Dragon tail

[JJW SpyderRider]

Dragon by car

I have not had the chance to do the dragon on a bike but did it in december with a rental car. Came out of Knoxville and all the way to Murphy, NC. I only saw a group of four bikes and one single rider. The best part I was able to go as fast as I wanted and only came up behind 2 cars for no more than a mile. :yes: It was a real workout. I found another route for the ride home that I liked even better, great curves without the full workout. I'm not sure I would want to ride it on the Spyder with stock shocks :yikes:.

 

[ThreeWheels]

Watched hell roads, I'm smart enough to know that the tail of the dragon is way too dangerous for me to try:yikes::yikes::yikes: Looks like it could be fun but until I get to become god and can keep everyone else off the thing when I'm on it, I'll pass for everyone's safety.

It's a lovely road. Don't be scared.

Just to reiterate what others have posted

No one

NO one

NO ONE says you have to take it at supralegal speeds.

You can go 25 MPH easily.

But I'm sure you've heard this before:
Ride your OWN ride. Go as slow or as fast as you feel comfortable.
That goes for any road, and any vehicle at any time.

Of course, as always, my free advice comes with a double your money back guarantee.

 

[GA-SPYDER]

Yes, the Dragon is indeed a hoot, but now having done it a few times, there are other roads nearby with a lot less traffic than can be equally challenging. Not to take anything away from skilled riders but we found the Tail of the Dragon to be an interesting, curvy road with a great press agent.

PatrickView attachment 39922

Have rode it several times two and three wheels. I like the way you put it. "curvy road with a great press agent"

 

[currin20fan]

Dragon

Hmmm....I'm from the flat lands. I'd probably kill myself.:yikes:

 

[dancogan]

I guess I'd offer 2 pieces of advice to those who haven't ridden it before: Ride early in the morning when there isn't much traffic and you'll have fewer idiots coming at you in your lane, and secondly - concentrate on the road. It's not a road for sightseeing, as the curves just keep coming.

The first time I rode it I was all in second gear and was surprised that it really wasn't that difficult. I felt I earned the t-shirt when I got down to Deals Gap!

 

[Bob Denman]

You guys are making my palms sweat :shocked:... I feel a "Pilgrimage" coming on! :thumbup:
Even when I was riding in the dirt; I always preferred the toughest and most challenging terrain taken at a slow pace, to just shortening up a straightaway with my hair on fire!

 

[spyder-dude]

For anyone who missed this here the the link to the portion of the show.

http://www.bikerspost.com/video/hell-roads-tail-of-the-dragon

Very interesting. I had ridden it 6 times and loved it every time but always scared of the other crazy drivers coming around the next corner!

 

[punji]

How illegal?

Semi's are illegal on that road in NC, just not in TN.

Was there in early August. An 18-wheeler blocked the oncoming lane on a limited-vision switchback and trapped a Wing under the trailer. The Tail was shut down for hours. Talk among the locals standing around on the shoulder was that commercial traffic is routine. Don't know the truth of any of it. I spent the summer riding the two-lane blacktops in western NC and there are roads equal to the Tail everywhere. Cherohala Skyway is a nicer ride for my money.

:chat:

 

[Pennyrick]

A much better road IMO, is Georgia highway 60 from Dahlonega, Georgia to Morganton, Georgia. This is a 40 mile stretch of twisties that will wring you out. The part from Suches (about mid-way) to Morganton is the best. The road is similar to the Dragon but has much less traffic. The turns and switch backs are similar but Highway 60 has more sweepers than the Dragon.

It is also three times longer for more fun on the road. Take two and half hours and enjoy the run.

 

[joe schmoe]

A much better road IMO, is Georgia highway 60 from Dahlonega, Georgia to Morganton, Georgia. This is a 40 mile stretch of twisties that will wring you out. The part from Suches (about mid-way) to Morganton is the best. The road is similar to the Dragon but has much less traffic. The turns and switch backs are similar but Highway 60 has more sweepers than the Dragon.

It is also three times longer for more fun on the road. Take two and half hours and enjoy the run.

But Georgia LOVES tar snakes!! oh wait that doesn't apply to Spyders!!! But Tar snakes still SUCK on two wheels...But that is some good riding!! We rode it on New Years Eve this year or last year which would it be (12/31/2011), great bunch of twisties, just hate those tar snakes!

 

[GnA]

Watched hell roads, I'm smart enough to know that the tail of the dragon is way too dangerous for me to try:yikes::yikes::yikes: Looks like it could be fun but until I get to become god and can keep everyone else off the thing when I'm on it, I'll pass for everyone's safety.

The dragon is as easy or as hard as you make it. If you ryde safely, you don't have to speed, and it can be quite an enjoyable road. You can do it!!!!

 

[MickeyFisher]

I thought it was an absolute blast. I rode it with my dad and Spydeb during the owner's event and there were plenty of fairly new riders that did it that weekend, too. It was even a little worse for us the first time because there was a bicycle race going coming from the other direction, but the second time around it cleared up and was a lot more fun.

 

[GnA]

You guys are making my palms sweat :shocked:... I feel a "Pilgrimage" coming on! :thumbup:
Even when I was riding in the dirt; I always preferred the toughest and most challenging terrain taken at a slow pace, to just shortening up a straightaway with my hair on fire!

October at the Dragon (around the 3rd week), with the season's changing colors... some of the best ryding ever!!!! :yes:



Spyders on the Dragon.... 2012 - Let's do it!!!!!! :thumbup:

 

[Mexican]

I think this is the one you guys want.
hope this worksray: