Dragon question
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,066
Likes: 1,946
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
If you've never been, it's a nice leisurely ride during the weekends. Weekdays are better, unless you get a truck going through there. Nice riding through that area, like Cherohala Skyway as mentioned. It's south of the Dragon and it's highway 165/143 on the TN/NC border. Oh...and bring some rain gear just in case.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 61
Likes: 14
From: East of the Dragon
the dragon is cool to say you did it.
The person in front of you may determine your speed but guessing 25 to 45 depending on you and where you are on the road.
It is fun to say you did it or take your friends but the real fun is riding the surrounding area like the Cherola skyway. If you missed that and the sights around the Dragon, you missed most of it.
The person in front of you may determine your speed but guessing 25 to 45 depending on you and where you are on the road.
It is fun to say you did it or take your friends but the real fun is riding the surrounding area like the Cherola skyway. If you missed that and the sights around the Dragon, you missed most of it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
I rode two up on a cool weekday. I was having a blast, enjoying the scenery and the turns. trying to look around and stay focused at the same time. But then I got very embarrassed. I looked in the mirror and there was a one ton work truck on my ***. The dragon is supposed to be for the speed demons and I'm holding up a big truck.
The dragon is fun but all of the riding in that area is fantastic. I wanted to do the skyway but I was told not too. It was April and a front had come through. It was in the 40's and they said it would be about 20 degrees colder and possible snow and ice up there so we did a ride that was suggested called Moonshiners and saw the waterfalls. Had a great time. Rode the dragon, moonshiners, then the dragon back to where we were staying.
If you need a place to stay, the Dragon Pit Inn & BBQ is at the Tennessee end of the Dragon and the couple that owns it are some of the nicest people you can meet. Good food too. We were their only guests for two nights ( too early in the season ) and we had a great time visiting with them when we weren't out riding.
http://www.dragonpittinnandbbq.com/wp/
The dragon is fun but all of the riding in that area is fantastic. I wanted to do the skyway but I was told not too. It was April and a front had come through. It was in the 40's and they said it would be about 20 degrees colder and possible snow and ice up there so we did a ride that was suggested called Moonshiners and saw the waterfalls. Had a great time. Rode the dragon, moonshiners, then the dragon back to where we were staying.
If you need a place to stay, the Dragon Pit Inn & BBQ is at the Tennessee end of the Dragon and the couple that owns it are some of the nicest people you can meet. Good food too. We were their only guests for two nights ( too early in the season ) and we had a great time visiting with them when we weren't out riding.
http://www.dragonpittinnandbbq.com/wp/
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 816
Likes: 172
From: ALABAMA
Been there, done that. Too many people trying to do something that their Momma told them they should not do.
Watch out for the guys on the metrics with a Go-Pro and orange hair. Also, watch out for the 4 wheel idiots too.
Watch out for the guys on the metrics with a Go-Pro and orange hair. Also, watch out for the 4 wheel idiots too.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 518
Likes: 83
From: NC
The wife and I have been to the Deal's Gap area two times a year since 2006. We just got back this past Saturday. There is no problem riding the Dragon two up. Weekends are hectic, so it's better to do it during the week. You don't want to go over 39 miles an hour even in the straights or you risk a performance award. That's plenty fast anyway on a touring bike. Just remember the fundamentals, stay well within your lane, leave room for error, use the pull offs if faster riders come up behind you, and have fun. There are plenty of better roads in the area. The Cherohala Skyway to Bald River Falls and then lunch at Tellico Kats in Tellico Plains is my favorite.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 185
From: Utah
I rode it with my adult daughter on the back this spring. We arrived in the late afternoon on a weekday. We didn't see another vehicle traveling in our direction. Mostly cars coming the other direction, and only a few of those.
It was a fun ride, but I enjoyed the roads getting there better. I am pretty used to riding two up and my daughter is an experienced passenger (she's been with me to southern Utah, Glacier, Yellowstone, the Black Hills, a 48/10 Ironbutt, and this spring's 50CC Ironbutt). We took a comfortable pace -- only scraped the Monster Ovals once. Our biggest problem was that I had a short in my heated grip so I could barely touch the throttle grip during the most of the ride. I hope to go again, but mostly I hope to spend more time on the surrounding roads.
It was a fun ride, but I enjoyed the roads getting there better. I am pretty used to riding two up and my daughter is an experienced passenger (she's been with me to southern Utah, Glacier, Yellowstone, the Black Hills, a 48/10 Ironbutt, and this spring's 50CC Ironbutt). We took a comfortable pace -- only scraped the Monster Ovals once. Our biggest problem was that I had a short in my heated grip so I could barely touch the throttle grip during the most of the ride. I hope to go again, but mostly I hope to spend more time on the surrounding roads.
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I like riding the Dragon ,the first time was with the wife on a street glide with a tour pack. We rode there and back then to the foothills on one day,next day ride it again then to 28 to.the cherohola skyway to home.
I want to to go back and ride to Bridal Veils Falls and the surrounding area.
1up or 2up is a blast in the whole area.
I want to to go back and ride to Bridal Veils Falls and the surrounding area.
1up or 2up is a blast in the whole area.