By Tom Blake
[Editor’s Note: This article was previously published in the April 2024 and April 2023 issues of the FLMSTA Gator Tale].
The MSTA North Georgia Classic is coming up April 17 through 20. There’s no registration. You don’t even need to be an MSTA member. It’s one of the best Thursday-thru-Sunday get-togethers going in one of the best riding areas in the southeast. I encourage you to go. You can even take non-MSTA friends along.
I take my time getting up there and start getting into the rhythm of the mountains. For the North Georgia Classic in Helen, I typically arrive late on Thursday afternoon, a day ahead of the rally’s start. Unlike in Florida, there are excellent ride options in almost every direction. But, given the short duration of the event, I’ve whittled down a long list of possibilities to what I consider the top tier of rides to recommend along with some to and from options.
My list includes 1) Wayah Rd to the Nantahala Gorge and lunch at the River’s End Restaurant at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC); 2) the Cherohala Skyway; 3) Tail of the Dragon; 4) US 60 between Morganton and Suches; 5) GA 180; 6) US 129 over Blood Mountain; and 7) the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway.
NOC via Wayah Rd. Always at the top of my list is lunch at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in NC and going by way of Wayah Rd promises a good challenge. I like to include US 76 over to Clayton early on. It’s curvy but not overly challenging. It’s a good road to begin re-adjusting your mind and muscle memory on for mountain riding… getting the rhythm of the mountains at moderate speed. The quickest way to 76 is to take GA 17 north over the mountain from Helen. It’s plenty twisty and steep with its share of tar snakes so you may want to take it easy the first time over. A more laid back alternative is to turn right on GA 356 from just north of Helen. Ride past Unicoi State Park and go left on GA 197 past picturesque Lake Burton to 76. Either way, I begin thinking about safe corner entry speed and lane position, pondering what the optimum track through the corner to the exit should be and trying to hit it precisely, keeping the engine in its power band and applying throttle and braking inputs smoothly. It’s an iterative process of mistakes and refinement that continues the whole time I’m up there. It’s all about technique and precision, not outright speed Wayah is a good workout with plenty of second gear switchbacks, dips, climbs and twists. Downstream of the lake, it also has some abrupt turns onto bridges that come into view suddenly – not a time to be carrying too much speed. And not all the pavement is in the greatest condition. It’s not, by any means, a dangerous ride, but it is prudent to ride a bit conservatively and stay alert. By contrast, the ride along the Nantahala River in the gorge is utterly relaxing as you meander along the river’s rapids.
Nantahala Outdoor Center’s setting is picturesque and inviting. In fact, this is one of my favorite places in the world. I never miss a chance to stop to have lunch at the River’s End Restaurant overlooking the river.
Cherohala Skyway. This is one of the most exhilarating rides in the eastern US. To get there, point your bike west on 19 and as you come up out of the gorge, turn right on US 129 and head for Robbinsville. Just a little north of town, turn west on NC 143 and you will soon be on the Skyway.
The Robbinsville end of 143 is very technical. But then it opens up and allows you to build good speed as you ascend the mountain. Depending upon conditions, you may ride up into a cloud and then come out into clear skies near the summit.The route number changes to TN 165 as you descend into Tellico Plains. From Robbinsville to Tellico plains there is close to 50 miles of superb tarmac and stunning views. There are numerous pull outs for great views although, truthfully, you may be having too much fun to stop.
You have options for leaving (or getting to) Tellico Plains. One is the Skyway, of course. A second is to head south on 68 and then GA 60 – perhaps all the way through Suches, GA via Copperhill and Morganton (described below). Or a third is to take 68 to TN 123 which becomes GA 294, and that takes you to US 64 west of Murphy. The latter is a lot of fun.
The Dragon. Stay away from the Dragon on weekends – it’s way too crowded. And now, the sports car folks are spending their weekends out there and don’t seem to mind crossing centerline in blind curves. It is also heavily patrolled on weekends.
Head east on TN 165 about a mile. Turn north on TN 360 which squiggles along the west side of Tellico Lake to US 411. Turn right on 411 for just under three miles to TN 72. Turn southeast on 72 which roughly follows the eastern side of Tellico Lake until you T-bone into US 129. All very pleasant. Turn right on Skyway right on 129 as it meanders along the north side of Chilhowee Lake and then the southwest edge of the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. The climax is the Tail of the Dragon’s 318 curves in 11 miles to Deal’s Gap. The climax, literally, is the Tail of the Dragon’s 318 curves in 11 miles to Deal’s Gap. Lots of puckering, braking, looking over your shoulder to see where the road goes, cornering and accelerating! And roadside picture takers are out for a buck.
After the obligatory stop and perhaps food or fuel at Deal’s Gap, turn east on US 28. You will find 28 to have all you could want in a mountain highway. Follow it across Fontana Dam and all the way to US 19/74. Just keep an eye out for the Swain County deputy. Turn east on 19 about 4 miles and then south on 28 again at the gas station. Below the gas station, it becomes extremely (but pleasantly) gnarly for a ways and finally comes into Franklin, NC where you can hop on US23/441 south into GA. Or take US 64 west and then south on Hwy 175 to Hiawassee. Estimate 3 hours plus break time.
GA 60 between Morganton and Suches. This is an experience you just don’t want to miss. The road surface is good, and you can carry good speed. I love this road! It is exciting from end to end. The northern section nearer Morganton has some excellent higher speed sweepers. The center area meanders through pictorial meadows and farmland. In the mountain approaching Suches things tighten up. It has everything and is on my ‘to do’ list every time I’m in the area. In fact, it’s so much fun that I usually ride it multiple times.
There is one decreasing radius curve to warn you about. It’s a right-hander if you’re heading north, with a side road joining it mid-curve from the west. Suches is most notably known to motorcyclists as the location of the Two Wheels Only (TWO) campground and the western terminus of GA 180. From Suches, you can head south on 60 to US 19, take GA 180 east (see below) or turn around and go back toward Morganton. South of Suches, 60 is an entertaining road – a paradise of twists and turns. The views off the mountain are spectacular if you are of a mind to peak. Then turn left on 19 to 129 and attack Blood Mountain (also below) or to head to Helen by way of Cleveland. Or go right to Dahlonega, a small college town with a gold mining past and a variety of interesting shops and eateries in the town square.
GA 180. Another good ride. It’s called Wolf Pen Gap Rd between Suches and US 129 adjacent Vogel State Park. The section near Vogel is steep and gnarly and will demand your attention. Then turn north for a couple miles on 129 and east again on 180. You can follow the eastern section past the 180 Spur, all the way to US 17 south of Hiawassee (north of Helen). Brasstown Bald is the highest point in GA and the visitor center can be accessed via the very steep and squiggly 180 Spur to the north. There’s an observation tower at the summit with great views outside and local history exhibits inside. It’s said that on a clear day you can see Atlanta from up there.
US 129 over Blood Mountain. Great fun. It’s steep and curvy including numerous lower gear switchbacks. On weekends, there’s always a crowd of motorcyclists on it so it’s also patrolled. Up at the summit, the Appalachian (hiking) Trail crosses 129 running right through Neel’s Gap Store. Access Blood Mountain on the north end from Blairsville or from GA 180 where it intersects 129. From the south come through Dahlonega, with its gold mining history, Cleveland or Suches.
The Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway. Aka GA 348 – the icing on the riding cake. It is just thrilling! While only about 14 miles long, it’s the perfect exclamation point to a great day of mountain riding. I prefer to run it west to east because the eastern descent out of the mountain has an excellent road surface and is just an incredible succession of fast sweepers. Access it south of Blairsville from GA 180 about a mile east of US 129. It terminates at GA 75 ALT just west of Helen.
Final notes… if you are a fan of mountain riding, the general area of the North Georgia Classic is arguably the best place to ride in the southeastern US. April is the perfect time of year to be there if you don’t mind that the vegetation hasn’t greened up yet. Winter temperatures are moderating but still cool. It’s too early yet for the crowds that make driving through towns impossible and out on the highways maddening. The only downside is that April can also be unpredictable weather-wise. My recommendation is to book early (just make sure you can cancel, if necessary) and keep an eye on the forecasts. Don’t forget, forecasts do change as the target dates get closer. So, don’t panic and cancel too early!
Safe journeys and good health, Tom