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Two of the highways that make up a portion of the 489 curves playground,
surrounding Shady Valley are TN 91 and TN 133. Beginning in Elizabethton,
Tennessee, take Highway 91 North eighteen miles until it enters the
Cherokee National Forest at the bottom of Cross Mountain. From here
the temperature will drop noticeably as the trees form a canopy overhead
and the road becomes twisty and curvy in the way that gets a motorcyclist’s
heart pumping. Riding over Cross Mountain, you will experience varied
road conditions, from smooth sweepers to bumpy switchbacks. As you
ascend, the road becomes tighter and then is bordered closely by
a guardrail on the southbound side; there are some sharp curves that
happen unexpectedly, so be prepared. Closer to the top, after a serious
right-hander, the road opens up into a series of esses that are major
fun. If you have never ridden this road before, the grin inside your
helmet will be ear to ear by this point. Hwy. 91 crosses the Appalachian
trail and then descends into Shady Valley Tennessee. The road opens
up, the canopy of trees overhead disappears, and the view of the
valley is at its best. This section of Hwy. 91 has a series of thrilling
downhill left and right-hand curves that quickly lower you onto the
valley floor. As the road straightens out at the bottom of the mountain,
be sure to notice the beautiful, flat farmland on the left-hand side
of the road. This is the land that formed the old cranberry bogs
before being drained to create some of the lushest farmland to be
found anywhere. Eleven miles and 101 curves after entering the Cherokee
National Forest at the bottom of Cross Mountain bring you to the
crossroads in Shady Valley. Turn left or right onto US
421 for one
of the best motorcycle roads to be found anywhere or continue straight,
and TN 91 becomes TN 133.
TN
133 leads you from Shady Valley to
Damascus, Virginia, but the truly exciting part begins
as the road once again enters the Cherokee National Forest.
A long series of fast sweepers is tied together by short straight-aways,
eventually bringing you—eight miles and seventy-six
curves later—to Backbone Rock Recreation Area. The interesting
feature of this park, and its namesake, is Backbone Rock,
through which passes the shortest tunnel in the world. This
is a wonderful place to stop and rest or enjoy a short hike
to the top of Backbone Rock (1/4 mile) or to Backbone Falls
(1/2 mile). Camping is available and this would make a great
place to camp at night and as a base from which to enjoy the
roads by day. From here it is 5 miles north to Damascus and
the beginning of another great series of motorcycle roads
around Mt. Rogers, the highest point in Virginia.
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