Tail of the Dragon

Jasper

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2005
Location
Ophir Township, Uwharrie NF, USA
Anyone here drove it on a bike? Any words of wisdom for a first timer?
 
Yea, stay away from the yellow line. Many tractor trailers following GPS end up on that road. They cannot stay in their lane, to long. Also many others testing their skill crossing over into your lane.

Here is a great map of fantastic places to ride.

chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/http://wildrides.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/16BigMap.pdf
 
Stay away from the center lines in the road. Other people are you worst enemy. The Dragon is hairpin tight in many turns. Before you know it, you're done! Hwy 28 going up to it is a great ride. Also if you are in the area do the Cherohala Skyway, it has longer sweeping turns.
 
I've ridden it many times on about any type of bike you can imagine. My favorite bike to ride this is a supermoto style bike due to the weight and lean angles. The best time to try it in my opinion would be in the middle of the week way less ricers out trying to break speed records. Be very careful after any hard rains as silt and gravel will be in the road. Pay attention to the road and do not let yourself get complacent it will bite you in the ass. Know the limits of your bike and your abilities also.
 
I saw on the net that semi's have been prohibited. I figured midweek would be the best time. Looking at YouTube there are a lot of nut jobs showing off their crash skills. Thanks for the input from all.
 
@hempinfool rides it multiple times a year he may have some insight, but I have never made it up there. I am more of a WTFO for 1320 or 660 kinda guy.
 
Last edited:
Jasper said:
I saw on the net that semi's have been prohibited. I figured midweek would be the best time. Looking at YouTube there are a lot of nut jobs showing off their crash skills. Thanks for the input from all.
Click to expand...
Doesn't matter.... Idiots in s2000's, bmws, can-ams, other bikes with novice riders...

Like said stay off that center line if you like your head. I only got to ride it twice so I'm no expert, but I seen enough idiots in the two times I went.
 
There are good roads closer to you, such as NC80 going from Marion to the Parkway, NC181 from morganton heading north, NC226 from blowing rock heading west, NC9 south of Black Mountain, old NC18 near South Mountains, etc. Pretty much anywhere in the mountains, you don't have to drive all the way to Robbinsville. It's worth doing once. If you want to make it out alive, don't try to impress anybody. You will be blown away at how foolishly fast people are willing to ride up there.
 
jeepinmatt said:
There are good roads closer to you, such as NC80 going from Marion to the Parkway, NC181 from morganton heading north, NC226 from blowing rock heading west, NC9 south of Black Mountain, old NC18 near South Mountains, etc. Pretty much anywhere in the mountains, you don't have to drive all the way to Robbinsville. It's worth doing once. If you want to make it out alive, don't try to impress anybody. You will be blown away at how foolishly fast people are willing to ride up there.
Click to expand...
It wasn't my idea. Being talked into it. I ride a lot of the roads around here and towards the east. Figure it would be an adventure. Be careful, have fun, and return home with an overly priced T-shirt
 
Jasper said:
Heritage Softail. 103. Cammed, tuned, and obnoxiously loud.
Click to expand...
I think I might detach the windshield to eliminate the glare from the sun.
 
obullfish said:
When are you planning on making the ride?
Click to expand...
Within the next couple of weeks. Waiting on one to schedule when he can take off. The wife wants to go before the leaf-changing sight seers. I like the cool weather riding myself. My choice would be mid-late October.
 
It's not a really long road, that said make the first pass slow and easy to get a feel for it. If you go during leaf season and go early in the morning the road will be slick with leafs. Don't over ride your bike. There are guys out there that will pass you going into blind curves into on coming traffic lanes just keep your eyes out in front of you

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 
I was thinking a cattle guard... but that would be a hell of a drag on fuel economy.
 
I pretty much lived up there before i got into buggies and my little girl was born its great ride it in the erly am and right before it gets dark other wise theres to much traffic nowadays freind of mine owns the store and hotel at the battom really great people make sure you check out the skyway wile your up there

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
Got a friend that lives in Elizabethton this time of the year it's not unusual to find helmets with heads in them on the snake or the tail
 
obullfish said:
I've ridden it many times on about any type of bike you can imagine. My favorite bike to ride this is a supermoto style bike due to the weight and lean angles. The best time to try it in my opinion would be in the middle of the week way less ricers out trying to break speed records. Be very careful after any hard rains as silt and gravel will be in the road. Pay attention to the road and do not let yourself get complacent it will bite you in the ass. Know the limits of your bike and your abilities also.
Click to expand...
Everything in this post is spot on I prefer to ride hwy 209 it's a great curvey road with way less traffic

Sent from my Z963U using Tapatalk
 
Jasper said:
Anyone here drove it on a bike? Any words of wisdom for a first timer?
Click to expand...


Just a few things:
Respect the locals
Stay the he'll away from the centerline
Understand you WILL be passed by sumo and sport bikes in every possible situation,so don't be a Dick and believe you own the road, let them pass...in fact, stay as close to the white line as possible and expect it.
Don't get starstruck or target fixate when Darryl or Nikki appear under an EZ-up in a blind corner and point a 12" lens at you
Go to killboy.com or dragon pics before you go to know what to expect, and also keep track of your day and time because you'll be on MIN 3 websites
Weekends are social events and poser-Rama so lots of traffic
Tuesday mornings are high speed runs for many, just beware
Midweek later in the afternoon seems to have been the calmer times in past years.
 
Back
Top