Southern Mountains

Comments

Dale Hatch  post: (Thu - Mar 31, 2011 8:47 AM)

I have heard about the Dragon for years and my wife and I finally got the chance to drive it in our Rava4 in advance of bringing my Yamaha 1600 Roadstar this Spring. I'm glad the internet provided us with directions because our TomTom doesn't seem to know about Deal's Gap! If it weren't for Deal's Gap you would not see the words "Tail of the Dragon" anywhere in the area. The Motorcycle Resort and the T-Shirt/Souvenir stand were closed for the season, but a gentleman at the souvenir stand, that keeps an eye on the place during the winter told me where the "Dragon" 11 miles starting point was "at the Tennessee line just a little further north."  About a mile up the road we came to the "Tennessee Welcomes You" sign with some chain link fence on both sides, and an "Adopt-A-Highway" sign on the right. There was NO notification that this was the starting point for "The Tail of the Dragon", but wait, there is a small green and white "0" mile marker. We hoped this was it, and "YES" it was, and it didn't take long to see where the name came from. That was the most fun driving experience I have had, since I drove up Pike's Peak in 1967. My wife and I both enjoyed the ride, I drove and she videoed the entire 11 miles. We didn't want to take the long way back to Cherokee, so we turned around and ran it for a second time in other direction, which my wife said was a whole new experience, since she was now on the edge of the cliffs. Two things that shocked us on the trip were how dangerous it would have been for motorcycles that day (Thursday 2-3-11) due to a large amount of pine cones, dead limbs, a few large rocks and even trees down across the road. The highway dept. was doing their best to keep it clear, but it was never ending. The second thing that shocked us was the hundreds of motorcycle parts and pieces of clothing hanging from a tree at Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort! I would say it must be a memorial to the bikes that have crashed on the Dragon and a warning to all to us common sense! I was there was some way to upload my pictures and videos for all to enjoy! Thanks for allowing me to post on your website! Be Safe Fellow Dragon Slayers! - Ranger Dale n Toyota Rava4 269HP (Conquered times 2 on 2-3-11) Yamaha 1600 Roadstar (hopefully this Spring 2011).

Big Daddy D  post: (Mon - Oct 19, 2009 7:50 AM)

I was riding the Dragon before it was called the dragon, and it has always been unsafe for high speed riding. When you are young, you are bullet proof daredevils out to prove it. Now that I'm older, I will still ride the Dragon if I'm in the area, but never exceed the 25 mph limit anymore. It took years but I now know that I am NOT bullteproof. Us bikers are nothing more than modern day cowboys riding steel horses looking for adventure and sometimes "danger", stepping out on the wild side from time to time. We found a rival to the Dragon while on vacation earlier this month in Yosimite National Park.

Wanda Pithoud  post: (Mon - Oct 12, 2009 7:53 AM)

I spent a lovely afternoon on the tail when a semi had jackknifed stopping traffic, leaving me - a 50+ lone female teacher surrounded by bikers. All of these bikers seemed intelligent, fun-loving, and safety-conscious. Just getting off the couch can be dangerous! Let'em ride.

Kimberly Jones  post: (Tue - Oct 6, 2009 4:06 PM)

Not sure I'm OK with the visual of a biker leaning over so far to make the curve. It perpetuates the idea that one can safely ride the Dragon at great speeds. This is not the case. I've been on it multiple times. Many have died there because they didn't know enough to slow down in the curves.