Overall Route Rating
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4.71 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.71
21 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By MCR Contributor (1039 McR Points) on May 17, 2011

Rider Reviews

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cropduster68
October 10, 2011
This road is one of the better kept secrets in…
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Guest
August 7, 2012
I too love this road. Much less crowded, scenery…
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Written Directions

Note: A rider sent an email to MotorcycleRoads.com in June of 2014 stating "Ever since I can remember its been called The Rattler and merchandise for the road has been sold back as far as the early 2000's I bought my first shirt for the road in Jan 2007". So keep in mind that locals may refer to this ride as "The Rattler." Shiner's Run is the stretch of North Carolina State Road 209 that starts at I-40 and goes north for 33 miles before ending in Hot Springs, North Carolina. I found a map and some pics on the Trust General Store website at https://www.trustgeneralstore.com.

Scenery

Amazing scenery. To me, this is a better run than the Dragon. Winds its way the mountains from I-40 to Hot Springs on 209. There are old farms, rock bed rivers, scenic mountain overlooks, old churches. Beautiful ride. Even better in the fall when the leaves are changing. Have done this run several times.

Drive Enjoyment

Road is in good shape and provides riders with a bit of everything; twisties, high-speed sweepers, elevation changes and a couple of scenic straightaways through farm land.

Tourism Opportunities

Shiner's Run starts at I-40 and ends in Hot Springs. About half way to Hot Springs is the Trust General Store and Cafe which is very biker friendly and serves a mean cheese steak. Hot Springs, at the end of the ride, is a great ending spot with a handful of restaurants and stores. Don't miss the Iron Horse restaurant/hotel!
 

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Scubamedic
February 14, 2020
19 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
well to begin with you have it named wrong its been called the rattler for many years as its tail end of dragon but anyway , Amazing scenery. in my option is a better run than the Dragon. Winds its way the mountains from I-40 to Hot Springs on 209. There are old farms, rock bed rivers, scenic mountain overlooks, old churches. Beautiful ride. Even better in the fall when the leaves are changing. Have done this run several times. also there a couple great restaurants on the way that are great food
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Mark B.
July 20, 2020
262 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
The road of many names: Shiners Run, the Rattler, and The Gambler. I prefer The Gambler because of towns along the way named Trust, Luck and Bluff. Riding it north gives you more elevation climb and takes you away from the larger towns. It tends to follow rivers through a couple of narrow valleys. Not much long range scenery, but you'll be busy trying to look around the blind corners to worry about scenery.
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Jabbers
August 1, 2020
7 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
Rode this the other day. At the beginning you should see a sign on the right that calls it the Rattler. Plenty of turns just be careful, there seemed to be a bit more loose gravel in the turns than I have experienced in the past on other roads.
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