Biker Rags

DAY RIDE TO THE FOOTHILLS PARKWAY AND GATLINBURG

Jeff is ready to ride.
Jeff is ready to ride.

On Wednesday, September 7th, we took a Day Ride. Our plan was to ride the Foothills Parkway on the way to Gatlinburg.

Jeff kicks off the day in this video:

We left our home in North Knoxville at 10:00am. It was a beautiful day with blue skies and warm with temps forecast to reach the mid 90’s.

We rode south on Broadway through Knoxville, over Henley Street Bridge, then took Martin Mill Pike into deep south Knoxville on our way to Seymour, TN. In Seymour, we stopped for fuel, then took 411 to Maryville where we took 336 (Six Mile Road).

Six Mile runs just below the Foothills Parkway.

On Six Mile Road heading to 129.
On Six Mile Road heading to 129.

Six Mile Road took us to 129.

We stopped at one of the boat docks off 129, just before the Foothills Parkway.
We stopped at one of the boat docks off 129, just before the Foothills Parkway.
Every which way you look is beautiful.
Every which way you look is beautiful.
Jeff looks at the water.
Jeff looks at the water.
Very pretty. Fishermen love it here.
Very pretty. Fishermen love it here.

We then turned left onto the Foothills Parkway.

View from one of the overlooks on the Foothills.
View from one of the overlooks on the Foothills.
Pamo says, "This is fun!"
Pamo says, “This is fun!”
Leaves will be turning in another month.
Leaves will be turning in another month.
View from another overlook on the Foothills Parkway.
View from another overlook on the Foothills Parkway.

After enjoying the Parkway, we took 321 into Townsend, where we stopped around 2:00pm to eat at the Apple Valley Country Store.

Apple Valley Country Store
Apple Valley Country Store
There are shops and a cafe.
There are shops and a café.
We ordered lunch then picked a table on the outdoor porch.
We ordered lunch then picked a table on the outdoor porch.
It was a nice setting with overhead fans to keep the air moving.
It was a nice setting with overhead fans to keep the air moving.
We split a salad and a sandwhich.
We split a salad and a sandwhich.
Perfect meal for a hot summer day.
Perfect meal for a hot summer day.
After lunch, we walked back to our bikes ready to ride into the mountains.
After lunch, we walked back to our bikes ready to ride into the mountains.

We got back on 321 which took us to 73

73 runs through the Smoky Mountains.
73 runs through the Smoky Mountains.
And there is beauty everywhere.
And there is beauty everywhere.
Another shot from the roadside.
Another shot from the roadside.
We continued on 73....
We continued on 73….
... all the way into Gatlinburg.
… all the way into Gatlinburg.
There is a bit less traffic after Labor Day.
There is a bit less traffic after Labor Day.
But still plenty of tourists in Gatlinburg.
But still plenty of tourists in Gatlinburg.

We rode through downtown Gatlinburg, then took 321 to Pittman Center. From Pittman Center we took 454 through the mountains and on into Sevierville.

In Sevierville, we stopped for a snack before heading home.
In Sevierville, we stopped for a snack around 4:00pm before heading home.
Yum!
Yum!

After eating a bit of ice cream, we got back on our bikes and continued on Chapman Highway back into Knoxville.

We got back home at 5:15pm and our total ride was 163 miles.

Jeff wraps up the day in this video:

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