This is where the fun really begins as the road begins its climb and descent of five miles over Holston Mountain. Consisting of eighty-nine switchbacks, one after the other, this is but a taste of what's to come.
US 421 descends into Shady Valley, quite possibly the most beautiful spot in Northeast Tennessee. A sleepy farming community of 1800 people, Shady Valley is the gathering place for bench-racing, tire-kicking motorcyclists on pleasant Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The stopping off point is The County Store, which is the epicenter of motorcycling in the area: there are reportedly 489 curves within a twelve-mile radius of this old fashioned store. Owned by Carroll and Peggy Long, The Country Store is one of Johnson County's oldest continuously operating businesses and is the place for riders to kick back on the front porch in the rocking chairs and swap stories of derring-do on the surrounding mountains.
From the base of Holston Mountain, US 421 straightens out for one mile before beginning its climb of Iron Mountain. For those who had their appetite whetted by the first mountain pass, this second one is like the entrée and dessert. Covering eight miles, the following 137 switchbacks and curves are tied together by some nice short straights that crest the mountain and descend into aptly named Mountain City. All told, the rider has just traveled 19.5 miles through some of the best scenery the Southeast has to offer, all in less time than it takes to watch Friends, even if you fast forward through the commercials.
US 421 doesn't disappoint even the most jaded rider; it has very challenging curves and changes in elevation. The road is newly paved, and, as all the truckers know, Tennessee has some of the best-maintained roads in the country. If you are planning a trip through our area or just looking for a motorcycle playground, check out 421. You'll be glad you did.
hand curves.