I rode the dragon and the skyway this weeked for a day trip roughly 350 miles round trip. I had heard people talk about how fun the dragon is, well my thoughts on it was its insane getting ran up on by sport bikes people everywhere every pull off was full. Glad i did it just to say i did, but i think the skyway is a much nicer ride, some truly awsome views.

 

I did it to say I did it. That roads belongs to people who can ride it, and not those clogging it up. Not saying I am anything special.

 

yeah... the "trick" is to avoid the week ends....

Not just sport bikes, baggers, cruisers, sports, tourers.... something happens when folks get on these roads, and they think they are (insert favorite racer's name here).
It's a public highway... and there are posted speed limits... but on the week end, suddenly it's motoGP.

Of course, then LEO cracks down.. and everyone complains.

Cars, pickups, as well as motorcycles use that road.. and (again) it's a PUBLIC road...folks need to remember that.. and if they believe they ha
ve the chops.... I'd suggest they join an actual road racing series, and race on a track... then see if they are all that.

Goes for the BRP as well.... sure you CAN ride it at 80 MPH... but it won't be whatever you crash into's fault....

 

People of all sorts ride the road, first timers, squids, racers, cruisers and it's normal for some to get pissed off because the rider ahead is only going 10 mph over the limit and pushing the limits of his or her abilities.
I try to ride my ride as best I can and if I have a place I can safely let others by without putting myself in danger I do.
With all that said, I don't rude it on weekends anymore and usually pick much better roads around.

 

Ride the Cherohala. It's better than the Dragon.

 

i second that. The Cherohola is my favorite ride in those parts.

 

I rode it back in 2014. I did a lot of research on it to avoid the sport bikes as much as possible. Wednesday before noon was the best time to ride it. There were a hand full of sport bikes and cruisers there but mostly it was pretty quiet.
Also we rode it the first week in May. Saying that it was just OK. I enjoyed the moonshiner, Cherhola and Blue ridge Pkwy much better. I doubt I would ride it again unless I was with someone who hasn't. Glad to say I rode it though.

 

We have been there often. The area is great to ride. Timing is a big thing on the Dragon.
The jerks out there trying to prove something is a pain. If they rode that good they would be getting paid for it, but they can't so they have to show of on a public road.
The tree of shame adds more and more.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/UdsrWJ]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/UdstXY]

 

i did it 20 something years ago. Springtime?? Got behind a tractor trailer one run thru, dragging butt....literally.... back of trailer steel to pavement. He let us by. We stayed at the hotel and ran through several times on a weekday meeting very few cars. I hit a quarter sized rock that made me wobble pretty good and said nah...put put, no more zoom zoom.

meanwhile in 2017.....

 

I've ridden the dragon a few times. First time was fun for the experience. After that it just becomes irritating with the constant shifting. I agree much more fun roads in the area to ride. If I go down anymore I ride for one of two reasons. Either to get the cherohala or because I want a new photo for the house.