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3 day weekend in the Smoky Mountains to attend a Moto Guzzi Lunch

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twowheeladdict:
2024 October 18-20 ride in the mountains thanks to the Moto Guzzi lunch in Murphy, North Carolina.  I put together an impromptu three day ride to the area to make the lunch run worth the effort.

Friday the 18th started out a very cold 34 degrees so I decided to wait until the day warmed up a little before heading out. While waiting I performed a quick look at hotels on the way to Murphy and decided that Athens, Tennessee had the most reasonably priced hotels, and would allow for an interesting ride to the lunch spot on Saturday.




Friday Route​

Heated grips and heated vest made the cold ride tolerable. During the ride I played with screen shots on the GPS.





The Garmin Zumo XT displays a lot of information and with a topographic map.​

I took my time in each town I passed through looking for interesting photo opportunities.





Old advertising mural in Dayton Tennessee.





My reflection in the "Monkeytown" brewery window​

I reached Athens with plenty of time to eat a late lunch / early dinner and explore the town. I asked workers at the restaurant and hotel if there were any murals in town and they had no clue, nor did they know the history of the town.

The first mural I came across was on the main road through town.




Voting rights mural in Athens Tennessee​

Then I came across this mural




What I saw at one end of the mural triggered a memory of a video I had watched.



The battle of Athens Tennessee fought against a tyrannical government.​

When I got back to my room I looked up the battle of Athens on YouTube. Here are the links for those interested to know how citizens took down a corrupt government.

Short Version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKgx9P7khjc&t=84s
Medium Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSfQSBzF3u0
Full Movie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM6MeWGPvb8





The hotel I stayed at was being renovated. It was humble but clean.




Walked outside Saturday morning to see there was another crazy rider braving the cold.




Super 8 by Wyndham in Athens Tennessee​

Since I had to be in Murphy for lunch I couldn't wait for the temperature to climb.

From Athens to Murphy the temps never got out of the 40s. Riding in the shade most of the way didn't help.



Route from Athens Tennessee to Murphy North Carolina

When going down 68 out of Tellico Plains I noticed a line of liquid in the road. I made sure not to ride in it because I didn’t know what it was. Just around a blind curve there was a Semi pulled over with a LEO and tow truck on the scene. I assumed the liquid was pretty fresh and it came from him.

A little further down the road I came to a stop for a wreck that was in the midst of being cleared.
It appears someone carrying supplies to the Hurricane damage areas lost control in the curves early that morning. The Deputy Sheriff who was stopping traffic told me that the Semi Truck I saw earlier lost its transmission fluid. Good thing I avoided riding in it.

I met a few guys at Chevelles Restaurant.




2 Moto Guzzis and a BMW in front of Chevelles restaurant

Chevelles Restaurant was nothing to write home about. Overpriced and under deliver. They also screwed up my order and didn’t even apologize.

Murphy NC has all these cool mini murals around the center of town that are framed to look like an outdoor art museum.




Framed murals in Murphy North Carolina

After lunch it was time to make my way to Bryson City via Wayah road, and Robbinsville.




After lunch route to Bryson City North Carolina.




Quick stop at Glade gap to enjoy the view.

Wahah Road was better than I remembered it. There were very few vehicles on it but when I did catch up to an occasional vehicle they pulled to the side as soon as there was room for me to pass and waved me by.

Stopped in Robbinsville for gas and hunted down a couple murals.




Native American mural in Robbinsville North Carolina




Country artist Ronnie Milsap was born in Robbinsville North Carolina.​

When I was on 129, 143, and 28 I saw a lot of car clubs heading into Robbinsville and/or to the Tail of the Dragon.

Arriving in Bryson City, I immediately headed for the hotel to freshen up before riding into town to see what was there.




View from my hotel access road in Bryson City North Carolina.

The Tuckasegee River runs through Bryson City and into Fontana Lake.



The Tuckasegee River running through downtown Bryson City North Carolina




Following the Tuckasegee River downstream until the road ended.​

I headed back into town to explore all the little back roads and alleyways. Bryson City is home to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Home | Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. It looks to be a nice way to relax and see the scenery of the Nantahala Gorge and the Smokies.




iphone 6 new screen ebay


Mural in the parking lot for the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.





Enjoy dinner and drinks while you take in the sights





Another train mural that didn't quite have a road leading to it.





This train is pulled by a diesel engine, but they also have a steam powered engine





Mural, or window covering. Either way the scene depicted is interesting.

Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson Outpost is a souvenir shop owned by Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson in Maryville Tennessee. They hosted lunch one day during the Cherokee Sharkweek in 2017. The Young lady in the doorway notice me taking the photo, and waited until I was done before exiting. Unfortunately she also locked the door behind her and informed me that they were closed. :(





Authentic looking Harley shop in Bryson City North Carolina

I grabbed some dinner to go and headed back to the room to plan my Sunday route home. I had been thinking about riding the Dragon or the Cherohala on my way home, but that evening I decided to go through Smoky Mountains National Park on 441 and ride the latest section of the Foothills Parkway for the first time. I enjoy riding the Cherohala Skyway and Tail of the Dragon, but after seeing all the car clubs in that area I decided that those roads are better left for the middle of the week while the fools enjoy them on the weekends.





Route over the Smoky Mountains and Foothills Parkway.

I spotted Elk grazing when coming into Cherokee and on 441 leaving Cherokee. I was all plugged in with heated gear so I didn't make the U-turn for the photo opportunity. I was happy to have the heated gear because I needed to adjust it while climbing in elevation and the sunshine had not reached the Tennessee side. In fact there were remnants of snow in the shade along 441 at elevation on the Tennessee side of the Smoky Mountains National Park.





Topo map screen capture while climbing towards Clingman's dome





Descending the Tennessee side through the national park





The challenging corkscrew would be fun on an empty road.

The latest section of the Foothills Parkway was by far the more interesting section of road from a motorcyclist perspective. A lot of curves and elevation changes. I do not recommend riding it in the morning though because all the views of the Smokies are to the east and the bright sun took away from photographing them. Wait for the sun to be above or west if you want to take in the spectacular views. I rolled through a couple of the overlooks and decided that the sun was too intense to capture any of the fall foliage so my only photo on the parkway was at the southern entrance.





The Foothills Parkway provides scenic views of the Smoky Mountains National Park when the sun is to the west of you.​

Reaching US-129 I was ready for a break and wanted to shed a couple layers. I pulled into a Harley souvenir shop to take a break and browse.





Taking a break and spending some money.





Soaking up some sunshine while taking in the scenery.

I found a T-shirt with a Road Glide on the "sale" rack so I had to buy it. They also had some subtle "dragon" decals that looked difficult to apply to the bike so I was going to pass until the Young lady offered to put it on the bike for me. How could I refuse such an offer?




Dragon decal. Installation included.




tom brady crying gif


Route from 129 towards Dunlap Tennessee via 360 to Tellico Plains.

Leaving out of the Harley shop I knew I wanted to ride at least part of the Dragon loop and take 360 into Tellico Plains. I caught up to a group of four Harley touring bike riders who were being held up by a couple cars. When they saw their opportunity they passed both cars. The front car turned right and the female driver of the Mercedes took off and followed those Harley riders all the way into Tellico Plains.

There I fueled the bike and ate a light lunch. Talked with a few riders in the parking lot and then headed out again.




english photo image


Route from Dayton Tennessee to home via East Valley road and Daus Mountain Roads.





East Valley road is the enjoyable alterative to 127 where most vehicles are driving the Sequatchie Valley.





Looking north on East Valley Road near Dunlap Tennessee

At some point in my tide I decided I might be able to make it to a gas station that I knew offered non-ethanol 90 octane fuel. The bike made it look like I was cutting it close, but I recall realizing I still had a gallon left.





Good range with a 6 gallon gas tank. The fuel range to empty and fuel gauge are a little pessimistic.

I enjoyed a little over 700 miles over the three days of riding, and averaged approximately 50 mpg.




AJ Huff:
Ah Chevelle's, disappointing customers  for almost 20 years LOL!

Nice write up.

-AJ

clubman:
I live in SW Ga. and stay in Murphy most times. If you want to spend a little extra at dinner, try "Shoe Booties" on Main St. Upscale food, pretty good wine list. Rib Country BBQ on 64 is good. The pizza buffet downtown is passable. I always time my rides on the Cherohala Skyway to be in Tellico Plains for lunch.  Eat at "Tellicafe" just as you come into town. Best food in the region , good prices, large menu , rider friendly. If you are going to ride the BRP , Cherokee is a pretty good place to stay. The Holiday Inn is across the street from Harrah's which has a food court and a couple of upscale restaurants. Not many other options in Cherokee.

Wayne Orwig:

--- Quote from: clubman on January 22, 2025, 07:01:52 AM ---I live in SW Ga. and stay in Murphy most times. If you want to spend a little extra at dinner, try "Shoe Booties" on Main St. Upscale food, pretty good wine list. Rib Country BBQ on 64 is good. The pizza buffet downtown is passable. I always time my rides on the Cherohala Skyway to be in Tellico Plains for lunch.  Eat at "Tellicafe" just as you come into town. Best food in the region , good prices, large menu , rider friendly. If you are going to ride the BRP , Cherokee is a pretty good place to stay. The Holiday Inn is across the street from Harrah's which has a food court and a couple of upscale restaurants. Not many other options in Cherokee.

--- End quote ---

I usually head to Shoe Booties also. And Tellicafe is awesome.
I spend a lot of time in Hayesville. There is a smaller Chevelles there, and it is not bad at all. I once went to the one in Murphy, and that was a mistake as everyone points out. Odd how that is.

Anyway, there is a lot of great riding in that area. It helps if you are tolerant of some gravel roads.



Tkelly:
What’s a Motoguzzi lunch?

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