Hey guys, I’m headed down the Tail of the Dragon July 20th-July 23rd! I’m going on an organized trip with my local PCA chapter – Crown. If any of you area locals want to come by, we’re taming the dragon first thing Saturday morning and then continuing on that day to do the big Cherohala Skyway and then surround roads, and then Sunday, more Dragon and surrounding roads. We’re staying at the Fontana Village resort Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

Anyways, I’ve been looking at all the past threads of pictures and reports on here as well as all reading through all the info on tailofthedragon.com; especially the how to drive the dragon section. But I was wondering if any of you Dragon pro’s wanna give me any additional tips or pointers? Anything’s welcome, even restaurant suggestions ? This being my first trip, I plan on being strictly in learning mode. I already have my second trip planned the day after Rockn’Croc Rally 2, cuz I hear it only gets better as you become more familiar with the road!

- Suneet

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- Suneet

Have fun!

The Gap is a blast, but I'd like to remind those that are going that it is not a race track - it is a public road.

I consider myself primarily a motorcyclist. I've been through Deal's Gap many times before. It is a great road - very technical and lots of fun! Visit killboy.com to get a good idea of those that go through it.

The one over-riding theme I have seen there is the plea to please stay in your lane. Many accidents have occured due to those drifting left of center. Even a tire over the double-yellow can cause an accident.

I'm not trying to scare anyone, but just a caution!

As an aside, I actually prefer the Cherohala Skyway as it tends to be less crowded and the turns are a bit more sweeping.

The roads are always a bit better during the week when traffic is lighter!

I see you have a place to stay already, but I have a good friend who owns a B&B by the Space Needle in Gatlinburg (who can show you good roads around the area) if you need a place to stay!

Have fun and killboy.com should have some good photos of your Cayman when you get back!

alow

Suneet,


You have funny timing. I'm in pigeon forge this week and I just ran the dragon today. I took video and I'll upload it soon. Its a blast, but I think it is overhyped. There are roads around Atlanta that I have been on that are as good.

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"The Cayman doesn't need any more toys." -- My wife

I have friends that go up there on their bikes several times a year. They always plan one meal at the Dillard House in Dillard, GA.

Dillard House

Looking at the food on their web site make me hungry.

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KnonS

Suneet. The MINIs do a gathering there once a year and are out in force. Here is a synopsis of the general driving suggestions:

1. STAY in your lane (crossing the yellow lane is not only unsafe and illegal but poor driving)
2. Don't sightsee. Your driving, not sightseeing
3. Watch for approaching cars around the blind curves who DO cross the yellow line
4. Watch for wildlife in the road
5. No matter what you drive, someone will be faster ... just let them go (be courteous)

Check out the Tree of Shame. Accidents mostly from excessive speed, not paying attention, etc.

Be sure to check out your pictures at killboys

Here is a lowres video of the dragon taken from a mount in a MINI convertable (not driven for high speed but to see what the road is like)

Thanks everybody! The Dillard House is on the agenda for dinner, as is Cherolaha Crossing for some bbq.

I definitley won't be doing any crazy illegal driving, not after seeing pictures of a flipped Solstice on Killboy's website last week. Plus I read on tailofthedragon.com that's there's extra law enforcement out there now. I'm looking forward to the surrounding roads just as much; the club has a pretty good itinerary planned.

This long Cayman road trip is just what I need after not being able to drive my car through June! If I can dig up my bullet-cam out of the basement I might hook it up to my camcorder and mount it somewhere on the front of my car for some interesting video. I'm pretty fired up for the trip; and I think I'm one of the only two Cayman's going.

- Suneet

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- Suneet

+1 on most what has been said. I've driven that piece of road many times, and it's as technical a stretch as you'll find any place. I've seen people on this forum commenting about how they've passed slower traffic in the Gap, and I would just say, "Don't do it!". There is no safe place to pass in there. I've been terribly frustrated by the occasional driver who didn't pull over, but I'm still alive.

If you like a cocktail after driving hours are done, plan on bringing it along. You can buy beer at the Tapoco Lodge, but most of the area is dry. If you have a cooler in your car, drain out any water before you drive the Gap. Otherwise it will drain itself. If you get sport bikes behind you, make a place for them to get by. Drive the other roads around the area once you're done with 129. Most of them are more fun, if not quite as challenging. Avoid the Gap during the heart of the day - it simply gets too crowded to be fun. My favorite time is right around sunset, traffic is light, people have their headlights on (which really helps), but you still have good sight lines. Watch out for semitrailers - they can use up three of the two lanes. Drive the Dragon once at a slow pace before you start to push - it WILL surprise you at least once.

Be careful, be safe, have a GREAT time!

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“Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” - Ernest Hemingway

I am jealous; I love that area and vacation there often. Here are some quick thoughts, many of them repeats from what others have said:

Go to the appropriate regional forum and check out their treads, I bet the local croc’s can set you up with better recommendations but here are some of mine from my visits.

As others have mentioned, when on the dragon, STAY IN YOU LANE AND BE AWARE AT ALL TIMES.

The dragon is not a race track; however, lots of people (i.e. idiots) ride it like it is. These are the people you need to keep a vigilant eye out for. People do incredibly stupid things while on the dragon so you should expect them too and adjust your driving accordingly.

Even though you might think or feel that you are driving briskly (which you should), check you mirrors constantly and try to stay to the outside of your lane. Sport bike riders for which I am one will come up on you very quickly and WILL pass you weather you want them too or not. That being said, it is better for you to try and safely manage these passing situations. Drive with your windows down so that you can hear approaching traffic and use hand signals to let your intentions be known. If and when you notice a sport bike coming up quickly from behind, try and find a straight section (not easy) where you can let them pass; otherwise they WILL pass you on the inside of a corner.

To me the dragon is a much better motorcycle road then a car road. The dragon is tight, twisty and technical and this affords the motorcyclist many lines through the corners where there is basically only one car line (assuming that you are staying in you lane). That being said, the remainder of the roads in that greater region are wonderful sport car roads. For instance, I prefer to run route 28 from Franklin to Deals Gap when in that area. Route 28 was re-paved a few years ago and is smooth as glass and it is not highly patrolled by the local law.

Try and look a few corners ahead and behind when possible, this is easier when the trees are not in full bloom.

The dragon is best run early in the morning or in the evening.

I prefer to vacation there April/May or late September/October/November, less crowds and open roads.

If possible, try and schedule to be on the gap on or around 6-7pm, this is when the locals come out to play. I like to hang out at the “Killboy” run off and watch the locals, they are amazing.

If time permits, make a day trip to N. GA., many great roads down there.

Watch your speed on the Skyway, it is patrolled. If you run the Skyway around lunch time, stop at the small greasy spoon just before Tellico Plains and have lunch on a picnic table along the river.

Edited: I just remembered, when running the Skyway be aware of the nasty decreasing radius turn on the Tellico Plains side. For the most part, the Skyway has constant radius sweeping turns; however, this blind decreasing radius turn has caught many off guard and has even killed.

Avoid Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Cherokee, or any of the Touristy hang outs.

If you drink alcohol, bring it with you.

Lots of good road side places to eat; however, if you are staying in Fontana and want a somewhat fancy Dinner, I suggest you try Relia’s Garden Restaurant up the hill from the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC). Come to think of it, the little outdoor food stand across the bridge at the rivers edge at the NOC has good soups, hot dogs, etc and would be a nice lunch stop. While there you can watch the rafters.