Tail of the Dragon

[Tommys]

While traversing in NC, we found what is called, "The Tail of the Dragon" (129). With fast motercycles, exotic cars, and a opportunity to break her teeth on some MT. roads my Colorado performed well. Even fully loaded with gear and kitchen.
Check it out:
Some road challenges are not in the dirt, what do you think?

 

[PNW EXPLR]

Bet them bikes loved flying around a corner and seeing the back of your loaded down truck in the way! Lol

 

[Tommys]

Your right. They did not.

 

[Wawa Skittletits]

Love the entire area down there! It’s been a long time but we used to make an annual 5 day trip down there to absolutely shorten the life of every moving part of my vehicle haha. Beautiful roads and wonderful people.

Bet them bikes loved flying around a corner and seeing the back of your loaded down truck in the way! Lol

Relative non issue for bikes. They can pass in an instant on the Dragon.

 

[Big Easy Overland]

I love riding the Tail of the Dragon. These were taken July 4th while riding all over the Smoky Mountains on my Triumph Rocket III Touring... 2300 cubic centimeters (140 cubic inches) of torque monster.

Check out some of the other routes if you're still in the area. The Moonshiner 28 was a nice ride as well.

 

[Wawa Skittletits]

View attachment 122651

Thats a pretty daring line you chose there Edward.

 

[DrivingTacoLoco]

Unbelievable. Looking for camping in the area. Looks like fun in the Tacoma. Should I take my Miata instead or tow it to a camp site and run the Dragons Tail in the
Miata?

 

[Wallygator]

The Dragon is fun on a bike....until the Sherriff starts camping out on it and pulls you for doing 3 mph over the speed limit. But better than being on the tree of shame.

 

[Downs]

Place has been a zoo for almost 2 decades now. Some people haul their bikes there and spend an entire vacation only doing that road. That influx of people makes for a miserable time to me.

Ive ridden it a few times on motorcycles. Fun road but no views. The Cherohala Skyway closeby offers a moderatly fun road with great views but people still act a fool on it too. Ill only go during the weekdays and early in the morning before all the SQUIDS wake up when the road is empty.

The Cherohala ill do pretty much any time of day.

 

[RickLB]

I agree with Downs! Go do it early then go explore the rest of the area much better roads and less traffic. The towns in the area fun to explore, lots of mom and pop joints. Fontana Village is a good place to work from if in a Miata but the is a campground on hell bender by the river that is nice!

 

[RickLB]

Unbelievable. Looking for camping in the area. Looks like fun in the Tacoma. Should I take my Miata instead or tow it to a camp site and run the Dragons Tail in the
Miata?

Miata FTW

 

[Motoboss]

I'm with @Downs, the place is a terrible place to ride let alone drive a loaded camping outfit. Wanna see a real disaster wait until you see semis using it as a shortcut.

We used to ride it when the only thing was the gas station at the top years and years ago (maybe 25 or so) before it became a "destination. Last time we went south it was full of cars so we rode right through, never stopping and swore we'd never go back. And haven't.

Commercialism Kills.............here's a great thread on the Dragon failure.

https://advrider.com/f/threads/killboy-failure-dragon-fest.454662/

 

[RickLB]

It definitely is a busy area. We stayed in the cabins at Fontana Village a lot which gave the flexibility to go toward the dragon or away. Don't let the dragon be the main point of your visit. The area is beautiful and there is a lot of stuff to do besides ride/drive the dragon.

Motoboss there must be a million places you don't visit due to commercialism!

 

[Wallygator]

Place has been a zoo for almost 2 decades now. Some people haul their bikes there and spend an entire vacation only doing that road. That influx of people makes for a miserable time to me.

Ive ridden it a few times on motorcycles. Fun road but no views. The Cherohala Skyway closeby offers a moderatly fun road with great views but people still act a fool on it too. Ill only go during the weekdays and early in the morning before all the SQUIDS wake up when the road is empty.

The Cherohala ill do pretty much any time of day.

SHHHHHH! You were not supposed to mention the funnest road in the area! Must be kept on the DL so most remain on the dragon. Definitely do not mention Tellico Kat's for the best sandwiches In the area, oops

 

[Motoboss]

It definitely is a busy area. We stayed in the cabins at Fontana Village a lot which gave the flexibility to go toward the dragon or away. Don't let the dragon be the main point of your visit. The area is beautiful and there is a lot of stuff to do besides ride/drive the dragon.

Motoboss there must be a million places you don't visit due to commercialism!

Oh I've rode all over the area, on road and off. I lived in Tenn. South and North Carolina and Georgia. I know the roads to ride and the ones to stay away from.
I'm just saying the new lodge, gift shop etc., has become way over exposed thereby becoming a nightmare and a more dangerous road to ride. If you must go, go. But there are far better roads and sights to see in the area than 129.

And your right we tend to stay farrrrrrrr away from "the must see" spots. We've traveled every state in the US, portions of Canada and always away from population centers.and don't feel we've missed much.

 

[J.W.]

The Dragon is a lot of fun if you can catch it on an off day but, as others have said, it’s gotten way too busy and too many people show up refusing to belive in physics. The Cherahala and the Foothills Parkway are great scenic drives with terrific views and way less people. I stopped going down for the Dragon years ago but still go on the other drives. Plus there is plenty of camping in the area and some amazing hikes. Good fishing and kayaking in the area too.

If you plan to go down in a Miata (I just sold mine) go on a weekend when one of the clubs are there. It will be just as crowded but at least you’ll be amongst friends.

 

[RickLB]

Oh I've rode all over the area, on road and off. I lived in Tenn. South and North Carolina and Georgia. I know the roads to ride and the ones to stay away from.
I'm just saying the new lodge, gift shop etc., has become way over exposed thereby becoming a nightmare and a more dangerous road to ride. If you must go, go. But there are far better roads and sights to see in the area than 129.

And your right we tend to stay farrrrrrrr away from "the must see" spots. We've traveled every state in the US, portions of Canada and always away from population centers.and don't feel we've missed much.

Motoboss I wasn't trying to disagree and do agree that the gift shop and lodge have made it way to dangerous! I agree there are much better sights away from 129.
I go to some of the must sees but do prefer to stay away from the crowds myself but sometimes those go to places require a visit usually in the off season.
We're working on getting to all of the US states and some Canada! Safe travels

 

[Wawa Skittletits]

All the popular roads down there can be busy but over the course of our trip I still always managed to have a great time driving the dragon twice in each direction as well as ALL of the surrounding roads. We drove +2500 miles in 5 days and I'd do it again tomorrow regardless of how popular the area has gotten. The only times I'd absolutely avoid is ZdayZ, Miata's, Minis, or any other 'club' on the Dragon.

Back when we first started going there were 'unwritten rules' for driving/riding on the dragon and essentially all of the surrounding roads. Then as the popularity increased they actually wrote the rules down. These rules save lives but people with no regard for their driving abilities and even less for those around them create their own dangerous situations. There are 2 images shared in this thread alone that put people in potentially unwise situations. Ride/drive smart, enjoy the roads, enjoy the views, etc.. etc...

 

[J.W.]

There are 2 images shared in this thread alone that put people in potentially unwise situations. Ride/drive smart, enjoy the roads, enjoy the views, etc.. etc...

If you are referring to my photo, be aware that I am not nearly as close to the yellow line as it appears from the angle of the photo. But yes, it’s a heads-up road for sure.

 

[Downs]

Miata FTW

Miata
Is
Always
The
Answer