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To be transparent, I suppose I am not your typical rider in that I prefer roads that are straight or have nice easy curves. I hate switchbacks. I am getting better with experience but honestly unfamiliar curves give me anxiety. Is tight? Is it a mini switchback? Is there gravel? Will the opposing vehicle be over the yellow? Has some bonehead thrown their grass into the road? The one thing that has helped me tremendously is to use by map app on my phone. I can see the turns ahead of time and I don't have to slow down as much if the curves aren't too tight.
All that said, our rider group is heading to the WV and VA this weekend. They are the exact opposite of me and they love the twisties - hence the destination. I will take it easy and no doubt I'll get through it alright. So, my question is, have any of you been on this road recently or even the past few years? How is the actual road condition? Are there serious potholes or blacktop separation? Is the right side bad? I am asking because in PA we have some good roads but many more awful roads and you never know what you're going to get. I ask for myself and as much for my wife. She has her own bike and usually rides on the inside.
Just relax and you will learn to love it. Remember to stay off front brake. Use rear only. A bit higher speed and powering through corners makes riding it easier.
Might be just a smidge more aggressive than what you described you like, but only a smidge. Last time we rode it was spring 23. Road was in good shape. No gravel. Just beware any mountainous/hilly region with steep gravel drives connecting to the road after heavy rains, gravel WILL wash into the road.
edit- Theres 50-60% rain chance forecast in Tazewell VA this Friday-Sat-Sun but it doesnt look to be a heavy rain.
Was on it a few months ago. Came up through Bristol, TN. It was nice, scenic road, with nothing really "technical" as far as curves are concerned. In other words, you don't have too think to much like you might on a road like the Dragon. The Tail of the Dragon store at the northern end has some decent chow, cold beer, and overpriced T-shirts.
Thanks for the tips and encouragement! I was looking at Google maps at some of the switchbacks. We have one road locally that I compare it to and honestly most of what I have seen so far appears a little milder than that. I can do switchbacks - albeit slower than most riders. My biggest issue is a tight 180 combined with an immediate elevation change. The road I was referring to has one downhill switchback that is banked "the wrong way" on the inside so the road pushes you out into the other lane. It's very difficult to lean. Hopefully there is little of that
From what I see the tail of the dragon was recently repaved!
I have never ridden the Dragon, I may do it one day as I love riding North Carolina but I decided this past year on my brand new Harley, that July 4th weekend on a new bike may not be the best time for me on the dragon as July 4t traffic is just bad. I had this vision ( perhaps a incorrect vision ) of thousands and thousands of young whipper snappers driving thousands of those turbo VW / Subaru whatchamacallits as fast as he / she can take that curve and tight on my rear able to go a lot faster than I choose to go. I do drive aggressively at times but don't like being pushed to go faster from behind.
I think I'm more of a Blue Ridge Parkway kinda guy but I have never tried the dragon so perhaps one day? I have heard it said the North Carolina has so many less crowded curvy roads options with a better view? However, if I had a group headed up I would hop on the bike and go in a second. I would simply tell the group i'll get to the end of the dragon when I get to the end of the dragon and will see you at the hotel and I would simply pull over and let the whatchamacallits pass.
Have fun OP, I wish I was going!
I rode it 2 years ago on my Tri Glide and it was curvy but not too bad, wife and I enjoyed it. Very nice road.
follow the speed limit and look at the caution signs. Slow down if youre not sure.
From what I see the tail of the dragon was recently repaved!
I have never ridden the Dragon, I may do it one day as I love riding North Carolina but I decided this past year on my brand new Harley, that July 4th weekend on a new bike may not be the best time for me on the dragon as July 4t traffic is just bad. I had this vision ( perhaps a incorrect vision ) of thousands and thousands of young whipper snappers driving thousands of those turbo VW / Subaru whatchamacallits as fast as he / she can take that curve and tight on my rear able to go a lot faster than I choose to go. I do drive aggressively at times but don't like being pushed to go faster from behind.
I think I'm more of a Blue Ridge Parkway kinda guy but I have never tried the dragon so perhaps one day? I have heard it said the North Carolina has so many less crowded curvy roads options with a better view? However, if I had a group headed up I would hop on the bike and go in a second. I would simply tell the group i'll get to the end of the dragon when I get to the end of the dragon and will see you at the hotel and I would simply pull over and let the whatchamacallits pass.
Have fun OP, I wish I was going!
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Back of The Dragon - How's The Road?
