Riding the Dragon
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 351
From: Holly Springs, North Carolina
Here's a list of some of the best riding you'll find in the area.
http://www.dealsgap.com/
http://www.cherohala.com/
http://www.209therattler.com/
http://www.hellbender28.com/
http://www.moonshiner28.com/
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/
http://theblueridgehighlander.com/sc...kway/index.php
http://www.dealsgap.com/
http://www.cherohala.com/
http://www.209therattler.com/
http://www.hellbender28.com/
http://www.moonshiner28.com/
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/
http://theblueridgehighlander.com/sc...kway/index.php
Last edited by BigDawgQC; Aug 25, 2013 at 08:11 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 336
Likes: 2
From: mentor ohio
Here's a list of some of the best riding you'll find in the area.
http://www.dealsgap.com/
http://www.cherohala.com/
http://www.209therattler.com/
http://www.hellbender28.com/
http://www.moonshiner28.com/
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/
http://theblueridgehighlander.com/sc...kway/index.php
http://www.dealsgap.com/
http://www.cherohala.com/
http://www.209therattler.com/
http://www.hellbender28.com/
http://www.moonshiner28.com/
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/
http://theblueridgehighlander.com/sc...kway/index.php
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 2
From: Canton, Ga
Dont cross the yellow line, LEO's love to ticket for that. Watch out for the sport bikes that will come from out of nowhere and pass you in your lane. Its best to do it during the week. The weekend is full of bikes and car enthusiasts and clubs. I would rather ride the Cherohala or Moonshiner 28 any day over the Dragon.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 326
Likes: 22
From: Panama City, FL
Every biker at least once before they can no longer enjoy their scoot should experience true motorcycling nirvana! It's not just the Dragon, it's EVERY road in the Smoky Mountains. You gotta give yourself at least a week there and even then you're just getting started. I just spent 13 years living and riding in that area and I can guarantee you 1. Some of the safest riding anywhere in the country. 2. The vast majority of cagers in those mountains like and are respectful to bikers. 3. You will go home so spoiled that riding around your home ground will seem boring. Trust me ....... you gotta go!
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Sylva,NC
In 2012 North Carolina banned trucks longer than 30 feet long on the Dragon but of course not all truckers read the signs or obey them, just saying, don't know what the signs say coming down from TN but well posted in NC.
Got this info from one of the many the Tail of the Dragon web sites.
I live about 55 miles from Deals Gap and like others have said lotsa other roads in the area are much nicer to ride!
Got this info from one of the many the Tail of the Dragon web sites.
I live about 55 miles from Deals Gap and like others have said lotsa other roads in the area are much nicer to ride!
Last edited by lonerider2; Aug 26, 2013 at 08:05 AM.
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 353
Likes: 7
From: East Tennessee
Every biker at least once before they can no longer enjoy their scoot should experience true motorcycling nirvana! It's not just the Dragon, it's EVERY road in the Smoky Mountains. You gotta give yourself at least a week there and even then you're just getting started. I just spent 13 years living and riding in that area and I can guarantee you 1. Some of the safest riding anywhere in the country. 2. The vast majority of cagers in those mountains like and are respectful to bikers. 3. You will go home so spoiled that riding around your home ground will seem boring. Trust me ....... you gotta go!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 882
From: SOON TO BE A SAFE AMERICA
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.
Nicely said,
All kinds of killer roads in that neck of the woods that are simply put, Awesome!
YB
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 653
Likes: 7
From: illinois
I searched for dragon images, holy crap that is humbling seeing all the carnage left behind from accidents. I hope to make it down there soon.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 263
Likes: 30
From: Eastern Tennessee
Extremely over rated. when friends visit from up north - gotta do the dragon. They worry themselves sick the day before. Hey, 18 mph around the curves. My main concern is keeping an eye on the mirror and someone sliding out in oncoming traffic. Last year I got behind a Semi that was absolutely kicking it. He impressed me, it was apparent that he drove the dragon all the time. I laid back a little expecting him to run others off the road, however, he had a line of sight before swinging out in the other lane. Also on a Tuesday afternoon.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 188
Likes: 2
From:
Dragon
I've ridden it twice - kinda - once down / brand new 08 Street Glide breaks down in Robbinsville / once back at Midnight pulling a trailer with the Glide in it!
Scary sh*t at midnight pulling a trailer - saw a family of Boar crossing the road near the lookout and they were NOT impressed with my SUV and trailer at all!
Great road. Be sure to visit the Harley store in Maryville about 1/2 north of the lookout. Sweet P's BBQ in Maryville and the local brew pub are also worth a trip!
Scary sh*t at midnight pulling a trailer - saw a family of Boar crossing the road near the lookout and they were NOT impressed with my SUV and trailer at all!
Great road. Be sure to visit the Harley store in Maryville about 1/2 north of the lookout. Sweet P's BBQ in Maryville and the local brew pub are also worth a trip!