Tail of the Dragon

[simbob]

Western NC and southwest VA and over into TN is just crawling with that kind of road with a lot less traffic and law enforcement attention.

Exactly.

The Dragon is now a nightmare of families in minivans being treated as moving chicanes by imitation Rossis and Schumacher wannabes with no training, experience or ability. You may know what you're doing, but that doesn't matter when somebody coming the other way overcooks a corner and swings wide into you or somebody behind you decides to pinch you into the rocks with a combination outside pass and late apex transitioning into a lowside with a shower of parts and sparks.

And then there are the people who pull over to watch the fun, pull out to join the mayhem and crowd the verge. It's like driving the old Chimney Rock Hillclimb with audience participation.

No thanks.

The bad news is that the publicity has ruined the Dragon on all but rare off-season occasions. The good news is that the marketing of the Dragon has made it an idiot magnet which has cleared some of the fools off of the other good roads -- at least those which don't lead directly to the Dragon. It's also a target-rich environment which now draws the police to generate revenue and to clean up the mess as the herd is thinned.

I think of the Dragon in Yogi Berra terms.

[NickCats]

Sim,

I hope you're not just saying that to dissuade us tourists from visiting ?

( just kidding - thanks for the head's up )

Nick

[FTD]

Good points - its not what it used to be.
In the last ten years, everyone that ever wanted a motorcycle or suddenly decided they wanted a motorcycle bought one - and soon over crowded where I used to play. And national publications in every motorcycle and car magazine really dropped a bomb.
But see, this is why I suggest a Dragon Tail trip in the Winter. It won't be so congested.

I also agree that anywhere there are mountains there is opportunity for finding great roads. I should put more effort into that discovery. There is plenty of mountainous eastern TN that I haven't explored. I haven't driven / ridden much of VA because I would have to pound highway miles to make time getting there and back. [Yuk]. dmcutter, let me know if you find new adventures for me to explore. :dance:

[RandallNeighbour]

I am up for another road trip to NC or thereabouts in the first or second week in September.

The Dragon would be fun, even crawling with cops. I don't think I exceeded the speed limit by more than 5-8 mph ... 40 miles per hour was reckless enough for this old man, that's for sure! <-- if you've never driven the TOD, don't judge me as a slow poke. It's awfully hard to go faster than this on four wheels.

I will not do another spring drive in that area of the country. Tom was right... it always rains in the Smokey Mountains in May! He recommended another trip this year for us, but in September. Said the weather was absolutely fabulous every time he's gone to Deals Gap in September.

Would anyone like to do the legwork on this year's trip? I did it last year and it wasn't much work, but between now and the time I would start driving that way I must complete a rather difficult book I am writing, so I don't think I'll be able to take the time to do it.

I'll have my new rotors, pads, glass top replacement, and SSK installed before then and I'd love to take another road trip!

[Sammy]

Last year we picked a pretty busy weekend seeing that there were a kajillion Minis running around. Even so, I rarely felt like we were held up because of crowding. I'm more concerned about the idiots...

[JoshMD]

Hey I'm from atlanta too, and have been craving a mountain drive ever since I got the car in october. I'd like to go sometime when the weather is nice enough to have the top down. Aren't there some good roads in north GA in the mountains for the atlanta people?

[FTD]

Originally Posted by JoshMD

Hey I'm from atlanta too, and have been craving a mountain drive ever since I got the car in october. I'd like to go sometime when the weather is nice enough to have the top down. Aren't there some good roads in north GA in the mountains for the atlanta people?

Take 400 north to Dahlonega. Go through the square [stopping for a leg stretch and some ice cream] and turn left on Highway 9. At the three way, go straight towards Suches. This is a beautiful and fun road but know that it does have blind decreasing radius turns. Passing through Suches, turn right on 180. Near Vogel state park you will have some more scenic twisties and hairpins. Come to a T at highway 9 and turn right - heading back to Dahlonega. These wide switchbacks are a spirited way to wrap up a fun ride. Just beware - everyone now knows about this, too, so it will be crowded. Also has police and ambulances on standby because of the motorcyclists [primarily]. I live in Alpharetta and I can enjoy this quick jaunt in about a four hour turnaround, including pleasure stops along the way.

[FTD]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

I am up for another road trip to NC or thereabouts in the first or second week in September.

Would anyone like to do the legwork on this year's trip? I did it last year and it wasn't much work, but between now and the time I would start driving that way I must complete a rather difficult book I am writing, so I don't think I'll be able to take the time to do it.

Let's do it! I'll see what I can find out. There's a place to stay that wasn't there last time I went so I will start with finding out about where to stay.

And regarding the slow speeds - I wouldn't want the embarrassment nor the cost of meeting up with a mountain wall or sliding off the edge - so I, too, drive for fun and not for skill development. There are other, safer places for that!

Originally Posted by FTD

Let's do it! I'll see what I can find out. There's a place to stay that wasn't there last time I went so I will start with finding out about where to stay.

The Two Wheel Inn- http://www.twowheelinn.com/ was a great place that we stayed at last year. The owners (Barry and Linda) were very nice and keep a clean place. They live on-sight too.

Even a place to wash the car.

[FTD]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

The Two Wheel Inn- http://www.twowheelinn.com/ was a great place that we stayed at last year. The owners (Barry and Linda) were very nice and keep a clean place. They live on-sight too.

Even a place to wash the car.

thanks! I called them and so far September is wide open. I would also like to mention that peak Fall color will be in October if that is a goal.

So it seems we need to identify an agreeable weekend. What say ye? Of those interested, do you have dates that will NOT work?

We can work out other logistics along the way, but I think hotel resesrvations at the tail is the starting point.