The locals know this good biker road well. Shouldn’t you?
Hard to believe Jan 1, 2012, and we’re out for a spin on the bikes. Unusually warm, the day also brought some showers so we kept our ride short and local. As we’re pretty much surrounded by great motorcycle rides here in the Waynesville / Maggie Valley area, even those short rides can be a lot of fun.
Jackie welcomes the New Year with a ride on Rabbit Skin Road. Nice curves, nice views, it’s a local favorite.
Rabbit Skin Road is easy to find. From Waynesville / Maggie Valley, head north on US 276 across the broad expanse of Jonathan Valley as it skirts the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The top of the ridge line to the west is the park border. To the north you’ll see more impressive mountains including 6000 Max Patch Bald. Even though it’s a long straight stretch of 4 lane, US 276 is a scenic and relaxing ride and a good chance to get settled on the bike before the challenge that is soon to come.
US 276 ends at the intersection with Interstate 40 at Exit 20. Pass under the Interstate as if you are continuing north to Tennessee and look for Rabbit Skin Road on the right before you head up the ramp to the highway.
This video includes some shots of the bridge where the roads meet
Rabbit Skin Road is one of several very challenging and scenic motorcycle rides through the mountains which lie north of Waynesville / Lake Junaluska / and Maggie Valley. It’s only 3.5 miles in length, but it doesn’t really end, it just continues on as Iron Duff Road for another 4.1 miles before it connects to NC 209 (a.k.a. The Rattler) near Exit 24 on Interstate 40.
The junction of Rabbit Skin Road and Iron Duff Road occurs at a bridge which crosses the Pigeon River. Across the river, are two more good motorcycle rides, Riverside Road and Panther Creek Road. Still more good motorcycle rides link to them.
While none of these roads is very long, all of them are scenic and fun to ride, and they interconnect. They are good toknow about when you have only a short time available to get in a motorcycle ride or are darting out for a cruise between rainy spells. If you know where they are, you can just keep linking roads together and spend a couple hours looping through the mountains and never leave the county nor ride the same one twice.
Rabbit Skin Road and Iron Duff Road – Local Favorites
America Rides Maps Map #6 – The Best Motorcycle Rides EAST of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Wayne Busch – Cartographer
Learn Total Control
– Wayne Busch lives in Waynesville, NC, where he produces the most detailed and comprehensive and up-to-date motorcycle pocket maps of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains to help you get the most of your vacation experience. See them here – AmericaRidesMaps.com
Wayne is an advanced motorcycle instructor for Total Rider Tech teaching Lee Parks Total Control Advanced Rider Courses. It’s time you looked into advanced rider training to ride more confidently and safely, it will change your mountain riding experience. It worked so well for me I became an instructor! Total Rider Tech
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Hi!
I’d like to get a Smoky Mountains Riders Group together…non bike brand…just riders who enjoy getting together, riding around our area, and enjoying life.
If you’re interested in that, please get in touch with some contact information and lets get something going!
I ride a Triumph Speed Triple, my wife rides a Ninja, and we just like to ride, laugh, and ride some more…
Wanna?!
I’ll be doing some “fun rides” this season as time permits. First one is in April out of Maggie Valley. In order to stay on the right side of the “organized ride liability issues”, a fun ride is just a place for motorcyclists interested in the opportunity to ride with others to gather. Whatever happens after that is up to you. I’ll be going out on a motorcycle ride. If you want to tag along, it’s up to you. I’m not guiding or structuring anything. Nobody is taking responsibility for what you do. I’m just going out riding. You’re welcome to follow as far as you want.
For the early season, most of my weekends are already booked with teaching, events, or training. Summer is more open, then it gets busy in the fall again. I think my wife would enjoy riding with another woman along, it’s a rare treat.