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MAY 6: Weekend rain-out kept many from the Dragon. And who says we have Global Warming? The lows have been in the low 40s with highs around 70. Last Friday it was 78 in Maryville and 50 at the mile high point on the Cherohala at 3 in the afternoon! Better bring some jackets to ride the Cherohala. Our new Big Dragon has attracted a lot of attention. High winds folded back one wing, but he still bites.
APRIL 30: Three days of rain have the creeks flowing. There were a few trees down and a power outage at the Draon on Monday, but the roads are in good shape. Just be aware of driveway gravel washing onto the pavement. The new Big Dragon arrived on Tuesday and has attracted a lot of attention.
Big weekend coming with the Minis, Mustang Mafia, New Beetles and 2-Strokes. Colorful, loud and smoky.
APRIL 21: Saturday the Dragon and other area roads belonged to the Rotarys attending the Annual Deals Gap Rotary Rally. Roads were packed with cars. Sunday things calmed down quite a bit. Weather was a little on the chilly side until the afternoon sun warmed the air. The Notorious P.I.G. just about sold out on Saturday, but managed to cook enough for Sunday riders. Talk about an awesome taco !!!
Something big might be arriving this week. Watch for the latest update.
APRIL 15: HAPPY INCOME TAX DAY. Another busy week-end on area roads as the weather cleared and warmed. Summer is definitely here with temps expected in the 70s this week. Lots of activity on the Dragon Saturday with LEOs and lots of cars and bikes. Watch out for unmarked LEOs.
APRIL 8: Busy week-end on area roads as the weather cleared and warmed. Looks like summer is here with temps expected in the 70s this week. Lots of activity on the Dragon Saturday with a number of LEOs and lots of cars and bikes. Watch out for unmarked LEOs - Saturday it was a black Tahoe with blacked-out windows. We have also seen a white Expedition in the past.
Closures still in effect include US 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains which is quite extensive. As of now there are no estimates for how long that closure will last, but there are incentives to get it done ASAP. They are working 24-7 and hope to be done in May/June.
There are also closures to several of the Forest Service roads. Tatham Gap road from Robbinsville to Andrews is closed to through traffic, but you can still ride to the summit at Joanna Bald from Robbinsville.
There was a motorcycle death on Moonshiner 28 near Fontana on March 30. A 45 year old North Carolina man went off the road and down the embankment 100 feet before hitting a tree. Slow it down on these twisty mountain roads.
MARCH 29: Our Tail of the Dragon T-shirt Shack is now open seven days a week. Stop by the Big Tail for a photo op. Hopefully the weather will be decent and Killboy will be taking photos.
Closures still in effect include US 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains which is quite extensive. As of now there are no estimates for how long that closure will last, but there are incentives to get it done ASAP. They are working 24-7 and hope to be done in May/June.
There are also closures to several of the Forest Service roads. Tatham Gap road from Robbinsville to Andrews is closed to through traffic, but you can still ride to the summit at Joanna Bald from Robbinsville.
We've had several days with snow flurries recently, but nothing big. The snow is gone in the lower elevations, but be aware that icy conditions can exist in the higher mountains through March.
FEBRUARY 18: The Cherohala Skyway remains open to through traffic with one lane around the section washed-out by the heavy rains in January. Thanks to the NCDOT and those who made this happen. The Tail of the Dragon is open and should be okay unless the big freeze hits us.
Closures still in effect include US 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains which is quite extensive. As of now there are no estimates for how long that closure will last, but there are incentives to get it done ASAP.
We've had several days with snow flurries recently, but nothing big. Be aware that icy conditions can exist in the higher elevations through March.
JANUARY 26: The Cherohala Skyway has been reopened to through traffic with one lane around the section washed-out by the heavy rains last week. Thanks to the NCDOT and those who made this happen.
Closures still in effect include US 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains which is quite extensive. As of now there are no estimates for how long that closure will last.
We had a minor ice storm Friday the 25th which saw a few cars sliding off area roads. Everything should be fine by this afternoon with temps climbing into the high 40s. Be aware that icy conditions can still exist in the higher elevations.
JANUARY 18: This past week storms drenched the area with more than 8 inches of rain and the roads have taken a beating. First a section of US 441 from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC washed down the mountainside. Then a bridge in Murphy NC was partially destroyed by the raging creek. Then there were several mud slides onto the Cherohala Skyway. One near the NC/TN border took out half the roadway. There were also a number of minor incidents.
Closures include US 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherohala Skyway. As of now there are no estimates for how long the closures will last. We are sure that some arrangements will be made by the time the summer tourists begin to arrive. Stay tuned for updates here.
The snow event that was predicted for last night did not occur. Lower elevations got just a dusting. |
