Tail Of the Dragon 2009 - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Dino · 10-13-2009, 06:17 AM

Just ran the dragon last week! The wife and I took a little trip to Helen, Ga in the 986S. Gorgeous drive through the Chattahoochie State Park. We had to slow suddenly to let 3 bear cubs crossing the road. Got to Helen, had some schnitzel and beers.

Went by Jake Raby's shop the next morning to say hi. Jake was gone but we met Dean and some of the other guys. Very nice folks, indeed. we headed up the Dragon. What a blast! I did have the back end step out on one of the really tight hairpins turns with the morning dew still on the road. When a fellow driver was messing up my groove, the wife looks at me and says, "Pass him, Honey!" I love her!

Anyways, we were on our way to Asheville and the Avic indash GPS sent us up 2 hours of incredible views and roads. We spent the afternoon touring Biltmore House and Gardens, pretty amazing as well.

We won't be able to make the trip with you guys this time as I will be on the road working but if you can go, GO! You won't be disappointed!

Flavor 987S · 10-13-2009, 11:33 AM

[QUOTE=Dino]the wife looks at me and says, "Pass him, Honey!" I love her!/QUOTE]

You married well. Congrats!!

jaykay · 10-13-2009, 07:15 PM

Thanks Randall......maybe I will see you out there next summer. It is a long reach for me but looks like a must. How are the smokeys there

RandallNeighbour · 10-14-2009, 07:47 AM

If by smokeys you mean police officers handing out speeding tickets, there are plenty.

However, it's quite difficult to exceed the speed limit of 35 mph in a boxster on the Dragon and not wreck your car or kill yourself or both in the process.

The switchbacks have sizable elevation changes, rock on one side and sheer drops on the other side, and then there's the oncoming traffic, which may or may not stay on their side of the yellow line.

There stretches of roads in other areas of the United States and Canada that are similar, but not nearly as long. That's what makes the TOD such a destination for bikers and sports car enthusiasts.

The LEOs are out for the crotch rocket riders who die on that road every year. They really are in place to enforce speed laws for safety, not just to make a buck for the two counties/state lines that the TOD crosses.