THE TAIL OF THE DRAGON & CHEROHALA SKYWAY: Two of the BEST roads in the USA
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- Опубліковано 20 жов 2021
- A spectacular journey from Tennessee to North Carolina in the USA on the Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway with a motorcycle.
Have you ever dreamt about being a dragon slayer? About conquering endless curves, just you and your vehicle? Here is where your dreams become reality. Ride with me from Tennesse to North Carolina at the southwest boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on two of America's most famous roads: The Tail of the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway.
Here is my itinerary for navigating through the Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway:
- From Townsend in Tennessee, take the so called Foothill Parkway. I was traveling the southern most 17 miles of Foothill Parkway, running from US 321 to US 129 at the Chilhowee Lake, where the Dragon would start.
- Stop at Chilhowee Lake. The lake provides part of the boundary between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee National Forest. This shallow 10-mile or 16 kilometer long water reservoir is more river-like, following a narrow, twisted route.
- Start your journey on the Tail of the Dragon: The Dragon (also known as The Tail of the Dragon) begins at Tabcat Creek Bridge in Tennessee and ends in North Carolina at the intersection of NC 28 and US 129. IT has 318 curves in 11 miles or 18 kilometers and is one of the most popular roads for motorcycle riders in the United States of America. The twisting road through the dense forest has several pull-offs to stop, watch the riders, and the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains.
- Make a rest or stay over night at Deals Gap. The famous Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort is also called the home of "The Dragon" and for sure the destination to stop for lunch or even a night if you try to tame the dragon with your motorcycle.
- Cross from Tennessee into North Caroline by following the curves of the dragon.
- At the end of the dragon continue on Highway 129 along Cheoh Lake all the way to Cheoh Dam.
- Turn off right at Joyce Kilmer Road. This road winds along beautiful Lake Santeetlah, which is one of most unspoiled lakes you'll find in the North Carolina mountains, and is often even called one of the most beautiful in the whole country.
- Hit Highway 143, the Cherohala Skyway. The Cherohala Skyway in Graham County is a 42-mile or 67 kilometer long winding National Scenic Byway and definitely one of the most scenic drives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The road crosses through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests - this is where the name comes from. “Chero-hala."
// A roadtrip that dreams are made of: join my journey through the United States of America. From Los Angeles in California on the westcoast to Miami in Florida on the eastcoast.
9,000 kilometers,
13 states,
28 days,
1 motorcycle
// NEW EPISODE OUT EVERY THURSDAY 19.30 CET
// Time of the journey: May-June 2021
// Welcome to the journey! I am Lea Rieck, a journalist and author and I want to take you with me on a motorcycle overlanding adventure to all the wild and beautiful places in the world!
// I circumnavigated the world solo from 2016-2017 and now I am going to all other places I have not seen yet. On the channel: my motorcycle trip around africa/ the first stage of the journey through westafrica, my motorcycle ride from Germany to North Cape "Expedition North" and the best places to do a roadtrip to in Europe. Cureently on the channel: CROSS-COUNTRY USA
// Riding a Yamaha Ténéré 700. Bought the motorcycle myself from the press fleet of Yamaha USA (thank you Yamaha USA for making this possible. Ténérés were short on stock at all dealers I required one at)
Watch the review of my european Yamaha Ténéré 700 here:
• YAMAHA TÉNÉRÉ 700: The...
//Equipment & Gear:
- Touratech Companero Summer Jacket & Pants (given to me by Touratech after my old suit got stolen on the ship from westafrica)
- BMW GS Gloves (self bought)
- Alpinestar Toucan Boots (self bought)
- Klim Krios Pro Helmet (self bought)
- Leatt Neckbrace (given to me by Leatt as my self-bought neckbrace was still in Africa)
- BMW Cooling Vest
Watch the review for my helmets here:
• BEST MOTORCYCLE HELMET...
//Filmed with:
Drone: DJI Mavic 2 Zoom
Camera: Sony Alpha A7 rIII
2 x Go Pro Hero 8
DJI OSMO Pocket
Iphone 12
Tripod: Manfrotto BeFree
Tripod Iphone: Joby GorillaPod
Editing Program: Final Cut Pro X
//Follow me on:
/ lea_rieck
/ got2go.de
www.learieck.de/
#tailofthedragon #cherohalaskyway #got2go #learieck
I’ve done both. Cherahola Skyway is my favorite ride . It’s simply beautiful and so peaceful.
Same here 👍
It’s like the BlueRidge Parkway but without most of the traffic. I love this area and am so glad I live here!
As someone who has done both multiple times (I'm Scottish and live in Scotland) the Skyway is way better than the Dragon. Your assessment of the Dragon is spot on!
I agree 100% about the Skyway being a much better ride than the TOTD. Not as many idiots. These clowns wouldn't last but a few kilometers here in the mountains of Thailand, which makes the Dragon look like the Autobahn.
@@PremPS1000LE The fast, ridiculously twisty stuff in the United States and Canada is all on the western side of the North American continent. Appalachians are foothills compared to the Sierra Nevadas, Cascades and Rockies in both height and duration. Their popularity has more to do with the limited resources of the region and an overabundance of people elevating a section of road to legend status, than the Dragon being best riding in the US. Far, far from it.
Tim im from New Scotland and planning to do this trip. Also and more importantly to get back to the home of my people Arisag Scotland.What would you recommend for a bike run over their. ths Sandy
You rode the famous sections of road, but the roads are like this pretty much everywhere. Living in this area has been a wonderful blessing, I have found so many little "mini dragons" and truly stunning roads with rivers falling over rocks right by the road for miles, and it's not famous at all it's just a random road. There's all kinds of gravel maintenance roads that wind up the side of a mountain and bring you up to the top where you can see everything.
I lived in Greenville SC and road every weekend for 2 years. I was just scratching the surface! Truly and amazing place to live as a rider.
The drive from Anderson, SC on hwy 28 through Highlands, NC is every bit as cool as the Dragon itself. Maybe better, because it's not swarming with tourists. I have driven it many times. This whole area is ripe with mountain roads that offer beauty and challenges.
STAR Mountain is a good little windy road that's in Tellico Plains
My favorite ride of all time in the USA is Bear tooth pass, its 59 miles long nothing but switch backs and part of the ride is about 10,000 foot elevation above the glaciers. you find the road at the northeast entrance or exit of Yellowstone national park heading to Red Lodge Montana
I did that one on my worldtrip and as well enjoyed it a lot! A beautiful ride!!!
Apparently this person does not know that the Beartooth Highway, South of Red Lodge, MT is the most famous highway of all. News commentators have talked about this ride for years before the Tail of The Dragon ever was mentioned. I live close to this and it is beautiful and the switchbacks are not for the faint of heart. I have also ridden the Tail and it's not as much fun as the Beartooth. You can actually go much faster on this one. Plus the altitude climb from 5568 ft to 10947 ft at the top(which is above timber line) is priceless. Have fun and ride safe which ever one you ride!!
I rode Beartooth once several years ago. It was early June, and an unexpected storm started closing mountain passes, leaving that as our only way East. I'd love to go back when it's warmer than 33 degrees F, at least the sleet wasn't freezing on the ground.
I'm going to have to check it out when I head West
@@bedlamite42 You can expect any kind of weather on top of the Beartooth Highway during the summer. The top is over 10,000' in elevation. I have never been warm on that ride no matter what time of year I go over it. You have to understand you are above timberline at the top, which means no tree's grow there and the wind usually howls like a big dog!!! LOL!!!
I've ridden the Dragon once and the Cherohala several times. I found the Dragon actually a little more relaxing because there were times I could go straight in between curves. The Cherohala it seems is one curve after another, but they're both beautiful and worth the trip. Truly, though the Cherohala is more scenic because of the open areas where you get a better view the mountains. My most memorable ride of the Cherohala was when my GPS I used years ago called Pocket Looks kept telling me to turn right, and I looked over the side of the mountain and said, "I don't think so," and couldn't wait to get to the end of the ride and turn that thing off. LOL
I rode the Dragon four times in 2019 as a new rider - scared the crap out of me! But after the third time, my comfort level grew considerably. We also rode the Foothills Pkwy and Moonshiner 28 a few times. Never got to ride the Cherohala Skyway because each time we tried, the weather didn't cooperate - rain and hail. I friggin' LOVE the Smoky Mountains! We are leaving for the Black Hills mountains this weekend and will be planning our trip for next Spring - you guessed it, the Smoky Mountains again for unfinished business! Love your channel. Keep the rubber on the road.
I am about 200 miles from the Cherohala and Dragon so have ridden them many times. I have also ridden the Alps and last Summer as many of the great roads as possible (Beartooth, GTSR, Chief Joseph). Each road has it’s advantages and disadvantages. I appreciate each one for what it is and enjoy them immensely. My advice from someone who has been riding since 1971: make your bucket list of rides and then get on the your bike and ride them. Life is short.
Great photography!
That’s exactly how I do it! Even though for me it’s more countries and places on my bucket list, mostly not roads.
I have done both a lot of times but.last year did the Trans American trial also known as the TAT and came threw there on my ADV bike and still had a blast it is a fun ride and lot.of nice People along the way
I'm from Mississippi and have ridden Bear tooth pass (beautiful), the Dragon and Cherahola Skyway. All are great in their own way, but overall I take the Skyway every time especially in spring or fall. Love the videos, thanks!
The Skyway is amazing, and you can drive (or ride) it at something more than a crawl.
I live 10 minutes from the Dragon here in Maryville.
Still love it every chance I get to run it.
Just did the Cherahala Skyway again after watching this video. It's only 2 hours from my house. Also at 8:30 is the Cheoah Dam where Harrisson Ford jumped off in the Fugitive.
Hi Lea...This video is to be relax centre.THANK YOU. 👏🏼🦌👍🦌👏🏼🦌👍
Thank you for watching!
Hallo, es freut mich sehr das bei dir trotz Zecken wieder weiter geht. alles Gute weiterhin ☺Bleib Gesund.
Danke, lieber Mathias!
Would love to see a video in the Black Forest. When I lived in Zurich, I used to haul ass on the Autobahn and then ride all day on those amazing roads. So beautiful and the Police are very tolerant of speed as long as you ride responsibly.
Yes I have to make a video of that region too!
I was only able to ride those roads 1 time. Thanks for the views. now I need to go back. Beautiful
So sorry that the system does not allow me to give you A DOUBLE THUMB UP! Great ride that you so much for sharing.
😂 always problems with the system! Thank you so much for joining again!
I love to travel across states too. Went from KY to CA and back, Went from KY to Fl. many times in my yrs and now at 75 when my bills are paid I'll do it again. See the 48 States of America when you can. Time is running short and we are now in the last days before Christ returns. Sharing the good news of the plan of salvation in Christ is the best any one can do in these last days. God bless.
Sounds like a good plan, to do it all again!!!
Awesome , great video. Two different rides , the dragon is meant to go fast & lean till U scrape & the skyway is for cruising & enjoying the view . . .
I have not been there in several years thanks for the video the sky way is really awesome when the clouds roll through it’s like a thick fog can not see anything,hello from Georgia
One of my motorcycle dream! The dragon and the cherohala Skyway... Love it!
💃🏻👌🏻
The Dragon and Cherohala Skyway are on my bucket list of rides to do. You've inspired me, Lea, to take my 50-year-old Honda motorcycle on some epic journeys next summer!
That you should do for sure! You will not regret it !!!
I have ridden Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia 6 years in a row. We usually take the trips in the second week of October when the colors are starting to change. Beautiful ridding and Country there. I have ridden all those places you rode and many more. Great video!
Did them both this year…..the wife and I started in CT on my 650 vstrom and took skyline dr and blue ridge all the way down…..a must for any rider….so beautiful
2 of my favorite roads for sure and if you’re in the area, you should also add the Moonshiner 28 which is right next to the Deals Gap Lodge.
I was there a few weeks ago and all I can say is to get out before nightfall. The bugs at night are legion. They will cover your helmet in minutes.
Welcome to my homeland. I hope you enjoy your ride.
I spent my young life in the hills of the Blue Ridge.
Spectacular drone shots ! It’s not about how fast you run the dragon , but cruse & enjoy the view ! 😎
Had many similar rides in the Taunus. Rudesheim to Bad Schwalback was a great one. Shorter but great ride.
I am so glad I came across your channel ! You are one cool chick and I have enjoyed virtually riding with you ! 😊✌🏻
Thank you so much! I am happy you enjoy the ride! Hopefully many great ones to come!
I really enjoyed this video. Thank you for taking us along.
I live in the area, and have ridden the Dragon and the Cherohala several times. I’m glad you enjoyed the ride.
From 2003-2016 I had a cabin in the Nantahala National Forest, not too far from The Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway. I found the Tail over rated and crowded, but the Skyway is amazing. Too bad you just rode through without staying. There are so many roads in that area, you could never cover them all. This video made me miss home.
I think I have to go back to the area at one point - really liked it a lot!
I adore your travels, you are a very beatyful and brave woman
Thank you!
I was running these roads way before they were famous. Back in the '80s.
Cherohala is one of my favorite roads. Thanks for the nice aerial views.
I’m from NC and you did a better job of pronouncing those names than I could have! Great video and commentary!
Like your vids a LOT!
Greets from the Netherlands 🌷, T.
Thank you so much!
First trip to Deals gap . Home based at Townsend for the weekend.Excellent presentation Lea.
You Go Girl. Very cool ride! I live in Atlanta,Ga. I have been riding up for years. 90 miles and I'm in Clayton,Ga. Then on to Franklin,NC. Hwy 28 to Deals Gap! Tail of the Dragon!!! Ride Safe... P.S. Nice T-7 Take care.
Thank you so much!
I hope you had a great time in our country! Your English is very good and you really did your homework on everything, very knowledgeable. I've been going every year since 2003, making about a 600 mile trip to get there and it's worth it everytime❗
Once again, hope you had a great time in our country and your video here was amazing❗❗
Beautiful video!! Thank you for posting it! I live here in Florida and I'm looking forward to making this ride!
hallo guten morgen 😘 überall ist platz für super motorräder 😄👌 mache ich am wochenende ich würde gerne mal auf schmaler binnenstraße nach regensburg fahren sind eure kommentare super liebe grüße Lea ok 👌👍
Vielen Dank!!
Ok Lea
Thank you Lea, I really appreciate your videos. The aerial footage adds quite a bit to the splendor of your location and the surrounding geography. Your camera work, editing, sound, titles, music, and ride descriptions are top quality.
You are one, if not the best videographer on UA-cam doing motorcycle travel. Keep up the good work, and best wishes on your future journeys...
This is on my ride Bucket List. Great Job
Looks like you had a good day on the Dragon, I didn't see to many Squids racing through.
Was an awesome day!!!
Both awesome roads. Cherohala is definitely more scenic. Was there for the 2nd time this summer with a bunch of folks from all over. As far as Minnesota, New Jersey, and Miami. We rented out the whole Deals Gap MC Resort for the Reliability Rally. We all bring $1000 bikes and put them through their paces for about 400 miles over a weekend. And we'll be back in July 2022.
It is nice to hear the opinion of someone that has experiences outside of the US. I liked your comment about the ToD not being a big deal. Nothing more than riding a regular road in the Alps. Bavaria does have some great roads.
excellent videography and beautiful
We use to (in the 1990s) go ride the Blueridge Parkway in NC at least once a year, if not Three times on the Harleys, lots of times there were big gatherings, events, swap meats or races. Such a Beautiful place. In the 1970s & 80s we went too, but in the car. 😎
I love traveling videos . Love from India 🇮🇳🇮🇳🙏
The world may be upside down, But Nature is still beautiful, seductive and absolutely fascinating. When we put this Nature as a backdrop for breathtaking curves, there are no words that can define this state of the art. I love divine creation and all its expression of beauty.
That you have said very well! 😍
I rode it the opposite way I started in Deals Gap than headed towards Marysville
One of my favorites is Rt 9 over Hogsback Mountain Windham County Vermont!
Great rides. I stopped at that same drive in and had a burger.
Such a lovely vlogs from a lovely woman,, greetings from Iraqi biker ❤
Yes, you have to do it, and the Cherohala.
Buttttttt Blue Ridge Parkway!!!!!
متابع من العراق السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته كل التوفيق أن شاء الله 🇮🇶🇮🇶🇮🇶🇮🇶🇮🇶😘❤👍😘❤👍😘❤👍😘❤👍
👋🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Awesome video! I have never been to Tail Of The Dragon. Going there this summer.
It’s nice to finally see some local roads on your journeys. 😁 I Wish I would’ve been riding that day to meet you or better yet eating at tellico beach. 👍🏻
Aka the “Imbiss” ha
So I guess tellico beach (“the Imbiss” 😂😂😂) is kind of well known?
@@Got2Go we could say World Famous now 😂 🍔 🍟
Welcome back!
This spring, I rode many of your routes from your trip!
Thanks
I’ve too rode the Dragon and the Cherohala trail and prefer the Cherohala trail as well for the great vistas and the elevation changes. Both are great rides. It’s a shame you didn’t ride up to Maggie Valley to see the Wheels through time motorcycle museum. The ride was excellent along with the museum .I was fortunate enough t to meet Dale the owner before his passing.
Wonderful photos, beautiful roads, incredible views and your fantastic narration. Lea thank you very much for allowing us to travel with you.
Thank you for joining!’
Lea, beautiful drone footage of the Appalachian mountains! Glad you had a nice ride in East Tennessee and western North Carolina. Thanks for presenting your perspective of our home riding area.
I really did - hope I can return next time I am in the USA, I feel like I missed out on so many places… 🤗
Hope you are good over there in LA!
Beautiful ♥️ scenery 🌞 beautiful ♥️ adventure 🦋☘️🌞 enjoying fr jamaica 😎🌅🏖️
I was with my family visiting Georgia, and on a whim, just took a drive north on 23 to 441 in Cherokee NC. US 441 goes through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I really wasn't interested in the city of Gatlinburg, so as I got near I randomly turned left. My memory was that the sign said "Little River Road", but Google maps makes it look like it was probably Fighting Creek Gap Rd. We followed this to Townsend TN where we picked up the Foothills Parkway and turned left again. At this point, I really had no idea where I was going. I knew I was trying to Circle my way back to Toccoa Georgia, so when I got to 129, made another left. As the road got more and more curvy, I said to my wife "You know, I think the Tail of the Dragon is around here somewhere." After a while, I think I said "Yep, I think this *is* The Tail of the Dragon!" I think we turned off on 28 and went down by the Fontana Dam. All of this in a Crown Vic! I don't really remember the rest of the route but that's not important. That big circle from Cherokee to Townsend around to Deals Gap and back to Cherokee was one of the best rides I've ever taken. I would repeat that any chance I get!
This has been the best presentation of the ride I have seen...Thank You !...
Lea, As always amazing photography and drone shots and interesting narration. Glad the tics didnt cause too much of a problem and that the dragon was more appealing. I have done the Tail and Cherohala and while they are nice and scenic, for those who can get away from N America try the Mae Hong Son loop in Chiang Mai Thailand - 1864 curves in 600 kms. Thanks for taking me along for the ride. Cheers and safe riding.
That’s definitely a great one too! I did it on my worldtrip but wouldn’t mind to return!!!
@@Got2Go Thanks for taking the time to reply. I have just reached Bangkok in your book .... you ruined the suspense 🤣🤣
That burger place by the river is a great place to eat. The Skyway is a fun ride. There are probably as many wrecks in it as there are on The Dragon. Some of the curves are blind decreasing radius, and they can really sneak up and bite you. There are so Many roads to ride around here, so don'tget obsessedwithThe Dragon. It's the main reason I moved from Kentucky.
The Skyway is breathing but the Dragon is a hoot. We’ve done both on our sportscar. Thank you for your videos. Your use of the drone is impressive and ads a third dimension to your videos. Thank you!
I did not imagine North Carolina this beautiful.
Me neither! 😍
I live down the road from the loop. Love it.
I enjoyed your video. I live 10 minutes from the TN end of the Cherohala. Next time you're here make sure you hit the "Missing Link". The newest section of the Foothills. You'll enjoy the views from some of the overlooks and bridges. It's the portion north of 321.
You are the second one who is suggesting this - I need to really do that next time! Thank you so much, it’s on my list now!!!
wow beautiful place
Beautiful footage and comentary Lea! Well done (again) 😊👍
😍😍😍😍✌️✌️lota of love and best wishes✌️✌️✌️😍
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
@@Got2Go 😉
Burgers at Tellico Beach! I’m hungry now . . . Glad you got to ride the Cherohala -Hint - if you had made the turn before 143, that is the ‘dirt Cherohala’ - definitely a fun ride too!
You missed Happy Valley Road, to Butterfly Gap. It is a nice ride.
So you like it. And welcome to club of dragon 🐉. I love their roads. Enjoy
nice to see you healthy again. nice to sit at home and explore the world with your eyes. thank you!
I only got sick when I returned to Europe unfortunately …
But yes, that has been an awesome ride. Happy that you are joining the journey!
I really want to ride this area. It is so beautiful. Your drone footage is very well done.
Thank you ☺️
Nice. That's my back yard. Love it.
Lea, you’re drone work and narration. Nice voice is why you are so pleasant to lesson to, We all are inspired to go and ride our bike or car 🚙 or something, Let’s Go Now 🏍🏍🏍🌈🌺
Thank you!
Really enjoyed your content.. I was just there in early summer and loved the riding there…
Lovely route, stunning views. Thank you for this, very inspiring.
really i like your adventures. You really deserve the Medal of Honor because you excel in photographing beautiful natural scenes as well as commenting. I love your sense of humor and wish you success in your career.🇲🇦👍
Awesome video, great narration and cinematography. I myself am from Canada and have a 4 day trip down here in July in my Subaru BRZ...I can't wait.
I remember I met you at the dragon and took pictures for you with the dragon metal sculpture. Hope you’re doing well!!
Robert
Thank you very much for this excellent report
Thank you for watching!
Beautifull roads. Would love to ride these.👍😎
Thank you!
So much awesome footage! Thanks for posting it.
Lots and lots of trees and well done for not landing your drone in one!
😂😂😂 that’s always my biggest fear and I already managed to do so several times. So now I always try to fly it very high…
The Skyway looks awesome!
It is 😍
Oh wow.. Great roads and great riding.. The beautiful green forest all truly amazing...
They are! And hello, already missed you here! 👋🏻
Beautful and stunning area, can see why its so popular , sad about motorbike accidents.
Yes, always drive safe - I think many on the dragon just overestimate their skills 🥶
Every time I see those ridiculous Harleys with their minimal lean angles it just seems to me its an accident waiting to happen. They should stay well away from twisties.
Thanks for the ride!
Magnificent!
Love the adventure thanks for taking us along
Beautiful ride thanks for sharing !🙏
Lea
I am so glad you got to ride these roads! They are a yearly ritual of ours and I have ridden them every year for 11 years now. There are some even better ones down there and many sites to see. The Caverns are unbelievable! You could spend months in Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia and Georgia. They are big states with tons of roads all equally beautiful. I am so happy that you are so happy Lady!!! Awesome video Lea!
Ride SAFE and BE safe Lady!
Peace.
👐🙌👏👏👏👍☝🤙🤘✌👌🖖✋🖐😊
I still have to make it to Virginia, never have been there! Wow, 11 years in a row, that’s great!!!
@@Got2Go 👍🌹
VERY well done!! Loved it, thank you!