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Next week my wife and I are going to a family wedding in Linville, NC. We plan to trailer the bike up there and are staying over in Linville two days just to ride. Any suggestions with Linville as a starting point?

Get the June issue of Rider magazine and ride The Snake. You're already going to be on NC 90 and that's the beginning leg of the loop.

RamSound....You'll be right next to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Just get on and go for some of the best riding in the area! You'll be just a short ride from Deals Gap, home of the world famous "Tail of the Dragon" as well.

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/dragon.html

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqtdJKM5Mfk

Here's a map of the Dragon:
www.tailofthedragon.com/maps_dragon_road.html

RIDE THE DRAGON... More twisties and turns than you can imagine! It isnt a fast paced ride, but it is immaculate and the scenery is beautiful! Wish I could get away from work, I'd meet ya up and go for a ride. Be safe!

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Any suggestions with Linville as a starting point?

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GoodGod, man - you'll be in Heaven. Go anywhere and it will be great.

Head in any direction and all is good. North, west and south is mtn. vistas. East you'll get the the piedmont - basically flat/rolling land surrounded by mountains. Go south for you and take in the suggested Dragon - although it sounds like there are better, less traveled roads. I'd do it just to say you were there. It's a conversation piece. Then head north along or on the ;Ridge' to Boone, and Blowing Rock and give the Mrs. a treat. Blowing Rock is a nice, treandy little artsy town - sorta like a little Taos but with a twang. Just go anywhere - ya won't go wrong and don't miss Ashville regardless of where you go.

Thanks for all the ideas. I need to look at the map carefully. I didn't realize the Dragon was that close to there. Stopping at interesting places would make my wife happy. I love vistas, she's not big on all twisties. We saw this as a golden opportunity - I can't wait.

don't waste valuable time to ride the dragon. do you have 4 hours to get there? you'll be almost 160 miles away. Too many roads in the linville area for you to give a dern about the crotch rocket killing fields.

Ah, the Snake!

Must be a lot of Snakes out there I looked and I couldn't find a map of the route in this issue of Rider, but this is an abbreviated version of their longer circle. It's all good anyway, just come out of the motel and turn left or right and the riding will be fantastic.

Bob,

Here goes my attempt at meeting the requirements you have voiced:

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...Stopping at interesting places would make my wife happy. I love vistas, she's not big on all twisties. We saw this as a golden opportunity - I can't wait.

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Okay then. Here is my idea for a Romantic romantic trip with the mrs

Start out early. Take your breakfast at the hotel. You'll be heading north and stopping at the Mast General Store - Valle Crucis, NC. You did say a bit of shopping, no? Check out the bakery a block or so south. too...Get back on your sickle and head NW to Fred's General Mercantile where you can take your lunch at Freds Deli. Oh yeah, you can have the wife load up the saddlebags some more too! After lunch take a very small side trip to the Roan Mountain State Park if you will. Scenery and such.

Then side stand up and head South on a beautiful, easy highway to the Switzerland Inn Chalet Restaurant and Bar, 86 High Ridge Road, Little Switzerland, NC . I gare'ron'tee you that you will have one of the best Mountain suppers you could ever hope for. The 13 oz New York Strip topped with a bleu cheese and garlic butter is about the best I have ever had. The menu is fine. Nice wine list and some microbrews for the man thirst.

After that romantic supper, ride back to Linville and collect that which ye have sown. :grin

This can take all day...And you will have a real hard time getting things to settle down once back at the love nest. omg...

First off it looks like I'd like to go North from Linville to Blowing Rock along the Blue Ridge Pkwy. and on to Deep Gap. Turn West through Boone and head into TN (beginning of the Snake). Go south on the Appalachian trial and turn back East at 19 going through Banner Elk back to Linville. A nice loop with great places to stop, eat, and shop.

Day 2 may have to head South from Grandfather Mt. along Blue Ridge to Linville falls to Marion and back up toward the Blue Ridge, Little Switzerland, etc. on the way back to Linville.

This should take in as lot of the area suggested. I'll have to put off the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway for the next trip with the guys. This trip I don't want to wear out my wife and try to stay closer to our home base. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

I am serious about the meal at the Switzerland Inn Chalet Restaurant and Bar. Also the Skyline Inn in Little Switzerland/Spruce Pine immediately off the BRP has a very nice selection of adult beverages at their store. They sell an English Pale Ale, 'Old Speckled Hen' that is worth the stop.

Moe, sounds like Little Switzerland is a must. It would be a great stop for food and brew. I'm sure my brother who we're staying with will have some more suggestions. Too bad he's not a bike rider.

Sometimes you just have to scan your own stuff if Google can't find it: