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0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

This road is one of the better kept secrets in western N.C. In my opinion this is better than Deal's Gap. Just as many challenging twisties and much less traffic and law enforcement. Fine scenery with the beautiful valley of Spring Creek in the middle of the run. The section from Fine's Creek to Hot Springs is excellent. This road is also know as "The Rattler." You're going to love this one!

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

I too love this road. Much less crowded, scenery is some of the best. I ride this several times a year. Make the Trust general store a for sure stop.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

This road has been renamed "The Rattler". It has not changed the enjoyment of the ride at all.

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Other

Hi I was wondering how you came up with the name for NC HWY 209 because 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.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Cannot adequately describe the beauty. Took 25/70 east from TN to 209 S to I-40. Great ride with all the twist & turns, elevation. 25\70 runs along the French Broad River...breathtakingly beautiful. Will be going on this ride again.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

This is the Rattler, I don't know what shiners run is. But about halfway down the route found a great place to eat in an old schoolhouse. picked up some rattler gear and had a killer shake, Highly recommend!

21 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Road is being paved which is fantastic... Downside is gravel being put on shoulder. Being a semi narrow road we dodged and slid quite a bit. None of the crazy traffic or hooplah which is a plus. Fantastic scenary. One of my favorites this trip to mountains!!

344 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

great road, lots of curves and views the campground in hot springs is right beside the French broad river barbrosa is a cool bar a few miles from hot springs in del rio tn

2629 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

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Terrific run. It has twisties, high-speed sweepers, elevation changes and scenic sections through farm land and forests. Lots of variety.
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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

187 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

Rode this again on Sept. 25th, 2020 and it was super fun. Always knew it as The Rattler however like the idea of Shiner's Run. You can find those stickers, patches, etc. at the Trust General Store.

31 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

The many times that i have ridden this run they was hardly any traffic. One ride we started out early and about midway to Hot Springs it started to rain and the trees started losing their leaves. The road became so slick but with care and lots of caution we made it to Hot Springs. We had a good lunch and headed back south to Waynesville for a spectacular evening ride. That year we were staying at Moose Crossing Log Cabins.

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.

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.

4000 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

The road gets better the closer you get to Hot Springs. To that end I do recommend starting off in Hot Springs. Start there gives you uphill twisties, which are usually a bit better than downhill ones, less brakes, one less thing to concern yourself with. However, I've only ever done it south to north. Even doing it that way this is a good, proper twisty road the further north you go, and worth it even coming off of US 40. It may not see so at the time while rolling off of 40 onto a fairly straight road, but it gets meaner the further north you go, especially past the convenience store that has the large "The Rattler" sign out front. Keep an eye out for gravel in the low land, light twisty area. It's always there, and can be seen easily, but worth noting.

5 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

enjoyed it going north, gonna try it southbound this summer

5 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Super early spring ride so understandably a fair amount of gravel etc on the road. Nice twists and turns. Great ride! Ended up in Hot Springs to find not much available seating for meals or drinks. Had an overpriced $8 pint of cider at the Iron Horse Grill.

60 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Awesome ride loved it

327 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Names have changed , the enjoyment has not! Enjoy the ride as it has it all,

60 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

fun ride to start our trip

35 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Nice ride, lots of variety. Have occasionally had some issues with sand/gravel showing up at unfortunate times.