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Comment by Denise Neal on April 28, 2011 at 7:32am

Hey Jeff, just read your blog re: southern states. I happened to do many of the same roads last summer. I may not have done them at your speed and technical ability but I certainly was impressed with the curves, road surfaces and scenery. I made it through the Dragon and loved it. I40 was the most intimidating for me; most likely because of all the big trucks and it's grand descent to the Outer Banks. I didn't think that highway would ever end. I traveled for two weeks; no rain, just sunshine and great temps in the mountains.

There's great riding in the southern states for sure.

Comment by Jeff D on June 30, 2010 at 9:41pm

Got back Sunday night. Left Sat right after we got home from Laconia around 10 pm. Trailered to Roanoke Va before we decided that it was time to take the bikes out. My buddy's wife drove the truck and trailer while we rode. BTW, it was her first time driving with a trailer and she did awesome. Arrived in Alcoa Tenn at 7;30 PM Sunday found some dinner and hit the hay. Monday we met up with 5 others and headed for the Smokey Mountain National Forest.This is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Rode up thru Newfound Pass and into NC. Absolutely breath taking. Took highway 28 (The Hellbender) over toward Deals Gap to ride the infamous Tail of the Dragon. Had one of the guys in the group go down on 28. Got into a corner to hot and panicked. All in all he was quite lucky since if he was 2 feet to the right he would have ended up at the bottom of a 100 foot ravine. Got him air lifted out and continued on to the Dragon. The upper part of it was closed due to a rock slide or 2 but did what we could.Helped a lady rider that got into a corner to slow and fell over....He he, that was different. It was neat but left me wanting more of Rt 28.....From there over to the Cherohalla Skyway. Now that road rocks. Fast sweepers that will challenge any riders ability. A test one young rider failed. came around a corner to find a 20 or so year old on an 01 FZ1000 lying next to the guard rail. He smoked it into the turn and washed out and high sided it, slid about 300 feet before hitting the guard rail. Bike went another 100 feet before ending up in the travel lane spewing every ounce of oil it had onto the roadway. The kid actually walked away! Called 911 himself. Lucky day. That was enough excitement for one day and we headed back to the hotel. Day 1 280 miles.

day 2 our riding buddies left Tenn for Va so Andy, his wife and I headed back over to NC to do the other half of The Hellbender.. These roads are amazing, from the moment we turned onto 28 it was one sharp turn after another. Rode that all the way to The Highlands. Found a little place called Bridal Veil falls. yu actually get to ride behind the falls. NICE. A thunder storm forced us back north and we wound up taking I-40 out of Silva...Now usually I hate 4 lanes but made an exception for this one. I-40 twists and turns north thru some serious elevation changes. A little un-nerving with 18 wheelers right beside you but scraping pegs on an interstate at 90+ is exciting to say the least. Took back-roads to get to Alcoa and found the factory for Bush's baked Beans. Right in the middle of nowhere. Back to the hotel after 305 miles.

Day 3 was a travel day to Va

Days 4 thru 7 were spent exploring the twisties in West Va and Va. If you get a chance go ride Rt 250, Rt 33 and 213. These were incredible and very technical. Don't come into the tight corners to hard since most all have a wash board just before the apex due to large trucks braking. Don't ask how I know this either. I think Elvis saved me ( I saw him at the apex) Over all an incredible trip. 1750 miles in 6 days of riding. Now to save my money for new pegs and heat shields for my pipes. Totally impressed with my bike. Who knew a 750 lb cruiser could handle like it does.

If you get a chance to ride the southern states go for it. AWESOME