Riding the Dragon
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 539
Likes: 7
From: Indiana
As I recall the posted speed limit is something like 35 mph. There will be many sportbike riders exceeding that in my experience. Particularly watch left hand curves and don't hit the apex close to the yellow line. Leave yourself some room and stay well off the yellow.
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 84
Likes: 2
From: Des Allemands, La.
I’ve ridden the Dragon several times on the trips I’ve made to Tennessee and every time I’d hear of bikers killed days before. The first trip there were four that died the week prier so the cops were more or less riding back and forth controlling the speeds. Many that find their selves in trouble on the Dragon do so by their own actions but an older couple on a trike found themselves under a 18 wheeler fully blocking the entire road with no where’s for them to go.
From my experience there are many that try and push their limits and put others’ lives in danger. Ride well within your limits and be prepared for the rider outside of he’s and you’ll be just fine.
The Dragon is a great ride so if you find yourself in the area enjoy the ride just be prepared for the unexpected.
From my experience there are many that try and push their limits and put others’ lives in danger. Ride well within your limits and be prepared for the rider outside of he’s and you’ll be just fine.
The Dragon is a great ride so if you find yourself in the area enjoy the ride just be prepared for the unexpected.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 299
Likes: 37
From: SW, FL
The posted speed limit may be 35 but the avg. rider should plan on a slower ride. I just rode it for the first time a couple of weeks ago on a new touring bike. It was a Thursday in the afternoon. Pretty crowded. Stayed in second gear most of the time and tried to maintain a nice rhythm of 20 to 30 mph.
Rode the Cherahola the next morning at 7:30 and saw 2 other bikes. I suspect you can ride the Dragon any day of the week early in the morning.
The Dragon is a tight technical ride. Great experience but not relaxing. The Cherahola and Moonshiner 28 are more fun and relaxing as you are in 3rd gear most of the time with a nice twisty speed in the 30 and 40s.
Rode the Cherahola the next morning at 7:30 and saw 2 other bikes. I suspect you can ride the Dragon any day of the week early in the morning.
The Dragon is a tight technical ride. Great experience but not relaxing. The Cherahola and Moonshiner 28 are more fun and relaxing as you are in 3rd gear most of the time with a nice twisty speed in the 30 and 40s.
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, OH
It crosses over the NC/TN border just south of Maryville, TN. It's 11 miles long with 318 turns....it's a very technical ride. If you're looking on a map, look for Deals Gap, NC.