The Tail Of The Dragon
In this installation of the Motorcycles To series, we will be riding the Tail Of The Dragon. The Tail Of The Dragon is a stretch of U.S. 129 that runs between North Carolina and Tennessee and is considered to be among the finest roads for sport car and motorcycle enthusiasts in the world.
The three-hundred and eighteen turns in eleven miles ain't the slow rolling kind you can laze through. Think about this; three-hundred and eighteen turns in just over six miles as the crow flies! Oh yeah, did I mention the climbing and dropping altitudes of The Smoky Mountains? Switchback lovers heaven.
Get ready for some floorboard scrapin' fun as we try to tame the Tail Of The Dragon!
Have You Ever Ridden The Tail Of the Dragon Before?
By bike, car, bus, train or truck, have you ever been on the Tail Of The Dragon?
Could you, would you, or have you?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes
royalfoust says:
I am unlucky enough to be riding in the west. Have ridden much of California,Utah, Arizona and Colorado though.
Posted November 21, 2009
jgarrett says:
I was born and raised in Robbinsville, NC which is at the mouth of the dragon. I have ridden the dragon on motorcycle, bus, car and truck. Quite an experience.
Posted November 20, 2009
mountainrider says:
I kept the factory floorboards on my bike instead of swapping for aftermarket just so I can keep the scrape marks from the dragon.
Posted November 18, 2009
bell1234 says:
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Posted November 17, 2009
o says:
yes
Posted November 11, 2009
HarleyDude says:
It is very challenging so you should have a good < a href="http://www.squidoo.com/scorpionhelmets">motorcycle helmet just in case.
Posted November 10, 2009
Tiff says:
Love to ride the tail. Once a month we go there on our way to Pigeon Forge for the weekend. You should stop by Rocky Top Leather on your way through. Great stuff there.
Posted November 10, 2009
Jack says:
I live near there. I've ridden it hundreds of times. Each time is an adventure. I operate a motorcycle-only campground in Tellico Plains, TN. Come see us, we're on the quiet side of the Dragon. www.huntslodge.com Tent sites and cabin rentals, open year round.
Posted November 08, 2009
RoadGeek says:
I've driven it in my Jeep Cherokee and my Studebaker pickup, COOL road!
Posted November 08, 2009
donmorgan says:
Many times on 4 different motorcycles and got a T-shirt to prove it. I don't know how many foot pegs I have scraped on that road, but I loved the ride. I now hear they are cracking down on bikers especially the cafe racers and the crouch rockets. I first rode the Dragon in the early 70's. It's a pretty ride, but you can't take your eyes of the road to look at the scenery. They have some memorials for those who did.
Posted November 06, 2009
No
Travelsaddle says:
No, I've never road the tail of the dragon but it sound like a real fun life experience. You sound like someone that really knows how to live and enjoy life. Drifter, your awesome!
Posted November 15, 2009
publicuser says:
no never
Posted November 05, 2009
tintin79 says:
No i have not, but you inspired me to check it out if and when i go over there..
Posted November 01, 2009
merylvdm says:
No, I have done this in a car ... and that made me feel pretty carsick! But the scenery is great and the bikers we passed were obviously all having a blast.
Posted October 25, 2009
Jenniferkin says:
Sounds like barf central!
Posted October 19, 2009
Beautiful_GreenBeans says:
No. But if I did, you've given me (almost) everything I need to know :)
Posted September 29, 2009
dean says:
Not yet,, I live in Washington State. Going to Franklin this week to visit parents. Going to take dads Cobra on it, I would rather be riding one of my sport bikes, but I think the Cobra will be a good fun drive.
Posted September 16, 2009
Getting To The Tail Of The Dragon
Deal's Gap North Carolina is where you want to start if your going to ride the Dragon's Tail. If you ride the eleven mile stretch and decide you've had enough, there is a nice ride back to Gatlinburg that squeezes its way over the western edge of the Smokies National Park, into Townsend and then Tennessee 73 along the northern reaches of the park. Or if you want to yell," Yee-Haw!", go back and get a t-shirt, the eleven mile trip back to Deal's Gap has a different feel.
No matter which way you decide to go to or come back from the Tail Of the Dragon, you will experience some of the greatest views and motorcycling there is to be had.
Personally, I recommend leaving Gatlinburg and head due south on U.S. 441 through the heart of the Smokies, and leave early enough to allow for a few stops along the way. Once through the park you'll come to Cherokee North Carolina where you want to jump onto North Carolina 19 west. Staying on 19 through Bryson City and past Lauada until you happen upon State Rout 28 (and happen upon is a fair assessment). Going north along 28 it becomes quickly apparent that you are not on a four lane highway like the one you just exited. Sometimes you'll wonder if you're on a two lane road.
North Carolina 28 skirts the southern shores of beautiful Lake Fontana and and then hugs the banks on the Little Tennessee River right at water level. The altitudes along approximately thirty-five miles you travel along 28 range from 2400 feet to just above sea level.
After all the beautiful views of the mountains, the lakes, and rivers you're about to got to work. Turn north On U.S. 129, ride about two miles and pull into the Deal's Gap Motor Resort. Take a breather; the fun is just about to begin.
Weather In Dragon Land
Current weather conditions in Robbinsville, NC (28771)
Local Pollen Reports
52°F (Feels like 52°F)
Last update: 11/24/09 8:20 AM EST
Humidity: 88%Visibility: 10.0 mi
Dew Point: 48°F
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 30.17in rising
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: calm From: Airport Conditions

Today
Cloudy
High: 65°F
Low: 41°F
Sunrise: 7:20 AM
Sunset: 5:25 PM

Wednesday
Nov 25
Mostly Cloudy
High: 63°F
Low: 33°F
Sunrise: 7:21 AM
Sunset: 5:24 PM

Thursday
Nov 26
Partly Cloudy
High: 57°F
Low: 32°F
Sunrise: 7:21 AM
Sunset: 5:24 PM

Friday
Nov 27
Partly Cloudy
High: 49°F
Low: 32°F
Sunrise: 7:22 AM
Sunset: 5:24 PM
Dragon Slayers
A very nice photo slide show presentation of riders on the Tail Of The Dragon
curated content from YouTube
Deal's Gap Novel
The Native Americans called the path Joeck Paz or Cloud King. The path is steeped in legend and lore which is where this book takes us. Along the way a hunt is on for the person who pulls Mark from a car wreck along the Tail Of The Dragon. The hero is named Mattie and she's 170 years old......
Along The Tail Of The Dragon
Before you attempt riding the Tail Of The Dragon, stop in at Deal's Gap Motor Resort, which has grown up over the years. When I first rode that way there was only the souvenir shop where you could get t-shirts, a snack and some soda. Now there's a grill, hotel, and campsites. I'd guess that booking a room would be about impossible unless you plan pretty far out. There are bikers from all around the world who fly their sleds in for weeks of riding the Tail Of The Dragon.
Pick your t-shirt out , find a pin, or maybe purchase a video; you've made it this far, you're certainly going to earn that shirt. Soak in all the comradeship, after all you're among some of the greatest company in the world. Bikers are the friendliest group of people I've ever been around.
Go! (just follow 129 to your right, out of the resort)
Deal's Gap sits at 2000 feet above sea level an for the next eleven miles you'll gradually wind down to just a few feet above sea level. Some stretches, not so gradually only to be followed by steep 'swtchback' curves. The first test comes at .2 miles in at what is known as Crud Corner, a hairpin back to the left and slightly down. Following a relatively straight path with a few minor curves for the next two miles, the Tail Of The Dragon then slaps you with a series of curves known as Sunset Corner. Short and almost hairpin, these two turns are separated by by a straight that is far less than .1 of a mile.
The 400 feet change of altitude over the next mile is accompanied by a series of bends, turns, and twisties that have helped make this section of the Tail Of The Dragon the most dangerous over the years. Going back to the year 2000 there have been eight fatalities along this stretch.
After leveling out at just over 1400 feet the road tosses back and forth for nearly one mile before you come upon Parson's Curve. The apex of Parson's Curve is at the bottom of the valley where Parson's Branch Creek crosses 129 and flows down the mountain. You'll go into the hairpin starting to your right and out of the apex you come back facing the direction you went in, and if this isn't enough to make you sweat, you're also at the beginning of a steep one and a half mile climb to regain that 400 foot drop over the last mile and a half.
At five and a half miles in from the beginning you'll be at just under 1900 feet high, at Brake Or Bust Bend, and starting a descent to just about sea level over the next six and a half miles. The road will pitch you left and right over the next three and a half miles more than it does on any other stretch of the dragon's asphalt scales.
The remaining two miles will seem like a breeze because the curves seem like relative bends, with the exception of the switchback known as The Whip which checks in at the ten mile marker. After the whip, it is a 1200' drop over one mile run to the Tabcat Bridge.
Pat yourself on the back, because you have just made one of the most infamous bike runs in the world.
Tools Needed To Slay The Dragon
Here's my favorite link:
Find A Room At The Dragon's Lair
Follow The Dragon's Tail On Twitter
Get the latest updates about traffic along the Tail Of The Dragon , as well as any news that may effect your attempt to snare the Dargon's Tail.

- tailofthedragon
- aka TailoftheDragon.com
- 136 followers
- 0 following
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- http://twitpic.com/lx8u4 - First snow of 2009 - Cherohala Skyway, at highest point 5390 feet. No snow below 4000.
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- http://twitpic.com/lx80k - Same view as below, taken October 17 - first snow of 2009.
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- http://twitpic.com/lx7sy - Fall Colors October 13, 2009
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- Wow.... what a photo gallery of western North Carolina ... http://tinyurl.com/yhuo47l
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- Forest Service to permanently close Upper Tellico Off-Highway Vehicle trail system - http://tinyurl.com/ykjothq
A List Of Tweets About The Tail Of The Dragon
Best of:
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- retweet | reply L4SMB
- @Arianna_W a place called Deal's Gap on the border between NC and TN. 318 curves in 11 miles. great trip on the bike!
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- retweet | reply LARC0
- @Fudmottin have a nice ride home Fudmottin, it was great to have met you at Deal's Gap this year. Ride safe brother, and ride your ride.
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Community write-ins:
Write a new tweet for this list! If drifter0658 likes it, it could get picked for the best-of list above.
Your message will be automatically sent via Twitter.
Triumphant Return From Riding The Tail Of The Dragon
After the Tail Of The Dragon has dropped off and you're past Tabcat Bridge, U.S. 129 snuggles right up against Chillhowee Lake. There are picnic tables along the road if you need to stretch your legs and ponder the possibility of turning around and start riding the Tail Of The Dragon again.
If your lucky, you'll see some Drag Racing boats tuning up out on the calm and smooth as glass waters of the lake. If not, the scenery is still gorgeous.
If you've decided that you want to meander back to Gatlinburg, you won't be disappointed by the trip back. Jump back on 129 and continue along the lake for another three miles or so. To your right there will be two roads, you can either travel the entire length of the Parkway or take Happy Valley Rd. for the first ten miles. Your choice. The Parkway is a federally maintained road that is comfortable with plenty of scenic pull offs where Happy Valley Road is a locally maintained road that leads into a small community nestled in the outer folds of the Great Smokies National Park.
Either way, the two roads meet at about 2000 feet above sea level and you'll take the parkway until it intersects with Tennessee 73, twenty miles later. If you turn right onto 73 and head east, you'll come into Townsend where you can grab a quick bite to eat, or you could just breeze right on through. Stop or no stop you need to go beyond town about a mile and turn right at the entrance to the park. If you don't you'll be sorry.
Once you get to a choice to either turn right or left, make your choice a left. Twenty miles of some of the prettiest scenery and vistas the park has to offer and then you're back to U.S. 441 where a left will dump you back into Gatlinburg.
Go find you a nice, thick, juicy victory steak. You did well.
Bikerleather123

Before you make the trip, visit Bikerleather123 and get some great deals on top quality leather biker jackets, chaps, vests, saddlebags and boots. And for the sexy biker chick in every woman, we have a wide variety of Sexy Biker Chick apparel.
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Own The Leathers That Own The Road!

I'm Almost There
Riding The Tail Of The Dragon For The First Time
When My wife and I made the 360 mile one way trip to Gatlinburg the first time, she had no idea that I was planning a ride over to Deal's Gap, North Carolina. I had no idea that anything over that way was called the Tail Of The Dragon.
Before that trip, the first and only time I had been on that stretch of road was about twenty years before. My vehicle was a small pick-up truck and my passenger was my then wife who was seven months pregnant. My memory of that trip was one of awe. I remembered how beautiful and spectacular the views were. It was winter, no snow, too cold for motorcycles or sport cars, just an occasional car going the other way. My memory was also clouded by years of substance abuse. I truly couldn't remember what twists and turns, pitching and yawing the asphalt ribbon had traversed over that stretch of eleven miles.
When my current wife and I set out to find Deal's Gap, I really had no idea what we had in store for us. But the trip along the way began to educate me. And unfortunately, my wife had a scholarship at the same school. Stopping at various places in the Great Smokies National Park on our way, we were taught that the road where we were headed was referred to as the Tail Of The Dragon, and that we were in for a good time.
And then we ran into a party of bikers who let us know that two bikes and one biker were claimed at the Tail Of The Dragon. Needless to say, the wife began mild protests in the form of,"We'll see when we get over there."
We arrive at Deal's Gap and stop at the gift shop. As we sat on the porch, drinking a soda, Deb was gently trying to ease me out of riding the Tail Of The Dragon when something magical happened. A pick-up truck pulling a boat went the way of the Tail Of The Dragon. Deb looked at me and said,"Well, I guess it can't be all THAT bad. Let's go."
And away we went. Pitching back and forth, rising and dropping. I could feel Deb stiffen with the passing of every tenth of a mile. I could feel myself redden every time we got passed by a "crotch rocket". We got passed by four of those sport bikes and a Nissan sedan. I had enough. When I caught glimpses of a red convertible Corvette filling my review mirrors, I decided that I had been passed for the last time on that stretch of road.
When I saw that the driver of the 'vette looked be about sixty and his passenger was a vivacious blond in her late twenties, my bike got ten feet wide. Several times the Corvette attempted to pass, but my defense of the road was superb. Not until we reached Tabcat Bridge did he have a shot. I let him go.
The road is real flat and reasonably straight for the three miles to the Parkway. On the left is Chillhowee Lake and to the right is the base of the mountains. A lot of scrubs in the flat between the mountains and the road. Good place for the police to hang out catching bikers who throttling up in the flat as well as those pissed off 'vette drivers.
I waved as we went past.

Apache Rose On The Parkway
Caution!

This stretch of road is by no means a walk down Primrose Lane. Below you'll find what I think are important tips to help make the trip a pleasurable and fun experience.
- Remember: This is a two lane road
- First timers :Take your time, get the feel of the road
- Avoid running it on the weekend...the traffic is incredible
- Relax, be alert, and enjoy it!
Ummmmmmm........
.....yeah. One of the more, shall we say...interesting? ...hazards you may run up against on the Tail Of The Dragon is a truck. Not just a truck, but a TRUCK. It seems that 129 provides a logical short-cut to get to I-40....on the maps. A lot of truckers end up trying to make the eleven mile trip not knowing what they're in for and end up like this guy, all because dispatchers look at a map and say,"Hey....129 looks like it'll get you to I-40 pretty quick."
Problem is, not all trucks end up stuck like this guy, and most end up filling both lanes along the tail.
BEWARE!
The Trip
This video will give you an idea of how the Tail Of The Dragon rolls. That or make you sick.
curated content from YouTube

Our First Trip Through The Smokies
Smokies DVD

Tree Of Shame!
Riding The Smokies
If you're riding the Dragon, chances are you're in the area for a while. There are plenty of great riding opportunities in the Smoky National Park area.
Check out the link below and you'll be taken to the one stop hub for riding in the Smokies.
- Smoky Mountain Get Away For Motorcycles
- It's summer and if you're a biker east of the Mississippi River, there is no better trip than a Smoky Mountain Get Away for Motorcycles.
- Fall Colors In The Smokies
- Fall colors in the Smoky Mountains can make for a magical romantic get away that will never be forgotten. The cooling days walking hand in hand through the rustling leaves, followed by the chilly evenings in front of a fireplace or in a hot tub can spark the heat of passion that every couple lives for.
Capture The Dragon
Scream At The Dragon!
How much fun was that 11 mile trip? Let the Twitterverse know if you peed your pants or not. Maybe you want to ride it it again and need to let out a loud "Yee Haw!" However you felt about this trip, let us know.
Yee Haw! I'm ridin' it again this summer!
I say...
What others are saying...
The Motorcycles To Series
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Tomorrow's Solutions Begin Today

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Did You Survive To Tell About It?
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- royalfoust royalfoust Nov 21, 2009 @ 5:57 pm
- Oh! How I love to ride the twisties. Stuck in the west so am missing the AT. This is a dinamite lens. So full of information. Thank you.
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- BevsPaper BevsPaper Nov 20, 2009 @ 8:25 am
- Just had to stop by and say Congrats on being in the Top 10 of all of Squidoo!
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- Gene12 Gene12 Nov 19, 2009 @ 1:34 am
- This is a great bike lens. I made one formotorcycle helmets.
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- parmamagoo parmamagoo Nov 18, 2009 @ 8:28 am
- very cool lens. just saw a report on the Tail of the Dragon... http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/vid/16675505/
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- Mary Mary Nov 15, 2009 @ 4:14 pm
- Hi... Excellent lens! I loved reading it!
abdominal fat reduction
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- theraggededge theraggededge Nov 12, 2009 @ 4:02 am
- Fascinating read! Something I would love to have a go at if I had the opportunity. Wonder if there is a UK equivalent...?
Thanks for my blessing too!
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- JustBon-Crochet-Designs JustBon-Crochet-Designs Nov 12, 2009 @ 2:43 am
- Sounds like a great adventure! Wonderful read :) Blessed by this Squid Angel.
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- uggbootscheap uggbootscheap Nov 11, 2009 @ 2:49 am
- Just got my uggs boots on sale! They are absolutely beautiful, and the quality is just amazing. No wearing them in, no blisters just absolutely snug strait out of the box.
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- uggbootscheap uggbootscheap Nov 11, 2009 @ 2:45 am
- Just got my uggs boots on sale! They are absolutely beautiful, and the quality is just amazing. No wearing them in, no blisters just absolutely snug strait out of the box.
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- uggbootscheap uggbootscheap Nov 11, 2009 @ 2:45 am
- Just got my uggs boots on sale! They are absolutely beautiful, and the quality is just amazing. No wearing them in, no blisters just absolutely snug strait out of the box.
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The Dragon Slayer
My Bio
Born in Southwestern Ohio, and will most likely die there. Joining Squidoo in October 2008, I was attempting some Web 2.0 promotion of my e-store. Quickly I discovered that I had finally discovered my canvas. The ability to paint my vision on this medium has been greatly enhanced by the community here.
My thanks to each and every one of you.


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by drifter0658
Born in Southwestern Ohio, and will most likely die there. Joining Squidoo in October 2008, I was attempting some Web 2.0 promotion of my e-store. Qui...
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