SchultzDesignz) did the paint job!
I love your videos, you have a new follower
Thanks for watching! Hopefully will have the next one up in a week! :)
We have some great ADV roads in the East TN area in case you get back this way and want to get off the tarmac and see the back woods areas.
It’s on the to do list! Hopefully one day sooner rather than later!
I love riding the blueridge parkway. U can also take that up to Skyline drive in Virginia
Hope to do that whole ride one day 🤘
I’ve been watch your videos for a while now some awesome adventures!!! You need to come ride the north east!! Maine New Hampshire and Vermont are beautiful!!!!
This has been a huge request! It’s been on the bucket list for a while. One day!
@@ridetofood when ever your ready reach out
The roads in NC are so sick longest road trip I've done so far was MA to tail of the dragon last fall. Also got to do the Cherohala skyway it was rad!
Did you get to ride out there late enough for the leaves to be changing? I hear their fall foliage is amazing!
Man I haven’t been there since I was about 8 years old. Really need to revisit. 🤙🏽
yes you do! you'd love it out there. same humidity as houston but at least the scenery is a bit nicer. hahaha
Ride to Food haha right. It’s absolutely beautiful out there.
You need to ride the Back of the Dragon in Marion Va.
That ones been on the list for a while! One day! 🙌
Nice bike
Thanks, Ivan! :)
mantap, keren! ditunggu video selanjutnya ya! :D
Saludos hermosa muy buen video me ancantas
Thank you!
the shed at smoky mtn HD is awesome. Did you get to meet Rusty Bagger 24? he's an influencer and works there!!) those roads are EPIC !
he had just broken his leg when I was there. I think he had come in for like, 3 hours the day I visited but I was still out riding! we chat on IG from time to time!
Your videos are stunning in their quality. Could you tell me what hand guards you are rocking, I need some.
Thank you! :) These were fabricated by a friend, and he doesn't make them anymore. Check out West Coast T-Bars or JD Fabs for some similar options!
@@ridetofood Thank you!!!
Awesome vid. But i wish i could hear those Harley sound.
This one is totally on my list. What kind of hand gaurds are your rocking? They look great.
SenditSteph they’re custom made by a friend, but! Jd customs (jdfabs) makes some that have bar end mounts. West coast t bars does as well
Ride to Food very nice! My fiancé has the west coast t bars and I’m thinking about going with them too.
@@SenditSteph they make great stuff. you can't go wrong with their handlebars or hand guards. my boyfriend runs their bars on all of his bikes. hahah
Now I’m hungry for BBQ and it’s only 9 in the morning. The Shed is my kind of place - I’ve got to get out there and ride some of those roads - it’s only a few hours away. I wonder where you’re based - you do a lot of traveling!
Technically, i'm based in Denver. I did a lot of traveling last year while COVID was shutting the world down in many places. did about 30 nights of motorcycle camping last year!
@@ridetofood I’d say you killed it. Let’s hope this year is better!
Just found your channel great content. The 360 camera takes away for some of the Beautiful scenery just an opinion. But still going to watch.
Thanks!! From someone who films completely solo it just helps keep the angles different without having to have multiple cameras rolling at once. Less work in my end but yeah, the ultra wide angle does distort it a tad more than I’d like as well! Thanks for watching!
@@ridetofood thanks for your response.
Hey Staci! If you make this ride in 2022 I would love to ride with you. I’m based in Atl.💯🤙🏾✌🏾🖖🏾👊🏾
Thank you! Not sure I’ll be out that way this summer tho!!
Which region do you like most, the Smokies or the Ozarks? It seems the Ozarks are more laid back, more isolated, more real wilderness, with back roads Etc.
For riding I would say the Smokies. They’re a much larger, more complex mountain range! The Ozarks are much smaller but still offer great paved and off road routes. I think the surrounding areas are less touristy as well.
Both regions are special in their own ways depending on the specifics 😊
Does the shed have fried catfish?
Google will give you their website and probably their most up to date menu!
you also have a nice blog setup may i ask your provider?
Heathen OnWheels MotoVlog Wordpress!
@@ridetofood thank you
Aren't these mountains homeland of Cherokees?
Originally, yes. Cherokee, NC is the capital of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation
No blue ridge parkway?
It is in the Part Two video. This is part one :)
@@ridetofood yeah I figured it out eventually
Do you sell the cups? Edit as I ask I get my answer
Heathen OnWheels MotoVlog put it in the caption (I think!) they’ll be live in a few days. :)
Thanks you I got my answer Just as I was posting
I'm sorry, English is not my first language. I've watched this video many times andi cannot catch what the first road you took. Can you send me the name?
Cherohala Skyway :)
Does anyone know what map she is using at 8:04 ??
Prolly the smoky mountain hd one
Fantastic video! I've yet to ride the Tail, as most of my motorcycling is in south Texas. I'm giving you a link to a video I made of riding the first leg of the 3 Twisted Sisters: ua-cam.com/video/g6CZr2aTZRM/v-deo.html The entire loop of the 3 Sisters is 200 miles from Bandera, TX back to Bandera. I've ridden the full circuit one time. I think the first leg, shown in my video, is the coolest of the 3. Right now with road construction you can't even ride the first leg from Bandera to Leakey (pronounced Lakey.. lol!). If you ever get down to the Texas Hill Country and the San Antonio area you should give that ride a try. I think you'll like it!
I’m from Texas originally. I’ve ridden these roads a few times! They’re great 🤙
@@ridetofood Cool!! Well have you ever been to Alaska yet? I'll be moving up there at the end of this summer. I hope to do some more vlogging videos from up there. Are you going to be in Ft. Worth at the end of May.
@@thelonemoose4718 Not yet, waiting to see if the Canadians will let me into their country (never been) before I plan out a ride to the last frontier! It's a dream ride of mine, that's for sure.
@@ridetofood I'll be testing out entry into Canada in early August when I make my drive up from the Hill Country area. I'll let you know how the process is once I make that trip. Hopefully by August everything will be a bit more loose IF COVID in fact does wind down and the vast majority of the population gets vaccinated. If you ever make it up there after I'm moved, please let me know. I'll ride with ya and show you some of the areas I'm familiar with, find some micro-breweries, etc. Ride Safe!!
Oh my God you are gorgeous
You're so beautiful. Wow!!!
How did the Almighty create you?
thanks for watching!