2020 Nationals Schedule

[cooter]

Here's a little clip to do some reading on about the area.

[rbsWELDER]

Cooter - Thanks! Very cool article! - Mark

[aww1081]

There are three great rides from Townsend. They just opened up a new section of the Foothills Parkway, with some terrific views. Start driving into the park and turning Left onto the Little River Road, towards Metcalf Bottoms. Turn Left at Metcalf Bottoms and drive out of park to Wears Valley Road, then right on Wears Valley to the Foothills Parkway. You can only go one way on the parkway, It’s a beautiful drive! Exit the parkway to Hwy 321 and head back into Townsend.

Another good ride starts the same but stay on the Little River Road to the Sugarlands Ranger Station, turn right on US 441 and go up to Newfound Gap, then on to Cherokee, NC. There are numerous turnouts for photo opps. Watch out as you near the Oconaluftee Ranger Station; the elk think they own the road. Turn right on US 19 as you come out of Cherokee, and o down through Bryson City to US 74. Turn right onto US 74 and travel down to Hwy 28 and turn right. Highway 28 will take you through Fontana Village and over to Deals Gap at US 129 (right at the end of the Tail of the Dragon). The other end of the Dragon is at the south end of the Foothills Parkway. which takes you back to US 321 and Townsend.

Final ride goes the other way. Take 321 to the Parkway, down the parkway to the Dragon, to Deals Gap. From deals Gap, take the right fork and stay on US 129 A few miles down the road is the entrance to the Cherohala Skyway (Hwy 143/ Hwy 165). The other end of the skyway is in Tellico Plains. In Tellico Plains, turn right on Hwy 68 then right again on US 411 and drive into Marysville. You get to US 321, where a right turn takes you back into Townsend.

These last two rides are long, and there are few places to get gasoline. None at all on the Parkway, Skyway or Dragons Tail. One other thing, if you go up to Newfound Gap and turn around and come back towards the Sugarlands, slopes are steeper and people tend to ride their brakes; since they ride their brakes, you have to follow suit.

[cooter]

I have been on all the routes you speak of. Very nice rides. I will say this, everything you mentioned is on the president's table.

[cooter]

Aww1081 are you close to the smokies? I'm in Nashville, 3.5hrs away

[rbsWELDER]

Will we be Racing Valve Covers?

[mike wade]

Yes we will be Mark...……...

[rbsWELDER]

Ugh! More things for my 'Things to do list'!

Thanks Mike!

[Uncle Larry]

Remember Mark, Mike Wade, and Dewey have been known to cheat like crazy during the Valve Cover Races. we will have to pay special attention this year. LOL Motors , oversize wheels, over weight, hampsters under the valve covers, etc

[rbsWELDER]

Uncle Larry - I heard that one of them has a flux capacitor!