Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Rides, Rallies, & Events To those that have ridden the Dragon, a question.

How strenuous is it? The reason I ask is, friends and I are planning about a 1700 mile trip over about 5 days which includes the dragon, the blue ridge parkway from bottom to top, and several days before and one after the blue ridge.

I need to estimate how far to ride before and after the dragon. In other words, I don't want the dragon to be the end of a 300 mile trip.
Any thoughts?

Pshaw, nuttin to it.

Weekends are mighty busy [= dangerous]

The road surface is very good, and the corners are all (if not most) banked the right way. I don't know the road, so I geezer speed rode it a few times back and forth. It does put a size X large smile on your mug, that's for sure. One or two of the corners cinch up the radius in very short order on their blind side, making one happy for good brakes. Might hear yourself speaking an involuntary "Whoah" ;-)

A few notes of interest - it's worth it to pull over and watch the knee draggers go by. Some excellent riders there who go back and forth from the store to the other end.

Not telling anyone what to do, but it's considered reasonable and customary there to move to the right to let the fast bikes go by.

Note the numerous "the peg done dug into the asphalt for x hundred feet then left the roadway" marks.

There's a guy named Killboy who apparently makes his living taking photos of every motorcycle and vehicle of interest as they go by. He then posts the pics online for the world to see. You can order a print or CD if you like what you see. I think he gets 8 or 10 bucks for an order.
http://www.killboy.com/

More from Captain Obvious - the BRP is very slow. If you can average 30 mph for the day's ride, you did good. It seemed to me that National Park Rangers do rolling radar for speed enforcement, and drive white plain wrapper SUVs and white pickups.

Food report - (and you know I likes me some good food) Despite being catered by Aramark, Pisgah Inn has some very good grub. I had a full Thanksgiving style turkey dinner with pie and coffee. (We're talking real mashed potatoes, not potater flakes) I think it cost 12 or 14 bucks? The view from the dining room isn't hard to take either. If you go there during off peak hours, you might get a window seat. Mabry Mill serves up some excellent country ham. Enough salt in one slice to preserve a moose. Mmmmm - mmm

I stayed at Rocky Knob Cabins. It was good. They offer a kitchen with pots & pans in the cabins, and guests bring their own food. I'd stay there again if ever I get that way.

You can probably tell by the word count above that I just had a large coffee after my Sunday nap. My bad.

Enjoy your trip, I imagine you will.

I have been there 3 times..... still freaks me out. I am personally just not good at slow decreasing radius turns... my own fault. I prefer the Cherahola pkwy.....
I havent done the Dragon on a Cruiser yet. I have been there with an SV650, VFR, and a Honda 919. Still spooks me when the kneedraggers come up behind me. I always feel I am in the way. I wouldnt do the road at the end of a 300 mile day, just my opinion....

I will get back there again one day..... just too beautiful not to.

Do it on a Thruxton, not a TBA

I would agree with a couple of them above. Make sure you hit it during the week if possible, early in the day is the best.
I've been on it twice, (cough on an other brand cruiser) it will put that X Large smile on your face.
But do remember it's a little off the beatin path, so it can take some time to just get to the road.
If your camping(or rent a cabin) on your trip, there is a great camp ground outside of Waynesville, called the Blue Ridge Motorcycle. http://www.blueridgemotorcyclecamp.com/

Ride it at your speed and enjoy.

I've ridden the Dragon a few times. No problem if you ride it at your comfort level. Unfortunately, I've only ridden it on the weekends never a problem on my TBA. Be prepared to be the only Triumph on the road! Hold your line and if a knee dragger wants to pass you they will when they see an opening; half the time you pass them as they have gone off the road! It's fun. Get a souvenir but don't leave anything for the "Tree of Shame!"

Good thoughts guys. The one thing that ring clear is do it during the week if possible.
I'll probably schedule Fontana D A M in there too so maybe, I'll start with the ride to the dragon early, do the dragon, then the D A M and maybe the lower Blue ridge the same day.

The Dragon is a great ride. And something every motorcyclist should experience ONCE! it's hard work and takes a lot of concentration. Most weekends someone is airlifted out, and the tree of shame adds a sense of reality to the danger of this road. BUT, everyone should ride this road one time. Stay away from the place on the weekends, all the squids are there on the sportbikes and the vast majority of them cannot ride. The Cherahola parkway is a much nicer road.

Enjoy it, but be careful.

I've heard bout the Dragon & would luv to ride it, back in the 70's we had a stretch of road over here between Cairns & Kuranda called the Gilles - 102 Hairpins in 12 miles with sheer drops on each sides- that was fun, now they have straightened the road somewhat and it's lost it's appeal

David,
Sorry if I go OT a bit, but..the road(s) between Birdwood and Adelaide, SA is full of twisties, steep drop-offs and is very popular with the bikers. Definitely a beautiful area to ride.
I realize it's still a ways from QLD, but at least's on your continent! Merry Christmas to all down under!

Don't ride it tired. If you choose to ride during the week it's also used by local truckers so moderation is the order of the day. Personally, Hwy. 421 from Bristol to Boone is just as much fun and a lot less crowded...

I go along with the non weekend if at all possible. Big difference in traffic. Try to get there and spend the night. Get up the next day and ride the Dragon a few times. It's only 9 miles or so and you want to go both directions. I was there in August and rode on a Friday - no problem, absolutely loved it. Each time you ride it you will learn more, gain confidence, and make yourself a better rider.

Don't miss the Cherohala Skyway and take the detour off the Skyway to the Bald River Falls - really cool road there (about 7 or 8 miles) and back along a beautiful creek with rapids. We were in Robbinsville, NC which is on 129 bewteen the Dragon and Skyway. We stayed at the Two Wheel Inn, neat motel with individual motorcycle garages next to each room. Have fun and take it easy.

the Cherohala is more funner!

Really! I usually go into corners at double the posted suggestion. Of course, when I see one that's really tight like a 10 or 20, I will slow down a bit more but, wow, those must be some tight tight twisties.

Yeah, i was specifically referring to the LOW speed signs. Typically if the sign says 25MPH or less, WATCH IT. 30+MPH signs can usually be navigated at much higher speeds.

Ya, I knew you were talking about the low speed signs when you come to the turns and stuff...
I've really really got to get some riding in around that area. Sounds like some of the best riding to be had.

There are some roads around the Ga. rally location that are just as much fun with less traffic and a bunch of like minded friends to ENJOY them with