Riding the Dragon
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 496
Likes: 46
From: Columbia sc
Not that I'm an old guy or anything but I've been riding the "Dragon" since before anybody ever put a name on it and the Deal's gap store was a 2 pump gas station that was rarely open. Back then you could run it anytime and rarely see another vehicle, car or bike. Now days it's notoriety has all but ruined it. Many days it's so heavily traveled it's more hazard than fun. I feel fortunate to have experienced it in earlier times, but, the good news is, I know some roads where you can get out of the mainstream and really enjoy riding hard or cruise along enjoying the scenery.
I'll be going up there very soon and I look forward to the roads that get me there much more than the "Dragon" itself.
I'll be going up there very soon and I look forward to the roads that get me there much more than the "Dragon" itself.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 496
Likes: 46
From: Columbia sc
I believe that there's a sign on the NC side prohibiting the semis but not on the Tenn, or vice versa . I have seen the troopers escort them through and many times bikers will escort them through clearing the road ahead. Last time I was there a guy was killed when the rear trailer wheels of a semi crossed into his lane and he couldn't get away. He was alive but it took an hour for the EMTs to get there and he died on the way to the hospital.
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
I rode it and alot of other roads in the area last month it was great unfortunatly it rained very hard while we did the dragon and we couldnt really get above 30 mph another road if you dont mind a short run of gravel is tn 32 it goes by the federal prison and in my opinion was twistier than the dragon. Also 28 was a blast watch for wet leaves if you go when the leaves are falling
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 627
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
Just about any road you ride out there is a blast to ride with plenty of twisties and elevation changes. Not to mention further east is the Blue Ridge which leads to even more fun roads. Its kinda like that whole part of the country was made for bikes,
As for the danger of the dragon I can personally attest to that,
I had a rider coming towards me wiggle and go down sliding into me head on, it was just a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It does take at least an hour for the emts to get to you and you are lucky if you have cell service to call 911 but the locals are kind enough to help you feel as comfortable as you can. It is also about a 45 minute ride in the ambulance to the hospital in Maryville which is fun in a way because you are going as fast as 80MPH over the foothills parkway,(Another great road that you should ride) according to my GPS. Finally Blount Memorial Hospital is a class one facility although the doctor will ask you if you were on the Dragon first off although I wish to never visit them again. Oh and I forgot to mention that both bikes were totaled and I was taken out of riding for about a year.
But would I ride it again. Yes but it doesn't top my list of roads to ride in that area.
As for the danger of the dragon I can personally attest to that,
I had a rider coming towards me wiggle and go down sliding into me head on, it was just a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It does take at least an hour for the emts to get to you and you are lucky if you have cell service to call 911 but the locals are kind enough to help you feel as comfortable as you can. It is also about a 45 minute ride in the ambulance to the hospital in Maryville which is fun in a way because you are going as fast as 80MPH over the foothills parkway,(Another great road that you should ride) according to my GPS. Finally Blount Memorial Hospital is a class one facility although the doctor will ask you if you were on the Dragon first off although I wish to never visit them again. Oh and I forgot to mention that both bikes were totaled and I was taken out of riding for about a year.But would I ride it again. Yes but it doesn't top my list of roads to ride in that area.
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