Riding the "Dragon's Tail".

[NewRider]

Thank You!

My sincere thanks to all of you, who responded. Rest assured, all of your points and suggestions will be acted upon.:2thumbs:

 

[Smylinacha]

Just ride your own ride - don't let anyone coming up behind try to hurry you in any way. It's not that bad but I did have a few "Oh :cus:" moments - I have realized that I have a problem with heights. We don't have mountains that big in CT - we only have hills.

 

[WackyDan]

There is not one word above that you should not pay heed to.. All is good advise. Yes, Firefly, I am 77, and not really interested in running the dragon again with a large group. Too many ???? (you make that determination.) However, the ride is great, and be prepared for soreness of hands and arms.
I wish you all the luck, and most of all be safe and ride within your limits and not others.

You just gotta watch out for those ditches that jump out in front of you. :roflblack:

 

[NewRider]

I have realized that I have a problem with heights. We don't have mountains that big in CT - we only have hills.

Go to my home state of Oregon, sometime. We have serious mountain ranges in most parts of the Beaver State.

 

[cdragut]

If you think the Dragon's Tail is a hoot, Try a tour through the Alps with Beach's Alpine Adventures. Two weeks of intensive riding through some of the most technical riding in the world. Like riding the Dragon all day every day for two weeks. Each night stop at a wonderful hotel on some mountain side and get up the next day and doing it again. I am going in the summer of 2010 for the third time!. Join me.

Web page is Beach's Alpine Adventures.

like they say: "the dragon has 318 curves in 11 miles, we have here in the apls 318 curves EVERY 11 MILES!!!"...

 

[pauly1]

I am six years younger than you and really enjoy twisty rides. My favorite is about 18 miles of road off the Turquoise Trail that goes to the top of the Sandia Mountain (I think it is about 18 miles long), just East of Albuquerque.


I ride this every chance I get. You can see the street view in Google Maps and click your way to the top. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...8&ct=clnk&cd=1&geocode=FZedGAId5gap-Q&split=0 .


Tom

I've been on that road with a cage about 15 years ago: a lot more verticle change than US 129, and the view a lot more rewarding when you get to the top.

While in Gatlinburg on Friday, 25-Sep, we drove thru the park heading south to Franklin, NC, then picked up 28 from Franklin thru Highlands, NC, into GA and SC. The ride from Franklin to Highlands was absolutely stunning, with the continuation into SC also very scenic. On the way back to Gatlinburg, we retraced the route back to Franklin and then took US23-W to Patton Rd-N to Wayah Rd-W/N to US19-S - that was hoot. US19-S to NC143/Tallulah Rd to pick up the Cherohala Skyway. By the time we got back to Gatlinburg there was 327 miles behind us. The last 2 miles thru town to the hotel was in bucketsfull of rain - I mean a wall of water greeted us at the edge of town. Oh, well, the first 327 were absolutely memorable.:2thumbs:

Wayne

 

[spyderwoman]

ironhorse motorcycle resort

jimmy and i go to the dragon 3-4 times per year, but not for the dragon, but for all the other great roads in that area and the ironhorse motorcycle resort. this place is awesome for motorcyclists. they have rv sites, cabins, bed and breakfast, a lodge with a huge wall screen tv, pool table, poker table, darts and other games upstairs, a restaurant and a very friendly staff. from there you can take hellbender up to the dragon or you can go through robbinsville to hit the skyway or dragon. it is beautiful this time of year. we are heading up there again oct. 23-26 if anyone wants to join us. the rv sites are booked up but they had plenty of cabins available. they run from $69 per night-$80 per night. or you can rent a house on the moutain behind the resort. check it out sometime when you are in the area again. they have a website.