Routes

We'll be taking a little different approach to rides this year.  We've had feedback in the past that not everyone likes riding in the large groups each day, so this year we'll plan one large group ride for either Sunday or Monday, but let folks decide their own routes and groups for the other days.  We'll plan the routes, provide maps and post them on a sign-up board near the pool at the hotel.  Each night at the pool "party" folks will be able to see who's riding where and when and join the group that most appeals to them.

Individual groups should still assign a Ride Captain and Tailgunner.  We will still conduct a morning pre-ride meeting at 8:45 a.m. each morning.  Prior to this time everyone should assemble in the motel parking lot, bikes fueled, bladders emptied, and bikes lined up in their respective groups.  The meeting each day will provide group/ride descriptions, procedures, safety hand signals, and address any questions.  Please do not be late.  All groups should still plan to go "kickstands up" at 9:00 a.m.

There will be several routes to choose from, but they should be decided on the night before the ride in order to allow groups to tailor their ride to the weather.  Due to the mountainous terrain there are a number of roads we will frequently travel, and routes which will become common.  Got an idea for a route?  Post to us on the AeroPals Forum and share your ideas!

The following is a sample route we'll call The Grand Tour as it encompasses nearly every area popular with motorcyclists around the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  (See below route highlighted in yellow).

The Grand Tour

This sample route shows you one possible ride we may take.  While at 225 miles it is longer than most AAR rides, the route takes in a little of everything the area has to offer and makes for a great, if long, day on the bike.  Leaving Townsend, TN, at the top of the map we ride east alongside Little River in the Great Smoky Mountains.  Turning south at the Sugarland Visitor’s Center the road heads south through the heart of the Smokys.  As you pass over Newfound Gap temperatures are often 10 - 20 degrees cooler than in the valley below.  Returning to the lowlands, the road winds through the Cherokee Indian Reservation, home to descendants of the tribal members who refused to be removed to Kansas on the Trail of Tears.

From Cherokee we turn west and ride NC State Road 28 up to Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort, home to the southern terminus of the much fabled Dragon—a road featuring 318 curves in just 11 miles.  From Deals Gap we bypass Robbinsville and take the short cut to the Cherohala Skyway, a 35 miles long scenic highway which rises to over 5,400’ above sea level.  After the Skyway we head north along TN State Road 360 through the countryside, beside the Little Tennessee River, and then back towards The Dragon on SR 72.  A left hand turn take us to the western section of the Foothills Parkway, a 20 mile ride back to the outskirts of Townsend.

Photographs from The Grand Tour:

Townsend is nestled between The Great Smoky Mountain National Park and Wear Valley.

A view from along the road to Newfound Gap.

Climbing through the forest up to Newfound Gap

The kitsch of Cherokee is timeless.

Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort provides a convenient spot to refuel or rest along the route.

Western section of the Foothills Parkway; a ribbon of asphalt with views of the Smokies and Knoxville.

More of the Foothills Parkway.

Remember: RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE
 ONLY YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR SAFETY!