Tennessee Lost Highways: A Trip to Rodgersville

On a Road Never Riden

Well, it's been a great week at Cumberland Gap; tomorrow, we leave this riders mecca.  First, one last ride.   We head south to an area of Tennessee I like to call the Tennessee Lost Highways.  To me, these are some of the greatest unknown motorcycle roads in the nation.  There are three mountain ridges cut by glaciers thousands of years ago.  These ridges separate Virginia from Tennessee.  This is where the Tennessee Lost Highways are at their best.

Today it was all about riding; TN 33 to Sneadsville, then TN 66 to Rogersville.  Then TN 70 over 3 mountain ridges to Jonesville VA. Then back to the Gap.  We have had a lot of rain this year, which has caused some slides on the mountain.  Luckily, they were fixed during the summer, so it's fresh pavement most of the way.

TN 70

TN 33 Follows Clinch River before hopping over a small ridge that brings you into Sneedville.  This is a fun road with lots of twists and turns with great views of the River and Ridgeline.   Once in Sneedsville, we tackle TN 66 to Rogersville; this is the meat of the ride cresting 2 mountain ridges with tight twisting turns; this road was built for motorcycles. 

Clinch River Valley

After we get to Rogersville, it's lunch at Taste of Chicago for some genuine Chi-Town Dogs. Rogersville is the second oldest town in TN, settled in 1775 by the Grandparents of Davey Crocket.  Which was purchased by Joseph Rodgers, who established the town. 

After lunch, it's time to ride the ridges to Jonesboro, Virginia, then back to the Gap.  TN 70 then VA 70 to Jonesboro scales 3 mountain ridges.  The road narrows to a single lane when entering Virginia, but it quickly widens again.  Some great accents and decent with great views.  This road is highly recommended. 

Rodgersville

Well, all good things must come to an end.  Time to make that trek back to Clarksville, Tennessee, and dream of the day when we can come back to ride the Tennessee Lost Highways again.  So if you're tired of riding the Tail of the Dragon every year.  Try somewhere new come to the Tennessee Lost Highways. 

 

The Dragon Slayer: A Ride Deep into Coal Country

While in Pikeville a couple of days ago, we picked up a map of Appalachia's motorcycle rides.  This is no small area.  Appalachia stretches from Northern Tennessee through eastern Kentucky as far east as Ohio and north as southern Pennsylvania.  Needless to say, there are a lot of square miles and a lot of different motorcycle rides. 

Today we are headed north on US 119; this road is God's gift to Motorcycle Riders. After making the turn on KY 160, wet stopped in Lynch, Kentucky, at an old Coal Mine, part of the National Mining Museum. We are cold, so some coffee and to warm up was right on time. The Lamp House Coffee Shop was the right place at the right time. So after a cup and a walk around the old train station, we are on our way.

Today our main goal is to ride the Dragon Slayer KY 160 from Lynch, Kentucky to Big Stone Gap, Virginia. This runs up and over Black Mountain, the highest point in Kentucky. This road is very challenging because of the change in elevation and tight winding curves. This ride reminds me of the Tail of the Dragon with better views. We stop at the top of Black Mountain for pictures and a great view.

Once off the Mountian, we stop in the picturesque town of Big Stone Gap for lunch. This town that sits in the Powell River Valley is a gateway to Appalachia. After a great lunch at Curklins, a fun place with outdoor seating, it serves the regular bar fare with various lunch specials. We plan our way back to the gap.

We decide to head back up the mountain on US Highway 421 from Pennington Gap, VA, to Harlen, Ky. This is a much different road with long sweeping turns on an excellent 4 lane highway. Once in Harlen, it's back down US 119 to the gap. It was a good day. Tomorrow is our last we plan to go out with a blast.

Tennessee Lost Highways: The Two Headed Dragon

We are in Cumberland Gap to ride some of these Appalachian motorcycle roads for a week. This area contains some of the country's best motorcycle roads in Nation.  Most of these roads are unknown and unspoiled by the lack of commercialization. 

It's day 2, and since we had such a long day yesterday up to Pikeville, we decide to take a shorter ride. This ride did not disappoint.  Called the Two-Headed Dragon, Kentucky 74, which turns into Tennessee 90, is one of America's great motorcycles roads.  This road will make your heart stop. Very unique because it climbs in and out of valleys with no traffic lights or urban obstructions. 

As you climb, the two mountain passes the overlooks will take your breath away.  There's plenty of tight twisting turns, and in the valleys, long, fast sweeping turns with some straightaways.  Keep alert because a set of hairpin turns are right around the corner. 

Once we turn south on US 25W, we get more of the same roads until we get to La Follette, where we stop for lunch.  After eating some good Mexican food, we make our way back to the Gap.  We follow TN 63, which follows the base of the Mountain Ridge.  The views with the sunny fall day and the changing leaves are quite the sight.  It's a good day.   

Once we get back to the Gap, we reflect on the ride and the fall colors.  It is hard to imagine anything better, and who would choose the Tail of the Dragon over this?  This is truly one of Tennessee's Lost Highways.  Tomorrow we have another ride planned with the words Dragon in it.  It is time to be the Slayer of the Dragon.