Suches Loop, sometimes called Georgia’s Dragon - a stretch of pavement that has quietly humbled riders and has hidden in the shadows of “the tail of the dragon” for years.
Honestly, I don’t even want to tell you about it, in fear of it becoming too popular.
The loop we’re talking about stitches together US-19, GA-60, and GA-180 and runs through the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest. It’s not long. You won’t need a hotel reservation or a hydration strategy. What you will need is attention, a bike you trust, and a willingness to let the road set the pace instead of your ego.
Most people start in Dahlonega, which feels appropriate. It’s historic, a little touristy, and just calm enough to lull you into thinking this ride might be relaxing. You roll out of town and within minutes the road tightens, the trees close in, and the corners start linking together in that way that makes your shoulders drop and your brain click into riding mode.
As you climb into the mountains, you’ll pass through a series of gaps that feel like checkpoints. Stonepile, Hester, Neel’s. They just show up with elevation changes, tighter turns, and the subtle reminder that gravity still works differently in the mountains. The pavement here is generally good, but it’s not manicured. You’ll see patches, seams, and the occasional reminder that winter exists up here.
When you reach the stretch around Suches itself, the road settles into a rhythm that’s hard to beat. GA-180, also known as Wolfpen Gap Road, is the section everyone talks about, and for good reason. It’s narrow, technical, and full of elevation changes that reward smooth throttle control. This isn’t a place for panic braking or mid-corner heroics. It’s a place where good habits feel really good and bad ones show up immediately.
For newer riders, this loop is a masterclass in reading the road. The corners aren’t blind for the sake of being dramatic, but they demand that you look ahead, trust your line, and stay relaxed on the bars. Ride your ride, let faster traffic go, and you’ll come away better than when you started. There’s nothing wrong with taking it easy here. The road isn’t going anywhere, and it remembers everyone who tries to rush it.
Experienced riders tend to fall in love with the details. The way the camber helps you through one corner and works against you in the next. The way elevation changes mess with your sense of speed. The fact that a section you rode clean in the morning feels completely different on the way back. This is the kind of loop where you start paying attention to suspension setup and tire feedback without meaning to. The bike talks. You just have to listen.
One thing everyone should keep in mind is that this is still a real road. You’ll see cyclists, the occasional pickup truck, and sometimes a patch of gravel that appeared out of nowhere. Mornings can be damp, especially in the shade, and fall brings leaves that turn perfect pavement into a guessing game.
Right in the middle of all this sits Two Wheels of Suches, and it’s more than just a convenient place to stop. It’s a landmark. A pause button. The kind of place that feels like it was built by riders, for riders, because it was.
After a run through Wolfpen or a full lap of the loop, pulling into Two Wheels feels like permission to relax your hands and let your heart rate settle. Bikes line up out front, everything from well-loved ADV machines to lawyers on Ducatis and Dentists on Harleys. Inside and around the property lay 100s of rocking chairs, and conversations start easily. Where did you come from? Which way are you headed next?
Riders flying by always motivates you to get back in the saddle.
The Suches Loop doesn’t try to be famous. It doesn’t need a leaderboard or a photographer in the bushes. It just exists, quietly doing what great motorcycle roads do best. It teaches. It challenges. It rewards patience. And it sends you home feeling like you rode, not just traveled.
If you’re anywhere near North Georgia and haven’t ridden it yet, you should. And if you have, you probably hate me for sharing such a gem.
