Visited The DRAGON
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 862
Likes: 3
From: East Tennessee
Visited The DRAGON
A friend and I rode part of The Dragon 10/8 and might be last time, at least on Saturdays. Yes, that was me holding back the children on the croch rockets but as scraping footboards and going a little faster than Heritage or myself wanted to, I had 'em backed up. Hard to make a quick decision to pull over onto a narrow strip of loose gravel to let rockets go by altho ridin' extremly close to the edge of the pavement some riders would not pass in my lane, double yellow, & some of 'em demonstrated the quick rear wheel to front wheel passing method to me, actually several did so. I felt bad & uncomfortable in that situation but refused to outride our capibilities. H-D & me. I will not dedicate myself to interstate riding only but might need to leave The Dragon and other twisties for the children to play on. Yes, this might be the sign of getting old ! I felt out of place and maybe endangered myself and other riders.
Update after replies. Yes, I rode in my third of my lane AMAP & still moved closer to the curb to allow passing in my lane as rider came closer but I think that is somehow against the law, for him, not me, but that is not the point as I wanted them to pass. I enjoyed the sight and sound as they blew by. I will not wave someone to pass in dangerous situations but will make a distinctive move over toward the curb thinking the rider understands I know he is there & giving him as much room as I can. I know there are laws, rules, & procedures for the unique situation on Dragon and I thought and still do I did the best I could, at the time. So there ! I shredded a leather jacket, boots, & gloves in 1975 some where on the Dragon making a high side dismount from my
NORTON COMMANDO so I think I remember the good times the children were enjoying and again thought I was doin' the right thing.
Update after replies. Yes, I rode in my third of my lane AMAP & still moved closer to the curb to allow passing in my lane as rider came closer but I think that is somehow against the law, for him, not me, but that is not the point as I wanted them to pass. I enjoyed the sight and sound as they blew by. I will not wave someone to pass in dangerous situations but will make a distinctive move over toward the curb thinking the rider understands I know he is there & giving him as much room as I can. I know there are laws, rules, & procedures for the unique situation on Dragon and I thought and still do I did the best I could, at the time. So there ! I shredded a leather jacket, boots, & gloves in 1975 some where on the Dragon making a high side dismount from my
NORTON COMMANDO so I think I remember the good times the children were enjoying and again thought I was doin' the right thing.
Last edited by CHOPPIN' CHARLIE; Oct 9, 2011 at 01:51 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Hey, you have as much right to be there as ANYONE else. Maybe moreso looking at your sig (thank you, by the way). Nobody should ever ride past the capabilities of themselves, or their machine. If you were holding up the kiddies (or even some people that think Harleys are for racing), so be it. They can always stop and give you enough time to be well out of their way.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,892
Likes: 29,866
From: PNW
That sucks - sorry you had a bad time. Imo - the Dragon is a riding equivilent of New Years Eve - it can be fun, but overall it's for amateurs and dangerous to be on the road. There are pull outs at some of the corners and it's fun to watch the (sane) riders go by, but on a busy day you'll be pulling over every other minute.
There are better roads to enjoy the sites in that area. You don't get (okay - pay for) a fancy sticker for riding them, but your post would be quite a bit different I'll wager.
Ever been there? It's busy, narrow and twisty. He would be hugging the shoulder for most of his ride while idiots pass him at mach 8. That is no fun.
There are better roads to enjoy the sites in that area. You don't get (okay - pay for) a fancy sticker for riding them, but your post would be quite a bit different I'll wager.
Ever been there? It's busy, narrow and twisty. He would be hugging the shoulder for most of his ride while idiots pass him at mach 8. That is no fun.
Last edited by nevada72; Oct 9, 2011 at 10:42 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
I'd be more afraid of some idiot losing control and sliding off the road right into me while sitting there minding my own business.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,892
Likes: 29,866
From: PNW
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Easley, South Carolina
Greetings Brother Choppin Charlie
I too have experienced the kids on their crotch rockets @ the Dragon, but I knew this before I left for the ride. I made up my mind before hand that I was going to ride my ride no matter how many were backed up behind me while I was riding my own safe pace and enjoying the ride. It's funny how new riders experiencing a new place even riding the speed limit can **** off so many others that choose to blast past the speed limit then they complain when they get a ticket, strange isn't it.
No matter where I ride if it is the fist trip I always ride in my comfort zone and if someone gets upset it's not big deal to me.
I have always been able to follow the speed limit most of the time and I don't care whats behind me provided there not up my rear, I have learned a new way to wave at buttox people that invade my space and it get's easier to show them each time that I have to point their indescretions out. :-)
Thanks for your service brother & don't worry about the kids just stay within your confort zone and let the rough side drag, like water off a ducks back.
Enjoy no matter where you are.
Tom
No matter where I ride if it is the fist trip I always ride in my comfort zone and if someone gets upset it's not big deal to me.
I have always been able to follow the speed limit most of the time and I don't care whats behind me provided there not up my rear, I have learned a new way to wave at buttox people that invade my space and it get's easier to show them each time that I have to point their indescretions out. :-)
Thanks for your service brother & don't worry about the kids just stay within your confort zone and let the rough side drag, like water off a ducks back.
Enjoy no matter where you are.
Tom
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 85
From: Florida
He said they were stressing him out. He had a choice, let them sit back there and make him nervous or let them go by and enjoy his ride. And he wouldn't have to hug the shoulder. I am sure if he stays in the right third, they will have no problem getting past him.
I ride with some guys that ride imports. In the turns they can leave me in the dust, I just let them. They know I ride my own ride and will catch them later.
Stress or relax? I choose to relax.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,906
Likes: 145
From: SE Louisiana
Agree! As long as I'm riding in a lawful and safe manner, I really don't care if others get upset. I've ridden the Dragon on weekend and weekday, always willing to ride in the right-third if it's safe to do so at that moment. As for when to ride the Dragon, best time seems to be Monday or Tuesday AM -- if I ever go back, that's when I'd ride it.