GROUP RIDES - Friday, June 12
General Group Ride Info
- We have no way to tell how many people will show up for each ride. There could be 30 people, or there could be 200. With that said, the group leader will NOT be stopping for any reason other than at the scheduled stops and there likely won't be a tail person. Also, with a large group, it will be very difficult for the leader to know if they've lost any part of their group.
- We will try our best not to lose people on the rides... however, if you are unable to keep up or need to stop, you will need to find your own way to the destination or back to Dragon City. It's nearly impossible for an entire group of 100-200 to pull over and wait for others to catch up. Please try to keep up with the group.
- Do not turn off or stop unless you absolutely have to. We are expecting riders to stay with the group until the ride ends back at the rally location.
- Make sure you are fueled up and ready to go at the specified ride time. We will not wait on anyone and ride times will take off at the times posted. Arrive early and ready to go.
- All group rides will take off and end at the rally location.
- Nobody will be blocking intersections. Ride with caution! We recommend continuing through stop signs/stop lights IF THE CONDITIONS ARE SAFE AND OTHER VEHICLES SEEM TO BE LETTING YOU CONTINUE WITH THE GROUP. If you do get stuck at a light or get separated from the group due to traffic, we will try to slow the group down to allow you catch up. Please try to get caught up the best you can in a safe manner.
- Maintaining a safe distance and visibility of the rider in front of you is crucial! Nearly every ride has blind turns around curves and along cliffs and mountains. If the group slows down or someone stops around a blind turn, there is an extreme danger of the group hitting them causing a pileup. Always try to keep up with the group but give yourself plenty of space.
- Always stay in staggered formation. Do NOT ride next to another rider. Our roads are narrow and very curvy. Never ride next to another rider.
10:00am - parkway haul
10:30am - cherohala skyway
10:30am - cherohala skyway
10:00am
Leader: Justin Murphy
This loop starts at Dragon City and heads out along the Foothills Parkway, giving riders some of the best mountain views in the Smokies right from the start. The route follows fast, flowing roads along the ridgelines before dropping down through Wears Valley for a stop at Sloppy Hog Burger Joint. After grabbing some food and taking a break, the ride continues back through Townsend via Wears Valley Road. It’s an easygoing ride with a good mix of sweepers, scenery, and a solid food stop in the middle.
SPECS
Total miles - 80
Expected travel time (including stops) ~3hrs
Stops - Sloppy Hog Burger Joint for lunch
10:30am - cherohala skyway
10:30am - cherohala skyway
10:30am - cherohala skyway
10:30am
Leader: Brigitte DeLara and Kevin Patterson
Starting at Dragon City, this route runs through Tellico Plains with a lunch stop at Iron Works Grille before heading across the Cherohala Skyway and down toward Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort. Riders will finish the day with a full run through the Tail of the Dragon before returning back to Dragon City. It’s a great mix of scenic sweepers, mountain views, and technical riding all packed into one loop.
SPECS
Total miles - 114
Expected travel time (including stops) ~4hrs
Stops - Iron Works Grille for lunch
Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort
11:00am - Tapoco Riverside Ride
11:00am
Leader: Chris Zacharias
This loop starts at Dragon City and heads deep into the mountain backroads of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. Riders will work through tight curves, elevation changes, and technical sections that follow along the Little Tennessee River before making their way toward the Fontana Dam area. The route then winds through more wooded mountain roads before stopping at Tapoco Tavern for food and a break by the river. After that, the loop continues through more scenic pavement and twisty roads on the way back. It’s a great ride for anyone who enjoys technical mountain riding mixed with some of the best scenery in the area.
SPECS
Total miles - 66
Expected travel time (including stops) ~3hrs
Stops - Dam Garage Gas Station
Tapoco Tavern for lunch
11:30am - matt carpenters bullshit
More to come on this bullshit ride soon.
12:00PM - DAM DRAGON
12:00pm
Leader: Daniel Canaday
This loop starts and ends at Dragon City and combines some of the best roads and scenery in the Smokies. Riders will take on the tight curves and technical sections of the Tail of the Dragon before transitioning into the faster, sweeping roads of Highway 28 before traveling to the top of Fontana Dam… giving riders a chance to experience one of the most recognizable spots in the area before heading back through more scenic mountain roads. It’s a solid mix of technical riding, elevation changes, and open flowing pavement that makes for a great day ride during the rally.
SPECS
Total miles - 68
Expected travel time (including stops) ~3hrs
Stops - Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort
Fontana Dam