ENTER THE DRAGON: South from Tenessee to the Dragon and Cherahola

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Today we rode the Dragon - as decribed on our previous blog entry. See which is mostly on a small section of route 129, which we then followed more or less dues south and linked into route 143 and 165 - the Cherohala (Cher-o-haay-la) Skyway.

The scenery was probably spectacular as usual - I didn't notice it though as you have to keep your focus totally on the road. It's very dangerous as bends come in close groups with little time to read what's coming up. What's coming up is anything from adverse camber to sudden dips and gravel strewn over the curve as some pr*t in a 4X4 has ridden over the soft verge.

Although our speed got up about 50 plus a bit the legal limit is set at 30/35 mph, and believe me on a big lump like the Goldwing that's probably sensible for most riders. Some choose to ignore it and ride down at speed with little if any protective gear - consequently accidents are frequent and fatalities are common - already 9 this year.

We noticed photographers on several of the more 'interesting corners' who snap you as you go past. I obliged by scraping the pegs - not intentionally I can tell you, and had a verbal note in my headset from Carol on the way down to ignore the rock formations which I had been noting on our previous rides in the Smokies. The 'down hill' which we took run has the disadvantage of a steep drop into a ravine if you get it wrong, which Carol was quick to point out she wasn't keen to investigate. On the other hand she was brave enough to film a section of it, which requires no hands and grip the bike with your thighs.

One of the other hazards to take into account are the 4x4 and other car drivers who think nothing of crossing the double yellow to your side of the road especially on blind bends. Not to mention speed boys we let past wearing cameras on helmets ostensibly to record themselves riding the route at top speed. Nice.

After a break in a service station (brand new and with the best toilets yet - Carol White 4*rating) we set off on the Cherahola Skyeway - which cuts through the western edge of the Smokies. Similar to the Blue Ridge but with wider vistas and roads that dip and swing more.

We had lunch under a tree in one of the 'overlooks' whilst we chatted to a couple from Ohio who wanted to know as usual where we came from and if we found it hot wearing all that gear. Another rider who lived in the area but came from Massachusetts also joined us. He had a dry sense of humour and a healthy self depracating attitude to his own nation - when we said that the riders who belted around with no protective gear - even helmets, would probably do us all a favour by crashing thus removing themselves from the gene pool - his comment was "too late, they've all bred by the time they are 16.

He informed us that 'The South' still haven't accepted defeat at the hands of the Union, defeat was only temporary and they're just biding their time before....who knows?. We spent the night in Franklin NC where we nearly had the dodgiest room in the Franklin Motel, but after a room change it was ok. Carol braved the kids in the Motel pool and did her usual semi marathon, then we ventured into town.

This proved to be almost a none event - everything closed and not a thing to do apart from read the local account of Civil War heroism and check e mail on the doorway of a local Wi Fi hot spot. However perseverance and advice of customers at the one open place paid off. We became the only customers at the end (and that would usually signal to me that we should avoid the place). Wrong again. We had one of our most unusual meals yet - duck on a puy lental base which contained smoked duck sausage and celery topped with almost straw like strands of scallions - another recipe for Carol to try out when we get home. She said she had chosen the wrong dish - spagetti and meat balls basically - but I disagree - just different. All our food was tasty - but the deserts were the finishing treat - a morsel each of New York cheese cake and a bread pudding on a shared plate - both far subtler that you might expect with some kind of cream/custard all made in-house.

Today (11th) we have had to make do with trail mix, grapes and water -

Pictures posted after writing this blog section are all 'borrowed' from the relevant web sites and apart from the one of Carol on the Nantahala sign are not mine

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Photos

Tail of the Dragon
These are NOT my images but are borrowed from the gallery links on http://www.tailofthedragon.com/. All credit is to the original photographers therein

Tail of the Dragon
These are NOT my images but are borrowed from the gallery links on http://www.tailofthedragon.com/. All credit is to the original photographers therein

Cherohala
Entring the Nantahala National Forest on route 143 the NC section of the Cherohala Skyway

Cherohala Skyway Route 143/165
These are NOT my images but are borrowed from the relevant sites on the
net. All credit is to the original photographers therein

Cherohala Skyway Route 143/165
These are NOT my images but are borrowed from the relevant sites on the
net. All credit is to the original photographers therein

Cherohala Skyway Route 143/165
These are NOT my images but are borrowed from the relevant sites on the
net. All credit is to the original photographers therein