Maggie valley June 2019

[warp9.9]

I understand the allure of the Dragon, especially if you've never done it and are in to trophy T-shirts or stickers, but most locals will steer you to better rides, perhaps with less well-known bragging rights. The last time I was there (and probably final time) was a weekday and I only saw one other rider on the route (weird) that I caught up with at the end. What I did see soon enough, through the trees on a bend ahead, was a black and white cruising the route obviously looking for someone getting frisky- and on a low turnout day like that. I forget the speed limit now (it's been lowered), but it's way too slow for us straight and narrow law abiding citizens.

My point is that unless you're willing to risk a ticket in the most likely place to get one, the road is reduced to a bit of a kiddy ride, in my opinion. Many times you'll end up stuck behind some popular cruiser brand rider that is gripped just to be on the ride at all.

I'm fairly local and I've done it several times, so I'm not judging, but really when the locals tell you that there are better routes out there- it's really true.

In the old days I'd be coming from rhe north so would probably run the dragon in from Knoxville and out after the ride. That leaves time for the other roads and church

 

[Ogre]

Did 10 runs on the Dragon one day...started slow and got faster each run....once you figure out where the radar guys are...and then they went into have lunch.

When they came back out, I was running the return east (my 10th length)... luckily for me, they were already occupied with someone who wasn't lucky.

My original intent was a dozen runs but I called it after 10 and went over the Cherohala Skyway to the Telediner for dinner.

I figure 10mph over is pretty safe to avoid LEOs and still enjoy the road. You aren't going through the curve much over the limit no matter how hard you try...just relax a little between turns (there ain't that much "between" on the Dragon anyways.)

 

[Journeyman]

Yeah, I'm afraid I may have sounded a little preachy. If you've never done it- do it. Just watch your speed (and inexperienced riders) and enjoy the many fine roads leading there.

I've had a couple of lucky days there and can say that 10 laps without any "restrictions" present would require a lot of mental endurance. Hats off to you for that feat!

 

[Navigator]

I'm definitely up for Dragon since I've never done it before.

RAIN? Oh please do say the R word. I live in western Washington and just HATE rain..

 

[TheKid]

Yeah, I'm afraid I may have sounded a little preachy.

Not at all. Well put. Great road for closed course fun, but traffic is a pain. There are plenty of roads to ride. Don't use a GPS until you are on your way home, or out of gas

 

[Ogre]

...... can say that 10 laps without any "restrictions" present would require a lot of mental endurance. Hats off to you for that feat!

Thanks but dIdn't seem like much at the time...
I was solo with camping gear. No time constraints.....
And the night before I slept in a pile of leaves.

But that's another story for another time.

 

[Grumpy Ole Codger]

Thanks but dIdn't seem like much at the time...
I was solo with camping gear. No time constraints.....
And the night before I slept in a pile of leaves.

But that's another story for another time.

...but the secondary stories are always the best ones...! You're going to leave us all hanging in suspense now

 

[Navigator]

Thanks but dIdn't seem like much at the time...
I was solo with camping gear. No time constraints.....
And the night before I slept in a pile of leaves.

But that's another story for another time.

So you still camp Andy? Last time I camped was a few years ago in Death Valley's Pantiment Springs.

 

[Ogre]

So you still camp Andy? Last time I camped was a few years ago in Death Valley's Pantiment Springs.

I still have gear but not likely to use it anymore. If I did a solo trip, I would consider it. T is a motel only, if she's with me fahgedabowdit.

 

[tribal]

Souvenir from my 2013 Tail-o-thee-Dragon visit. TN Sheriffs Radar got me doing 62 in a 30 MPH zone but I only got a warning ticket to behave for the remainder of the year in Tennessee.
Yes, Sir Officer!!! I putted at posted speeds until I got back to the NC roads!!

PS. I have a spare queen bed available at the Travelowes Motel but anyone braving sharing a room with me will need ear buds and possibly music playing as I have been accused of having a loud snoring issue and I will not be toting my bulky CPAP machine on this adventure...