Tail of the Dragon

[AdamHarris]

The first time I rode Tail in 2015, there was only 1 photographer there. The last time I rode it, there were 2. I feel bad that the first guy might be losing out. Never fails that when you start a successful business, someone will try to steal it and make money off your hard work.

I think I paid $75 for the 6-7 pictures I got from him. Its something that commemorates a great time with my best friends. Worth the cost.

This is America man. If I want to get a camera and stand by some road and take folks pictures that's not stealing anything. Does it upset you when there is more than one tire shop (or whatever) in a town? Are the other tire shops "stealing" from the first one that opened in 1947?

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[mtbikernate]

I live maybe 15min from the nearest access to the Parkway. Certain sections I drive pretty regularly. For some destinations, the Parkway is the quickest way for me to get there. Of course winter access is iffy. It was a late start to the winter closures this year. I was lucky to be able to do some hiking near Waterrock Knob back in December. Area is usually closed about that time.

 

[Msfitoy]

Yes the BRP is a nice cruise and a national treasure, 469 miles end to end. I have driven it round trip 3 times, and the Dragon a couple times. The south (NC) side of the BRP has most of the tunnels and sees more traffic than the north (VA) side which has far less traffic and more wildlife. After that ends you can continue the journey north onto Skyline Drive (90 miles long) where the speed limit drops from 45 on the BRP to only 35, lots of wildlife though. The BRP gets the most traffic during leaf season, but if you visit during the week (as opposed to weekend) it's not too bad. May/June are also nice when the rhododendrons are in bloom.

I found this mountain top highway in the 70s and blasted from Roanoke to Gatlinburg in a Ford Granada... ?

 

[gfitzge2]

We have a road here out in Prescott - Jerome (89A) which has something like 167 curves in it. There's a lot of really tight hairpin curves and you'll see many crosses where people have died on it. They sell t shirts in town that say something like "I survived 89A" with a picture of it on the front.

This is only part of it from Jerome - Prescott. There are no guardrails on the sides so it's a long way down if you mis calculate your speed.

Now I have a desire to visit Arizona again. Last time was an IndyCar race at Phoenix raceway and a drive through Sidonia and Flagstaff. Then on to the grand canyon and Vegas. Beautiful part of the country.

 

[gfitzge2]

That's a bucket list item for me, but on my motorcycle

Nice bike. Hope you get a chance to check off that item on your bucket list. Others have mentioned the sport bikes crashing, but many are larger bikes all dressed out. They lean a little too far and scrape the pipes or foot pegs and go sliding across the other lane. As long as you suppress your inner racer, the Dragon is a fun ride.

 

[gfitzge2]

Have not been there yet in the Ranger, but probably will at some point. Like others have pointed out, it is not a racetrack, but it is a fun drive, the scenery is fantastic and the burgers at the little restaurant at Deals Gap are almost worth the trip. Also staying at the Historic Tapoco Lodge is very nice. The food there is excellent as well. (Seeing a pattern here?)

There is a lot of interesting history to the area. Dams were built to supply electricity to the area and Alcoa Aluminum plants.

 

[AzScorpion]

Now I have a desire to visit Arizona again. Last time was an IndyCar race at Phoenix raceway and a drive through Sidonia and Flagstaff. Then on to the grand canyon and Vegas. Beautiful part of the country.

Was that Indy race around 2016 or 2017? If so we were there too and it was a good time. I'm surprised that they don't still have it there as it was a good turnout.

There is a lot to do here especially up in Northern AZ. From Sedona, Flagstaff, Williams and Winslow. There are many nice old western towns to explore and see some of the history. We've been the the Grand Canyon at least 6 times and it never gets old. It's amazing how the colors change off the rocks from sunrise to sunset.

 

[jjoinson]

There is a lot to do here especially up in Northern AZ. From Sedona, Flagstaff, Williams and Winslow. There are many nice old western towns to explore and see some of the history. We've been the the Grand Canyon at least 6 times and it never gets old. It's amazing how the colors change off the rocks from sunrise to sunset.

My wife and I were in that area last July. We were staying just outside of Flagstaff and took a day trip that included Sedona, Jerome, Williams and the Grand Canyon. Very pretty area and some of the roads were definitely ones that you had to watch how you drove!

 

[gfitzge2]

Was that Indy race around 2016 or 2017? If so we were there too and it was a good time. I'm surprised that they don't still have it there as it was a good turnout.

There is a lot to do here especially up in Northern AZ. From Sedona, Flagstaff, Williams and Winslow. There are many nice old western towns to explore and see some of the history. We've been the the Grand Canyon at least 6 times and it never gets old. It's amazing how the colors change off the rocks from sunrise to sunset.

It was probably way before that ? . More likely in the middle 90s. I should have been more specific and say it was a CART sanctioned race, before the CART/ IRL split.

The area was beautiful and maybe someday I will make it back. It has been so long ago that I would enjoy seeing the canyon again.

 

[Tracy Bowman]

We went on some of the NC side of BRP in August 2020, not too far though, maybe 15-20 miles of it. Traffic was awful just getting to it....

Here's a random look off, on the way to BRP.

Here's one of the tunnels on BRP!

And here's some of the scenery after the tunnels.

I'd like to go up again before it gets too damn hot this year, but we cannot stay more than a few hours, since we have 3 dogs at home, with no supervision, LOL!

Great pics!

 

[WNCblueridge]

Nice bike. Hope you get a chance to check off that item on your bucket list. Others have mentioned the sport bikes crashing, but many are larger bikes all dressed out. They lean a little too far and scrape the pipes or foot pegs and go sliding across the other lane. As long as you suppress your inner racer, the Dragon is a fun ride.

I would occasionally scrape leaning in curves on my old man's 1200 goldwing hauling ass up hwy 181N towards Boone. Couple years ago I stopped at memorial for fallen biker along the same route. Prob 50 bikes showed up to honor their friend. Puts it all in perspective real quick

 

[ChrisCARanger]

I'll just say that at 2am if the moon is bright, I'll fly though that road if there is no other traffic. But, I don't push when I'm behind people or there are people behind me any more. The last time I did a fast group drive there was a few of us together and I was leading in the RS due to having been there several times and having the best headlights that even turn into the corner, well I didn't think I was pushing hard but the BMW behind me could not stay in the lane when he was attempting to pace me, he was sliding way out on corner exits fully into the on coming lane. I was staying in the lane just fine. He should have backed off, but didn't, so now I don't go fast an any group.

Also: there is no video and I didn't time it. I wasn't out to make a competition of it, just wanted to enjoy the driving.

Putting the slowest and less skilled up front seems like the way to go on group trips.

 

[Langwilliams]

a CART sanctioned race, before the CART/ IRL split.

am I the only one that liked Indy car racing better when it was CART? More road courses an fewer ovals.

 

[gfitzge2]

am I the only one that liked Indy car racing better when it was CART? More road courses an fewer ovals.

I am right there with you. But I have hope for the series now that Roger Penske owns it.

 

[ControlNode]

Putting the slowest and less skilled up front seems like the way to go on group trips.

Well, I didn't think me just driving a little aggressive (~7/10s) would outpace the BMW that bad. driver said he was good to go, and we based part of the decision on the lighting from the cars that night.

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