The CB1100 Community Forum

I have been wanting to ride The Tail Of The Dragon for quite some time now. Any one here on the forum ridden it? Just looking for info, hints, things like that.

Our first rally was held there, and I led a group ride through there both directions. I have ridden the Dragon maybe a dozen times other than that. It's a dangerous stretch of public road ( state route) that some people parade on, some people race on, and semis which don't fit, sometimes try to navigate. The best time to ride it and be as safe as you can is during the week in the morning...Monday thru Thursday. Riding on the weekends is a good opportunity to be hurt. If you are in the area, it's probably a must ride but one piece of advise. Stay near the white lines. If you cut a corner close, chances are there is a vehicle coming the other way that can't stay in it's lane, and they will end up on your side of the road. The carnage there is way beyond any other 11 mile stretch of US Highway. Not a good road for a beginning rider or one with limited skills.

My brother rides the dragon every other year or so on his Ducati. Always mid week. I think they get there about Noon. He says it's good then. Usually end of April or May before the summer rush.

You will see all levels or riders there, ride your own pace. Wave the faster folk by. LEO presence in cars and motorcycles. The nice thing is, no cell coverage, so others can't be texting. But turn off your phone because it will suck the battery dry searching for a signal. If you go on a weekend, there are folks taking pictures of all the bikers going by, take note of their sign and the time you rode by it and you can download the pictures later.

I spoke to a local who rides at night and he said they have feral pigs there and that hitting one at 100 MPH can ruin someones day.

While you are in the neighborhood check out the Cherohala Skyway; pleasant, scenic, sane.
Dragon is a nice ride that is way way overcrowded and frequently populated with folks riding far above their shill level. Superb region to visit and ride for several days though.Great roads all over and plenty of places to stay and things to do.

I'll be "in the neighborhood" Thursday thru Sunday.

(11-07-2017, 05:21 AM)4 Paws_imp Wrote: [ -> ]While you are in the neighborhood check out the Cherohala Skyway; pleasant, scenic, sane.
Dragon is a nice ride that is way way overcrowded and frequently populated with folks riding far above their shill level. Superb region to visit and ride for several days though.Great roads all over and plenty of places to stay and things to do.

I'll be "in the neighborhood" Thursday thru Sunday.

I agree with the Tail of the Dragon being too crowded. Three years ago we discovered Hwy 209 originating in Hot Springs NC. Wow what a great road. I believe it is called "The Rattler"

I've never been there, but apparently there are other roads nearby that are just as exciting, but nowhere near as well-known or crowded (or dangerous).
I suppose I'll get there someday, but a bigger goal of mine is to fly to LA, rent a bike, and go ride Mulholland Drive. YouTube sure does make it look spectacular!

If you go that way, Doc, don’t forget the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

(11-06-2017, 01:30 PM)Doc1961_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I have been wanting to ride The Tail Of The Dragon for quite some time now. Any one here on the forum ridden it? Just looking for info, hints, things like that.

Ridden a few times. Ride it up and back, slowly. Watch the road in front of you and don't point fixate. Ignore the corner photographers but pay attention to the vehicles in front and behind you. Its easy for oncoming traffic to cross the lines. Rode it a few weeks back in our Jeep and a senior citizen in a Cadillac blew by us. Very amusing but also dangerous with riders wanting to run it at speed. Ride the Cherohala Skyway too, it's more scenic and not nearly as tight. Don't leave anything on the tree of shame. Most importantly enjoy it.

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Appreciate all the comments and advice. The Blue Ridge Parkway is another ride I'd like to do plus the Pacific Coast Hwy. Mulholland Drive would be another. Not alot of curvy roads around here so I'm looking elsewhere.