The Heritage Classic Ride
Day 5 - July 23, 2007
Twisty Roads - that was the goal of today's riding!
We left Helen bright and early, and headed south to eat breakfast (biscuits and gravy) at YonahBurger. Then we cut over to Hwy 348, known as the Richard D. Russell Scenic Highway. This is a very twisty road that winds its way for about 14 miles through the Chattahoochee National Forest, and is a blast to ride. It only gets better. Hwy 348 intersects with Hwy 180, and we turn south where it becomes known as Wolf Pen Gap Road. Besides the Tail of the Dragon, this is another classic motorcycle road in the south with more turns per mile than any other road in Georgia. Wolf Pen Gap Road terminates at Hwy 60, right next to the Two Wheels Only Resort in Suches, GA.
|
Stocking up on cash before leaving Helen
|
 |
|
Biscuits and Gravy (bacon too) at YonahBurger
|
|
An Overlook on the Richard D. Russell Scenic Hwy
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Homesick for my beemer
|
We stopped to check out the Two Wheels Only Resort, which was the first motorcycle only resort opened in the US. We stopped in for a coke, and met a nice couple that were touring on their BMW GS Adventure. While we were there, we were discussing where to ride next and decided to ride the Cherohala Skyway and the Tail of the Dragon for a second time. Since we had more twisty roads to ride, we didn't stop for long and were on our way again.
We took Hwy 60 north, eventually running into US Hwy 64 and turning east. Hwy 64 in also known as the Ocoee Scenic Byway. It runs along Lake Ocoee, and the 1996 Olympic Whitewater facilities. Near Lake Ocoee, we took Hwy 30 heading north, which cuts into Hwy 315 towards Tellico Plains.
|
Hwy 60 near Two Wheels Only
|
 |
|
Lake Ocoee
|
|
Hwy 315
|
We made it to the start of the Cherohala Skyway in time to eat lunch at Cascades Riverside Grille, just outside of Tellico Plains. It seemed to a a popular spot as their were lots of bikes in the parking lot. After lunch, we rode the Cherohala for the 2nd time in four days. The weather was much better today, and there were a lot more other bikes on the road.
|
Lunch Stop
|
 |
|
Cherohala Skyway
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Just as we did on Day 2, after the Cherohala Skyway we took Hwy 129 to Deals Gap and rode the Tail of The Dragon one more time. This time a photographer known as KillBoy took the photos below.
|
The Tail of the Dragon
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
At the end of the Dragon, we cut over on Hwy 72 (near Tellico Lake) to Hwy 411 south, and eventually cut over to Interstate 75 and made our way towards Chattanooga. We had hoped to find a hotel in Chattanooga, but couldn't find an available room so we ended up on top of Lookout Mountain where we found rooms at a very quaint B&B - the Chanticleer Inn; and enjoyed a great dinner at the Lookout Mountain Cafe.
 |
 |
 |
 |