tzadick says:
Wow! What can I say? I've been riding since 2008 and discovered this little demon in the last few weeks. Rode it yesterday and nearly busted my ass. This is NOT for a beginner. I rode the Tail of the Dragon for the first time 3 days prior and thought I would be ready for anything after that. This route is a KILLER and far more challenging than the Dragon.
Sat May 2, 2020 at 1:20 PM
joedew2 says:
Love the triple switchbacks..
Fri Mar 25, 2016 at 7:49 AM
Anonymous_Motorcyclist says:
I feel as though this route needs to have a description, so here is my recommendation/overview:
For starters this route is NOT for those with only mild experience on switchbacks, steep roads or general hard cornering. If you are looking for a scenic route, this route is not for you, unless modular homes and scrappy "Deliverance†type buildings is your thing (not to say everything on this route is like that, but most is). There are 4 VERY sharp and steep switchbacks on this road, which will likely cause problems for larger bikes, or those riding with an inexperienced pillion. There are portions of the road that are heavily gravel covered and poorly maintained, including in downhill blind turns. But there are plenty of wonderful turns compounded upon one another that any mountain carver will love, once you reach Fork Mountain.
To start the route you should begin on 330N, this is to make your life easy when you come to the 4 switchbacks spoke of earlier. 330N is a simple country road with decent pavement and easy riding. There is one strange sharp S curve that leads over railroad tracks but that’s about it. And you will have to watch for a left turn of the main road way to continue following 330N. Once you come to the end of 330N you will come to a stop sign. This will be 116. You will turn left.
This portion of 116 is the hardest/worst part. I find that anyone looking to push their limits here will run into trouble/injury. The road is in awful condition and needs to be repaved badly. You will come upon the 4 switchbacks after turning left, maybe ¾ to a full mile down the road. They will go right, left, right, then an easy left then the final sharp right. You can see on the roadway where some have not calculated their turns correctly and have scraped pegs, mufflers, frames, etc. Following this portion there will be uphill to where there is an access road. There will be a LOT of gravel here. Go slow. You will then begin a descent. The road will be wonderfully twisty and you’ll want to open it up but DON’T, all of that gravel gets tracked down through these corners. Assume that every corner is laced with gravel and you’ll be fine. Once down the hill you will go a little ways (maybe a mile or two) and then come to a road split. 116 goes left across a bridge, straight takes you up a gravel road. This is another place to be super cautious. Gravel WILL be everywhere. Once you cross the bridge you will suddenly notice that the road is new on this side, the pavement fresh. This is where the route becomes fun, but take note that you will be heading through where people live, and this is where you will likely encounter traffic/pissed off residents (if your acting a fool). This portion is enjoyable and has little gravel, but is not the best part. Soon you will come to Fork Mountain.
Here is where some wonderful switchback and compound turns will take you up and down the mountain. There are no residents or intersecting roads here. If you have been looking to wear your chicken strips out, this is the place. Gravel hasn’t been bad in this area each time I’ve gone up and down it, but be cautious your first time. There is a gravel turn around area at the beginning on the right you can take a break at. Overall, there are a lot of blind corners, and some turns are much sharper than they first appear, but once this portion of road is learned it is an absolute blast. After the mountain the ride becomes docile country roads again till you reach 62. Turn left to head back to Oliver Springs for another lap or keep going to head for Oak Ridge. Never turned right so don’t really know where that goes.
I took this route last on 10/23/2011 and it was warmish and sunny. And remember if you head the other way you have to take those 4 intense switchbacks downhill.
Fri Jan 11, 2013 at 9:10 AM
CBH125 says:
I have been trying to go on this rode for a year and finally rode this route on 5/2011. The roads were in pretty decent shape with a few exceptions. The curves and switchbacks during the ascent and descent of the mountains were awesome, some of the best I have ridden. Yes, there were drop-offs and you had to pay attention to the road to make sure you didn't run off the road and there are some areas with gravel and dust in the corners but that should be expected especially on a back road that has very little traffic on it.
I found this road more challenging than the Dragon's Tail and will go back for more soon.
Fri Jan 11, 2013 at 9:10 AM
istinson says:
I have ridden the devils triangle numerous times. It has only gotten worse. Key reasons:
- Coal Mine is back open causing for hazardous conditions from coal dust on the road as well as gravel and road damage from the heavy trucks.
- The road has pot holes and areas that have washed out that have not been taken care of.
- There is not much to see up there other than the old Brushy Mountain State Prison
If you go nice and slow and realize that you can slip at any corner than have fun. But there is so many other roads to choose from I would choose those.
Fri Jan 11, 2013 at 9:09 AM
Ron48 says:
Fri Jan 11, 2013 at 9:09 AM