@LS1GOAT I guess the title to this video isn't entirely accurate! That 1st road, and it was a fun one, is just north of Marion Va. Old Rich Valley Road. I decided to break up the trip down to Bryson City NC, and spent a night there.
Duffy, just curious, but looking back at your “Tail of the Dragon, counting the corners” video, and seeing that Parsons Branch Road enters the Dragon, what “corner count” would this correspond to? Did you have any idea that you would be traveling on that road in the future, on that Dragon run?
@Spacecoastz You made me do a bit of work! Anyway, I had a look, and at 7:36, between turns 87 and 88 you can just see the exit of PBR on the right. A couple of years ago, my dual sport bug was just beginning to emerge from its dormancy, and I don't think I was even aware of the road's existence. Now I can't wait to ride it again. Parson's Branch + Tail of the Dragon = one great ride!
Nice! Was waiting for the side on shot at The Dragon showing the road curving away on both directions. Next time?
Ditto to the Sticky Trap. Some places, for example, they are Specific such as placed in Ash trees to catch Emerald Ash Borers.
I'd take my 919 on dirt, but not 10++ miles of it.. Similar roads around here I've asked locals why no sealing. To keep traffic away. Dirt and noone goes. Sealed and it gets busy and ruins the area.
Oh, bridge only safe until first person falls through :)
@michaelrossonline I've had rides stymied numerous times when unfamiliar, but promising looking roads turned to gravel. Nothing sucks the fun out of a sport bike ride like gravel!
@Spacecoastz I never had to use any of that fuel, but it was comforting at times just knowing it was back there! The tank on the DR is only 3.4 gal. I've ridden the Skyway a few times before, but on this trip I only passed under it.
Great vid DP. Looks really picturesque out there. Looks pretty remote down some of those trails. I take it you can get a cell phone signal out there and you have a GPS with co-ordinates in case you break down. When on unfamiliar roads I always try to clock the road number, not much point calling a breakdown truck if you can't tell them where you are :)
@Swipe650 Thanks Swipe. Some of those tracks are very remote indeed, and the cell phone coverage can be pretty spotty. I do carry one with me, though, and a GPS as well. If I were to break down, I could give my lat. and long. to the tow truck operator. Provided, of course, I could find a phone signal. I'm thinking about getting one of those personal GPS trackers before my next trip down that way.
Fantastic vid and thanks for sharing that ride mate. Country roads, waterfalls, creaky old bridges, wild life and awesome scenery. I must admit I'd probably have started looking for a camping spot somewhere near where those guys were throwing a line in, just brilliant countryside. Here's looking forward to Silverstone :-) Cheers!
@TKTex1 It really is a beautiful part of the world, and I'm already looking forward to my next visit early in the fall.
I am keeping my fingers crossed for at least a minor shakeup in the balance of power at Silverstone. Hopefully the new regs will even things up a bit, but somehow I doubt it.
We have purple boxes around here in Cincinnati. They're being used to detect the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetle, which is killing off ash trees. I've heard they also use the boxes for trapping during mosquito problems as well. Great vids
years back we had similar boxes hanging off fences trees etc...they were monitoring the advancement of the african killer bees......Cool bridge!!! DR across the bridge!! except for the steps.
The ending was pretty neat. Out of the wood from a side road onto the Dragon. Looks like more fun than the Dragon just out riding around mostly by yourself.
Hello DP! Once again you were very close! The boxes hanging in the trees are bug traps to research and forecast problem bug populations such as different types of fruit flies, pine bettles, asian bettles and such as that.
@aeroliner750 The dirt track (Parson's Branch) was very cool. Only issue is that it's one way, and it would take a long time to get back to the start if you wanted to have another go. On the other hand, you don't have to worry about meeting another vehicle head on, which is nice.
Nice video DP. Looks like some nice back road riding. The Cades Cove area is beautiful but you sure can't get in a hurry. I first visited it in the fall and it was quite crowded but not to the point of being bothersome.
@MAG315 Yeah, I had a good time. I would love to explore the park at the height of the fall colors, but I know that I never will. The traffic would surely make me crazy! Oh well, my loss.
This is why I want a dual sport!
Storeface 1 month ago
@Storeface They definitely open up lots of different riding opportunities. The fun doesn't have to stop when the pavement ends!
dprider02 1 month ago
Nice ride. I just finished a 350 two day trip in the Smokies on a KLR. Just curious what the name of that first road you turned on was. Looks fun!
LS1GOAT 4 months ago
@LS1GOAT I guess the title to this video isn't entirely accurate! That 1st road, and it was a fun one, is just north of Marion Va. Old Rich Valley Road. I decided to break up the trip down to Bryson City NC, and spent a night there.
dprider02 4 months ago
Duffy, just curious, but looking back at your “Tail of the Dragon, counting the corners” video, and seeing that Parsons Branch Road enters the Dragon, what “corner count” would this correspond to? Did you have any idea that you would be traveling on that road in the future, on that Dragon run?
Spacecoastz 7 months ago
@Spacecoastz You made me do a bit of work! Anyway, I had a look, and at 7:36, between turns 87 and 88 you can just see the exit of PBR on the right. A couple of years ago, my dual sport bug was just beginning to emerge from its dormancy, and I don't think I was even aware of the road's existence. Now I can't wait to ride it again. Parson's Branch + Tail of the Dragon = one great ride!
dprider02 7 months ago
Parson's Branch Rd was one of the roads I was hoping to get in my TN vacation, but it didn't happen, maybe next year, HEHE.
yurkia360 7 months ago
@yurkia360 Parson's Branch is really a nice little ride. You definitely need to check it out on your next visit.
dprider02 7 months ago
Nice! Was waiting for the side on shot at The Dragon showing the road curving away on both directions. Next time?
Ditto to the Sticky Trap. Some places, for example, they are Specific such as placed in Ash trees to catch Emerald Ash Borers.
I'd take my 919 on dirt, but not 10++ miles of it.. Similar roads around here I've asked locals why no sealing. To keep traffic away. Dirt and noone goes. Sealed and it gets busy and ruins the area.
Oh, bridge only safe until first person falls through :)
michaelrossonline 7 months ago
@michaelrossonline I've had rides stymied numerous times when unfamiliar, but promising looking roads turned to gravel. Nothing sucks the fun out of a sport bike ride like gravel!
That bridge was nuts!
dprider02 7 months ago
DP, I can clearly see why you carry that extra tank of gas! Did you go on the Cherohala Skyway?
Spacecoastz 7 months ago
@Spacecoastz I never had to use any of that fuel, but it was comforting at times just knowing it was back there! The tank on the DR is only 3.4 gal. I've ridden the Skyway a few times before, but on this trip I only passed under it.
dprider02 7 months ago
Great vid DP. Looks really picturesque out there. Looks pretty remote down some of those trails. I take it you can get a cell phone signal out there and you have a GPS with co-ordinates in case you break down. When on unfamiliar roads I always try to clock the road number, not much point calling a breakdown truck if you can't tell them where you are :)
Swipe650 7 months ago
@Swipe650 Thanks Swipe. Some of those tracks are very remote indeed, and the cell phone coverage can be pretty spotty. I do carry one with me, though, and a GPS as well. If I were to break down, I could give my lat. and long. to the tow truck operator. Provided, of course, I could find a phone signal. I'm thinking about getting one of those personal GPS trackers before my next trip down that way.
dprider02 7 months ago
Fantastic vid and thanks for sharing that ride mate. Country roads, waterfalls, creaky old bridges, wild life and awesome scenery. I must admit I'd probably have started looking for a camping spot somewhere near where those guys were throwing a line in, just brilliant countryside. Here's looking forward to Silverstone :-) Cheers!
TKTex1 7 months ago
@TKTex1 It really is a beautiful part of the world, and I'm already looking forward to my next visit early in the fall.
I am keeping my fingers crossed for at least a minor shakeup in the balance of power at Silverstone. Hopefully the new regs will even things up a bit, but somehow I doubt it.
dprider02 7 months ago
@64rlwri I still enjoy the asphalt twisties, and they make up most of my riding down there. But it's really nice to have the off road option as well.
dprider02 7 months ago
We have purple boxes around here in Cincinnati. They're being used to detect the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetle, which is killing off ash trees. I've heard they also use the boxes for trapping during mosquito problems as well. Great vids
java146 7 months ago
@java146 I don't know what kind of bugs are causing it, but there are a lot of dead and dying trees down there as well.
dprider02 7 months ago
years back we had similar boxes hanging off fences trees etc...they were monitoring the advancement of the african killer bees......Cool bridge!!! DR across the bridge!! except for the steps.
britex3186 7 months ago
@britex3186 That bridge was a trip! I only walked about halfway across the first span. The thing was kinda wobbly!
dprider02 7 months ago
The ending was pretty neat. Out of the wood from a side road onto the Dragon. Looks like more fun than the Dragon just out riding around mostly by yourself.
KeukaRyder 7 months ago
@KeukaRyder I didn't really think about it ahead of time, but it did make for a pretty tidy ending to the vid.
dprider02 7 months ago
@dprider02 "Chance favors the prepared mind" Curie(?) :->
KeukaRyder 7 months ago
That looks like a great time.
ToastToGo 7 months ago
@ToastToGo I've always enjoyed riding around in the woods :)
dprider02 7 months ago
Great report as usual, looked like real fun with just you and the bike. Keep up the great videos.
cjhurrell 7 months ago
@cjhurrell Thanks for that. I had a great time.
dprider02 7 months ago
Nice ride !
pougatchoff 7 months ago
@pougatchoff Thank you :)
dprider02 7 months ago
Hello DP! Once again you were very close! The boxes hanging in the trees are bug traps to research and forecast problem bug populations such as different types of fruit flies, pine bettles, asian bettles and such as that.
Great vid!
oldbluedog08 7 months ago
@oldbluedog08 Thanks for the info. I had a feeling that those boxes must have something to do with insects, but I wasn't sure what.
dprider02 7 months ago
Those look like some great rides there. I'm hoping to get a chance to explore some of those roads while I'm down there in August. Thanks for posting!
seekinsoul 7 months ago
@seekinsoul I had a good time. It was fun to finally get in some extended riding on the forest roads.
dprider02 7 months ago
the dirt trail looked more interesting then the dragon
aeroliner750 7 months ago
@aeroliner750 The dirt track (Parson's Branch) was very cool. Only issue is that it's one way, and it would take a long time to get back to the start if you wanted to have another go. On the other hand, you don't have to worry about meeting another vehicle head on, which is nice.
dprider02 7 months ago
Nice video DP. Looks like some nice back road riding. The Cades Cove area is beautiful but you sure can't get in a hurry. I first visited it in the fall and it was quite crowded but not to the point of being bothersome.
MAG315 7 months ago
@MAG315 Yeah, I had a good time. I would love to explore the park at the height of the fall colors, but I know that I never will. The traffic would surely make me crazy! Oh well, my loss.
dprider02 7 months ago