I grew up in Bristol. My dad worked at the Jacobs Creek Job Corps Center. I learned to drive on 421 in a Dodge D-50 with 36 dozen eggs in back. I’ve ridden the legendary California roads like Ortega Highway, Big Bear & Angeles Crest. I will put 421 up against them any day.
I used to live right near the Ortega Highway. I've ridden it more times than I can remember. Now I live in northeastern Tennessee. I've been in 49 states, and the riding in this part of the country is the best I've experienced. Big Bear is still one of my favorite rides out west, but the rides here are my favorite!
I live right near the Snake. It's a fun ride! Even more fun is to ride the entire "Hungry Mother" ride. It encompasses The Snake, The Back of the Dragon, and the Widow Maker. Talk about some crazy riding!! Thanks for sharing your video!! It's nice to see people enjoying our roads here in Tennessee, southwest Virginia, northwest North Carolina, southeast Kentucky, and parts of W. Virginia. Fantastic riding here!!
Have riden the snake, the rattler, the tail, the back, the moonshiner, the cherahola parkway, and a few more, looking forward to riding the devils whip this summer and a few more as we stay in Maggie Valley for a week. Been on many parts of the Blue ridge parkway and skyline drive as well and to be honest living in Roanoke VA we have a ton of routes that are as awesome as these and some more difficult. I enjoy them all on my 08SG and can never wait to get back out there and ride. tons of respect for those that ride safely and respectfully. enjoyed this video and the fact you wear all the right gear.
I laughed when you said you could ride the Snake every day. I once talked to an employee of the Shady Valley Country Store. She said she lived in Mountain City and commuted to work on US 421 every work day.
Love your video. Great narrating. Thanks for introducing me to the snake. If i get the opportunity to go biking in the states, this is my top bucket list item now. Hi from new Brunswick, Canada
I came across your video and watched it it was very nice I ride that road around eight times a year I'm from Cleveland Ohio and I love that area my mom and dad is from Gate City
Hey Timmie! Your parents picked a beautiful place to live surrounded by mountains. And how lucky you are to visit often. You might recognize many of the places I ride in my other videos.
I will I ride all over that area all year long when the weather is permitting have you been to that little Orchard Campground over off of 421 that area is beautiful
Nice video and narration, thanks for sharing. I noticed few leaves on the trees. You uploaded the video at the end of April, and I would expect spring to be in full bloom by then. Wrong assumption? Do you remember when you filmed, or is this normal for this area? Tires, my Dunlops were good for 8k on the rear and 16k front. I switched to Michelin Commander II and now III's. They're a better riding tire, and I get twice the life out of them. I've run them on a Street Glide and a Road King.
Glad you liked the video-it was recorded in March. Thanks for sharing your tire experiences-I just got 11k out my last rear tire. I hope to get at least 16k out of the Dunlop Elite I am trying this time. If not, I will try the Commanders!
@ShesShiftingGears The Commanders don't get the unsettling feeling of slipping on tar snake patches or getting pulled around on lane grooves when changing lanes on the expressway. I look forward to seeing more of your videos. I'm considering a move to eastern Tennessee, so more information is good. I rode the Snake and the Tail of the Dragon, but another perspective is always nice to see. Bye 👋.
Thank you for taking us along, looks like a great ride. I have a question you can help me with. My wife and I are planning a two-week road trip vacation for mid-October in the TN/NC region this year, We’ve been before, usually much earlier in the year and have enjoyed the endless list of twisty roads in our Mini Cooper, but this time we’ll both be on two wheels, at least that’s the plan for now. My question is, is it too late in the year? I know there’s no predicting the weather these days, and we will be looking at the forecast before heading over from Dallas, but since you’re a local can you give any advice. We love riding our bikes, and we’ve done a few long runs in the past, but I’m concerned about rain being a joy killer, especially on two wheels. What do you think?
You and your wife are going to have an awesome road trip. October is beautiful and chilly -- but it's a great time to ride here! Send me a message through Instagram when you'll are in the area.
How does this compare to the tail of the dragon I am in Texas and we have the three twisted sisters that is about a 100 miles long and if I can get some one to get a comparison to
I rode both roads again last week. Us 129 (Tail of the Dragon) is it is much more condensed, crowded, and has more curves but I think that US421 (Snake) has more technically challenging turns beyond switchbacks, it has pretty views, and is a mix of high adrenaline & relaxing. I actually prefer US 16 Back of the Dragon to both of these roads.
I grew up in Bristol. My dad worked at the Jacobs Creek Job Corps Center. I learned to drive on 421 in a Dodge D-50 with 36 dozen eggs in back. I’ve ridden the legendary California roads like Ortega Highway, Big Bear & Angeles Crest. I will put 421 up against them any day.
Wow! That is is cool learning to drive story! I would have had to make an omelet, if I’d have learned on 421 🤣
I used to live right near the Ortega Highway. I've ridden it more times than I can remember. Now I live in northeastern Tennessee. I've been in 49 states, and the riding in this part of the country is the best I've experienced. Big Bear is still one of my favorite rides out west, but the rides here are my favorite!
I live right near the Snake. It's a fun ride! Even more fun is to ride the entire "Hungry Mother" ride. It encompasses The Snake, The Back of the Dragon, and the Widow Maker. Talk about some crazy riding!! Thanks for sharing your video!! It's nice to see people enjoying our roads here in Tennessee, southwest Virginia, northwest North Carolina, southeast Kentucky, and parts of W. Virginia. Fantastic riding here!!
Thank you!!! - This sounds awesome. I am going to make this loop ASAP! 😎
The snake is my home road. Been riding that road since it was a wooly worm. Lol
🤣 I wish it was called the wooly worm. It’s cool that you live there-I love that area, especially the roads!
Have riden the snake, the rattler, the tail, the back, the moonshiner, the cherahola parkway, and a few more, looking forward to riding the devils whip this summer and a few more as we stay in Maggie Valley for a week. Been on many parts of the Blue ridge parkway and skyline drive as well and to be honest living in Roanoke VA we have a ton of routes that are as awesome as these and some more difficult. I enjoy them all on my 08SG and can never wait to get back out there and ride. tons of respect for those that ride safely and respectfully. enjoyed this video and the fact you wear all the right gear.
I am glad you enjoyed riding along-you are going to have an amazing time riding this area! Summer is a great time to enjoy the mountain roads.
Ive done the tail and the back of the dragon. Looks like the snake is next on my list. 🐍🐍🐍🐍
You will love it!
Enjoyed the ride. Let the good times roll...
Thanks for riding along!
We rode this twice last week. Such a beautiful area with great curves and smooth roads!!
It really is!
Thanks for the great ride and video
Glad you enjoyed it!
Ha! We stopped at that same BP in Mountain City Memorial Day weekend!
Motorcycles make the world a smaller place-Did y’all make it to Shady Valley?
@@ShesShiftingGears We did! There'll be a video...sometime ;) Great to see ya at the Alleghany Inn, too!
Looks a awesome ride! The views look so beautiful! Thank you for sharing! Love your channel!! Keeping on riding safe!🏍
It is an awesome ride, Thomas! Thanks for watching 😁
Great ride! Thanks for taking us along with you! We will have to check this out.
I’m so glad you enjoyed riding along! It’s one of my favorite roads.
I laughed when you said you could ride the Snake every day. I once talked to an employee of the Shady Valley Country Store. She said she lived in Mountain City and commuted to work on US 421 every work day.
Lucky woman--she has an awesome commute!
I think you love this road 😁
I do love ❤️ this road very much!
@@ShesShiftingGears I was there today with 3 other buddies. 😎🤘
Love your video. Great narrating. Thanks for introducing me to the snake. If i get the opportunity to go biking in the states, this is my top bucket list item now. Hi from new Brunswick, Canada
Hi Paul! I do hope you have the opportunity to ride this area! There are so many great roads.
I came across your video and watched it it was very nice I ride that road around eight times a year I'm from Cleveland Ohio and I love that area my mom and dad is from Gate City
Hey Timmie! Your parents picked a beautiful place to live surrounded by mountains. And how lucky you are to visit often. You might recognize many of the places I ride in my other videos.
I will I ride all over that area all year long when the weather is permitting have you been to that little Orchard Campground over off of 421 that area is beautiful
I ride 421 a few times pretty fun but I found more technical roads in southwestern Virginia that's not even on any motorcycle routes
I agree that the best roads don’t have the notoriety or marketed names, nor the traffic on “named roads”-especially in Southwest Virginia!
Love the video great job 👍
Thanks for riding along! Glad you enjoyed it.
You are making me wanting to ride it. Looks fun.
😀 it is tons of fun!
Nice video and narration, thanks for sharing. I noticed few leaves on the trees. You uploaded the video at the end of April, and I would expect spring to be in full bloom by then. Wrong assumption? Do you remember when you filmed, or is this normal for this area?
Tires, my Dunlops were good for 8k on the rear and 16k front. I switched to Michelin Commander II and now III's. They're a better riding tire, and I get twice the life out of them. I've run them on a Street Glide and a Road King.
Glad you liked the video-it was recorded in March. Thanks for sharing your tire experiences-I just got 11k out my last rear tire. I hope to get at least 16k out of the Dunlop Elite I am trying this time. If not, I will try the Commanders!
@ShesShiftingGears The Commanders don't get the unsettling feeling of slipping on tar snake patches or getting pulled around on lane grooves when changing lanes on the expressway.
I look forward to seeing more of your videos. I'm considering a move to eastern Tennessee, so more information is good. I rode the Snake and the Tail of the Dragon, but another perspective is always nice to see. Bye 👋.
Road it today for the first time on my vstar. Loved it!!
Awesome! It is such an amazing road. Today was a great day to ride!
Thank you for taking us along, looks like a great ride. I have a question you can help me with. My wife and I are planning a two-week road trip vacation for mid-October in the TN/NC region this year, We’ve been before, usually much earlier in the year and have enjoyed the endless list of twisty roads in our Mini Cooper, but this time we’ll both be on two wheels, at least that’s the plan for now.
My question is, is it too late in the year? I know there’s no predicting the weather these days, and we will be looking at the forecast before heading over from Dallas, but since you’re a local can you give any advice.
We love riding our bikes, and we’ve done a few long runs in the past, but I’m concerned about rain being a joy killer, especially on two wheels. What do you think?
You and your wife are going to have an awesome road trip. October is beautiful and chilly -- but it's a great time to ride here! Send me a message through Instagram when you'll are in the area.
next time go to mountain city then ride up 91 to Damascus then back down to 421 Shaddy Valley Store something to change it up
That is a great route! Ride safe.
@@ShesShiftingGears you too
I feel this video was just to make me jealous.
Need to find a curse “beep” thats not that loud. Rip headphone users.
We will ride it this weekend!
🥺
Wow, and only 7193 kilometres from my house! I'm sold!
😂
that home I live on the Side Bristol TN
Cool!
How does this compare to the tail of the dragon I am in Texas and we have the three twisted sisters that is about a 100 miles long and if I can get some one to get a comparison to
I rode both roads again last week. Us 129 (Tail of the Dragon) is it is much more condensed, crowded, and has more curves but I think that US421 (Snake) has more technically challenging turns beyond switchbacks, it has pretty views, and is a mix of high adrenaline & relaxing. I actually prefer US 16 Back of the Dragon to both of these roads.
I think the owner of the store is Chris my dad knows him
Cool! It’s a great place.
How’d the camera/mic set-up hold up to the rain?
It only drizzled for a few minutes-so no issues.
Windshield shouldn't be so tall as to look through it .
I now have a clear one!