Riding the Dragon's Tail

Has anyone ridden the Dragon's Tail in Tennessee, North Carolina border?  We have a ride planned June 12-16th leaving from Kalamazoo, MI.  I haven't been on a ride this long in the past.  We have 27 riders for the trip, so should be a lot of fun.  Let me know if you have any tips for the trip.

Thanks.
Patrick

'07 1300 VTX R  

I live close to the tail of the dragon and ride it often.  It can be a very busy road on the weekends.  Much more enjoyable during the week.  It is also a very dangerous road to run.  We have already had one fatalilty up there this year, and the LEO's keep a pretty close watch.  The main thing they are ticketing for now besides speed is license plate.  Make sure your plate is horizontal and visuable from the rear of the bike.  While on it, keep your eyes open, your speed at the limit and your wheels in your lane and you will have a good ride.  There is a photog up there everyday during the summer.  His pictures can be viewed and purchased at www.killboy.com. One last thing is you will occasionally see a semi up there.  They need both lanes and then some to make the turns, so if you see one get off the road as far as you can.  A lot of times riders will escort them through, so if you are waved over there is a reason.  Enjoy the trip.  

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I live close to the tail of the dragon and ride it often.  It can be a very busy road on the weekends.  Much more enjoyable during the week.  It is also a very dangerous road to run.  We have already had one fatalilty up there this year, and the LEO's keep a pretty close watch.  The main thing they are ticketing for now besides speed is license plate.  Make sure your plate is horizontal and visuable from the rear of the bike.  While on it, keep your eyes open, your speed at the limit and your wheels in your lane and you will have a good ride.  There is a photog up there everyday during the summer.  His pictures can be viewed and purchased at killboycom. One last thing is you will occasionally see a semi up there.  They need both lanes and then some to make the turns, so if you see one get off the road as far as you can.  A lot of times riders will escort them through, so if you are waved over there is a reason.  Enjoy the trip.  

As long as you're in the area, you might want to take in the Cherohala Skyway.  It's not known for all the curves, but it is a beautiful ride.  Check out http://www.tailofthedragon.com Cherohala has a link at the top of the page.  Also check out the Other Roads link.  I highly recommend the Two / North Georgia area.  Truth is, just about any backroad in that area of the county (E TN, W NC, N GA) is fantastic.  Enjoy and stay safe.  

I rode the Dragon's tail this past weekend. I agree with a previous posting that it is best during the week - too busy on weekends. There were three accidents this past weekend. A head on colision between a Harley and a small motorhome, two Nissan Z cars collided head on, and a sport bike went over the side. The problem is that you can if someone happens to come over the line there is very little you can do to get out of the way - it's like Russian Roulette. The sportbikers camp out and run it all day for time, bikes laid over with their knees rubbing the road. I am not an overly cautious rider by any means but if I buy the farm, I would like it to be because of something I did and not because of some wanna be formula one racer.  

I rode the Dragon's tail this past weekend. I agree with a previous posting that it is best during the week - too busy on weekends. There were three accidents this past weekend. A head on colision between a Harley and a small motorhome, two Nissan Z cars collided head on, and a sport bike went over the side. The problem is that if someone happens to come over the line there is very little you can do to get out of the way - it's like Russian Roulette. The sportbikers camp out and run it all day for time, bikes laid over with their knees rubbing the road. I am not an overly cautious rider by any means but if I buy the farm, I would like it to be because of something I did and not because of some wanna be formula one racer.  

I ride dragon often.  It may be much busy road on the weekends. It is a too risky road to run.   The most important this is this they are ticketing for now besides speed is license plate.  Make sure your plate is straight and visible from the rear of the bike.
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roger
<a href="http://www.treatmentcenters.org/florida rel="dofollow">Florida Treatment Centers</a>  

Okay, y'all have persuaded me to change my plans and find another route in that area. I had my fill of that kind of riding 30 years ago, running the canyons out in California. I have no deep emotional need to be trying to sightsee and avoid abusive cops on a twisty road, all at the same time :-)

Guess I'll just travel the Cherohala Skyway east, then follow 74 to the Blue Ridge Parkway and ride it for a ways.

regards,
Joe  

I have a home about 20 miles from the dragon and have ridden it many times. Just go slow if you have not ridden the curves in mountains before. Stay away on Saturday & Sunday to avoid the crowds. There are usually 6 to 8 cops in there due to recents deaths so everyone has slowed down. Almost every accident involves high speed or someone being on the wrong side of the yellow line. Make sure you ride the Cherahola after the gap. It is better and safer.
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SAMFLUTCH007
  New Mexico Treatment Centers  

The main thing they are ticketing for now besides speed is license plate.  Make sure your plate is horizontal and issuable from the rear of the bike.  While on it,keep your eyes open, your speed at the limit and your wheels in your lane and you will have a good ride.
sam
<a href="http://www.treatmentcenters.org/texas"rel="DoFollow">Texas Treatment Centers</a>  

I love riding the Tail of the Dragon (Deals Gap) and with a group of friends ride it every year the week of July 4th.
I will agree with the others that if you ride this road you need to do it Monday thru Thurs because from Friday-Sunday you have the young thrill seekers on crotch rockets and sports cars who not only put themself in danger but anyone around them.   Im sure by the time my post hits you have already rode the Dragon-US321, if you liked those curves you need to take in "The Snake" which has 489 turns across 3 mountain ranges and is not too far from The Dragon.  The snake is located on US421 just outside of Bristol Tennessee.  You will find a nice winding country road leading to the foot of the curves with a nice country store to relax before to ride the snake turns which are mostly switchback and close.  Those afraid of turns or dont like to lean and roll on the throttle dont even attempt this road because you will likely go down.  This road is patrolled heavely on the weekends by at least 5 troopers due to the influx of the crotch rocket idiots.

Here is a website to read more about The Snake if you might have an interest in riding it and remember the week day is better and less stressful for riding it especially for the first time.   As a female rider that loves twists and turns, I can actually tell you I LOVED THIS ROAD ! and to me the Dragon is second to the Snake.      

http://www.shadyvalleycountrystore.com/

Anita  www.friendsofstars.ning.com  

It's nice to know that those of us who live in Florida are not alone in our suffering. I gave up riding anywhere on weekends a long time ago :-)

regards,
Joe  

  Hello again rider how did your trip to ride the dragon go?  I sure hope you had a safe un eventful trip.  

I've been on it a couple times now and honestly, I really didn't enjoy it much simply because I ride a cruiser and it isn't that much fun to just constantly turn and turn and turn.  Honestly, I enjoyed the blue ridge parkway much more than the dragon because you actually get to see the hills and scenery.  For a first timer though, it's definitely a thrill.