Deal's Gap - Biker Paradise in the south

I know Bama Rides is about motorcycling in Alabama, but I thought I would share one of the most amazing trips I have taken on a bike. Deal's Gap is considered a Mecca for bikers in the southeast, a journey every adventurous rider should take at least once in a lifetime, but I would suggest even more often. Also known as "Tail of the Dragon", this 11-mile section of U.S. Route 129 is located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina in the Smokey Mountains. Just driving thru this region is incredible, and the ride I am describing is the cherry on the top. I have been to the Nantahala before, paddling, camping, and always thought the scenery was "nice", and the water is 55' year round. When we arrived at "The Store", there were about 50+ bikes, and no cars in the parking lot. Bikers everywhere, a lodge, restaurant, and gift shop. On the side there was the "Tree of Shame", where victims of the dragon can hang the parts he spit out. After a few minutes of gathering our thoughts, we hit the Tail, and it was a quick ride, and very confusing, as there were so many unusual factors - banked turns, and foot-peg scrapers, knee-draggers in every corner, mixed in with an occasional car. The rise and fall of the road has not been captured by any video or pics that I have seen. The 80 ft. drops off many of the corners are not seen in video either. It all ended too quickly, and the sun was going down. All I want to do is go back, and spend a bit more time exploring the surrounding areas, broken up by a few more trips thru the dragon.

We rode in on the Cherahola Skyway - it sounds like an amusement park ride, but it is better. This place is incredible, and the single most scenic places I have ever traveled. Breathtaking at 5,400 feet, it runs thru the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests for 36 miles. The long sweeping turns, unlike Deal's Gap, are pleasant to cruise and sight-see, just don't get too focused on the view. There are lots of places to pull over. You gotta go.