2025 Ride Report

Friendsville / Maryville, Tennessee Rides

September 10 through September 12, 2025

Pictures from my stopover in Friendsville, Tennessee near Maryville at the Friendsville First Baptist Church, a Harvest Hosts location that served as my base camp. I took several motorcycle rides from this location before moving on to my next stopover in Georgia.

The area provided easy access to some outstanding motorcycle roads, including the Foothills Parkway, Tail of the Dragon, Moonshiner 28, Wayah Road and the Cherohala Skyway, plus another ride through Cades Cove and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Click any photograph or route map to open the full-size image in a new tab/window.

Dates
9/10/2025 - 9/12/2025
Base Camp
Friendsville, Tennessee
Host
Friendsville First Baptist Church
Coordinates
Harvest Host:   35.7633532, -84.1310647
Picture Slideshow — Friendsville / Maryville ↗ Relive — Short Ride After Arrival ↗ Relive — Foothills / Dragon / Moonshiner / Cherohala Ride ↗ Relive — Cades Cove/Foothills Parkway  ↗ Jim's YouTube Channel ↗ 2017 Triumph Trophy Information ↗

The First Baptist Church of Friendsville ↗ was a very good base-camp location. The Harvest Hosts ↗ arrangement worked well for staging the RV, unloading the Triumph and riding the surrounding east Tennessee and western North Carolina roads.

BASE CAMP

Friendsville First Baptist Church

 

Coachmen Prism parked at Friendsville First Baptist Church
Friendsville Base CampHarvest Hosts stop at Friendsville First Baptist Church.
RV and motorcycle trailer at Friendsville First Baptist Church
First Baptist Church of Friendsville View the location on Google Maps ↗
Coachmen Prism parked beside Friendsville First Baptist Church
Great Host & LocationA convenient place to stage the RV and motorcycle.
Coachmen Prism and Triumph Trophy at Friendsville base camp
Ready to RideThe Triumph unloaded and ready for the Tennessee rides.
Route map
Short Ride After Arrival Click the map to enlarge it. ↗

BIG MOUNTAIN LOOP

Foothills Parkway, Tail of the Dragon, Moonshiner 28 & Cherohala Skyway

Triumph Trophy at Foothills Parkway sign
Foothills Parkway Foothills Parkway information ↗
Triumph Trophy at Foothills Parkway overlook
Foothills Parkway OverlookMountain scenery along the parkway.
Foothills Parkway mountain view
Foothills ParkwayMore east Tennessee mountain views.
Triumph Trophy at scenic overlook
Scenic StopA roadside overlook before continuing toward Deals Gap.
Triumph Trophy overlooking Tennessee mountains
Mountain ViewEnjoying the scenery along the route.
Tree of Shame at Deals Gap
Tree of Shame Tree of Shame at Deals Gap ↗
Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort and Tail of the Dragon
Deals Gap / Tail of the Dragon Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort ↗
Jim riding the blue Triumph Trophy on the Tail of the Dragon
Tail of the DragonAction photographs from the ride.
Triumph Trophy in Fontana Dam North Carolina area
Fontana Dam Area Dragon trip ideas ↗
Triumph Trophy at Fontana Village
Fontana Village Fontana Village Resort ↗
Fontana Lake view
Fontana Lake Fontana Lake information ↗
Triumph Trophy on Moonshiner 28 in North Carolina
Moonshiner 28Rode NC-28 from the Tennessee line to Franklin, North Carolina.
Triumph Trophy along Wayah Road
Wayah RoadAnother enjoyable western North Carolina road.
Mountain stream along Wayah Road
Along Wayah RoadNorthwest of Franklin, North Carolina.
Wayah Road in Macon County North Carolina
Wayah Road — Macon County Macon County information ↗
Cherohala Skyway information and Triumph Trophy
Cherohala Skyway Cherohala Skyway information ↗
Mountain views along the Cherohala Skyway
Along the Cherohala SkywayHigh-elevation views and mountain riding.
Route map
Big Mountain Loop Route Map — Foothills Parkway, Tail of the Dragon, Moonshiner 28 & Cherohala Skyway. Click the map to enlarge it. ↗

CADES COVE & GSMNP

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Ride

Interpretive sign in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains HistoryAn interpretive stop during the Cades Cove ride.
Triumph Trophy at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Official National Park Service site ↗
Triumph Trophy along Little River Road
Little River RoadAlong Little River Road in the GSMNP.
Cades Cove mountain scenery
Cades Cove Cades Cove Loop Drive ↗
Scenic overlook in Cades Cove
Cades Cove Scenic Overlook Cades Cove information ↗
Triumph Trophy in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Departing the GSMNPWrapping up the Cades Cove / Smokies ride.
Route map
Cades Cove / Foothills Parkway Route Map Click the map to enlarge it. ↗

For an additional look at Cades Cove, check out this Cades Cove driving video ↗ by Changing Lanes ↗.

Finished viewing this Ride Report? ← Return to the Ride Reports Index

Back to top ↑