Tail of the Dragon

[Mirage775]

I agree, I have a cabin in Little Switzerland off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The local highway 226A (which is similar to the Dragon but otherwise pretty unassuming) has been dubbed "The Diamondback" by a local inn looking to draw in more biker$. Unfortunately, the campaign seems to be working.

I noticed that a few years ago, that they "named" all of the roads up there, that used to just be normal, curvy mountain roads, to attract more bikers....

Not like I was flying up and down the Dragon 2 years ago, but the whole mountain was full of cops. I remember a few people complaining about being pulled over, LOL! I know all those damn kids behind me should've gotten a ticket! If I would've had to stop suddenly, everyone one of them would've hit me, as they were that close together and on my ass! When we got to the tail of the dragon, they all came over to my car to look at it... I said, yall really need to learn how to drive!

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[Colo_Ranger]

I agree, I have a cabin in Little Switzerland off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The local highway 226A (which is similar to the Dragon but otherwise pretty unassuming) has been dubbed "The Diamondback" by a local inn looking to draw in more biker$. Unfortunately, the campaign seems to be working.

I rode Blue Ridge Parkway last year from start to finish (top to bottom?) and it was amazing. Tail of the Dragon is completely different. Blue Ridge was beautiful and relaxing. Tail was a rush of 'cool'.

 

[Augie81]

I have a question about this thread. I see a lot of people posting pictures as they cruise down the road. The pictures all look cool and the drive looks fun, but who is taking those pictures of you as you drive past? Are there people standing on the side of the road taking all those pictures? For example did you have a designinated photographer in certain spots or do people just hang out along the road, take pictures then offer them to you at the end of the trail? Is it like a roller coaster and after the ride you can buy a picture of yourself?

Honest question because I don't know anything about this stretch of road that seems like a popular driving spot.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

I have a question about this thread. I see a lot of people posting pictures as they cruise down the road. The pictures all look cool and the drive looks fun, but who is taking those pictures of you as you drive past? Are there people standing on the side of the road taking all those pictures? For example did you have a designinated photographer in certain spots or do people just hang out along the road, take pictures then offer them to you at the end of the trail? Is it like a roller coaster and after the ride you can buy a picture of yourself?

Honest question because I don't know anything about this stretch of road that seems like a popular driving spot.

there is a guy who stands off the side of the road and takes pictures. Then you buy them. I’m sure he makes a killing.

 

[JasonTremor]

There are several photographers that regularly work that road and have online storefronts where you can view and purchase your pictures. It's all cataloged by date so you just look at the day/time you were passing through and order what you like.

This is the original guy that started the business taking photos on that road.

https://www.killboy.com/

 

[Augie81]

there is a guy who stands off the side of the road and takes pictures. Then you buy them. I’m sure he makes a killing.

There are several photographers that regularly work that road and have online storefronts where you can view and purchase your pictures. It's all cataloged by date so you just look at the day/time you were passing through and order what you like.

This is the original guy that started the business taking photos on that road.

https://www.killboy.com/

Thanks for the replies and that makes sense. I noticed how high quality the pictures were so thought it might be some professionals. I bet that is a decent business for them.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

Thanks for the replies and that makes sense. I noticed how high quality the pictures were so thought it might be some professionals. I bet that is a decent business for them.

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.

 

[Augie81]

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.

I agree certainly worth it for high quality pictures of a good time. I always value fun life experiences more than material things. Material items don't last but awesome experiences and memories of them last forever. Having pictures to commemorate those times helps bring back those memories everytime you view them.

 

[Msfitoy]

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.

Killboy is the first and only...their photos are still by far the best so I always end up buying from them...

 

[WNCblueridge]

Would need to upgrade stock shocks on the ranger to enjoy driving t tight corners

I agree, I have a cabin in Little Switzerland off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The local highway 226A (which is similar to the Dragon but otherwise pretty unassuming) has been dubbed "The Diamondback" by a local inn looking to draw in more biker$. Unfortunately, the campaign seems to be working.

Ok. Yeah I had weekly delivery route up 226A. A little unnerving in 26' bix truck. Lived in Morganton and always traveled up hwy 181 to Linville Gorge for hiking

 

[Mirage775]

I'm friends with Darryl, (Killboy), on Facebook and I follow his page, as well as watch his YouTube content. He was the first one to do the photography on the Dragon, he started in January 2000. I believe he has 3-4 photographers that help him now?

I still haven't gotten a chance to meet him, but I've spoken with him online several times! He's also been involved with so many professionals and he just did something with Netflix on the Dragon, about Ferrari's!

The other photographers on the Dragon are 129Photos and 129Slayer, although I haven't seen either of them past 2019...

 

[Msfitoy]

Would need to upgrade stock shocks on the ranger to enjoy driving t tight corners

Ok. Yeah I had weekly delivery route up 226A. A little unnerving in 26' bix truck. Lived in Morganton and always traveled up hwy 181 to Linville Gorge for hiking

The first year I was there, I had fresh Falkens and new Eibach full set...the Ranger rode and handled very well for it's weight as long I stayed smooth with both pedals and get into a rhythm...however, I won't be doing that again as I found out later that I probably used up 5K miles worth of thread lol...

 

[GitRDone]

I rode Blue Ridge Parkway last year from start to finish (top to bottom?) and it was amazing. Tail of the Dragon is completely different. Blue Ridge was beautiful and relaxing. Tail was a rush of 'cool'.

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.

 

[Mirage775]

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.

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!

 

[jjoinson]

The Cherohala Skyway is a nice drive not too far from the Dragon, the curves aren't quite as tight on it. No photographers taking photos there, unless you stop and take your own lol

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