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December 9th, 2009, 11:46 AM
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Come ride the dragon
PUTTING A RIDE TOGETHER IN MAY WHATS UP!?
Crossing Deals Gap at the Tennessee/North Carolina state line, the Dragon is considered by many as one of the world's best motorcycling and sports car roads. Anyone looking for an exciting highway will enjoy this stretch of US129. The road is desolate and can be a rea  l adventure in the winter months. We've had to deal with bears, turkeys, deer, and wild boars in the road, trees down, ice/snow, and tractor-trailers taking-up both lanes in the curves. It is not a road for the squeamish, but if you're looking for a little excitement don't miss this one.We've been driving the Tail of the Dragon since 1975. At first it was in the family car, then in our 1976 Corvette for many years. Now we have graduated to motorcycles. We have always loved the road, finding it a thrill in whatever we happen to be driving. One of the most exciting runs was on icy roads in the Expedition with 4-wheel drive engaged. In the summers we ride the Dragon at least two days a week and each day includes about 6 runs. It's better than any roller coaster we've ever been on. Our favorite sections are the Hump and the Esses just before Cattail Straight. Be ready to scrape your footpegs in some of these wild curves. And we warn you not to sightsee. To some the Dragon begins on the North Carolina side at Fugitive Bridge with a view of the Cheoah Dam where Harrison Ford jumped in the movie The Fugitive. It ends 14 miles across the mountain at the Tabcat Creek Bridge in Tennessee. US129 climbs through The Slide, a steep series of "S" curves where one would not want to meet a tractor-trailer. The road then levels and straightens until a series of curves approaching the Crossroads of Time, one of the main hangouts for cyclists. Next comes Deals Gap and the Tennessee State Line. We'll leave the rest for you to describe after you ride it. Many just remember curve after curve after curve and surviving the run of their lives. After riding many other twisties, we always come home to the Dragon and rate it the best of them all. FACTS ABOUT THE DRAGON TOTAL DISTANCE: By Road: Tabcat Bridge to Deals Gap - 11.1 miles Tabcat Bridge to Hwy 28 - 11.8 miles Tabcat Bridge to Fugitive Bridge - 14.0 miles As the Crow Flies: Tabcat Bridge to Fugitive Bridge - 6.0 miles AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC (ADT): 400 vehicles in 2002. HIGHEST ELEVATION: Deals Gap - 1962 feet LOWEST ELEVATION: Tabcat Bridge - 877 feet ELEVATION CHANGE: Tabcat Bridge to Deals Gap - plus 1085 feet Tabcat Bridge to Fugitive Bridge - plus 321 feet
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December 9th, 2009, 01:01 PM
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I've never been but, have always wanted to. I'm 99.9% sure that I'll have another bike well before May so I may be in for this one.
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December 9th, 2009, 02:19 PM
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December 9th, 2009, 03:25 PM
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December 9th, 2009, 03:30 PM
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December 11th, 2009, 03:35 PM
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I would LOOOOVVVVEEEE to!
Probably only time I will ever get to grease myself into my leathers. I WILL BE TRAILERING as I am not hardcore! I already get numb just from walking...crouching for hours on end would give me a seizure. As the job progresses, I will update for sure. Gearhead...Sticky this critter PLEASE!!!
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In order of year and not preference! 2009 Kawasaki ZX6R 2008 H-D Street Bob --Sick and Nasty Bobber style!--
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December 11th, 2009, 04:14 PM
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Kris, I have a 3 bike trailer but, I don't think my truck is up for that long of a road trip.
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December 11th, 2009, 09:09 PM
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Dude! I'll throw the trailer on the back of my Mazda! I don't care! LOL! I just can't go that long. In all honesty, I really have numbness from medication (which really isn't good for someone who rides)....So, several hours at a time blows goats for me.
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December 11th, 2009, 09:53 PM
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Well, gotta work out a little detail first (like getting another bike in the next couple of months lol), and then I gotta figure out if I'm doing Vegas or not. I'll most likely do this trip so we just need something to pull the trailer with. (Don't know if your serious about the Mazda lol)
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December 12th, 2009, 12:31 AM
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I would love to make it out to this. Here's to things looking better before then.
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StreetCyclez.com - Sleep, Eat, Ride! | BUILDMYPAGE.com, LLC - Personal Websites for only $99
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December 12th, 2009, 10:40 AM
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why did you sell your moto? what are you gonna get?
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December 12th, 2009, 01:14 PM
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As far as what I'll get next, I was thinking Ducati but, servicing $$$$$$$!!! So I'm deciding between another CBR 1k ('05-'07) or an R1 ('04-'06). I'll most likely get another Honda unless I come across a ridiculous deal on an R1. Last edited by SecondChance99; December 12th, 2009 at 01:16 PM.
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December 14th, 2009, 01:23 PM
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Sounds good you guys. Ill get more info on events around that time. It'll be some good riding/learning. By the way I turned 33 today I'm in san fran lots of places to ride like deals gap its getn stoked about may.
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December 19th, 2009, 01:42 AM
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"The Dragon"? Is that what you are calling it these days? rotflmao
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