Tail of the Dragon Trip 2024

[///MPhatic]

I'll be there this Friday/Saturday, we make the trip every year at this time.

[JPRacing715]

I have been there twice on my bike and loved it, we also we on the Sky trial and then through the Smoky Mountains. Loads of fun and really good people.

Your pics are amazing, I think this has encouraged me to want to go do it now as well.

[flybigjet]

I was there on my bike (2015 BMW R1200GS) last Oct-Nov.

OUTSTANDING riding in the area..... as long as you watched for ice and frost-- Tail of the Dragon at the Tail of the Season had a few challenging moments.... and heated gear was pretty much mandatory.

Cherohala Skyway is an outstanding ride as well (and better than the Dragon, imho)-- especially towards sunset.

My buddy just got a new BMW K1600 Grand America, and I'm trying to figure out how to get him there from Denver so we can hit the Dragon (and surrounding rides) again.

R.

[Clark_Kent]

Originally Posted by FrankMstein

You didn't do the Cherohala Skyway?? IMO it'a a much better road. Less traffic, more and bigger scenic pull-offs, no cops, faster turns.

I agree. I did both early last month in the GT4 and I prefer Cherohala Skyway. Tail of the Dragon is good to experience, but it's overrated IMO. It's too crowded, short and you can't carry any real speed through the turns. A hairpin or switchback here and there is fine but every turn just doesn't do it for me. Anyhow, different strokes for different folks.

[IcewaterPete]

Great trip and report!

I’ve make the trek from the Chicago area too and it is worth every second of mindless windshield time to get there and back. Totally epic.

I prefer to hit those roads early on weekdays to avoid the clowns that tend to show up later in the day and on weekends.

For those that asked, yes the cops do have some prime waiting spots along the Dragon to nail aggressive drivers, but I’ve never seen them sitting there early in the day. When the traffic gets heavier I pull off on the shoulder to build some distance so I can enjoy it a bit more.

If you haven’t been make it a priority to get there! I love a good track day, but this area is even more fun as the roads just flow and a great rhythm develops. Plus the scenery....look what you’ve done...I’m ready to leave now!

[Raudiace4]

Originally Posted by cbpip

No one is minimizing anyone's drive, insulting me for my opinion and the car I choose . Just shows lack of your abilities to comprehend. STFU, really ? A$$hat Posser.

You deserved it ma’am, sorry you got offended.

[DocL]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

... The Dragon is basically a race track in the mountains - you don't have time to soak in any views, you're focused on nailing the next hairpin corner and not losing your shit...

It's not a race track lol. I've driven the Dragon multiple times, and I do track my car on occasion. I feel much safer taking hairpin turns where I know I won't go off the side of a mountain.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by DocL

It's not a race track lol. I've driven the Dragon multiple times, and I do track my car on occasion. I feel much safer taking hairpin turns where I know I won't go off the side of a mountain.

I didn’t mean literally... it was an analogy to stress a point - You don't drive the dragon to soak in the views.

[MMM.PWR]

It's a track according to my shirt.