2025
LABOR DAY WEEKEND
RIDE
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS
Ride and See
We'll plan to do several medium-length day rides, (3-4 hours each) interspersed with plenty of fun stops to hike, look at beautiful views, and shop for souveneirs.
Fun In Gatlinburg
We'll spend the evenings in Gatlinburg having dinner and enjoying the touristy mountain city.
Holiday Weekend
So, it might be crowded because of the long weekend. Just be ready for delays and long waits at restaurants. Maybe. (it was absolutely no problem in 2023 or 2024!)
JUST DO IT
Let me know if you'd like to go with us! We aren't doing a formal 'registration...' but I'd like to know if you're going us . If you have questions, I'll be happy to answer.
Text Steve Dusek 706-669-7814
email me here:
GREYSTONE LODGE
They have King and Queen rooms on the river and facing town. Be sure to ask for a room with garage parking! No group block or rate, each reservation is independent.
RIDE SCHEDULE
The primary road through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will remain closed through September, due to a washout. This will cause VERY SIGNIFICANT changes to all of our planned rides.
See the updated routes below.
Sunday, August 31
Just Get there!
2:00PM Leave from Taco Bell
- Blue Ridge
- Tellico Plains
- Madisonville
- Foothills Parkway (partial)
- Townsend
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
5:45PM Arrive in Gatlinburg, settle into hotel
Dinner in Gatlinburg
This ride takes around 3.5 hours without stops. Since we're leaving late in the day, our goal is just to get to Gatlinburg before too late.
Sunday Longer Option:
A very scenic route would take us along the beautiful Cherohala Skyway, through Robbinsville and the Tail of the Dragon, in addition to the Foothills Parkway. I would love to do this route, but it would add around 90 minutes to our ride, putting us into Gatlinburg a little later, but not after dark! The group picks the route today!
NICE DINNER SPOTS!
These are some of my favorite restaurants in Gatlinburg. All are walking distance from our hotel.
LOCO BURRO
A great Mexican restaurant with rooftop seating and a great view!
THE PARK GRILL
Great steaks, huge salad bar, shortest walk from the hotel!
CHEROKEE GRILL
On the strip, great environment, great steaks
SMITH & SON
Great burgers, ribs, and shrimp
JASON ALDEAN
Good food. Upstairs bar with live music. Fun.
CUMBERLAND JACK'S
Sister restaurant of my absolute favorite breakfast place, Crockett's
Monday, September 1
Twin Loops
9AM Leave from Bearskin Lodge
- Newport, TN
- Hot Springs, NC
- NC Rattler
- Lake Junaluska, NC
- Twisted Spoke Restaurant
- Maggie Valley
- Interstate 40
4PM Return to Gatlinburg
This actual ride is around 5 hours long, but I've allowed extra time for lunch and other stops here and there.
Monday Longer Option:
The ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway up to Mount Pisgah is super fun and beautiful. It would add approximately 2 hours to our trip.
Tuesday, September 2
Take the Long Way Home
930AM Leave from Bearskin Lodge
- ALL of Foothills Parkway
- Tail of the Dragon
- Lunch at Tapoco Lodge
- Robbinsville
- Cherohala Skyway
- Tellico Plains
- McCaysville
- Blue Ridge
- Ellijay
4PM Arrive at Home!
This will be about a 5 hour ride, and it includes my favorite route right now, the Cherohala Skyway. We should take an extra few minutes to stop at Bald River Falls!
Tuesday ALTERNATIVE!
This is a shorter ride, skipping the Cherohala Skyway. It will get you home to Ellijay a little earlier. Helpful if you need to pick up your dogs before 5pm!
- Foothills Parkway
- Tail of the Dragon
- Lunch at Tapoco Lodge
- Robbinsville
- Andrews
- BlueRidge
- Ellijay
3PM Arrive at Home!