MotoMission Holy Smokies 2025 - Tellico Plains, TN

Aug 13

Motomisson hosts group rides a few times a year in different locations all over the USA. Most rides are based out of Tennessee as Brock is based out of Tennessee as well. Holy Smokies was the third ride in his 2025 line up. Holy Smokies was hosted in Tellico Plains, TN at Smitty’s Lodge Motorcycle Campground & Cabins. Smitty’s is 324 miles away from me in NC taking a direct route it would take 5 hours and 28 mins to arrive. I would be riding my Tenere 700 so taking a direct route isn’t an option for me, I definitely want to take a more scenic route. I mapped out a good ride on my Garmin and the day before the event I jumped on my Tenere and hit the road for Tellico!

I decided to go through Lake Lure & Blowing Rock. This area was absolutely devastated September 2024 by Hurricane Helene. I’ve never been to either location, since we were going to be close might as well check it out. It was so sad to see the amount of destruction that still remained, mind blowing is an understatement. On the positive side you still had some businesses open and running. We did run into several delays in the area due to road closures and work in progress, which I expected. I set our first destination for the Sunoco gas station at the start of the Cherohala Skyway, no way I was riding out that way and miss an opportunity to ride this epic road! It did not disappoint in anyway and I wish I had more time to stop and take in the views. We were extremely pressed for time as the delays would make us cut it real close to missing our check in time by 6! I pulled into Tellico Cabin Rentals and got the cabin key with 10 mins to spare! Soon as I got the key the sky's opened up and the rain began. It rained on and off all night and into the next day.

The rain would hold off for my ride to the campground on the day of the event start. Check-in time was 3 and was essentially get an event arm band, shirt, and meet & greet with everyone. The event would have multiple days of riding with 2 sessions of moto coaching & moto games. It was great to see the moto coaching the event as I feel we should always be working on core fundamentals of riding and especially off road riding. These are very perishable skills and require constant polishing to stay sharp.

I would hang with Brock on the rides for the event so I could capture some images for him and the MotoMission crew and we got some killer images!

All the rides I was on were absolutely great riding. The few get offs I witnessed I saw multiple people step up quick to help pick up bikes or whatever was needed. One of the best things about this community is how willing we are to help one another. I think a lot of that comes from how humbling ADV riding can be. It’s not a matter of if you’ll crash it’s a matter of when.

“Riding a motorcycle and expecting not to crash is like swimming and expecting to not get wet.”

— Nicky Hayden

Out of all the rides we did my main focus was to accomplish the infamous Witt Rd water crossing. I got my opportunity and man it was no joke! I highly recommend this route even if you walk across the last water crossing as Witt Rd has multiple water crossings before the hardest crossing (starting from TN 68), so get out there and enjoy it!

Snacks, water, and coffee were all provided everyday. On Saturday dinner was also provided which was delish!

Sunday morning we went to Tellico River where Brock performed several Baptisms, which was a beautiful send off for the event.

After the Baptisms we left Tellico Plains and hauled back to NC. I took another scenic route but this time through North Georgia and South Carolina which was absolutely beautiful. No better way to explore it than on a motorcycle.
All in all this was an epic event with epic people. I can’t say enough positive things about my experience at Holy Smokies 2025. My only regret is I didn’t sign up for more of his events in 2025.

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