Kickstand Lodge

[Lucasind]

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kicks ... 48299baa99" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I was reading the 27 reviews posted by folks that have been to this lodge...not a bad word to say by anyone it seems ! The AVA rally in that area ,a couple of years ago went too quickly ! I just might have to wander back down that way for some more riding sometime . The wife is a hotel kinda gal, one of these sheds with a bed might not do it ! we'll see ..........................Tony

[usmalenurse]

I've never stayed at the Kickstand but have heard good things about it. I did spend a few nights in the bunkhouse at the Ironhorse and that was nice as well. The Ironhorse has some nicer cabins (with nicer prices) that your wife would probably prefer over the "sheds with a bed"...lol.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Iron+ ... a6e8f64162" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Lucasind]

Thanks Charles, I enjoyed the photos in the link to the "Ironhorse" that you provided. Your right ...looks like a nice place that may be a bit more "wife compatible"
The reason I was snooping around on the web for places like this in N.C. is cause the boys have been talking about returning to the tail of the dragon area this summer ,actually right after we get back from the Hurley A.V. A rally, and we were looking to make our "base" a place like this .

I was showing my wife the pictures of the "sheds with beds" found at the "kickstand lodge" and let's just say that ,that did not go over to well ! .......................Tony

*has anyone else been to one of these places or something similar to it ?

[ekap1200]

Thanks Charles, I enjoyed the photos in the link to the "Ironhorse" that you provided. Your right ...looks like a nice place that may be a bit more "wife compatible"
The reason I was snooping around on the web for places like this in N.C. is cause the boys have been talking about returning to the tail of the dragon area this summer ,actually right after we get back from the Hurley A.V. A rally, and we were looking to make our "base" a place like this .

I was showing my wife the pictures of the "sheds with beds" found at the "kickstand lodge" and let's just say that ,that did not go over to well ! .......................Tony

It is a great place if you don't mind roughing it. Clean bath house, great friendly owner and the guests have always been great, I try to stop in there once a year and use it as a home base for all the great roads in that area. There is no retail sale of food, every one helps out, Mo, goes shopping during the day for food, she comes up with the dinner menu, and most of the campers all help out preparing and cooking, and dish detail. We all chip in 10.00 to 15.00 per dinner to cover the cost of food and supplies. Always great eats, and liquid apple pie. First one awake makes a few pots of coffee and maybe starts a few pounds of the best Georgia bacon you have ever seen. Us guys would have a blast staying there, Women , well it takes a special breed of camper woman to enjoy it. There is a bunk house sleeps 4, and two cabins with electric and near the front bathrooms. On site tent set up to rent and about 9 sheds with a bed. Washer and drier on site... NO TV, or air/conditioning. but a nice shallow stream to grab a lawn chair and sit in the stream with a cooler. I had Marie there once , have Pam call Marie, at first she didn't like it , then didn't want to leave. Marie had to at least have electric, so after the first night we moved up to on of the two better rooms. Sheds with a bed didn't go well with Marie.
PS Brad would have fun there.......and both the boys would love the roads.
Franklin is just south of there , where Dave lives. HE runs those mountain roads like he owns them..... Very rare to see his brake lights come on. The crowd there are the one's that taught me just how far a voyager can lean into the mountains twisties. If you go to their site photos you will more than likely see me in some pics. For more upscale lodging check out Fontana Villiage. Its right near the Fontana dam where in the movie fugitive , Harrison Ford leaps out into the water. You could spend a week and not ride a road twice. My opinion , best roads east of the Mississippi
Gene.

Gene Kap.

*has anyone else been to one of these places or something similar to it ?

[Lucasind]

Thanks for that info .Gene, The boys are kickin around the idea of riding the sport bikes all the way down there ! (I could not make that trip on a sport bike any more !) I would be a "tag along"
on my XII of course, no plans are made yet ,just in the talkin about it stage.

I will go to the lodge's website and see if I can find YOU in some of their photos !

[starrider]

I haven't stayed at any of the lodges as my brother lives East of Knoxville about 15 minutes from Rt 129. Stay with him when I'm in the area.

Just got back from 2 week trip down that way. Road the Tail of the Dragon and Back of the Dragon in Virginia. Route 16 from Marion to Tazwell. Every bit as good as the Tail and 3 times as long. Worth riding if you are down that way.

[usmalenurse]

I haven't stayed at any of the lodges as my brother lives East of Knoxville about 15 minutes from Rt 129. Stay with him when I'm in the area.

Just got back from 2 week trip down that way. Road the Tail of the Dragon and Back of the Dragon in Virginia. Route 16 from Marion to Tazwell. Every bit as good as the Tail and 3 times as long. Worth riding if you are down that way.

+1.....on the "Back of the Dragon"....and a lot less crowded as well!

[Lucasind]

I haven't stayed at any of the lodges as my brother lives East of Knoxville about 15 minutes from Rt 129. Stay with him when I'm in the area.

Just got back from 2 week trip down that way. Road the Tail of the Dragon and Back of the Dragon in Virginia. Route 16 from Marion to Tazwell. Every bit as good as the Tail and 3 times as long. Worth riding if you are down that way.

Man... I wish I had a brother that lived "just east of Knoxville" !
when we leave here (Toledo) we go to Knoxville and spend the night there, to go to "Hooters"
(Hey ! , just for the chicken wings ! ) that is a good enough one day ride for us, 9 hours in the saddle is all I care to do anymore ! Thanks for the suggestions , I;m thinking we may head that way in July......I just love watching the boys SUFFER riding their sport bikes that far Sometimes along the way ...they ask me if "I want to trade bikes for a bit"....I just smile and say " NO"
When they choose to buy those kinds of bikes , I tell them why they should NOT ! well I think I'm edging them one step closer to facing the inevitable....."buy a touring bike" ....Tony


* I have NEVER asked them if they want to trade rides for awhile !

[ekap1200]

I haven't stayed at any of the lodges as my brother lives East of Knoxville about 15 minutes from Rt 129. Stay with him when I'm in the area.

Just got back from 2 week trip down that way. Road the Tail of the Dragon and Back of the Dragon in Virginia. Route 16 from Marion to Tazwell. Every bit as good as the Tail and 3 times as long. Worth riding if you are down that way.

Man... I wish I had a brother that lived "just east of Knoxville" !
when we leave here (Toledo) we go to Knoxville and spend the night there, to go to "Hooters"
(Hey ! , just for the chicken wings ! ) that is a good enough one day ride for us, 9 hours in the saddle is all I care to do anymore ! Thanks for the suggestions , I;m thinking we may head that way in July......I just love watching the boys SUFFER riding their sport bikes that far Sometimes along the way ...they ask me if "I want to trade bikes for a bit"....I just smile and say " NO"
When they choose to buy those kinds of bikes , I tell them why they should NOT ! well I think I'm edging them one step closer to facing the inevitable....."buy a touring bike" ....Tony

And when they buy a touring bike get one with a trailer hitch to pull the rocket bikes for the twisty roads when they get there.... problem solved..
On one of my trips out west I seen a Goldwing pulling a home made dirt bike trailer with an older CR250, and his other gear tied down around it.

[Lucasind]

This is how I think they will get each other down to the Smoky mountains !
( I think they may have 3 or 4 of them going now !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM3jofr2iBk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



\
*just teasing, but .....AAAHHHH to be 21 again !