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0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport

Rode the full Diamond Loop (226A 80) yesterday, on a beautiful, sunny fry fall day. I agree that 226A coming up towards the Parkway is a road with fantastic curves and huge fun potential. However, local authorities completely ruined the road; it is over and over covered with bitumen smearings winding in all directions. They make leaning into the curves a hasardous adventure. My StreetTriple R has fresh and warm Pirelli Diablo S tires with wonderful grip, but after the third bend with my rear wheel slipping on bitumen I gave up--and I am talking about moderate curve technique, no extreme hanging-off. To make things worse, there was sand in multiple curves on the upper half of 226A. There is hope though: The asphalt or route 80 is perfect and the road rightfully famous.

93 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport

Drove this road March 2015. 226A repaving is completed and is now in excellent condition.
Hoping to get a lot of riding on this road this summer.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

This is a great ride but the route we call the Diamondback Loop doesn't include Highway 226 it is Highway 226A and Highway 80 also known now as The Devil's Whip along with part of the Blue Ridge Parkway that connects the 2 roads.

Don't get me wrong highway 226 is a great ride but will have a lot of traffic including truck traffic 226A is restricted to trucks and is less traveled then 226.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

rode this on memorial day weekend. tar snakes crisscrossing road the entire length feel like ice when you hit them, so take it easy. this would be a great road if had new pavement.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport

Just visited the Diamondback this past weekend on a beautifully sunny day with perfect weather conditions. This is a fantastic riding road if you're just meandering along. However, I agree with another reviewer about the road patches, specifically on 226A. The asphalt smears cause really unnerving feedback from the front and rear tires. Moderately aggressive cornering made both tires feel like they were covered in oil. If you intend to ride this road aggressively, make sure you take out a hefty life insurance policy... The little cafe in Little Switzerland near the northern end of the loop was INCREDIBLE!

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

I visited Little Switzerland (home of the Diamondback 226A) on May 29-June 1st 2014.

I can confirm that the tar snakes are 85% gone as they have repaved the entire road. (It is still under construction and probably mid to end of Summer until it is 100% tar snake free).

I enjoyed this road very much, and virtually worry free. (I will be posting Video link soon on this page that shows the fresh new road)

There are some nice steep dipped in corners, and best of all little to no traffic when riding the inside loop.

Not a really hard road but will catch beginners off guard.

I will be visiting again in the Fall when the road is 100% complete.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

This is a great ride. I grew up in this area and still live close to it. The Diamondback Loop however contains Highway 80 (Devil's Whip) along with Highway 226A (Diamondback) Highway 226 is not considered part of the loop. It has truck traffic as it is the only way trucks have to get to the Spruce Pine area. It is a great road if you can catch it without trucks...lol

4 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Rode last year in July and the road was GREAT. tight curves and lots of twisties. No tar snake that I can remember. I left lots of scrapes on the road from the foot pegs. Will ride it again when we return to the area.

1095 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Rode this route during a recent stay in Little Switzerland. I rode 226A downhill, and then 226 uphill. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to ride it the reverse direction, which should be equally as fun/challenging. Despite the twisty nature of 226A, there's still a fair amount of traffic during the summer months, and 226 has a lot more truck traffic than I would have expected. Definitely challenging, but fun.

15 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport

Hurricane Helene recovery is going well. 226A is open all the way up, but Google may tell you otherwise and try to steer you away. Be aware that there are a number of areas with gravel across the road and no guardrails, and one spot with broken pavement, so be careful around blind curves

54 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Beautiful ride throughout; my wife is native to Little Switzerland and we are always on and around Mt. Mitchell, Blue Ridge Pkwy and Pisgah area. Never a dull moment.

60 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

loved the route great start to our day

60 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

loved the route great start to our day

44 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Nice ride with a lot of tight twists. Road was pretty clean. The biggest draw is the view. Grab lunch at the Switzerland Inn and take in the view of the valley. Wow!

327 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Great ride, great scenery. An A+ ride

60 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Very nice ride first one of the morning

26 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Peg scraper nearly the entire ride!

83 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

personal Favorite

187 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

One of my favorites.

187 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

I forgot how much I love this loop. Rode it on Sept. 20, 2020 and the roads are in great shape. Only had one vehicle get in the way on 226A going up the mountain and he quickly moved over and waved us by. Fun, Fun, Fun. Picked up new stickers at the shop at Little Switzerland.

4000 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Other

Great road in great condition for 226A. We took 226 down to the alternate, because we didn't know any better. Knowing what we know now we would have just done 226A down and back. Unlike many complaints on here, albeit from years past, the road was in great condition. (September 2020) (See the videos I have up to see what I mean.) I look forward to this road for my yearly vacation, from now on.

99 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Rode during Labor Day Weekend 2020 ride Enjoyed the Diamondback 226/226A

71 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Nice ride with lots of curves. Rode it a few times.

73 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Did this based off a map from Deals Gap resort. We included a stint on the Blueridge Parkway as well. 226a is unbelievable. It is tight and challenging similar to the Tail of the Dragon with next to no traffic on the weekday we went. Maybe better than the Tail in my opinion.

22 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Road was in good condition but they were repaving in front of the Little Switzerland Cafe 6/1/2020.

79 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

You will not be disappointed!

198 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Excellent ride but loop is to short. The good thing is all the surrounding areas are just as nice.

3912 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Other

Rode this back in July, came down NC-226 from NC-261 (Roan Mountain). Ran small loop (226 & 226A), then from Little Switzerland took 226A back out to 226, rode south to US-221 then south on 221 to US-70 west to NC-80 (Devil's Whip) and ran it up to US-19E (Micaville). If I recall correctly road conditions on 80 were a little rough in spots, but all in all it was a really nice ride!

187 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

Fantastic road !

187 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

Well, just went by what I was told at the Little Switzerland Shop about the short loop. I know this little loop is fun if you don't have time for the larger loop. However, I'm heading down there in a couple weeks again and will definately do the long loop to include Hwy 80, looks like alot of fun. Thanks everyone for the heads up.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport

Competes with the dragon's tail for curves. 276A is the beter half of the loop. Little Switzerland is a great starting point right off the Blueridge Parkway.