Show all reviews

37 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Best ride EVER! We road the Devil's Triangle counter clockwise and had a great ride. The switchbacks are intense and while we did one of them in the rain, it was a fantastic ride. Very technical riding the switchbacks, several within a few mile radius. The rain held off for 85%, of our ride with mostly clear skies, but being in the mountains, the rain seemed to hang around in one area so we rode through it. The section of 116 turning south to 62 from the north was the most enjoyable than all the switchbacks. It had sweeping turns and some tight 180's that keep your attention. We had four riders and felt this was the best ride of our trip, which included, the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Just returned from a beautiful Spring afternoon ride along SR116/SR330 from Petros in Morgan County to Oliver Springs, which sits at the corner of Morgan, Roane and Anderson counties.

The description of this route here on the site is pretty accurate. Running the route clockwise from Petros, you gain nearly a thousand feet of elevation while navigating some of the most technical road in the area. The town of Petros sits around 1,350ft and the crest of the mountain is just shy of 2,200ft. SR116 "straightens" out once your descended the other side of Brushy Mountain and begin riding along New River.

Road quality is great. Though, there are some areas where some patchwork has been done, so be careful as some of those areas are located in turns. Also watch out for gravel in the corners and mining and logging trucks and even though this road is not a "high traffic" one, those who do drive it often like to cut corners and cross over into the other lane around turns. Just be careful and vigilant and you should be OK.

Once SR116 meets up with SR330, you can either follow SR116 northeast to Lake City via Briceville, or head southwest on SR330 to Oliver Springs. The route shown on this site has you traveling toward Oliver Springs. SR330 is a nice two-lane stretch of highway with several straights and quite a few long, sweeping curves as it runs parallel to the northern side of Walden Ridge.

Once you come into Oliver Springs on SR330, turn left to go to Oak Ridge or right to head back toward SR61/SR62.

Overall, SR116 is a highly technical road and is not for the novice rider. As far as technical curves, this road puts the Tail of The Dragon to shame.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

We always called this route, the Devil's Triangle, by adding the lower route, which is just a nice TN Backroad. Can be ridden clockwise or counterclockwise, I've only ridden it counterclockwise, and I can tell you there are a couple turns that will increase your pucker factor by about 8 to 9 points!! NOT for the weak hearted, great route and not as well known as it's cousins to the South!

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

After riding over 45 years, this is by far the most technical road I've ever ridden. Enjoy the route, but take your time and evaluate everything and because all is not as it first appears. We traveled from Lake City to Petros, and the first hairpin is a real fooler. At first I could not figure out where the road went, then I figured out it was not only to my right, but above and behind me probably 25 or more degree uphill. A real challenge when I realized that second gear was probably not low enough. My daughter and I took our time, rode the whole distance with grins on our face, and hearts in our mouth on some turns. Watch out for very large dump trucks on the upper sections and gravel in the hairpins. Take it easy and enjoy the ride.

10 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

This road is a ton of fun, I know it as the Devil's Triangle. Be careful of the extreme switchbacks and the drop off on both sides of the road. I would readily ride this again. You should also consider touring the Brushy Mountain State Pen at the end of it. Well worth your time.

3736 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Slingshot

Rode it counterclockwise starting on 116 south of Ginger's Deli (close to Briceville), which by the way sells Triangle t-shirts, stickers and patches. On 116 pavement had a few spots where it was a little rough and couple spots with gravel, other than that surface was pretty good. 116 from Rocky Top to start of Triangle is a nice ride too. Rode DT twice, Friday afternoon and Sunday afternoon, not much traffic either day, although on Friday got stuck behind a couple of Jeep's for about 8-9 miles on 116 north of Brushy Mtn State Pen, Pushed 'em a couple times, but they would not pull over and let us pass, had many, many places to do so. Later was behind caravan of 5-6 Jeeps on 62 for a couple miles, same thing. With Windrock sitting on southern part of DT, the Jeeps act like they own the road, had no issues with side by sides. Anyhow... stopped at Brushy Mtn State Pen because the jeeps didn't, we didn't do the tour or eat or anything, pulled in cause we were tired being behind the idiots in the Jeeps. Checked it out, hit the restrooms and back on the road. Devil's Triangle is a really fun ride... loved it! Has some wicked switchbacks. I'd say eighty percent of the time we had open road in front of us, there's just not the traffic you have on further south. Pavement does look rougher riding clockwise.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport

Great views and winding roads.

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

Rode the Devil's Triangle for the first time yesterday. One full lane was washed out at two places on 116. Tons of asphalt dry-patch with loose rocks, loose gravel at several hairpins from washed out driveways, downed trees and limbs, and all the hair raising technical switchbacks mentioned by others. I've been riding on and off road for 23 years, and have never been on a more dangerous ride - nor have I ever enjoyed riding so much.

Not for the inexperienced or knee-dragging, but by far one of the best rides in the states.

5 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport

super fun and great views

40 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

This one is NOT for beginners unless you are starting at the old Brushy Mountain State Prison (now the Brushy Mountain Distillery) and going up the hill towards Rocky Top, TN (formerly Lake City, TN). I say this because of the switchbacks encountered on TN-116. One of them is a steep incline while climbing to the right and can only be taken at 5 to 10 MPH! Be careful on this one!

80 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Adventure Touring

The majority of the Triangle is back country county roads. The best part of the ride is the third of the ride starting at Petros. It is mountainous there, curves and switchbacks.

72 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Nice ride, I think I need to ride it again when I'm in the area. And stop by the Prison that they turned into a distillery.

327 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

A must ride on your bucket list if it is not on there already!!!!

50 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

whew... that's all i can say

34 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Same feeling as the dragon but with a lot more mileage.

7 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Little traffic. Watch for loose gravel on the roadway. Stop by the old Brushy Mountain State Prison in Petros and tour the prison/visit the moonshine distillery.

47 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

The uphill switchbacks are one of the most challenging parts of this ride. The scenery was a good bonus to this route.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Love this ride. I would say the 2nd best in east Tennessee

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Enduro

Thanks Wideglide, for the excellent review (I especially liked the history of the region). At this writing, the pavement from SR 62 going northeast is fresh. Once it turns southeast, its variable. You'll notice Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary on the left as you head clockwise from SR 62. This is where James Earl Ray (who assassinated M. L. King, Jr.) lived out his days. The next few miles after the prison are quite technical. It climbs and descends the mountain with numerous switchbacks and big drop-offs. Use caution the first time through. Since most know the Dragon, the really twisty part of this ride is tighter, shorter, has less visibility with bigger drop-offs, and has more elevation change. Great fun once you've been through it once. After that, the road is less twisty but more scenic. You'll be along the river where curves, homes, and old coal tipples, etc., make for a great ride. On 5/11/12, I took the road Google maps currently marks in yellow called Norma Road (heads northwest when SR 116 turns southeast). I was coming from the south going to Big South Fork and this looked like a good short cut. The first 11 miles were gravel. They were just putting fresh gravel (typical after the winter) as I ran into a grater and a gravel truck. Not very pleasant even on my GS. The creek it ran along was not very visible either, so it lacked scenery as well. This is logging country; I caught or passed 6 logging trucks on my way to SR 63. I wanted to mention this in case you are actually trying to get somewhere using this route. I have not been on SR 330 but I can say that SR 116 is a great road. Enjoy.

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

This route has been nicknamed "Devil's Triangle" and is a lot of fun. If Deal's Gap and Cherohala Skyway are 5-star routes, then this is a solid 4-star ride, SR 116 is the most significant portion of the "Devil's Triangle." There are several low gear, 180 degree switchbacks with elevation change. There's one decreasing radius turn that will make you clinch (as ran from SR 330). This is a rural road and not manicured for motorbiking like 129 and the Cherohala Skyway; however, that adds to the excitement. Riders can expect downed tree limbs, washed out debris, and foliage in the road. Sound treacherous? It is, but it's worth it! Be safe and enjoy!