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**Kevin245** · 09-20-2011, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

We had to buy a couple of prints. This one is my favorite.

Maggie

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.

Kevo · 09-20-2011, 07:04 AM

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 !!

Lily&Me · 09-20-2011, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin245

That's the way to lean into the curve Maggie!

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

knunut · 09-20-2011, 07:32 AM

Thank's for the Pix. Beautiful. Now I want a Can Am even more !!! Look's like lot's of Fun.

Bruce B · 02-13-2013, 06:53 PM

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

Lily&Me · 02-14-2013, 04:05 AM

I can't believe you did that towing a trailer!

Maggie

Bruce B · 02-14-2013, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

I can't believe you did that towing a trailer!

Maggie

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

Lily&Me · 02-14-2013, 05:59 AM

Well, this may prepare you for the California coastal highway, if you take a mind to go.

. Absolutely spectacular.

Travel safe,

Maggie

Aviator · 02-14-2013, 10:38 AM

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.

tuffr2 · 02-14-2013, 12:00 PM

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 ..

Someday'59 · 02-14-2013, 12:17 PM

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.

Oh my stars!

Lily&Me · 02-14-2013, 12:24 PM

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

Ridgerunner3 · 02-14-2013, 01:03 PM

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.

switz · 02-14-2013, 01:11 PM

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.

Aviator · 02-14-2013, 06:35 PM

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.