When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
You’re gonna have a blast! Be carful, there was a biker pinned against a rock wall when I was there. Also be sure to check out the photo websites. Sorry if the photo is huge, on my phone
Parade Rainer....sorry...35 mph speed limit....I'd die of boredom first.
It ain't what it used to be.
edit....road trip article. (ps My Bro did the TOTD on his BMW Sodermichael....his assesment 'waste of time')
1. The curves. If you’ve never been to the Tail of the Dragon, you probably think it’s a fun, winding road where you can have a good time exploring the limits of your car. But really, it’s like trying to drive a pontoon boat through Venice.
There are two main problems. One is the sheer number of curves. Think of it this way: 318 curves in 11 miles translates to an average of one curve every 60 yards. That means just as you’re coming out of one curve, you’re slamming on the brakes for the next one. You never get above 40 miles per hour.
The other problem the type of curves. These aren’t sweeping bends. No, sirree. These are harsh, tight corners; the kind where you might say “Honey, we can’t take that road!” if you were, for example, bringing home a fish from PetSmart.
2. It’s crowded. I recently made the mistake of visiting the Tail of the Dragon on a weekend in the summer, which meant I encountered what I can only assume was every single car club that operates between Miami and Greater Toronto. As I recall, it was the Isetta Club that really ruined things for everyone.
It’s not only cars. The sheer volume of motorcycles at the Tail of the Dragon is such that riders who frequent the area have taken to manufacturing a robotic arm that sticks out from their chest and gives that two-finger wave that motorcyclists are always giving to one another. If bikers didn’t have this, they would never have their left hand on the handlebars.
3. Police are everywhere. The last time I visited, I was given a ticket by a police officer who openly admitted he had “no idea” if I had committed the offense he described. Of course, I paid the ticket anyway, because going back up there would probably mean a) getting another ticket, or b) getting stuck behind the Isetta club.
4. There are better roads nearby. And now we come to the biggest problem with the Tail of the Dragon. While the Dragon is full of tight corners, and traffic, and police, many nearby roads have none of those problems. In fact, there are dozens of well-paved, little-traveled area roads with excellent sweeping corners and little traffic. And they’re largely free from police, who are busy clearing an accident where two motorcyclists lost their hands after colliding while attempting to give each other two-fingered waves.
Seriously: it doesn’t matter if you visit the Devil’s Triangle, or the Cherohala Skyway, or some other road that sounds like a place Harry Potter might wake up with his lightning bolt scar throbbing. All of the area is a car lover’s paradise.
And so I suggest: forget about the Tail of the Dragon, and instead enjoy everything that the North Carolina and Tennessee mountains have to offer. And don’t worry about getting lost. Just follow the signs with the bullet holes.
Been there at least 20 times over the years and got Tee shirts to prove it!! Just something to do on a dull Saturday.Its not a fun ride - constant turning, watching out for cycles cutting corners, passing in no pass zones, and rounding curves on both sides of the road. Not unusual see a wrecked cycle on every trip. Narrow road - sheer rock walls on one side, sheer drop offs on the other..Do it just to say you have, then move on to the more scenic roads....
There is a motel/restaurant/gas station at the southern start of the tail that has a huge tree - called the tree of shame - something to see, Covered with car parts, motorcycle parts and maybe a few body parts from those who didn't make it unscathed. Good Luck!!
Parade Rainer....sorry...35 mph speed limit....I'd die of boredom first.
It ain't what it used to be.
edit.... 4. There are better roads nearby. And now we come to the biggest problem with the Tail of the Dragon. While the Dragon is full of tight corners, and traffic, and police, many nearby roads have none of those problems. In fact, there are dozens of well-paved, little-traveled area roads with excellent sweeping corners and little traffic. And they’re largely free from police, who are busy clearing an accident where two motorcyclists lost their hands after colliding while attempting to give each other two-fingered waves.
Seriously: it doesn’t matter if you visit the Devil’s Triangle, or the Cherohala Skyway, or some other road that sounds like a place Harry Potter might wake up with his lightning bolt scar throbbing. All of the area is a car lover’s paradise.
And so I suggest: forget about the Tail of the Dragon, and instead enjoy everything that the North Carolina and Tennessee mountains have to offer. And don’t worry about getting lost. Just follow the signs with the bullet holes.
Unkahal
I can confirm this.
Best time to drive the dragon is late at night or VERY early morning on a weekday.
MUCH better roads exist within 30 minutes of the dragon. Look in Cocke county for 3 digit hiways leaving the "city" of Newport.
Last edited by Puniphorous; 06-25-2019 at 02:27 AM.
I've been to the dragon 17, 18, 19 times. I also have the t-shirts to prove it. 😀 as mentioned earlier, best times are very early or late on week days. Miggle og the week is better since most od the dragon enthusiast go on extended weekends. As far as excellent raods to cruise, look up "America rides maps" an inexpensive place to purchase maps for that entire area listing the best routes.
Drove it once, kind of a "been there-done that" thing. Cool after the first 50 or so turns, but about halfway through, I found it so tedious, couldn't wait for a straight-a-way.
It sounds perfect for my first trip.
I'll be taking it easy getting the feel of the car, and more interested in the scenery at this point since I covet the mountain roads as much as you guys enjoy the fast drives.
Faster turns can come with more experience (and leaving "Precious" at the main street mall in town for the day
Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday and after the summer is over and it may not be too crowded. I have been several times ad have followed this rule and had a lot of fun. I love the tight curves, it is like being in a video game. You just need to know your limits and not exceed them. My personal rule: if I touch the center line or the edge of the road, I have to slow down.
Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday and after the summer is over and it may not be too crowded. I have been several times ad have followed this rule and had a lot of fun. I love the tight curves, it is like being in a video game. You just need to know your limits and not exceed them. My personal rule: if I touch the center line or the edge of the road, I have to slow down.
Good advice. I pushed the limit on the fast bike and all i can say is that God must have had special guardian angels for me that day. I pushed the front end so hard and low, that there were scuff marks all around to the side of the tire where it read "Bridgestone"........ I now ride a cruiser..... Some day I'll take a Vette on it to check that one off the list.
I just recently went (from Arizona), and while the 'Tail' was nice, the outlying circumference that includes the 11 miles of the 'Tail' was so much better for me.
Don't forget the Foothills Parkway, Cherokee National Forest, and if possible, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is also nearby.
Enjoy!!
Parade Rainer....sorry...35 mph speed limit....I'd die of boredom first.
It ain't what it used to be.
edit....road trip article. (ps My Bro did the TOTD on his BMW Sodermichael....his assesment 'waste of time')
1. The curves. If you’ve never been to the Tail of the Dragon, you probably think it’s a fun, winding road where you can have a good time exploring the limits of your car. But really, it’s like trying to drive a pontoon boat through Venice.
There are two main problems. One is the sheer number of curves. Think of it this way: 318 curves in 11 miles translates to an average of one curve every 60 yards. That means just as you’re coming out of one curve, you’re slamming on the brakes for the next one. You never get above 40 miles per hour.
The other problem the type of curves. These aren’t sweeping bends. No, sirree. These are harsh, tight corners; the kind where you might say “Honey, we can’t take that road!” if you were, for example, bringing home a fish from PetSmart.
2. It’s crowded. I recently made the mistake of visiting the Tail of the Dragon on a weekend in the summer, which meant I encountered what I can only assume was every single car club that operates between Miami and Greater Toronto. As I recall, it was the Isetta Club that really ruined things for everyone.
It’s not only cars. The sheer volume of motorcycles at the Tail of the Dragon is such that riders who frequent the area have taken to manufacturing a robotic arm that sticks out from their chest and gives that two-finger wave that motorcyclists are always giving to one another. If bikers didn’t have this, they would never have their left hand on the handlebars.
3. Police are everywhere. The last time I visited, I was given a ticket by a police officer who openly admitted he had “no idea” if I had committed the offense he described. Of course, I paid the ticket anyway, because going back up there would probably mean a) getting another ticket, or b) getting stuck behind the Isetta club.
4. There are better roads nearby. And now we come to the biggest problem with the Tail of the Dragon. While the Dragon is full of tight corners, and traffic, and police, many nearby roads have none of those problems. In fact, there are dozens of well-paved, little-traveled area roads with excellent sweeping corners and little traffic. And they’re largely free from police, who are busy clearing an accident where two motorcyclists lost their hands after colliding while attempting to give each other two-fingered waves.
Seriously: it doesn’t matter if you visit the Devil’s Triangle, or the Cherohala Skyway, or some other road that sounds like a place Harry Potter might wake up with his lightning bolt scar throbbing. All of the area is a car lover’s paradise.
And so I suggest: forget about the Tail of the Dragon, and instead enjoy everything that the North Carolina and Tennessee mountains have to offer. And don’t worry about getting lost. Just follow the signs with the bullet holes.
Unkahal
L-46man, I was originally going to point out one funny quote out of your post (the PetSmart comment), but as I continued reading I realized the whole thing was riddled with superb comic writing, yet still containing very useful information. You are knocking on HeadsU.P.'s door!
06-22-2019, 08:53 PM
