I was in the neighborhood (8.5 miles east of Deals Gap at Fontana Village...which, BTW, is a very nice place to stay with a hotel, cabins, campgrounds, and a couple of good eating choices...in 2008, when the Concours Owners Group National Rally was held there). If I were at Deals Gap and wanted to spend the 2nd day riding bunches of great roads this is what I'd do. (The thumbnail isn't a great map, but this is the route I'd do in text form:
Deals Gap: East on 28 to Jct w/ 143; SW to Robbinsville; Right on 129 to beginning of Cherahola Skyway (which enjoys several different road designations to Tellico Plains. There's a good sandwich-type eating place east of Tellico Plains just before the twisties of the Skyway start as you'd head back east on the Skyway. The Skyway is like Deals Gap, it deserves riding in both directions.
Back in Robbinsville, take 129 back SE out of town till you get to US-74, then north on 74 just a dab till you get to NC-1310. Follow 1310 to the west edge of Franklin, then north out of Franklin back up on 28 (which is also US-19 for a few miles) back to Deals Gap. It's 228 miles and will take you, according to Streets & Trips, 5 hours and 25 minutes. According to my experience, it's a good long day ride.
Great roads...twisties, sweepers, views, water... it was fun on a Connie, but would be totally awesome on an NT.
Deals Gap: East on 28 to Jct w/ 143; SW to Robbinsville; Right on 129 to beginning of Cherahola Skyway (which enjoys several different road designations to Tellico Plains. There's a good sandwich-type eating place east of Tellico Plains just before the twisties of the Skyway start as you'd head back east on the Skyway. The Skyway is like Deals Gap, it deserves riding in both directions.
Back in Robbinsville, take 129 back SE out of town till you get to US-74, then north on 74 just a dab till you get to NC-1310. Follow 1310 to the west edge of Franklin, then north out of Franklin back up on 28 (which is also US-19 for a few miles) back to Deals Gap. It's 228 miles and will take you, according to Streets & Trips, 5 hours and 25 minutes. According to my experience, it's a good long day ride.
Great roads...twisties, sweepers, views, water... it was fun on a Connie, but would be totally awesome on an NT.
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