Tail of the Dragon

[Dutch]

Looks like the most dangerous aspect of this 11 mile stretch, are the idiots you may encounter there.....

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[Megaluddite]

If you look at discussion boards for Mini Cooper you see a lot of discussion of "The Tail of the Dragon" and a lot of people who use it to do some real "driving" in their Cooper S. :shock: I've long wanted to someday own a Mini Cooper. The discussions even made me want to try it myself.

I DON'T THINK SO. After watching this I will NOT be doing the Dragon, even in a Mini or other sports car. I can't see taking my life that far into my own hands. Thanks for the video.

I'd even considered taking a slow drive on the Dragon just to see what it was like. That is DEFINITELY out now. I drive a Honda Element, which is a little top heavy and wallows like a drunken elephant in curves. I have trouble driving at speed in Cumberland Falls State Park in SE Kentucky. The Dragon would make me very very unhappy. :evil:

Again, Thanks for posting.

 

[CACooper]

Greetings,

The TV show is total BS and typical Hollywood hype. Yes, ANY curvy canyon road can be hazardous if not taken seriously. I lived in SoCal most of my life, and have ridden Angeles Crest, Mullholland Hwy., Kanan Rd., GMR, etc. literally hundreds of times without incident. Yes, I've witnessed some pretty horrendous wrecks and have seen some deaths. **** happens. And it can happen on ANY road.

I got a chance to ride the Dragon a few years ago. We were there during a week day and had no problems. I was riding a Buell Ulysses and my 80 year old dad was on a HD Night Rod Special. We had a great time and enjoyed a burger at The Race Cafe at Deal's Gap.

We did come across a downed and rider and bike in the aptly named corner "The Gravity Cavity". Total rider error, just over cooked the turn. He dislocated his shoulder and pranged up his Y6. We waited with him and his friends until helped arrived.

We didn't see any semi's that day and I believe the trucks are banned on the NC side, but not TN.

It's a beautiful road and ridden or driven with a degree of sanity, very enjoyable.
Warning: Sat. and Sun. can be a zoo in the summer months. Weekdays are less crowded.

Ride safe,

CACooper

 

[Sean68]

Amazingly, I live maybe two hours north of this road and I have never ridden it. But I have been on Route US 129 farther south than the official Deal's Gap section, through N.C. and northern Georgia. A fabulous road! I have ridden that route on a Triumph Daytona 1200, Harley Davidson Road King, and an Aprilia RSV. Ground down some hardware on the Harley on that road...

That route brings me to Cleveland, Georgia near a great nudist resort that I... Um... Too much information?

Hehehehehehehe...

Dutch, I think a trip to Deals Gap might be in the works for next summer. Definitetly during the week, though. I will keep you informed...

 

[Dutch]

Sounds like a plan Sean. I've not taken the opportunity to ride it yet, but I'm definitely interested in giving it a go.

 

[user 2027]

Yeah I had a couple of folks do the dragon on Harley's and another in a Mitzu EVO. Always stories about the wrecks on that road from all of them. That road is not for the timid.

 

[tech2576]

I have a buddy who lives about half an hour from the south end. He used to run it regularly on his GSXR1000.

After high sideing one time he figured he needed to slow down a bit. Go figure.

 

[riff raff]

I always wanted a shot at riding that one, but never made it that far South. The nearby Chernola Road is also supposed to be ane excellent and less crowded road.

 

[CigarKen]

I rode the Dragon a couple years ago. The ride there and back was great. I was riding an HD FXR and riding behind my buddy on a metric cruizer that had drag pipes on it. I thought mine was loud until spending hours behind him.

It was on a weekend so when we arived there were bikes and Miada's everywhere. After getting some grub we began the 11 miles throught the curves.
I'm a "flatlander" and not a daredevel so I was probably the slow one for the day. The guys on their sportbikes would fly by in the middle of a curve, pass you on the left side...
It's amazing to see the guys on their baggers that will go through the curves throwing sparks fron the pegs.

It was not for me. I am glad that I made the ride once but I don't think that I will do it again. Blood mountain is just as exciting with less traffic and no t-shirt shop.

 

[smokinbriar]

The Dragon is on my bucket list.

 

[puros_bran]

I have driven it multiple times in a semi truck... Theres a piano string factory warehouse ( I **** you not) that can only be accessed via this road.. I'm wanting to say Mapes but I might be wrong.

There is also a missionary retreat up there that I used to bedbug for.

 

[Smoker99]

Have ridden it at least a dozen times. No longer make it a point to go there though. Just too many idiots on the road. Many better roads to ride in the area. I agree, 129 South of the Dragon is a much better ride, as is, I think, 28 to the West of Deal's Gap.

 

[millerman]

The dragon is ok. But if you really want an awesome ride it's Needles highway in Sturgis, South Dakota.

 

[RDPipes]

It may very well be a thrill for some to speed down that stretch of highway but, when someone decides he or she is going to do something for thrills sake and they do it where other people may be involved and break laws in this case in speeding, there not only taking there own life in there hands but others also. Sounds pretty self centered and childish to me.
If one whats to do something as stupid as that they should do it somewhere that no one else can be involved. I'm a retired truck driver of over 20 years and I've seen some pretty stupid people in all sorts of vehicles cause there own death and others. Most usually escape there own death while causing others or great bodily harm. And some just get lucky and scare themselves and others but, I don't suspect they'll be lucky for long. I've never been on that highway but, ones like it and some even narrower, it's not fun. And it seems you always meet the moron on wheels when your there.

 

[CACooper]

Here's a photo on the Dragon of your typical "low information" rider. I'm sure things probably got real ugly about .5 seconds after this photo was taken.  That bare skin on her back will never be the same, let alone her hand.  At least they're wearing helmets.  Too bad he doesn't know how to ride.  She'll probably never get on a bike again, saying they're "too dangerous".

Notice no other vehicles are involved.

Remember: ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time).

As always, ride safe.

CACooper

 

[Jers]

I saw that clip in the video......and I shuddered then thinking “that's gonna leave a long smear of skin on the road". The rider is also wearing a tee shirt and looks likely to leave a large part of his elbow behind him.

I've seen this kinda stuff up close but I actually think I find it worse looking at photographs.

Fraternally

Jers

 

[docwatson]

Freakin' OUCH.
:evil: 

 

[Sean68]

Here's a photo on the Dragon of your typical "low information" rider. I'm sure things probably got real ugly about .5 seconds after this photo was taken.  That bare skin on her back will never be the same, let alone her hand.  At least they're wearing helmets.  Too bad he doesn't know how to ride.  She'll probably never get on a bike again, saying they're "too dangerous".

Notice no other vehicles are involved.

Remember: ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time).

As always, ride safe.

CACooper

This photo is a prime example of reasons why 1. I always wear full gear (full face helmet, jacket, gloves, boots) and 2. Why I will never own a bagger again.

I love the ATGATT acronym! I plan to use this.

I love Harley's, but folks need to know the limitations of the machines they ride. The big baggers are NOT performance motorcycles.

That poor little thing has her arm out like it is going to help. I am certain some unfortunate road rash resulted.

 

[riff raff]

Road & Track just did an article on great American roads. The Dragon is mentioned here, along with a better, less traveled local alternative.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/features/magazine/road-track-presents-america-a-two-lane-owners-manual-64-10-roa0713-7

 

[Sean68]

Road & Track just did an article on great American roads.  The Dragon is mentioned here, along with a better, less traveled local alternative.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/features/magazine/road-track-presents-america-a-two-lane-owners-manual-64-10-roa0713-7

This is a great article! I plan to review this again when I get home. Time to make a list!