I'm a dreamer and a planner, and I plan 90% more trips than I actually take. Nevertheless, I like to be prepared.

So I have a 3 day weekend Oct 7-9 and a relative getting married in North Alabama on Friday, Oct 6. I'm kicking around the idea of going up on my bike if the weather is good for it, crashing with my BIL in Meridianville that night and then heading out early on Saturday the 7th for new-to-me destinations.
Google maps puts me anywhere from 4 to 4 1/2 hours from Suches, so I should be able to be there by lunchtime, toss a tent down and have the afternoon and all day Sunday to explore. Since I have never been on any of the "named" roads (Dragon, Moonshiner, etc.) or any of those others that some of you have traveled and find even more fun to ride, it will all be new to me.
To be honest, I don't really care to be able to say "I rode such and such road" if there are more enjoyable and less crowded routes. I assumed I'd take in the Tail of the Dragon because...well, it seems to be a requirement if you live around here but I'd prefer to try that on a non-weekend when there's less people because I don't have much experience with "real" twisties. However, I'm not terribly intimidated either so I'd like to take in some of what's offered in the area.
Or should I go further north (but shorter distance) and try the Cherohala Skyway and a campground up there?
I figure some of the same roads would be covered either way, so what are you recommendations for a first time visitor to the area?