Ultimate Twisties = Switchbacks

Day 6 of QC to CA

After staying overnight in Marion, North Carolina, we hopped into Hwy 80 to connect back up to the Blue Ridge Pkwy. 80 ended up being an initial training run for a future ride on the Million Dollar Hwy in Colorado. 1st gear switchbacks heading uphill. Definitely a challenge and learning experience for me! The 20 mph curves on the Blue Ridge were a piece of cake after that!

We encountered additional switchbacks on 441 in the Smokies.. but not 1st gear ones.

Another beautiful ride finishing up the Blue Ridge and crossing the Smokies into Tennessee. Variable weather and big changes in altitude. We we’re as high as 6000ft and temperature ranges from 55F to 86F. Had obligatory rain at the higher altitudes (when it was coldest) and some heavy rain in the Smokies.

Of course, we were fully suited up for rain when we arrived in Gatlinburg, TN. We ended slogging / walking our motos through stop & go traffic. There was a 5 mile parade going on here – 4 of 6 lanes were blocked for the parade.

Does anyone else know that Gatlinburg = Dollywood?! It is built up like Orlando!! Who’d have thunk?

We did not see Dolly in the parade.