Tail of the Dragon, Back of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway | 2023 Motorcycle Trip

It didn't look like I was going to get a "bigger" motorcycle trip in this year but with some warmer than usual temps in late November, I made the most of it and left West Virginia on November 17, 2023 on my KTM 1290 Super Adventure. The first date I rode the Back of the Dragon and ended up in Pigeon Forge, TN for the night. The next day I rode the Cherohala Skyway and Tail of the Dragon before heading further south to Birmingham, AL and a stop of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.
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[@papapatriarchy5372]

Lovely video Mario, best to you and yours over the holidays.

[@cesarduarte-lt2hk]

Muchas felicidades por todos los videos tan excelentes que presentas. Me gustaria que hicieras un video especial de la ducati multistrada, ya que me gustaria saber tu opinion personal y la de tu hermana porque se ve que se maneja muy bien y que ademas no da tantos problemas... Gracias ... Saludos desde Mexico y feliz año nuevo....

[@zeplin4078]

Great video, thanks for sharing

[@twmclean1]

Thanks for the post Mario. Always great to ride along in your videos. All the best for 2024 and have a Merry Christmas and great holiday season.

[@2WR]

Thanks Todd and Merry Christmas!

[@mussels64]

Great video, I love that whole area. Fantastic riding, roads and people.

[@boydblack3334]

First time I rode Cherohala and the Tail of the Dragon it was cold, foggy and wet just like that. The second time it was warm and dry. Massive difference in the enjoyment level.

[@brianbennett6978]

Don’t really miss Tazwell or Grundy or Vansant. Used to have to go there because of the mines.

[@triumphrider9796]

Looks like a great ride! I did 1900 miles myself back in October, mostly NC with bits of GA, TN and SC in the mix. Hoped to meet up with Colin, who is now in the Pigeon Forge area, but he got called in to work on what would have been his day off. Lots of 200-300 mile loops on the ridiculously good roads down there, including Cherohala and the Tail, picked up a number of new ones this time. Riding out of Maggie Valley one morning there was an elk by the side of the road! I thought it was a horse at first, until I saw the head (no antlers, female). There are "Watch for elk" signs in town but it's not something you'd expect to see. Love to see Barber, might try for weekend next year, by which time I hope to have my vintage Yamaha ready to ride down there.

[@jacobplunkett9260]

What GPS is that and how do you like it?

[@jdub264]

Ooh, wet leaves on asphalt in corners, pucker factor--ENGAGED.

[@2WR]

😂

[@markstevens9845]

Merry Christmas to you all .how many miles on the ktm 1290 now .

[@2WR]

62k+ and Merry Christmas!

[@VirusAlert0]

whats ure mpg on highway with luggage (and without)? thanks

[@2WR]

It’s not something I ever track.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

I did Barber after coming down the Mississipi and then did the Cherohola, the Dragon, Foothills Parkway, the Blue Ridge and Skyline Drive on my way back to Newfoundland. Great seeing this area through someone else's eyes.

[@jonasbaine3538]

Does the bike have an exhaust or intake ? Sounds deeper than stock.

[@2WR]

Rottweiler intake, Remus slip-on

[@dh-flies]

Have yet to ride the Tail of the Dragon. Rode the Back twice. Once on my Road King and the other on my 1290SA. Great ride. That Barber Museum is now on my Bucket List!!

[@2WR]

Barber is a must see. Also no comparison between Tail and Back.

[@dh-flies]

@@2WR Agreed... The Back is about 50 miles long versus 11. The tail looks fun, but it's so short. Go ride anywhere in SE West Virginia. Every road is the Tail.. Enjoyed watching your ride.

[@klrbiker]

Nice to see familiar places during your video, Thanks. I spent a week walking distance from King Kong in Pigeon Forge, 6 months after you could drink there, mmmm. Then Barber, great place, been twice, lastly just as they adding on. Nice to know only 1 good day apart. Im now on FJR to make the trip on 2 wheels! Beening from Buffalo area shortens the riding window. Thanks

[@pinkiewerewolf]

I really need to make it to Barber one of these days.

[@2WR]

It’s well worth the trip

[@michaelzar7279]

fantastic!!! love your videos.

[@2WR]

Thanks Michael

[@Eds_PanAm]

Good video sir, looks a little different you going south like that 1st for some reason, is it different not having your sis along? lol

[@2WR]

We'll see if we can get her back next year. Didn't work out this year.

[@Eds_PanAm]

@@2WR right on, i enjoy your long trip videos like this 🤘🏻

[@dandersonjr]

Nice video with the stills mixed in. I'm going to try and stop by the Barber museum on my way to Florida next year. Nice treat to watch one of your video's on a Christmas evening. Thanks Mario and hope you had a Merry Christmas.

[@2WR]

Merry Christmas! Glad u enjoyed it. Barber is definitely a must see.

[@shawngreenwood7288]

Beauty of riding in the fall is you can see through the windshield and a clear visor. No bugs! 😂

[@2WR]

Very true!

[@jimweagant8920]

Thanks for the great video Merry Christmas

[@2WR]

Thanks Jim! Merry Christmas!

[@Road_Rash1]

First night on your trip, you were 3 miles from the house I grew up in. I rode my little Yamaha 125 enduro all over that town (on the back streets...PFPD didn't appreciate me very much). Which did of the big 3 did you like best on days 1-2? Enjoyed riding along with you on my roads even if on screen only! Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@2WR]

Back of the Dragon was ok...I really enjoyed Cherohola Skyway but Tail of the Dragon (without a bunch of goons on it) is tough to beat.

[@Road_Rash1]

@@2WR It's a rarity to run the Tail of the Dragon from end to end without hitting slow-movers. I have friends that go over there and spend the day riding back and forth on it...not for me. I hear they are paving it in 2024. It needs it. If you come back this way, remind me to let you in on one of our little secrets, Redneck Dragon at the other end of the Smokies. I think it's more technical than the Tail. It's a treat, especially for the big ADV bikes as beyond it are some good gravel and dirt with some harder to get to scenic beauty in the Smokies and neighboring national forest. Merry Christmas!

[@2WR]

Looking forward to it Jeff and Merry Christmas!