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09-20-2011, 06:18 AM
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#21
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Moderator
Vintage Kin Owner
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,696
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doug&maggie
We had to buy a couple of prints. This one is my favorite.
Maggie
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That's the way to lean into the curve Maggie!
Back in my serious riding days (25,000 miles a year) we'd run the Dragon numerous times over some beautiful Fall weekends. The store (Crossroads of Tiime back then) at the beginning/end of the run on the NC side was owed by a colorful guy named Pete Leary.
Those were interesting times.
__________________
"One of the best lessons I've learned is that you don't worry about criticism from people you wouldn't seek advice from."
William C. Swinney
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09-20-2011, 07:04 AM
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#22
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Rivet Master In Training
1965 22' Safari
Mount Airy
, Georgia
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 132
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A great stretch of road indeed, I did that 100 mile loop on my bike on many occasions, but my common sense has replaced the raging testosterone of my youth and I have probably added several years my life because of it !...Don't think I would want to carry the Airstream through there though, mainly because of some of the bikers. Some of those guys on crotch rockets are insane !!
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09-20-2011, 07:22 AM
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#23
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,089
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin245
That's the way to lean into the curve Maggie!
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If you look closely, you will see that Doug-the-master-driver is at the wheel. I would not have tried to drive this road. He can drive anything.
That's me in the shotgun seat, with Lily sprawled across my lap. 45 pounds, and thinks she's a lapdog when we are out on the road. Likes to be close to grandma, also to look out the front and side windows and see where we're going.
There has been on the news here that 4-5 bikers died over the weekend in central TN, were in a trailer and using a faulty generator.
Be careful out there, folks.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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09-20-2011, 07:32 AM
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#24
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Rivet Master
2023 16' Basecamp
Currently Looking...
Chgo. N.W. Burb's
, Illinois
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 629
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Thank's for the Pix. Beautiful. Now I want a Can Am even more !!! Look's like lot's of Fun.
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02-13-2013, 06:53 PM
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#25
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Rivet Master
2021 25' Globetrotter
Jamestown
, Rhode Island
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,720
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Today we drove the "Tail" with our 16' Bambi! What a blast! I would recommend that if you want to try this while towing an Airstream wait for a Rainey, foggy off season day. We saw just one other car during the ride! Dorsey took lots of video so that will be an upcoming YouTube posting. It really was beautiful, even in the fog.... This video is a pitiful little thing I took.
Bruce
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02-14-2013, 04:05 AM
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#26
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,089
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I can't believe you did that towing a trailer!
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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02-14-2013, 05:53 AM
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#27
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Rivet Master
2021 25' Globetrotter
Jamestown
, Rhode Island
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,720
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doug&maggie
I can't believe you did that towing a trailer!
Maggie
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Hi Maggie,
The most harrowing part of the trip was not the actual "Tail of The Dragon" but the road we found leaving Pigeon Forge. I think it is Mill Creek Road. I really wondered what we were in for as this was just a feeder road I had never heard of .
Turned out to be a nice ride and the fact there were no other cars on the road made it all sort of anticlimactic in the end, more an exercise in practicing slow speed trailer handling skills. I would happily do it again!
There are lots of things I would attempt in a 16' Bambi I wouldn't think of trying with a larger unit.... advantage 16'
Bruce
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02-14-2013, 05:59 AM
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#28
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,089
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Well, this may prepare you for the California coastal highway, if you take a mind to go. . Absolutely spectacular.
Travel safe,
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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02-14-2013, 10:38 AM
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#29
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Rivet Master
1997 34' Limited
1970 27' Overlander
South of Atlanta
, Georgia
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,709
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We accidentally did the Dragon last year on the way up to Alumapalooza. Picture three Airstreams in a row going through the curves. A 28' in the lead, our 34' in the middle and a 30' following on. Once you get in, there is no way to get out other than driving through.
__________________
Craig and Carol
1997 34' Excella 1000
1970 27' Overlander, International
2009 Ford F150 5.4L
ProPride hitch with 1400# bars
AIR 41028
TAC GA-8
WBCCI 10199
Past President Southeastern Camping Unit (12)
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02-14-2013, 12:00 PM
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#30
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2 Rivet Member
Columbus
, Ohio
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 77
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The 1st 50 curves are cool - the remaining 268 are a real pain. Plus I was holding up the crotch rockets guys. This was the longest 13 miles I have driven.
I did this towing a boat to Lake Fontana. The tail was the shortest route to the boat launch.
I would like to go there again but maybe have a helicopter drop me in ..
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02-14-2013, 12:17 PM
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#31
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Rivet Master
1959 26' Overlander
Powder Springs
, Georgia
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 671
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aviator
We accidentally did the Dragon last year on the way up to Alumapalooza. Picture three Airstreams in a row going through the curves. A 28' in the lead, our 34' in the middle and a 30' following on. Once you get in, there is no way to get out other than driving through.
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Oh my stars!
__________________
~Lynnetta
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02-14-2013, 12:24 PM
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#32
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,089
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It's true, too, that once you're on there is no way to get off.
There is also no warning of what is ahead.
Fun, though, and our avatar picture is from the Tail.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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02-14-2013, 01:03 PM
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#33
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Rivet Master
2002 25' Safari
Fountain Inn
, South Carolina
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 714
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We travel to Deal's Gap each year to drive the dragon with our Miata. I can't imagine pulling a trailer longer than 20' through there.
There have been times that tractor trailers have accidentally gotten onto that stretch of highway and ended up stuck in an inside curve up against the bank.
One of the risks of driving the dragon is that the folks riding the crotch rockets at high rates of speed will have their wheels in their lane and their head and shoulders in your lane as they come towards you in a curve. Nothing like having a death wish. There has been a serious motorcycle accident on every visit we have made to Deal's Gap.
__________________
Bud
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02-14-2013, 01:11 PM
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#34
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,223
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While riding a motorcycle in the really tight turns, I have seen a semi truck have the tractor and trailer wheels on the correct side of the road, but the body of the trailer completely blocked the oncoming lane. There was place to go on a motorcycle but into the woods or under the trailer. Neither were viable options.
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02-14-2013, 06:35 PM
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#35
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Rivet Master
1997 34' Limited
1970 27' Overlander
South of Atlanta
, Georgia
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,709
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I did my best to drive deep into the turns and use as little of the other lane as possible. On some of the curves it wasn't pretty. The bikers that were really mad at us were behind us trying to have fun. There are several overlooks with room for a motorcycle to pull off, but not an Airstream. I think they would have enjoyed the ride more if they had pulled off and chatted for a half hour or so, then run the curves.
__________________
Craig and Carol
1997 34' Excella 1000
1970 27' Overlander, International
2009 Ford F150 5.4L
ProPride hitch with 1400# bars
AIR 41028
TAC GA-8
WBCCI 10199
Past President Southeastern Camping Unit (12)
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