Wow, thanks! That's looks like a great ride! I did ride the Cherohala Skyway back in November when I rode the Dragon and we stopped in Tellico Plains to eat and then go our separate ways. How we didn't get a ticket on the CS is beyond me!

Thanks for the link!

 

Posted on facebook by Tail of the Dragon:

TN & NC Contact List Regarding Rock Slide March 15, 2010Share
Today at 8:15am
On March 15, 2010 a rock slide occured 2 miles south of Chilhowee Dam on US129 closing both lanes of traffic. On March 19, 2010, traffic was blocked at the North Carolina and Tennessee state line preventing access to 11 miles of US129, commonly known as the Dragon. This road block also prevents access from Parson's Branch Road and the Calderwood Dam area. On March 24, 2010, TNDOT released a reopening date of September 1, 2010.

This road is not only a tourist attraction in itself, but also provides a commuter route for Tennessee and North Carolina residents, visitors, and commercial traffic. The only alternative is US441 through the Smoky Mountain National Park or the Cherohala Skyway. Either of these options present a great inconvenience.

Both the North Carolina and Tennessee areas near US129 rely on tourism as a major source of revenue. This road closure will have a definite impact on the local economy. We encourage all officials to take whatever steps are necessary to expedite the reopening of part or all of this US highway.

Anyone who is interested in expressing their concerns over the temporary closure of US129 should contact these officials:

NC Governor:
Governor Bev Perdue
Governor’s Office
Office of the Governor
20301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-0301
Phone: (919)733-4240
Fax: (919)733-2120
governor.office@nc.gov


NC US Congressman:
Congressman Heath Shuler
422 Cannon House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC, 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6401
Fax: (202) 226-6422
Boyce.Deitz@mail.house.gov


NC State Representative:
Senator John Snow
NC Senate
16 W. Jones Street, Room 2111
Raleigh, NC 27601-2808
Phone: (919) 733-5875
Email: John.Snow@ncleg.net

TN Governor:
Governor Phil Bredesen
Governor's Office
Tennessee State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37243-0001
Phone: 615.741.2001
Fax: 615.532.9711
Phil.Bredesen@tn.gov


TN US Congressman:
Congressman John J Duncan JR
2207 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5435
Fax: 202-225-6440
http://www.house.gov/writerep/


TN State Representative:
Senator Doug Overbey
4 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243-0208
Phone: 615-741-0981 or
800-449-TENN, ext. 10981
Fax: 615-253-0224
Sen.Doug.Overbey@capitol.tn.gov

 

Highway 68 south outta Tellico Plains is a nice ride. Once ya get far enough into it, it becomes almost like a parkway itself. Also, if you're going in the direction laid out in that map (B-C-D), once you're over on US-74 and heading back up towards Robbinsville, be sure to pass up the US-129 turnoff to Robbinsville and take the long way around as shown on the map, as that will take ya thru the Nantahala Gorge. Also, after tuning off of 68 onto TN-123/NC-294, there's a little biker bar on the right just before the NC state line. There may be nothing going on, but on any given weekend, there's just as likely to be a B-B-Q or other chow-down activity happenin' there. At the very least, it's a good place to take a break and have a brew.

PM me if ya feel like hookin up while you're in the area. We live about 20 miles from Tellico Plains in a little town called Vonore, and the missus and I are always up for a nice ride and meet 'n greet. Ya'll have fun, and ride safe.

 

Some of us are meeting up at Iron Horse on the 16th, I have never been to the area, so here's hoping it's a good time regardless.

 

Why worry about the Tail when you can ride the Dragon's Back.

http://www.motorcycleroads.us/roads/va16.html

 

This story was on the front page again this morning...hey, it's a small town...and, they're now saying it will be closed thru July.

 

A group of us will be coming down to the Iron Horse on May 23 from VA via the BRP. Sorry to hear about the the Tail of the Dragon but I'm sure we will enjoy the ride regardless.

 

Latest news on the Dragon closure:
March 25, 2010 Bidding Process to Begin for Rockslide Repairs Contractors with specialized crews focus on
slide on U.S-129/SR-115 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Work to clear a rockslide
that closed U.S.-129/SR-115 is expected to begin early April. The
Tennessee Department of Transportation will let an emergency contract
to cle...ar the slide on Monday, March 29. TDOT qualified two
specialty contractors, Pacific Blasting Demolition Ltd. and Phillips &
******, Inc., to bid on the project. Both contractors offer
specialized experience in rockslide clearance and stabilization that
is needed to repair the substantial and complex slide on
U.S.-129/SR-115. The emergency contract is expected to be awarded to
one of the two specialty contractors on Monday, March 29 with work
expected to begin no later than April 5. This will allow contractors
time to transport specialized equipment to the site of the slide in
Blount County. TDOT’s contract has a completion date of July 31, 2010.
Meanwhile, detours remain in place while the stretch of road known as
the Dragon is closed from the slide area to the North Carolina state
line. Motorists are advised to continue to monitor the TDOT website at
www.tn.gov/tdot for updates and detour details. TDOT is also on
Twitter.

 

Personally, with all the traffic on the dragon on the weekends, there are a lot more senic roads that are a better ride. IMO.

 

To the locals the dragon ain't nothing special,, just another curvy road only more" idgits " ride'n it and it has its own t-shirt. Buy a western NC map or altas/gazzetter and ride some of the less found roads . Atleast by most riders, and enjoy this back roads.
rockercsx You better have a plan for ride'n side roads when come'n down the BR many closed areas right now and some will not be open by your trip. Check before ride down.
To any ride'n around Spruce Pine there is a fairly new BBQ joint on hi-226 before wally world , maybe a mile from the BR.. Called Bama-Q. This is good stuff, the real deal. Just hard to park a bike as parking is gravel