Four of us, two with wife or GF did the Dragon on Saturday, the 26th of April.

We left Pigeon Forge about 10AM, stopped at the Harley Dealership there just of the main drag, then headed outon Wear Valley Road to the dead end. Turned right at the endto get to the Foothills Parkway(about 12 or 14 miles up). Beautiful road, great scenery, long lazy sweepers for the most part, speed limits mostly 45 MPH. One short placewe had to make small detour at an overlook because of fallen rock but it was well marked and not a problem to get around.

Entered the Dragon, I have been through before so I led. On the Tn side the speed limit has been dropped to 30MPH, we saw two LEOs during our run, I think because it is still early and it was not very crowded yet. Two up on a bagger it is probably more work than it is worth,except wehad video cameras, the footage is a blast to see. During the run, most of what I remember is a double yellow line as I kept my eyes on the road most of the way, I think I only scraped once during my run, and I do have the footboard extenders on so I was not pushing the Ultra on speed or tightest turning. Unfortunately my wifes camera battery ran out not long after we got started so didnt get much footage from hers. That really hacked us off, we charged them all night the night before so the battery must be bad, wish we had known(it was a borrowed camera). Even on the Ultra two up I had fun dancing around the curves.

Stopped at the store to get some souveniers and get a drink, met and talked to a few strangers. Everyone was really friendly though so they werent strangers long. One guy in particular was a real character indeed, ended up my nephew and myself got a picture with him at the "Dragon" sign.

Then we headed down to Robbinsville. Picked up the Cherahola Parkway, sorry I may have spelled this wrong. WOW!!! What a great road. The first few miles out of Robbinsville are some terrible twisty two lane road that is in need of some road repairs and I began to doubt our decision, then we got to the stating point, from there on it was really nicely maintained road up to a high point of 5,350 feet above sea level. Stopped at a couple of overlooks that were reallyniceeven thoughit was cloudy, if it were clear it would have beenspectacular. Mostly long sweepers, a few slightly tighter turns but a joy to ride two up.

At SR360 (please consult a map to check me on this)we turned North, picked up 411Nand went to Maryville to the Harley Dealership there. They had a concert and Barbeque going on, decided we didnt want to stay so headed back to Pigeon Forge. We got back at almost 9pm.

We were all pretty tired, glad the wife had brought a big pan of Lasagna and all we had to do to have dinner was bake the Garlic Bread and heat the Lasagna in the MicroWave. We tossed down a few beers or mixed drinks, and I believe everyone crashed hard.

It was a great time, cant ask for better. IMHO the Foothills Skyway and the Cherahola Skyway both were much more enjoyable rides then the Dragon, but it is something that everyone should do at least once.

I am not affiliated in any way, and they wont know who we were but I will give a plug for Fireside Chalets. We rented a Chalet from them, it was cozy and comfotable, close to the main drag, and I thought reasonably priced. We split the cost 6 ways so it made it close to the same as renting a hotel/motel room, but we really liked it there. And they are Dog Friendly, cost an extra 50, but it was nice to have the pooch with us, and not have to board her.

Ride Safe...


Fah

 

Shhhhhhhhhsh. We're trying to keep the good roads a secret.[sm=laughingsmilie.gif] Next time you are in the area, try TN 116 from Lake City to Petros & Brushy Mountain State Prison.

 

Awesome report, makes me want to get on my bike and go. My list of rides to do keeps getting longer and longer.

George

 

Wears valley road wow thats a trip down memory lane went to races for years two strokes and bel-ray in the air..... Yes the foothills parkway is a great road for riding and other activites if i recall from high school. (grew up in Cosby Tn used to spend hours at the cosby entrance at large's store)

 

we did the dragon last yr. when ya get time do yhe blueridge parkway it runs from va. to s.c. 2 1/2 days of nothin but turns and mtns. history , hard to beat. ride it hard and put it away wet!

 

we do the dragon a few times a yr, i do have to agree the skyway is way better for us baggers. The dragon is fun but it is a work out 2 up on a bagger. we have a cabin we stay at in robbinsville so the lodging is free and the awsome riding is endless.

 

The Cherohala Skyway and Foothills Parkway are both very enjoyable and the Dragon is a good workout, fun, but no sightseeing for the rider. Spent 5 days in June 07 riding from Front Royal, VA on Skyline Drive and the Blueridge Parkway down to Cherokee,NC. I would love to do that trip twice a year!

 

I rode up to Deal's Gap about two years ago in late Sept. on a Sporty with a bunch of guys on Crotch rockets and non harley cruisers. Had a blast, we rode about 900 miles in two days with 85% of it being twisties.Did you find your pic on Killboy's site?

 

Actually found pics from the Dragon on three different sites, Killboy.com, us129photos.com, and zeefotos.com. Plan to get three photos, unfortunately from two different sites. One is really cool, we had a group of 4 bikes (two of us are two up). I was leading leaning left, next guy behind me is straight up before the curve I am in, third is coming out of a right hand curve (almost straight up)down the road farther, and the fourth in our group can be seen still in a hard right at the bottom of the hill.

For those who have not riden the dragon these three enterprises set up and take pics of folks who ride the dragon then sell you pics for as little as $6 to much more depending on size and if you want background lettering or such as that.

My son had a pretty funny thought, we sawa country video by some guy about getting a brand new girlfriend, it was a blow up doll (I dont think I have to describe it any better than that). He said next time we go he isgoing to take a blow up doll and have her on his bike for the picture.

So if you ride it and see the van pulled off on the side with a photographer smile and wave for them.Fingerless gloves, blow-up dolls,and chaps optional.

Ha ha, Ride Safe...

Fah

 

I've been up there twice and am going again 1st weekend in June. I agree Cherohala Skyway is a much better ride. I will be staying west of Tellico Plains in Etowah. The ride from Etowah on Hwy 411 to the west side of the Skyway is very nice too.I think the Tail if something you "conquer" and you get a T-shirt and say you did it. Last October the road from the skyway to Robbinsville was aweful. I was hoping they woould have fixed it in the spring. When I road there last Memorial weekend the road was fine. I don't care for the loose gravel thing on curves. Oh, almost forgot, the route from Franklin, NC to Robbinsville is outstanding too. It hasa Tail of the Dragon-like feel at some points without the "pucker factor." It was a great warmup ride for my first trip to the Tail. I wish I had time to go that way on my upcoming trip but plan to go right thru the Smoky's from Robbinsville to Knoxville. Good story Fahpah!