Tail of the Dragon and Tractor Trailers !

[arntufun]

It sounds more like a game of chicken if you ask me. :yikes: I always hear how the tail is so awesome, but now I'm a little nervous about making that a vacation destination. IMO, those trucks should not be on that road. Link below.

http://tailofthedragon.com/dragon_trucks.html

 

[Bob Denman]

:yikes: It looks as if a "Frunk Monkey" armed with a shotgun would be a nice addition...

Hey! How is Amsterdam recovering?

 

[Pandy]

It's not that bad

The Dragon, while challenging, is somewhat hyped. The ballyhoo and noise about tractor trailers is just that, take your time, try to look through the curves, and you won't be surprised.
Patrick

 

[joe schmoe]

The dragon is a blast to ride...I live here and it's only 45 minutes away from the house...I have yet to get tired of riding it...However there are STUPID truckers who try to short cut their trip via the Dragon to save time and with all the twists and switchbacks they cross the double yellow line there is no way around it...There presence has dropped down due to all the police that patrol the area, but yes there are STUPID truckers who attempt it anyway....Don't change your vacation plans as this is definitely a bucket list ride (as one post said)..There are a TON of other great roads around here too...You have to ride the dragon at least twice (up and back) just DO NOT OUT DRIVE YOUR SKILLS!!!! It will kill you on that road or any road for that matter....

 

[bullant12]

We went for the first time to the area when we went to Maggie Valley. Although the stories are true, for anyone that has not ridden mountains, just getting the the Dragon is a great way to break in the experience. We can't wait to go back there and do it over and over. Like Joe said, just ryde with caution and those idiots like that trucker are very seldom out there (we never saw one but did see a :cus:ing idiot take their trailered boat).

 

[exwinger]

If 'n you're gonna ride the dragon , try going during the week the first time ......way less traffic of all kinds. Its really not as bad as you hear....well almost ...LOL . We rode it this past Saturday morning and it was terrible with so many bikes. It was literally bike to bike the whole way thru and you had to be careful of the bikes in front and also someone behind you. Don't like riding that close with riders I don't know. you def have to ride it both ways....totally different ride . I've ridden it at least 30 mtimes and enjoyed every one of them , and 29 of those rides were on a wing trike.

About 3 years ago my buddy and I did meet a semi on the road....fortunately he was stuck in one of the hairpins and not on a blind corner.

The Cherahala parkway in my estimation has some meaner riding than the dragon and is almost 3 times longer. We rode it after the dragon and at the end we were all tired . We intended to ride it back and do the dragon again but decided straight roads were looking a lot better. Very little traffic on it also.

Whichever one you ride...like said above ...ride your ride. If you get nervous there are pulloffs you can rest at and if someone don't like your speed ......they'll pass and usually not in the best places. It is a fun ride but hyped as fearsome .

 

[daveinva]

I haven't yet been, but I know enough not to go on a weekend, or-- *gasp*!-- a holiday. If I ever get there, it'll be 7:00 am on a Tuesday for me :doorag:

Speaking of which, if you haven't seen it, there's a GINORMOUS (and entertaining) thread over at the ADV forum (search for the Killboy thread) that features hundreds of photos of riders on the Dragon who ride all over the road, over the lines, and sometimes, off their bikes. :shocked: