Dragon Tail
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 64
Likes: 22
From: East Tennessee
The Dragon is a great ride and part of a great series of rides in Southern Appalachia. It is great b/c of the the very reason this thread exists. It illicits emotion, gets us to comment and draws us to the area. Is it the best? ...hell I don’t know nor do I care. It’s fun and by going there, I get to discover a LOT of great roads in the area.
Isnt that hat why we get on our bikes in the first place?
Isnt that hat why we get on our bikes in the first place?
Amen Brother!! It is an intent ride, but a hell of a lot of fun, are there othe rides close by that are fun and offer better views? Sure
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,630
Likes: 4,105
From: Virginia
Went on a rainy cold October weekday morning. Its a good ride but not my favorite. Cherahola Skyway is close by and just as good if not better as it has really big sweeping curves. I may have liked it more if the weather and temp was better when I rode it. Video of my ride in my signature. I was wearing some thick Goretex boots so shifting was not as easy with normal footwear, so I stayed in 2nd most of the ride. My favorite US road for a motorcycle though is Bear Tooth Pass in southwest Montana just north of Yellowstone.
Went on a rainy cold October weekday morning. Its a good ride but not my favorite. Cherahola Skyway is close by and just as good if not better as it has really big sweeping curves. I may have liked it more if the weather and temp was better when I rode it. Video of my ride in my signature. I was wearing some thick Goretex boots so shifting was not as easy with normal footwear, so I stayed in 2nd most of the ride. My favorite US road for a motorcycle though is Bear Tooth Pass in southwest Montana just north of Yellowstone.
Wife and I went 4/18/18 it was 82° that day. It was the first time she or I had ever ridden this type of road. On one of the switchbacks we were passed by a sport bike doing about 90 mph. As you can see from my signature I ride a touring bike.
Fortunately it worked out for all of us.
We we had a great ride and a great day.
Do it safely.
Fortunately it worked out for all of us.
We we had a great ride and a great day.
Do it safely.
All this to say that I totally get what you meant when you said "i ride a touring". Overtake at 90, 120, 150 for all i care, just do it when it is safe and at a safe distance.
first of all.... I would not refer to the Dragon as "Flat" with several hundreds of feet of elevation change
Dangerous?? nor particularly ..it is a public highway. If one rides well and within their abilities, there is no problem. However, there is little margin for error, and with traffic in both directions, one learns to stay within their own lane.
I avoid going there on the week end because there is too much traffic...
There are plenty of other great roads in the area here is a common source of local routes https://tailofthedragonmaps.com/
If you ride the Italian Alps, you will enjoy this area....but remember everyone on the dragon might not have your skills, and could do something unexpected
Dangerous?? nor particularly ..it is a public highway. If one rides well and within their abilities, there is no problem. However, there is little margin for error, and with traffic in both directions, one learns to stay within their own lane.
I avoid going there on the week end because there is too much traffic...
There are plenty of other great roads in the area here is a common source of local routes https://tailofthedragonmaps.com/
If you ride the Italian Alps, you will enjoy this area....but remember everyone on the dragon might not have your skills, and could do something unexpected
I would say that, in my experience, i saw a couple of dudes passing real close real fast and i was like "ok, dumb asses do not only belong to my country" 
Speed and overtaking is not really a problem if done right.I have enjoyed the museum too, it's the second one i saw in the states. The first one was on my way to sturgis back in 2009, captain america was supposed to be there but since they were going to sturgis too the bike was not exposed lol Thank god we were heading the same way, so i got the chance to see it there
I have jsut seen a map of it, it looks reeeeaaaaally interesting! Like really! Plus, now i want a pic under the water fall 
Basically it is in the same area, right? I wander when i will be able to come to the states again, the economy is so limiting nowadays. maybe some of you who did go could write something about it 
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,378
Likes: 1,933
From: El Flatistan
We got to quit telling everyone about Wayah Rd. Before you know it everyone will want to ride there and it will be ruined. lol
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,910
Likes: 7,601
From: NH
Head down through Robbinsville and go to Blairsville Ga---ride "The Gauntlet" it will make you forget about the Dragon
Stay away from Wayah RD------JK-- best ride IMHO
Stay away from Wayah RD------JK-- best ride IMHO
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,591
Likes: 1,152
From: Brandon,Fl
Yep!! Rode it 2days after XMAS with snow still on the roadside....