Tail of the Dragon
07-13-2009, 08:18 AM
#1
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Tail of the Dragon Tail of the Dragon. 
If you are ever on vacation in the area of western NC and eastern TN this is a must road for any convertible or motorcycle. It is fun for any F-body actually. 318 curves in 11 miles!! Photographers take your picture as you travel on it and you can buy them on-line. I posted a picture but if it does not show up you can see my T/A at www.moonshinephoto.com on pages 6 (bottom) and 7 (top) (June 30 was the date).
07-13-2009, 08:58 AM
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Tail of the Dragon. If you are ever on vacation in the area of western NC and eastern TN this is a must road for any convertible or motorcycle. It is fun for any F-body actually. 318 curves in 11 miles!! Photographers take your picture as you travel on it and you can buy them on-line. I posted a picture but if it does not show up you can see my T/A at www.moonshinephoto.com on pages 6 (bottom) and 7 (top) (June 30 was the date).
Glad you made it down with out issue and did not end-up putting something on the "TREE"
DM
07-13-2009, 10:02 AM
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Thanks! Made it safely, as do most. Unfortunately a woman was killed last week as she drove off the side of the mountain on her cycle. It was posted on www.killboy.com last week. They are another photography site that keeps up to date news as well. Great pictures!
07-13-2009, 10:16 AM
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Thanks! Made it safely, as do most. Unfortunately a woman was killed last week as she drove off the side of the mountain on her cycle. It was posted on www.killboy.com last week. They are another photography site that keeps up to date news as well. Great pictures!
DM
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07-14-2009, 07:42 AM
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Just bring Dramamine if your kids get prone to motion sickness. The turns are quick and extremely tight with ups and downs. The faster you go the more it is like a roller coaster. If you do come over this way, catch the Cherohala Skyway about 30 minutes away near Robbinsville, NC. It is as beautiful as the Blue Ridge Pkwy (highly recommended as well) and used to be unknown just 3 years ago. The motorcyclists have found it now and it is much more crowded, but still a wonderful drive. Try to hit it during the week if possible. It can still be very quiet. 5000' elevations makes it quite cool on the top ridges.
07-23-2009, 04:59 PM
#10
The Tail of the Dragon is a road any enthusiast should experience at least once in their life.
My first trip to the Dragon in my '88 Fiero Formula.
I haven't taken my TA yet. Soon. Yes, soon.
My first trip to the Dragon in my '88 Fiero Formula.
I haven't taken my TA yet. Soon. Yes, soon.
07-24-2009, 08:47 PM
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If you drive like I do, your kids' necks will be sore from trying to hold their heads up. As a matter of fact I was sore at the end of the day lol Driving out there is a blast, but watch out for the gravel that occasionally shows up on curves, my buddy who was infront of us thought he was a badass and ended up getting sideways and almost took out a bike or two. It was then that he realized a difference between my ss suspension and his t/a lol He got behind me and stayed there.
10-08-2009, 09:25 PM
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I've been at least a dozen times. Deals gap sucks compared to the Cherohala Skyway about 30 miles south of it. In a decent set-up F-body it's not uncommon to hit 100mph in some straights. the long sweepers makes it 10x better than the gaps tight turns, slow bikers, and constant control by the police.
http://www.cherohala.com/index.html
43 miles of God's country!
http://www.cherohala.com/index.html
43 miles of God's country!
10-13-2009, 06:40 PM
#13
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I've been at least a dozen times. Deals gap sucks compared to the Cherohala Skyway about 30 miles south of it. In a decent set-up F-body it's not uncommon to hit 100mph in some straights. the long sweepers makes it 10x better than the gaps tight turns, slow bikers, and constant control by the police.
http://www.cherohala.com/index.html
43 miles of God's country!
http://www.cherohala.com/index.html
43 miles of God's country!
Last edited by NC01TA; 10-31-2009 at 08:59 AM. Reason: spelling
10-31-2009, 09:11 AM
#16
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I've been at least a dozen times. Deals gap sucks compared to the Cherohala Skyway about 30 miles south of it. In a decent set-up F-body it's not uncommon to hit 100mph in some straights. the long sweepers makes it 10x better than the gaps tight turns, slow bikers, and constant control by the police.
http://www.cherohala.com/index.html
43 miles of God's country!
http://www.cherohala.com/index.html
43 miles of God's country!
11-02-2009, 09:23 PM
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I picked up the 'freebie' newspaper on the TN side at the visitor's center and one article talked about a biker being clocked at 152 mph with his buddies 'lagging' behind at 127 mph. The cops were waiting for them up the road (can't outrun a radio) and hauled them all before the local judge. The article didn't say what the fines were but it probably wasn't cheap. On the Blue Ridge Pkwy they set fines for 100 mph+ bikers right up to $1,000. Ouch!!
There are several stories floating around, but to my knowledge, this was never a confirmed story. Too add to the 'tale' - the cops were in a helicopter and basically dropped it down in front of the bikes in order to make them stop. I've heard a few different versions, but I'm skeptical as to weither it's true or not.
I've been up there no less than 12-15 times and I've never seen a cop or helicopter near the skyway. I run 95% all out and hit 100 mph in several areas. FWIW, I've never had a speeding ticket in 12+ years of driving (knock on wood).
Best time to go is mid October. If you run 'er hard - be careful of brake fade. I run a very agressive pad (Hawk HP+) with slotted rotors and toward the end of the skyway, I get brake fad and also a ton of odor. I can only imagine what it would be like with a stock set-up.
If you go up with others, I recommend a small pack. 1-3 other cars at most. If you hit traffic, I try and get them to pull over!
Visitor side being the one in Tellico Plains? I have several of their free maps in the garage!
11-07-2009, 08:09 PM
#19
The Dragon is fun, but I enjoy the drive on the Skyway better. It's also a better scenic drive if you're just out enjoying some topless weather.
Just be careful your first few times. There are decreasing radius turns on the Skyway that sneak up on you, and if you don't know where they are, you can come cooking into a corner WAY too hot.
Just be careful your first few times. There are decreasing radius turns on the Skyway that sneak up on you, and if you don't know where they are, you can come cooking into a corner WAY too hot.
11-07-2009, 11:39 PM
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The Dragon is fun, but I enjoy the drive on the Skyway better. It's also a better scenic drive if you're just out enjoying some topless weather.
Just be careful your first few times. There are decreasing radius turns on the Skyway that sneak up on you, and if you don't know where they are, you can come cooking into a corner WAY too hot.
Just be careful your first few times. There are decreasing radius turns on the Skyway that sneak up on you, and if you don't know where they are, you can come cooking into a corner WAY too hot.