Tail of Dragon ride [Archive]

ryeflyer

03-22-2007, 12:32 PM

Good morning

I have a few days off next week and am wanting to take my shiny new R1200GS out to get the winter cobwebs gone. I live in Warrenton, Virginia and was planning to ride down to Deals Gap and do 129/Tail of the Dragon and the Cherahola.

Various questions, and any thoughts ideas etc welcome.

Any suggestions for good clean accomodations within 20 or 30 miles that you can recommend.

Any local knowledge of good ways down there and back from DC area, other than I 81?

Any other thoughts welcome - I know it is busy there weekends so planning next Tuesday to be there.

Thanks - RFK

mtfrench

03-22-2007, 07:58 PM

RFK,

A great option close to the dragon is Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge:

http://www.ironhorsenc.com/

If you want more "action" in a small mountain town, then try the Smokey Falls Lodge in Maggie Valley:

http://www.smokyfallslodge.com/

Of course, both options are very motorcycle friendly. When in Maggie Valley enjoy a cold beverage at Legends Sports Bar (great burgers and very friendly locals) and have breakfast at Country Vittles restaurant. IMHO, SR209 from Lake Junaluska to Hot Springs is less crowded and just as enjoyable as the Dragon. Another good ride is SR276 from Waynesville to Brevard. Stay away from Cherokee, if at all posslble. Too much traffic and tacky tourist stuff.

Enjoy!

MTF

charleshickman

03-23-2007, 07:49 AM

I rode the Dragon and Cherohala yesterday. Great ride. The Dragon was the first time that I've ever managed to get a little car sick on a bike. It's full lean to full lean for the full 11 miles. The Cherohala is not to be missed. It's a ride along a mountain ridge. Perfectly engineered highway and beautiful views.

If you want cheap, during the week Pigeon Forge is a steal. It's pre season. I paid $40 for a room at the Ramada. I could have gotten what looked to be an acceptable room for $25 if I'd waited until I got there. It's a 60 mile ride to the Dragon. But you can ride through the Gr Smky Mtn Park, which was also a nice ride.

ryeflyer

03-23-2007, 12:05 PM

Brilliant stuff - thanks both of you! :wave

lamble

03-23-2007, 06:09 PM

Brit at Large!

Me too, although I'm over on the NW Pacific Coast.

I bought my GS in Atlanta last April and rode back via the tail of the dragon,

There are a couple of biker specific places, but I stayed in Daholenega (I think that's how it's spealt). Big enough to have everything you need, but small enough to feel like it's bothered. It may be a bit south, but if you do get there, go to the restaurant on the first floor terrace above a souvenir/arts shop. Tell them that I sent you-I got free chilli and they found me digs at Amicalola Fall Lodge.
It was my first night of a 47 day ride.
www.roughguidesintouch.com/lamble is the blog I kept, so you might find the name there.

One caution. Don't stop at the Sportsman in Marion...it's worse than.... (where are you from in the UK?-I'm being careful I don't insult your neck of the woods)...let's just say in 10,018 miles it was the worst. I still have scar tissue on my scalp from the bug bites.

ryeflyer

03-23-2007, 10:20 PM

Actually a Guernseyman!

Been over here since 1985.

Thanks for the tips - Rory

:clap

lamble

03-23-2007, 10:28 PM

Guernsey...is that still British?

I thought it had declared independence.:D

Was Gerald Durrell's zoo there, or am I getting my islands mixed up?

You'll enjoy the Tail ride, lots of trees, swoops and ups and downs. Unfortunaley my camera kit wasn't to hand as often as it should have been when I rode through-a mistake with fittings meant it was lashed to the bike in the top box and was a pin the a to get at. I got it fixed at BMW in Raleigh...good guys there, but a bit out of your way.

If you remember, take a look at www.unchainedworld.com and see if you can get any recommendations for me.

Cheers.

Lamble.

ryeflyer

03-24-2007, 07:59 AM

lamble

03-24-2007, 09:59 AM

:laugh British , not English - actually French from time to time too! We swear allegiance I am told to the Duke of Normandy, who if I am correct is the Queen of England. Complex bit of history that I am not up on. :confused:

I thought about buying a top box at Morton's yesterday but too much money right now. Waiting for my tax bill :violin

Cheers - Rory

Didn't the Germans have control for a year or so too. I always remember seeing British Bobbies on the beat with the Gestapo following them...looked very incongruous.
I'm sure Her Majness would be Duchess of Normandy, although there might be a bit of a fracas if she demanded it back.

I'm a Midland chap by birth but ended up drawn to the coast near Colchester, in fact like you I lived on an island-Mersea Island, the furthest east inhabited island in the UK.

What bought you over?

Finally, while in my reading room I saw that there's tailofthe dragon.com and accommodationsgrahamcountytravel.com

Have a good time riding and if our paths cross, then we could share a cup of tea.

ryeflyer

03-24-2007, 10:59 AM

I worked for British Aerospace in DC and then jumped ship to United - fly 757 and 767 out of DC airports. I did a SEATAC layover last week but it was peeing down which cramped my walking plans. Love that city when the sun is out.

HM is a Duke, not a Duchess - complex!

Yes Hitler sent his finest to the Channel Islands after he had finished raping and pillaging the poor French. I think it was more for his ego satisfaction than any strategic value. Invading England from the Channel Islands was never a serious option. My parents moved there after the war was done. Lot of German relics still on the islands. Oddly enough, many former German soldiers moved back there after the war to settle. http://www.occupied.guernsey.net/links.htm

Leaving tomorrow for the mini tour. Cheers - R

lamble

03-24-2007, 08:28 PM

Let me know when you are over here next, for any length of time and we can arrange a get together.

bmwmotowoman

03-24-2007, 10:13 PM

I just rode the dragon for the first time last wednesday. Just so you know there is a site called killboy.com that will take pictures of you. The ride was suprising at times so doing it fot the first time during the week is VERY smart. There were a few crazy people going 80 to 100 miles an hour though.:brow

ryeflyer

03-25-2007, 07:38 AM

Thanks for the tip - Memphis eh? I think I had the most expensive night of my life followed by the worst hangover in Beale St. :bottle Glad I have grown up now ;) I stayed at a hotel that had ducks in the lobby waddling around - most unusual - I would have coaxed them into the kitchen, along with an armful of oranges, but the hotel seemed quite fond of them.

I am surprised before I even get there that people are riding that fast. I rather figured it for a 50 max ride. Must be my aging (50 in June :cry ) Hopefully they will be hard at work on Tuesday.

Now all I need to hear is good weather forecast all week, followed by the name of a DECENT coffee shop (seeing as nobody knows how to make a pot of tea here :p ) in the area.

Anyone going to be around there on Tuesday - drop me a line on my crackberry at rfk1957@gmail.com if you fancy a cuppa. Always pleased to meet new friends.

Rory

bmwmotowoman

03-25-2007, 10:03 PM

I don't know where it is listed but I heard that people time how fast they can ride it. I was also told a GOLD WING holds the record!!??!!!!
The guys may not have been going that fast but no matter how fast they were going, it was crazy-at least they were wearing racing leathers.:brad

ironMan

03-26-2007, 07:46 PM

Howdy neighbor. :wave

I'm just a stones throw to the south west in Culpeper. I have stayed at both TWO and the Kickstand lodge and recommend both.

MEWAYBRIGHT

03-27-2007, 04:07 PM

The guys may not have been going that fast but no matter how fast they were going, it was crazy-at least they were wearing racing leathers.:brad

Ah but leather doesn't do much for that tree...

charleshickman

03-27-2007, 09:05 PM

I have a few days off next week and am wanting to take my shiny new R1200GS out to get the winter cobwebs gone. I live in Warrenton, Virginia and was planning to ride down to Deals Gap and do 129/Tail of the Dragon and the Cherahola.

Let us know how it went.

ryeflyer

03-28-2007, 08:44 PM

Ah but leather doesn't do much for that tree...

Yes - I never saw a tree that didn't win!

ryeflyer

03-28-2007, 09:18 PM

Let us know how it went.

Very enjoyable. I am sore in all sorts of places that would be classified as TMI. Got back to Warrenton a couple of hours ago.

I left Warrenton VA on Sunday afternoon, took US 211 across to I-81 to get me in the mood. I ran out of steam in Christiansburg and spent the night in the Fairfield Inn - that is a great chain BTW - free high speed and free breakfast, AND a very clean comfortable room - how is it that the cheaper the hotel, the more you get for it?!

Next morning continued to Loudon, TN where I stayed with friends and then the following morning (yesterday) I rode a very enjoyable route south out of Loudon around the lakes on US72. which hooked up with US129 north of Deals Gap. The weather was great - I rode south on 129 through the "Tail" around 1100 am. I saw perhaps 6 other bikes total, and one car - no law and no radar. Right at the start I got out of the way to let something fast and Oriental through and he ?thanked? me with an extended wheelie. Thoroughly enjoyed the curves, although I saw a few skid marks that disappeared off into the woods! Being my first time through there I was pretty cautious, although having the GPS down to 300' scale gave me a good idea of the bends ahead. After that I enjoyed the road down through Robbinsville to the Cherahola Skyway. There is a neat little store there called Thunder Mountain General Store, web site www.thundermountainnc.com which refueled me nicely for the Skyway. They have new owners who have done the place up well - and they are renting motorbikes by the day - look at the web site. Lots of off road opportunities there for sure.

The Skyway was every bit as enjoyable as the Dragon, perhaps more so in fact, with I suppose about 35 or 40 miles of bends and straights, and I swear I maybe saw 4 cars on the way to Tellico Plains - I had the place to myself. Lots of fun on that road mid week for sure. Same coming back - I got a bit stuck behind a geezer with a brand new 'Vet that was stuck at 40 mph, on the bends and straights - had to put him in the rear view mirror...what is the point of owning a piece of gear like that and not opening it up even a little bit? ZZZzzzzz!

On the return leg along the Tail, (late afternoon yesterday and great weather) I had a bit more company, with several fast bikes coming out to play. I was definitely in their way I think although I was certainly not loitering. The GS was a lot of fun to throw around, back and forth, and my shoulder and neck are sore today. I rode 480 miles straight back today with some thunderstorms for company which made me something of a source of wonderment on I-81 for the motorists. I was in some serious hail at one point which I had not bargained for. I was thrilled at how solid the bike felt in the rain and wind. Really good confidence booster. Some wanker tried to side swipe me at one point - I need a louder horn - this one is tinny, and sounds like a Vespa. Didn't see a single other bike on the whole ride back.

Both roads were fun and memorable. I would dislike them both at weekends though. I felt very fortunate for once to have to work at weekends.

Great 72 hour excursion - 1200 miles round trip - 6k service at Mortons on Friday.

My backside is very sore - any thoughts on economical seat comfort?

Rory

lamble

03-28-2007, 11:45 PM

Some wanker tried to side swipe me at one point -

My backside is very sore - any thoughts on economical seat comfort?

Rory

Good to hear you enjoyed yourself and good to see a little anglo saxon creeping in.
Bicycle racing shorts with gel inserts, cosy.

Voni

03-29-2007, 08:12 AM

y

Great 72 hour excursion - 1200 miles round trip - 6k service at Mortons on Friday.

My backside is very sore - any thoughts on economical seat comfort?

Rory

One word.

http://alaskaleather.com/

Voni
sMiling

Belquar

03-29-2007, 08:22 AM

One word.

http://alaskaleather.com/

Voni
sMiling

two more

Bill Mayer.

or

custom saddle

:laugh

lamble

03-29-2007, 01:48 PM

...of course there's always the other option, toughen up the buttocks.
Soak in malt vinegar for two days then bake in the oven...it worked for conkers.

(that'll confuse the natives).

ryeflyer

03-29-2007, 03:09 PM

...of course there's always the other option, toughen up the buttocks.
Soak in malt vinegar for two days then bake in the oven...it worked for conkers.

(that'll confuse the natives).

Yeah I used to enjoy conkering - brute force with Isaac Newton's laws assisting worked too. :boldpurpl

ryeflyer

03-29-2007, 05:21 PM

One word.

http://alaskaleather.com/

Voni
sMiling

I see you live near Alpine. I had a hoot of a story back in the eighties. I lived near DFW and took a trip with my wife to western Texas. We drove through all sorts of interesting places like Alpine and Langrty (as in the Jersey Lily)

I walked in to a bar (perhaps it was THE bar in Alpine) and found two shiny Hogs in there - having been ridden up the steps. I asked the the blokes riding them why they rode them into the bar, and the answer was "Cos its going to Hail"!

Great place.

ryeflyer

07-30-2007, 08:33 PM

I just rx'd an email from a friend who lives near Deals gap to say that there were 3 fatalities there a couple of weeks ago. Awful.

john1691

07-31-2007, 02:05 PM

I rode the "Dragon" on the way home from New Orleans this past weekend. We were down doing Katrina relief work for a week, then came home to PA via Deals Gap. It had rained hard most of the night and the road was still wet with stones from run off and a couple dead tree branches crossing the road, so we took it easy. Met a couple BMW riders and their friend on a Honda at one of the lookout spots, but darned if I can't remember their names. I'd love to go back and spend a couple days in the area, then find some nice roads through VA on the way back, instead of the slab like we did this time.

Newstar

07-31-2007, 03:30 PM

A day late and a dollar short as always but I wanted to share with you a fantastic B&B that we stayed at last month.

The Chalet Inn
www.chaletinn.com

It's a nice 40 minute drive from Deal's Gap near Whittier and Sylva. The innkeepers, George and Hanneke, are fabulous hosts. Pricing can be found on their web site.

The chalet is beautiful and we had a blast each night kicking back by the frog pond with the other guests and comparing notes from the day. A word of caution (althouth hopefully resolved). When we arrived, we soon realized that their driveway is about a half mile long and very steep. It was also gravel. After a minor mishap going up, Hanneka insisted on driving me down in the golf cart each morning while my hubby brought the bikes down. They were paving the day we left so I'm sure that problem is solved.

I can't say enough about the Chalet or it's owners and the isn't a bad road to be found in the area. Check them out if you are heading in that direction.

Tracy

kbasa

07-31-2007, 05:03 PM

I just rx'd an email from a friend who lives near Deals gap to say that there were 3 fatalities there a couple of weeks ago. Awful.

I'm not surprised, though it's still horrible to hear.

When I was there last (2003?), there were guys trailering their sportbikes up from FL to ride. Looking at the immense chicken strips on the tires of their bikes, I'd be surprised if they all managed to stay upright.

Seeker

07-31-2007, 07:02 PM