Who's driven the Tail of the Dragon?

[dxterity]

I'm thinking of a long weekend road trip to run this road this summer and would love to hear peoples Boxster experiences. Also, what else is there to do in the area? It looks like it's only about 4 hours to Lynchburg for some whiskey tasting. Suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

[jcslocum]

I ridden it a few times. Meh, can be very crowded on any good day. I wanted to do it once and went with buddies the next couple of times.

[CrisZenithBlue]

it's pretty crowded during the high season and if you do go then try to get there later in the afternoon.. after 5PM when people are heading off and the cops stop paroling otherwise it's just frustrating.

hit the dragon once or twice then head on the Cherohala Skyway.. now THAT'S a road!! long sweepers, smooth S curves.. proper driving! the dragon is just second gear.. more like autocross. i highly recommend it! it's not that crowded and you'll get your fix with it, guaranteed!

there are also other roads around that are good, if you stop by the shop where the dragon stars you can get a map with the driving roads around.

[CrisZenithBlue]

oh.. you can also hit Gatlinburg, Tennessee, nice fun little town with moonshine tasting only about 80 miles away and the drive there isn't too bad either.

[dghii]

Done it a couple of times but not in my Boxster. Its been years but I did it in a 99 M Roadster and 03 BMW Z4 3.0. Very nice drive but it was crowded.

There are lots of other great roads in the area that I found comparable, and very empty.

[kk2002s]

I picked a Tuesday noon time and there were a lot of bikers doing it. Got one good run when the bike in front of me pulled off to let me have the trail for my own. The next run I had to pull off and create distance to the bike in front of me.

You should do the tail to experience it but my next foray down south will include the Cherohala Skyway

I don't know about a long weekend. It's 950+ miles from South NJ (Sykline Dr & Blue Ridge Pwy)

[Porsche9]

I did it just this last November. I was on business trip and flew into the Knoxville airport and had a some time in the afternoon. It was a very quite day with just a few other cars on the road. It was typical late fall weather with the leaves changing colors but the trees hadn't dropped their leaves yet. The road itself is spectacular and done mostly in second gear. Good news/bad news for me was I was in a Hyundai Sonata rental. Poor car took the flogging alright but not the ideal car for carving up the road even after hitting the sports mode button, haha. Having the Sonata keep me under the radar will the local police in their Ford Explorers. After a stop to take in the views I let a couple guys in their imports go ahead as bait and sure enough they got pulled over which nicely cleared the way for me. Worth the trip if it's not too far out of your way but there are plenty of other good roads out there.

[gpope]

I go down there every year for the last 8 years and last year was the first year in the Boxster. I used to ride motorcycles and stopped last year. You have to do the Dragon just don't do it on the weekends as it gets crowded like others have said. There are other roads that are just as good, someone mentioned the Cherahola. There is also the moonshiner, Blue Ridge just about any road is great. If you get lost you will stumble on a great road just make sure you have a GPS that doesn't rely on a internet connection as the cell reception is non existent out there.

There are a bunch of map company's that do a good job showing you the twisty roads. Might have to search for Motorcycle maps.

Tip: Make sure you have good brake pads, brake fluid and tires.

G

[stantheman1]

I did it in July 1991, way before it was called Tail of the Dragon; back then it was just "the road to Deal's Gap". I was also in a POS rental Geo Prism at the time , so not quite the sports car experience. If I was ever in the area with the right car, I would jump at the chance - just to say I did it.

[Paul]

3 times in the 01 and once in the turbo:







Highly recommended, used to be more fun when the speed limit was 55. We stay at Fontana village.

Fontana Village Resort Smoky Mountain Resort & Marina

[Porsche9]

[kk2002s]

My screen saver
There are also several photo company's that take pictures of every car, I go back and look at them from time to time

[Cbonilla]

KK2002s -- Are those Sport Design Wheels? I ask because I have them on my 2003 S and they are in need of refinishing. Have you had yours done -- they look good.

[RandallNeighbour]

First trip to the TOD was with a group from this forum. I've been back 6 times from SE Texas since! I love the area and plan to retire there one day.

Lots of things to see and do there. Hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Gatlinburg was awful though... far too commercialized for its location, just a couple of feet from the entrance to the Smoky Mountain National Park.

Cherokee is close by and it has a nice casino if you want to gamble and eat at a really good buffet.

And the TOD is just one famous road there to drive. There's all sorts of twisty roads around those parts where driving is fun. And just so you'll know, I get nauseated every time I drive the TOD for some reason so I go up and down it once and then drive the other roads, which are just as much fun and not quite as twisty and steep. Your mileage may vary.

[Nine8Six]

The official Tail of the Dragon road (Taike Road)

[Nine8Six]

^ Oh forgot to add: "NO COPS". Zero, nada. Enjoy your day and your sticky tires because the only chap looking over your shoulder there is the Angel of Death.

(accidents and fatalities every single weeks of the year)

[kk2002s]

Originally Posted by Cbonilla

KK2002s -- Are those Sport Design Wheels? I ask because I have them on my 2003 S and they are in need of refinishing. Have you had yours done -- they look good.

Yes they are
In great shape except 1 has scuffing on the trim ring. May have happen mounting b4 my ownership
I'm going to try and Polish back

[GoBlue]

Peachstate PCA Tail of the Dragon tour. Great fun!

[dbear61]

Two years ago, right after a thunderstorm. Had to be more cautious due to wet surface conditions. great ride, as is Cherohala Skyway which others have mentioned. Another option, much more challenging, is the Diamondback Diamond Back Loop (226 & 226A) | North Carolina Motorcycle Roads and Rides | MotorcycleRoads.com

Had me white-knuckled and obeying the yellow turn speeds.

Two great sites for exploring the twisties:
2562 Motorcycling Roads United States
MotorcycleRoads.US - Great Motorcycle Roads in the US

DBear

[MARTHA]

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I've ridden it on a motorcycle a few of times and driven it in a Miata a few times, I plan to take the Boxster over in a few weeks. I think it used to be a great road, little traffic and smooth as glass, but the road is beginning to show some age and the cops are inforsing the new 30mph speed limit. Still well worth running, but like some said its best to run full out late afternoon, or be able to pay a speeding ticket.