Finally rode the dragon
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 251
From: Connecticut
Plenty of great roads up that way. One of my favorites is Moonshiner28. When I left Deals Gap I took 28 down to 64 through Highlands, NC then home to Charlotte (I was living in NC at the time). Beautiful ride with beautiful scenery...water falls, great little towns, etc, and while maybe not as challenging as the Dragon, there are still plenty of opportunities to get your lean on. Plenty of switchbacks and big benders to keep your adrenaline up. I did it on my Z1000 so it was a lot more fun.
It's about 75 miles from Deals Gap to Highlands, NC, then if you want to make a loop back up just take 106 west to 23 north to 64W to Wayah Rd (1310) to 129 back onto Deals Gap. Total loop is about 160 miles. That's a good days ride through the mountains. I think most people would enjoy this ride more than the Dragon. But you still gotta do the Dragon!
It's about 75 miles from Deals Gap to Highlands, NC, then if you want to make a loop back up just take 106 west to 23 north to 64W to Wayah Rd (1310) to 129 back onto Deals Gap. Total loop is about 160 miles. That's a good days ride through the mountains. I think most people would enjoy this ride more than the Dragon. But you still gotta do the Dragon!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,651
Likes: 1,278
From: PA
Quite the opposite..... rode a little over 500 miles to the Dragon and it exceeded my expectations! It was like a motorcycle amusement park. The Dragon was the main attraction but there was tons of other rides/roads to have fun on as well. Loved it so much me and my buddy are planning another trip back down there!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,625
Likes: 1,665
From: Blairsville GA
Lots of cool geocaches along that route. The old LBJ Job Corps CCC is there as well as some other cool stuff. Look for the USGS markers in the rocks on the river.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 891
Likes: 210
From: Clarksville, TN
We're both used to having the Tail of the Dragon within a few hours ride. Most people are not as fortunate as we are. That said, I prefer the roads with less traffic - the Rattlesnake, Calfkiller Highway and the Devil's Triangle.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 3,727
From: St. Charles, MO
Between ricer's carving up and down, buzzing around you in no-pass zones, to the local corvette/mini cooper/miata/M3/Z4/350ZX/GTR etc. clubs wandering BOTH WAYS with little regard to the center stripe... I MUCH prefer the Cherahola.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 496
Likes: 46
From: Columbia sc
I first rode the "Dragon" back in the mid 70s, before anybody put a name on it, AND, before it was crowded with traffic like it is at times now. Back then you might not even pass another vehicle on the road, very little traffic, and it was both fun to ride hard or ease along and enjoy the area. I've been hooked ever since. I'm only a couple hours ride away so I go a couple times a year. Nowdays I try to ride it on a weekday but it's also fun to just hang around Deals Gap sometimes on the weekends just to see the wide variety of people and vehicles that show up. Cherolhala is ok but not my favorite. As others have said, there's so many good roads in the area you wont be disappointed. I have a few I don't talk about anymore just to try and Keep them from getting as notorious as the "Dragon". Wayah Rd was one but people are catching on to that one now.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,815
Likes: 2,555
From: UK
Well, it's not the Dragon, but on Friday I am riding down to the Swiss and Italian Alps for ten days and a few thousand miles.
High point of the trip should be the Stelvio pass, but there's many many many fine roads down that way!
High point of the trip should be the Stelvio pass, but there's many many many fine roads down that way!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,732
Likes: 9,241
From: Snow Hill, NC
You suck....lol ....all joking aside , I am very envious....We are going to Europe next year and we may rent a few bikes and go ride the alps...This deserves a "You suck" though....I hope you enjoy every minute of it...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 406
From: Hurdle Mills NC
I really fail to understand the attraction for riding a road that is full of curves that require your utmost attention. Maybe if I rode a Dookotty (that ain't gonna happen). I would rather ride a nice straightaway so I can appreciate the beautiful scenery without having to constantly up & down shift. But that's me.
Some nice rides in Floriduh, but straight as Ned Flanders. But if you like curves, switchbacks, and Americana, nothing beats US50 from Romney to Clarksburg, W. Va. My favorite road in the whole country. Never rode it on a bike, but was there just last month in the truck.
Some nice rides in Floriduh, but straight as Ned Flanders. But if you like curves, switchbacks, and Americana, nothing beats US50 from Romney to Clarksburg, W. Va. My favorite road in the whole country. Never rode it on a bike, but was there just last month in the truck.
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