Latest Dragon Closure News
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From:
Latest Dragon Closure News
Great News!!!! Latest info from Dealsgap.com: ON MONDAY 12 APRIL 2010 THE DRAGON WILL REOPEN AT 8 AM and be available for use until 8 PM 7 days a week from the NC side only. TDOT will build a fence at the TN/NC state line with a gate. They will open the Dragon for use from 8am until 8pm from the NC side only. There is still no way to get past the slide so you will have to turn around after the Dragon and return. Two THP will patrol as well as NC Graham county EMS will be the medical support.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
How far is it from Deal's Gap to where you have to turn back around? I have ridden the dragon before and will be in the area next month. I might go back there depending on how much of the dragon will be open.
Dennis
Dennis
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
Thanks,
The way I remember it, I came from the TN side. There was a small store along the road where we stopped to get a drink. The next building was the motel at deals gap. I had it in my mind that stretch between those two buildings was the 11 mile dragon. Is that correct?
Dennis
The way I remember it, I came from the TN side. There was a small store along the road where we stopped to get a drink. The next building was the motel at deals gap. I had it in my mind that stretch between those two buildings was the 11 mile dragon. Is that correct?
Dennis
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From:
There is a little store/restaurant on the TN side at the insection of Hwy 72 from Vonore and US129. Continuing on US129 you travel with the river on your right for several miles. The rockslide is at the intersection of Foothills Parkway (the road that goes over to Townsend) and US129. Then about 3 miles further you get to a nice scenic pull off on both sides of the road that overlooks the Cauderwood Dam on the right. This is typically the start of the Dragon and the turnaround that most people use to go back. Continuing approx 10 miles puts you at the Deals Gap Store/campground/motel.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
Thanks so much for sharing that. This puts the trip I had planned to visit some friends back on the table. Now I just hope the weather is good in the end of May/first of June.
The only bad part about it is I ain't already there..........
Denns
The only bad part about it is I ain't already there..........
Denns
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From:
Come on down and visit when you can. The weather should be awesome that time of year. While you are here, come on down to Chattanooga for the 2010 TN State HOG rally June 2-5th. Chattanooga has a lot to offer as a scenic riding area, great food, people and Chattanooga is less than 100 miles from the Dragon. Jerry
Trending Topics
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
I like Chatanooga. Great place to spend a weekend. I have to be in Atlanta on the evening of June 2nd. This trip is a detour to prevent running interstate all the way down and back like I usually do.
I rode the dragon in early March a few years ago. It was a bit cool, but a clear day. I dind't know about all the other great roads in the area and missed alot that day, in a hurry for business like always.
I rode the Cherohala skyway a few years ago in a driving rain the whole trip. It was fun, but visibility was so poor, I didn't get to see much.
This time I think I will hit the superslab hard until I get near Tellico Plains. I'll ride the skyway, hopefully on a clear day this time, take 129 up to deals gap, run the dragon, then hit the moonshiner 28 and ride until time runs out and I have to head for Atlanta.
I have been following the trail on Google earth. It is so nice down there. I am very excited about this trip. I wish I could get a bud or two to ride along, but none of my friends like riding that many miles a day.
Dennis
I rode the dragon in early March a few years ago. It was a bit cool, but a clear day. I dind't know about all the other great roads in the area and missed alot that day, in a hurry for business like always.
I rode the Cherohala skyway a few years ago in a driving rain the whole trip. It was fun, but visibility was so poor, I didn't get to see much.
This time I think I will hit the superslab hard until I get near Tellico Plains. I'll ride the skyway, hopefully on a clear day this time, take 129 up to deals gap, run the dragon, then hit the moonshiner 28 and ride until time runs out and I have to head for Atlanta.
I have been following the trail on Google earth. It is so nice down there. I am very excited about this trip. I wish I could get a bud or two to ride along, but none of my friends like riding that many miles a day.
Dennis
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 512
Likes: 13
From: East Tennessee
Don't let the Dragon being blocked stop you from coming down.. There are more roads than the Dragon.. The Dragon is 318 curves in 11 miles.. those 11 miles have no side roads or drive ways or mail boxs.. that's why it so popular.. BUTT, there are 100's of miles of some of the best motorcycle roads in this area.. It takes days to ride all of them and would never ride the same course twice..
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
I agree. I wouldn't cancel my trip becasue of the dragon being closed, but I would alter it and plan different destinations if it was.
Once you get in that area, every ride is a good ride. Some of my buds from up here that have never been there just don't understand. We leave our home town sometimes and ride 100 to 200 miles to get to a nice piece of road to ride. Down there, head out in any direction and it's great.
Dennis
Once you get in that area, every ride is a good ride. Some of my buds from up here that have never been there just don't understand. We leave our home town sometimes and ride 100 to 200 miles to get to a nice piece of road to ride. Down there, head out in any direction and it's great.
Dennis