Biker Rags

DAY RIDE TO DEALS GAP & TAIL OF THE DRAGON

Ready to ride!
Ready to ride!

On Thursday, June 9, 2016, we took a Day Ride. Our destination was Deals Gap and Tail of the Dragon.

It was a beautiful day with blue skies, low humidity and temps forecast to be in the mid 80’s.

Jeff kicks off the day in this short video:

We left our home in North Knoxville at 9:15am and rode north on Clinton Highway.

We stopped briefly at the Indian shop.
We stopped briefly at the Indian shop.

We continued down Clinton Highway, then took Edgemoor Road heading west.

We stopped to admire the view of the water at the boat landing off Edgemoor.
We stopped to admire the view of the water at the boat landing off Edgemoor.

We continued on to Lovell Road and into Farragut where we stopped to fill our tanks and get a quick snack.

After our fuel stop, we took Highway 11 to Lenoir City, over Tellico Dam to 321, then took 95 into Greenback.

Downtown Greenback
Downtown Greenback

From Greenback we rode to 411 then took 72 which runs into 129.

On 72 heading toward 129.
On 72 heading toward 129.

We took 129 and stopped at the Harley dealership in Tallassee.

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A popular place to stop before riding the Foothills or the Tail of the Dragon.
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You can get your patches sewn on here too.

After looking around a few minutes, we got back on our bikes and headed up the Dragon.

Heading up the Dragon.
Heading up the Dragon.
Jeff on his Indian Scout.
Jeff on his Indian Scout.
Pamo on her 1200 Sportster.
Pamo on her 1200 Sportster.
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Jeff leads the way.
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There’s Pamo.

As you ride the Dragon, various photographers are stationed around shooting photos. After your trip, you can view them online and purchase the full resolution images. It’s a fun memento and purchasing them helps local business.

Here’s the list of photographers currently working the Dragon:

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We took a brief rest before arriving at Deals Gap.

 

Shortly after our break, we arrived at the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort. This is a “must stop” when you ride the Dragon!

When we arrived the parking area was mostly full.
When we arrived the parking area was mostly full.
Everyone is really enjoying the day.
Everyone is really enjoying the day.
We stopped to get a bite inside the Dragon Grille.
We stopped to get a bite inside the Dragon’s Den Grill.
The decor in here is cool!
The decor in here is cool!
Burger and fries, of course.
Burger and fries, of course.
After lunch, we walked around a bit longer.
After lunch, we walked around a bit longer.
Time to get back on the road.
Time to get back on the road.

After checking out all the sights, Jeff and I decided to switch bikes. We rode down 28 toward Fontana to get use to the switch before going back down the Dragon.

The mountains are always beautiful. This is a view from 28.
The mountains are always beautiful. This is a view from 28.

We rode back to Deals Gap, then back down the Dragon.

We've switched bikes and are heading back down the Dragon.
We’ve switched bikes and are heading back down the Dragon.
Swoop and curve.
Swoop and curve.
What a fun ride!
What a fun ride!

When we got to the bottom of the Dragon, we stopped off to look at the drained reservoir below Chilhowee Dam.

Usually the water extends up the this deck.
Usually the water extends up to this deck.
There was a town here before the dam.
There was a town here before the dam.
Another view.
Another view.
Wonder how long this will take?
This draw down has been on going for awhile.

After our break, we continued on 129 into Maryville where we stopped for ice cream.

Pamo says, "It's all mine!"
Pamo says, “It’s all mine!”

After the delicious ice cream, we continued on 129 back into Knoxville.

Almost home.
Almost home.

We arrived home at 4:30pm and our total ride was 155 miles.

Jeff and Cindy. It's good to be home.
Jeff and Cindy. It’s good to be home.

We wrap up the day in this video:

You can view our entire list of DAY RIDES by CLICKING HERE.