Did the Dragons Tail!! By wolfhound (Read 829 times)

[wolfhound]

Just back from 3 days in the mountains around Bryson City, NC.
It was like home coming as I was raised is Asheville, not too far
from Bryson City. Rode the Road to Nowhere, The Blue Ridge Parkway, and yesterday rode up to Deals Gap, ate lunch at the
Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort, great hamburgers and reasonable
prices. There were over 200 motorcycles of all kinds there as well as a good count of scooters. In my group there were 2 TGB Delivery 150s and both were crowd draws. The bikers all wanted to see what was in the really big top trunks that the Delivery has. Every one was cordial and there were no put downs as to what you rode. If it was 2 or 3 wheels it was accepted.
Then, having ridden the Tail of The Lizzard, as I called the twisty road up to Deals Gap, we took on the Tail of The Dragon. 318 curves in 11 miles. As soon as you are on the Tail you are in TN..
Pretty well patrolled, saw one BMW bike that made on sharp curve just to run off the road and wipe out the front end of the bike. It was getting on a wrecker as I creeped by. I took it slow having decided to be a live coward rather that a dead hero.
As a aside, the DealS Gap Motorcycle Resort has a tree growing in front of the building called the Tree of Shame, festooned with
bits and pieces of wrecked bikes and sports cars.
Had crotch rocket riders passing us on curves(the is a two lane road) doing knee drags on curves marked 10 mph speed limit.
Fascinating to watch the suicidally motivated riders. Every year there are several who dont make the round trip and go home
in a box.
Put on 150 miles yesterday and a total of 300 for the three days.
Pix will follow as soon as I can get them developed.
PS: TGB Deliveries are top heavy due to the size of the box. OK on regular roads but a challenge on the extremely twisty WNC 2 lane roads.

[Smorkle]

Thats really interesting. Very interested in seeing the pics. I've been to Ashville once, several years ago. BEAUTIFUL country. Would love to ride through those mountains.

[wolfhound]

Pix will be on as soon as we get them developed and disced. Great riding country but you
have to be careful a lot of really steep grades and hairpin curves WNC is really rough mountain land but beautiful. A lot of scooters and motercycles this time of the year.

[jrryan]

Hmmmm Kind of sounds like some of our "Scenic Roads" like this:



When you see any sign here in this state that says "scenic road" it is for sure very beautiful and scenic like this:









But while you are trying your best to take in the scenery you got this to deal with:









One mistake in some of these places it's like you said a trip home in a box.

Hurry on those pics!! Dr. JR

[Bashan]

You've got stones Wolfhound, that's all I gotta say. That is not that far from me and I STILL haven't ridden it, even on my Vulcan let alone a scoot. I think the wife would do it with me if we towed them up there. I'm gonna talk to her about it this week. Gotta do it, just gotta do it. Rich

[ccprof]

Way to go Wolfie! I can't wait for the pix. FYI = JR snuck some Westsylvania pix in with his! LOL folks - aren't mountain roads great!

[Smorkle]

JR: When you get the chance, go up hwy 7 north of Russellville and catch hwy 123. OMG That's some beautiful country. AND there are a LOT of 10MPH curves. Lovely place to ride.

Sept 22, 2010 11:58:30 GMT -6 ccprof said:

FYI = JR snuck some Westsylvania pix in with his!

I've been through all the roads JR had pics of.... they're in Arkansas, trust me.

[wolfhound]

JR, yep, curves like that but mountains twice as high. The Ark. mountains are beautiful! Rich,
not so much stones as it is an old man who refuses to admit that he is scared s@@@*&&
and determined to make the journey. The other riders left me far behind but were very supportive. One lesson learned--empty the huge top trunk on a TGB Delivery before riding these roads. The bike tends to be top heavy. Pix will be on line soon hopefully. I are compooter illiterate so took throw away camera pix, will have them developed along with a disc and then my daughter in law/office manager will take over. Rich, you are close to the area, so ride it but not in the winter. You will love it.