We stayed at Stonebrook Lodge in Bryson City, NC and really liked it. Neat little town with a few restaurants and breweries. The BP gas station on the way out of town headed towards The Dragon has 93-octane as well.

Pictures taken from our balcony there:

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Great advice presented in this thread - especially about the best times to drive the Dragon. Still on my bucket list.

Man, must be a thrill to drive there! Have fun and drive safe!:steering:

Sad story, I had breakfast with this guy and his wife just before this happened. Actually sat in his car to get the wow factor, A shame, wasn’t his fault at all. From Ohio as I recall, brand new car.

TOD is exhilarating but heed the advice of others here, From last fall……we generally stay at Tapoco Lodge and run a bunch of the roads in the area.
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No sir...an unfortunate couple came into contact with a young kid hot rodding in the other direction in a crapped out Miata. The kid is the one standing there in blue.

KRACKA , tis sleepydsm. Hello

I will echo the "been there done that...got the t-shirt...not going back" sentiment. I did it in April with a Dragon Rally...we had one C8 in the group. Weather was ok with some hit or miss rain...morning run was decent. However, coming back through in the afternoon was a nightmare...crowded, insane drivers (especially the trikes...OMG) whether it was crossing centerlines or just riding everyone's ass. I could not wait to be done. Admittedly I was not driving it real fast, but I also wasn't taking it easy either. The nice thing about the Dragon Rally was we did some of the other roads which tend to be less crowded. I will say though, if you have an issue on some of those...it might be a long time before someone comes to help, and I had zero cell signal in many sections.

Been once. Was fun. Probably won't go again. It is a hike from here.
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The dragon is fun, been there many times. Try the Pisgah Hwy, much better then the Dragon, just as many curves, not so publicized. Everybody has to try the Dragon once! Can't wait to drive the C8 on it.

It was on my bucket list, drove it this past summer. I did it on a weekday and in the morning. It was fun, but pulled over a few times to let the bikes go pass. I was moving at a steady pace, but too many people crossing the yellow line or riding your ass until you pulled over.

The problem with the dragon is you can only go as fast as the car ahead of you. Luckily for me on this fine early morning, I was able to get my bike around this unlucky truck driver and continue my ride unhindered. Personally, I have ridden better roads in that area, and out west like Hwy 191 in New Mexico which is 3x's longer with zero traffic or many of the roads crossing over the mountains from the PCH to Hwy 101 in California north of Bodega Bay.https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...5ec9bcfb14.jpg

trucks are not supposed to be on the dragon but they do go there.. here is a less traveled road near boone nc. https://www.thesnake421.com/snake-421-ride-information/

Been there several times. Nice road! Nice lunch spots in Boone too!

Not sure who's car this is, but boy that rear end is hanging out in the other lane..

I did read the post regarding the accident and I was very impressed to see someone at that age accepting full responsibility for the accident...

:seeya

All the DSMers are getting so big and grown up!

When me and some friends would go, we'd stay at the Microtel. Its in town about 15 mins from the NC side of the dragon. Decent hotel, decent price.

This poor driver told me his dispatcher routed him on a "shortcut". I found this situation within the first mile so I can only guess how tedious the rest of his trip was once they got him back on the road.

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i've ridden the dragon too many times over the years to count. I have had ONE clean run in all these years where no one crossed the line into me. the only time i ride the gap now is just for a pic of my new ride. it's too dangerous any more. i found better roads with no traffic, no cops, and better food nearby :) VIRGINA is not just for lovers.