Just got back from the Dragon

[DW]

And I have to say it was worth the trip.  Total of 900 miles in 2.5 days.  The Tail of the Dragon was amazing, though too heavily patrolled for real fun.  Riding around the area and the Cherohala Skyway was by far better.  The skyway is nothing but high speed, sweeping, smooth turns.  While less technical than the dragon, it gives a larger margin for error that actually allows you to enjoy riding fast more.  I'd be happy to post pics, but my camera didn't make it home with me.  I left a pocket unzipped and it fell out somewhere between Knoxville and Louisville.

Lessons learned:
1) Don't speed at all on the Dragon over the weekend.  Yes, I have a souvenir from the local authorities.
2) Wear bug repellant while camping.  Something ate most of my left shoulder while sleeping.  It itches BAD.
3) A monster does make a decent sport tourer as long as you pack light.  Everything can fit in one backpacking stuff sack on the back seat (tent, sleeping bag, one change of clothes, toiletries)
4) In fact, forget about  camping altogether.  There is a great Marriot about 30 minutes out in Alcoa.  Second night's sleep was much better.
5) Park on the side of the skyway for a while and just watch the bikes go by.  Full lean, knee down, bike after bike after bike.  I could have spent the entire weekend just watching everyone else if I weren't able to ride.
6) Be ready to be jealous of the guy with the Rizoma kitted HyperMotard.  He had just about every part I have ever wanted (clutch cover, pressure plate, belt covers, mirrors).  One big pretty Rizoma catalog in person.  The funny thing was his license plate which read LEANME.  Funny of course, because he had some of the biggest chicken strips in the whole parking lot.  I am giving him the benefit of the doubt and assuming he may have just picked the bike up and was still fealing it out.  Beautiful none the less.
5) And finally, when riding through rural Tennesee and Kentucky on a Ducati, be ready to answer the mutlple questions about your bike.  How fast, How much, you must be rich, you must be uncomfortable, you can't be serious about riding that far, etc...  I got them all at least once.  Sometimes several times.  In one stop.

All in all, I would happily go again.  Tommorow in fact, if I didn't have to go to work instead.

[Bun-bun]

Lucky dog!
Sounds like a great trip.

[Bigbore4]

Finally going to get my turn in September, we're going down to Indy.  One other riding bud and I are taking off the week after to go down and ride The Dragon and every other dang road we can find!

Thanks for the tips.  We plan to hit it mid week, and based on your an d other posts we'll do the hardcore "playing" elsewhere!

[DesmoDiva]

Rogue and I rode the dragon in July with the_Journeyman and his financee.  We had a blast.

Only saw two  , but it was mid week in the morning.

Don't forget to check out Killboy and/or Zee Foto for pictures of your feat.

[stateprez]

I really enjoyed the Skyway as well.  Hellbender (NC 28) is also good with less LEO presence.

Sucks about the camera...and the ticket.  Don't sweat it, between Killboy and the others (moonshinephoto.com is one as well) there will be plenty.

[the_Journeyman]

Killboy, ZeePhoto, Moonshine, and US129 are the regulars, Killboy and Zeephoto being the more regular of the regulars with the most presence.

It's a blast, and Deal's Gap is completely surrounded by good riding.  The Fontana, Robbinsville, Maryville areas are all good basecamp areas as well.  Lots of LEO presence on the weekends on Deal's Gap.  The Cherohala sees as many accidents it seems due to a couple decreasing radius turns tossed in to see if the rider is paying attention.

JM

[DW]

Killboy, ZeePhoto, Moonshine, and US129 are the regulars, Killboy and Zeephoto being the more regular of the regulars with the most presence.

It's a blast, and Deal's Gap is completely surrounded by good riding.  The Fontana, Robbinsville, Maryville areas are all good basecamp areas as well.  Lots of LEO presence on the weekends on Deal's Gap.  The Cherohala sees as many accidents it seems due to a couple decreasing radius turns tossed in to see if the rider is paying attention.

JM

I can easily see how people crash on all of those roads.  Plenty of people riding far harder than I would feel comfortable.  The one quick point about decreasing radius turns, most seemed to have a SLO painted just before their entrance.  You can't trust road markings completely, but just paying attention I was never caught off guard.  As always, you have to stay on top of things.  If you have never ridden a set of roads like this you could easily get in over your head.  Fortunately, I have had several years of riding in southern Missouri and Arkansas to fall back on.  Highway 7 south out of Harrison AR - just as much fun, few LEOs.

[scienceiscool]

I was up there over the weekend too, for the women's sportbike rally.  proof:



The local riding community is really helpful and good about trying to prevent visitor crashes - sweeping gravel out of turns, painting warnings before difficult corners.  It was my third or fourth time up to that area, and it's better every time.

[Duc L'Smart]

And I have to say it was worth the trip.

Sounds like a great trip

Too bad about your camera & Performance Award

Thanks for the great write-up

[the_Journeyman]

I usually visit during the local riders "End of Season Bash" and "Beginning of Season Bash."  Those are great fun.  I live 1.5-2 hours out, but usually ride up & have my fiancée drive chase in one of the cages with the camping gear.  So much fun ~

JM

[Got Duc]

I was up there over the weekend too, for the women's sportbike rally.  proof:



The local riding community is really helpful and good about trying to prevent visitor crashes - sweeping gravel out of turns, painting warnings before difficult corners.  It was my third or fourth time up to that area, and it's better every time.

Where's the proof I don't see women! 

[DW]

Where's the proof I don't see women! 

You can take my word for it if she doesn't post more pics.  I pulled in to Deals Gap Sat morning and the place was full of women on fast bikes.  Truly an impressive sight.  There were several Monsters in the parking lot as well.  Women decked out head to toe in A-Stars, Dainese, Sidi, etc.  Tons of pink and purple GSXRs.  Killboy has a link to the website for the group.  Passed a couple of groups of them riding together.  Looked like a very fast group ride.

[scienceiscool]

women:



monster women:

[Slide Panda]

6) Be ready to be jealous of the guy with the Rizoma kitted HyperMotard.  He had just about every part I have ever wanted (clutch cover, pressure plate, belt covers, mirrors).  One big pretty Rizoma catalog in person. 

I'd wager that might by the PJsParts shop bike.  They are based down in that area, and I thin' they picked up a Hyper not so long ago

[the_Journeyman]

Yup, PJ's Parts picked up a Hypermotard ~

JM