Ride Recommendation? West Virginia or Dragon Area?

[bpreynolds]

So for the dates above I'm gonna take the Stone and venture out on a extended weekend trip from Louisville.  I had initially thought I would make the trip I had planned last year to Dragon area but had to cancel due to illness; however, on Instagram I subscribe to a WV account and the pictures there are, of course, just amazing and gorgeous this time of year.  To reach the very edge of both areas is about the same distance (3 hours or so) from Louisville, both have (surprisingly since I assumed Dragon would be warmer but I suppose elevation plays a factor) roughly the same average temps, and both have some similar roads and vistas.  One plus to riding the Dragon and that whole area is it may not be as packed with sport bikers and all that jazz.  But oh well.  I have been through some parts of southwest and central WV before and never to the Dragon area; yet, I have ventured on Blue Ridge and Asheville and such by car at least a couple times and Smoky Mountain area several visits (also by car only). 

Also, second week in November will any good foliage be left and would it be better in one of these spots than the other? 

Edit - by Dragon I emphasize again I mean the vast area around the Dragon, not just the one road there.

So what I'm asking here is which one do you think I should take and also, if you have ride recommendations as per either?  Or finally, if there is somewhere else roughly the same distance from Louisville that you think would be equally worth exploring, do suggest as I am open

[Bill Hagan]

IMO, yours is a question with no "wrong" answer.

Don't sweat the "where," as whatever you choose will be grand.

Now, that said, DO sweat the weather.

The higher elevations -- which all of your potential plans implicate -- can be ... well ... deadly in bad weather and a balmy day can turn nasty very quickly in all of those areas.

If you get lucky and have good weather, all roads are delightful.

Have fun!

Take pix.

Bill

Bill

[brlawson]

Since WV main economic driver is tourism, expect the leaf peepers will be in full swing there. Lots of slow movers.

[old as dirt 2]

lots of great roads to ride in the smokies. highly suggest you get a set of americas rides maps. these are the best most essential maps done by a motorcyclist for motorcyclists.  can't go wrong picking any of his roads. I personally like the Little Switzerland area in NC. The dragon is only a must to get that sticker. I ride thru there 10 or more times a year to get to all the good roads on the other side.

[ohiorider]

http://www.pocahontascountywv.com/motorcycle_touring.aspx

This might be useful.  As others have said, Late Oct/early Nov could produce snow, or at least wet cool weather.

Don't let the pics in the Pocahontas County brochure of all the cruisers cluttering up the roads scare you off from WV riding.  Unless there's some sort of 'event' taking place, you more often than not will have the roads to yourself.

From Cleveland, we typically ride old US 250 south east into WV, and then into the mountains s.e. of Elkins.  Normally stay in the Barstow area.  The gas/oil well boom hasn't helped the condition of 250, what with all the truck traffic, but I think (and hope) that WV is protecting a valuable resource, namely its roads thru some very scenic country.

[bpreynolds]

Thanks for the votes and suggestions.  Keep'em coming    Either way I will be with heated gear and prepared as best as possible in the event of bad weather/conditions. 

[oldbike54]

 Alright , who voted "wanker" ?

  Dusty

[redrider90]

I've been to NC mountains plenty of times and never the Dragon. Seems from what I know about the Dragon is that the whole experience there are few if any curves above 40 MPH.

[bpreynolds]

I've been to NC mountains plenty of times and never the Dragon. Seems from what I know about the Dragon is that the whole experience there are few if any curves above 40 MPH.

Hey guys, I merely used the "Dragon area" as a sort of geographical mark to certainly include Bryson City and surrounding and gorgeous areas. 

Alright , who voted "wanker" ?

  Dusty

I cast the vote for wanker, actually.  Can never take oneself too seriously, you know? 

[Perazzimx14]

WV has roads just as good or better than the Dragon. That are many time longer and less traveled.

https://web.mail.comcast.net/service/home/~/?auth=co&loc=en_US&id=196380&part=2

As for the foliage by the middle of November I suspect it will all be on the ground. 2 weeks ago the leaves in central WV were really change color but clinging to the trees pretty good. Yesterday in northern WV the leaves were dropping pretty steadily.

[Wayne Orwig]

I've been stuck in some nasty weather in WV and in the mountains near Deals Gap in November.

Probably more likely to be riding on wet leaves in WV that time of year. Maybe. Maybe not.

Both are nice riding areas. But with the Deals gap area you might be able to seek out lower elevation routes if the weather is nasty, or higher elevations if things are nice.  In WV that time of year you will get what you get.

And you have the Wheels Through time museum too.

[oldbike54]

Hey guys, I merely used the "Dragon area" as a sort of geographical mark to certainly include Bryson City and surrounding and gorgeous areas. 

I cast the vote for wanker, actually.  Can never take oneself too seriously, you know?

 Kinda figured it was you Bipper 

  Dusty

[bpreynolds]

And you have the Wheels Through time museum too.

Would like to go there, certainly.  My uncle just went there about a month ago when he and his wife were riding down there.  Pics look like a lot of fun. 

[Triple Jim]

I've been to NC mountains plenty of times and never the Dragon. Seems from what I know about the Dragon is that the whole experience there are few if any curves above 40 MPH.

Pretty much true.  You can practice your knee dragging skills at 30 mph on a lot of the curves.  That's one reason I like that road so much.

[pyoungbl]

If you go to Pocohantas county in WV make sure you stay at the Old Clark Inn...a B&B that caters to motorcyclists.  Tell Nelson and Andrea that I sent you!

http://oldclarkinn.com/
fantastic riding in that county and quite a few things to see.

Peter Y.

[twodogs]

Done both, can't go wrong with either place.

[Cam3512]

I've been to NC mountains plenty of times and never the Dragon. Seems from what I know about the Dragon is that the whole experience there are few if any curves above 40 MPH.

Maybe you'd kill yourself if you went over 40 into some of those curves? 

[blackbuell]

Brian,

We just returned from a 6 day ride near the "dragon"; actually we used a resort near Bryson City as a hub. We took some wonderful rides, including through the National Park, about 50 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Cherohala Skyway three times (one of my favorite roads; if you have never ridden on it, then shame on you), and, yes we even rode on the tail-of-the-dragon--not because we really felt the need to (have been on it a bazillion times)--it was the most direct route home for us.

We also rode on some great, but less famous back roads, the most impressive of which was the Wayah Road, east of Franklin, NC (it makes the tail-of-the-dragon seem like an interstate). Other great rides: NC route 19 and 28 south and west of Bryson City.  If you like microbreweries, Sylva, NCV has three excellent ones.

Jon

[bpreynolds]

Brian,

We just returned from a 6 day ride near the "dragon"; actually we used a resort near Bryson City as a hub. We took some wonderful rides, including through the National Park, about 50 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Cherohala Skyway three times (one of my favorite roads; if you have never ridden on it, then shame on you), and, yes we even rode on the tail-of-the-dragon--not because we really felt the need to (have been on it a bazillion times)--it was the most direct route home for us.

We also rode on some great, but less famous back roads, the most impressive of which was the Wayah Road, east of Franklin, NC (it makes the tail-of-the-dragon seem like an interstate). Other great rides: NC route 19 and 28 south and west of Bryson City.  If you like microbreweries, Sylva, NCV has three excellent ones.

Jon

Jon, thanks much for the recommendations.  I'm still pretty much where this poll is right now, back and forth between either.  A terrible burdensome decision, certainly   

[Guzzistajohn]

They're both wonderful areas. Don't think too much, just ride. Spontaneity is your friend.

[urdrvideo]

I just did the Dragon (4 Runs) the foothills parkway, and the great smokey mountains. Cherokee, Soco Mountain, and Maggie Valley. Eat breakfast at Joeys Pankake house. Go check out the wheels through time motorcycle museum.... 1300 miles of riding in three days.

It was plenty of fun. I stayed in a cabin in the town of Robbinsville at a motorcycle friendly campground called Simple Life Campground $65.00 for two nights.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Great riding in that area

[greyghost]

Never been, so this recommendation is theoretical, but:
https://roadtrippers.com/stories/421-the-snake?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20150917

[Wayne Orwig]

Never been, so this recommendation is theoretical, but:
https://roadtrippers.com/stories/421-the-snake?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20150917

I pass through there often, in the car or on the bike. It isn't worth making a trip just for that. It is certainly worth a visit if you are passing through the area though.
On the way home from the Virginia rally this year when we passed through, there was a large bit of road kill on the side of the road just outside of Damascus. A black bear. Not something you see very often.

[Chuck in Indiana]

there are few if any curves above 40 MPH.

  Extra points for that..my favorite kind.

[OlderSlower]

Done both areas many many times and both are great.  I prefer Deals Gap area, but check the weather, cross your fingers and go where the thermometer guides you...

[bpreynolds]

As others mention, I will try not to overthink this but as a librarian  it is my inclination to thoroughly research something prior to adventure 

So some facts I should have perhaps shared earlier as they might have proven helpful.  Maybe?  I am leaving early on a Wednesday morning and plan to return on Saturday night or Sunday.  More and more as I scope rides in these 2 areas, my tendency - though I have very limited knowledge of both areas - is to think that West Virginia is spread out more and perhaps more of a grand ride for a bit longer time?  As stated earlier, I'm not driving to the Dragon just to ride it; rather, I'm hoping to explore the Bryson City area and around Deal's Gap, and just maybe a portion of Blue Ridge, so that's no small area to cover either, but would this thinking be wrong per se?

[Wayne Orwig]

You can easily spend just one day in either area, or a few weeks. Time doesn't make much difference.
Plus, about the second week in October is usually perfect for leaf peeping in WV. Late October (now) around Asheville. But mid Nov. it isn't going to matter much.

I still go with letting the 'weather channel' decide, this late in the year.

If you head to Deals Gap, I can recommend a lot of roads. Most paved.

[gary martin]

Riding to Thomas, WV and meeting friends at the Purple Fiddle this Friday.  We'll enjoy the music and the super cool country store/restaurant/tavern/entertainment and spend the night there. Then ride to Helvetia, WV on Saturday.  We've spent many Halloweens in that little Swiss village and partied with the wonderful locals.  Sometimes karaoke, sometimes belly dancers , and sometimes just sitting around a fire drinking and singing in to the night.

purplefiddle.com  and helvetiawv.com

 

[Dean Rose]

The leaves are falling off the trees here now.

Dean

[bpreynolds]

Updating this thread.  I took advice on here and waited until this weekend to look at the weather and then made my mind up for Dragon area as it's looking significantly warmer and better there for Veterans week.  Leaving on Wednesday, coming back Saturday - 3 nights there with 2 full days of nothing but mostly riding.  I've found a lot of the mom and pop and/or bike specific places are already closed for the season but will probably stay at the Microtel in Robbinsville.  Cooking my own meals appeals to me. 

Of special note, much thanks to Old As Dirt 2.  I obtained some of the America Rides maps and they are excellent for the whole area to include Bryson City, Murphy, Franklin, and even the Blue Ridge area too.