Dragon's Tail

[cydewaze]

I've heard of that road. Sound like fun, except knowing my luck I'd be trapped behind some slowpoke doing 25 the whole way.

[Murr1525]

Based on those pics, I wouldnt drive anything I didnt want crushed by a truck, or run off the road...

[rusty bumper]

Re: Dragon's Tail

Thought I'd bump this up again.

Been want'n to get up there myself, but I just can't get away for now.

[Superior Shine]

Re: Dragon's Tail

LOOK OUT CHAMP!!!

[msmarcus]

Re: Dragon's Tail

Our Mustang Club is cruising this road later this month. If you would like to see lots of photos of this road and the cars/bikes that cruise it, check out:

http://www.killboy.com/destiny.html

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Dragon's Tail

That road looks like its not to be messed with. How fast do they close it in inclimate weather. Must be treacherous as all get out in a sleet event?

[rusty bumper]

Re: Dragon's Tail

That road looks like its not to be messed with. How fast do they close it in inclimate weather. Must be treacherous as all get out in a sleet event?

Good question!

I wonder how poor truckers even wind up driving on it in the 1st place.

[Jimmy Buffit]

Re: Dragon's Tail

LOOK OUT CHAMP!!!

Well, that's not Champ (my Miata), but it is Sara McBride, a member of our local Miata Club.

Here's the link for everything you need to know about Deal's Gap: http://tailofthedragon.com/

[Lydia]

Re: Dragon's Tail

My Dad rode the tail of the dragon (and the rest of Deal's Gap) a few years ago, when he took a trip with friends on a friends motorcycle with my sister on the back. That was the first time he'd ridden in years. He said it was fun, but after a while it was just too many curves. It was all leaning and no chances to look around. (I think he also didn't care for it a whole lot because that was the first time he'd ridden in years, he was riding a cruiser, and he had a passenger) My sister, as a passenger, didn't care for it either. I guess in a car it might not be that bad. A really neat place to go is the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's got gorgeous scenery and a lot of curves, but also some straightways.

Rusty Bumper: On the map, it looks like a shortcut so sometimes dispatchers for trucking companies send the trucks down there without knowing what the road is like. Some companies that truck through that area have told their dispatchers to never send trucks through the tail of the dragon after complaints from people.

[ss600r]

Re: Dragon's Tail

I've been to the Gap before. It is an experience for sure. While there, you have to ride through the Cherohala Skyway, it awesome and hits over 5k elevation. If you go to Deals Gap, PLEASE make sure you drive safe and stay in your lane!!

[E-Jag]

Re: Dragon's Tail

I have 3 acres just outside Bryson City, near the Dragon's Tail. For sports car and motorcycle afficionado's, this road - and area - are almost not to be believed. Some of the most scenic and beautiful country in the country, especially in the fall. Staying in your own lane on the Tail often isn't an option, and for truckers almost never. They spend the entire journey on their horns. The longest straightaway is about the length of a pool table. What makes it all so interesting is that, as with most of western North Carolina, there are no guardrails. People travel from all over the world to drive this road - and, frequently, to fall off of it. If you once drive it, you will never forget it. You folks owe it to yourselves, and the hospitality in the surrounding towns is first rate.

_________________
E-Jag

[rusty bumper]

Re: Dragon's Tail

I've been to the Gap before. It is an experience for sure. While there, you have to ride through the Cherohala Skyway, it awesome and hits over 5k elevation. If you go to Deals Gap, PLEASE make sure you drive safe and stay in your lane!!

Hi ss600r...Welcome to forum.

Since you're from Matthews, I presume you've driven U.S. 74 through Chimney Rock Park and over the Eastern Continental Divide?

If so, then you know how curvy that road is!

How does it compare to the Dragon?

[rusty bumper]

Re: Dragon's Tail

I have 3 acres just outside Bryson City, near the Dragon's Tail. For sports car and motorcycle afficionado's, this road - and area - are almost not to be believed. Some of the most scenic and beautiful country in the country, especially in the fall.

I've been all over western NC, except for the far southwest corner of it that includes the Dragon.

That's the area where the Olympic park bomber hid out for so long. It's very remote indeed.

[E-Jag]

Re: Dragon's Tail

Yeah, he was hiding in Murphy. Had a lot of help - people in that area don't like the feds. The Blue Ridge Parkway, starting in Cherokee and running through Ashville and into Virginia was listed by Charles Kuralt as one of the 3 most beautiful roads in America....in his studied opinion.

________________
E-Jag

[ss600r]

Re: Dragon's Tail

Rusty Bumper,
Deals Gap is very tight and long. I could feel the wear on me riding a motorcycle through. You gotta work! My heart was beating out of my chest with a combo of fear and huge excitment. The real diff between the dragon and other roads, to me, is that you are surrounded by enthusiasts of all types. Sports cars ranging from classics to modern muscle, every type of motorcycle you can imagine, and people that are just like old friends even though they are strangers.
I highly recommend staying at Iron Horse Lodge if you go and stay over night btw.
I can post a couple pics from a trip I think I still have at my pc at home later.