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
This whole thing is subject to change. Weather, traffic, sleeping in, or whatever. The schedule is rough and speculative. Just go with it.
Sunday, August 31
Just Get there!
1PM Leave from The Orchard
- Blue Ridge
- Murphy
- Andrews
- Nantahala Gorge
- Cherokee
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
4:30PM Arrive in Gatlinburg, settle into hotel
Dinner in Gatlinburg
This ride takes a little over 3 hours. Since we're leaving so late, our goal is just to get to Gatlinburg before too late. There is a longer option, below.
Sunday Longer Option:
A very scenic route would take us through Tellico Plains, along the beautiful Cherohala Skyway, and through Robbinsville. 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
Ride the big circle
10AM Leave from Bearskin Lodge
- Pigeon Forge
- Foothills Parkway
- Tail of the Dragon
- Deal's Gap
- Fontana Dam
- Bryson City
- Cherokee/Oconoluftee
- Newfound Gap/Clingman's Dome
5PM Return to Gatlinburg
This actual ride is just over 4 hours long, but I've allowed lots of extra time for lunch and other stops here and there.
Monday Longer Option:
Depending on how late it is, we could explore some of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the back end of this ride day if you like. A walk through the settler village at the Oconoluftee Visitor Center, a short hike to Laurel Falls, or a sunset view from Clingman's Dome, the highest point in the park. All of these are great excursions. **NOTE: Parking Pass now Required in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Tuesday, September 2
Take the Long Way Home
10AM Leave from Bearskin Lodge
- Cherokee
- Moonshiner 28
- Franklin
- Cullasaja Falls
- Dry Falls
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Highlands (late lunch?)
- Warwoman Road
- Clayton
- Hiawassee
- Blairsville
- Blue Ridge
5PM Arrive at Home!
This will be about a 4.5-hour ride, but broken up with some great stops! We'll stop for the three waterfalls between Franklin and Highlands.
Tuesday ALTERNATIVE!
This is a longer ride with fewer waterfalls, but it is a different approach than the past two years.
- Cherokee
- Franklin
- Wayah Bald Tower
- Robbinsville
- Cherohala Skyway
- Tellico Plains
- Ducktown/McCaysville
- Blue Ridge
- Ellijay
6PM Arrive at Home!
This will be about a 6-hour ride, but broken up with some great stops! We will look out from Wayah Bald's Tower, and stop at the beautiful Bald River Falls right off the Cherohala Skyway.
