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Hey guys. I was wondering if anyone has been to The Dragon in their C8 yet and how it handled? I have been wanting to go on my motorcycle since I was 25 and I turned 38 today (over 10 years), but never made it. A friend of mine lives in PA and has a tuned Mustang (I believe its a 2016) and wants to go once I get my C8. Just looking for peoples thoughts on it.
Been there and gotta portrait! I went for the first time in October right after getting back from the Ron Fellows driving school. Best advice is to go during the week. Enjoyed the drive, but there are also other great roads in the area.
Good advice on doing the Dragon during the week. Also, earlier in the morning is best (as long as the weather isn't too cold) if you want to make a couple runs.
We have a group that meets up every year, with a couple of local guys. They know all the local roads, so it never gets boring. C8 is a great tool for the job but I've seen a lot of vehicles of all shapes and sizes surprise the hell out of me on how well they run the twisties.
Cool. Any close calls with the sports bikes? I hear they get pretty crazy around there. Any cops in that area?
I didn't see any cops, but was passed by a firetruck on the way to an RV that caught fire in the middle of The Dragon. Road block. U-turn. New, more desolate route to Fontanna Dam. Did see quite a few tricycles (as I call them) and some bikes. The day I went, everyone was respectful and, most importantly, on their side of the double-yellow line.
Been on it many times on a motorcycle and C7, fun but also dangerous road, a lot of idiots that cross centerline. I avoid driving it on the weekends or hit it early if you do.
Week ends you are almost always going to see a .. Heard.. of sport bikes pushing you. So go during the week, you may still find a few, but no matter, just pull over (in the many pull off places) and let them go. I tried to out run em, and was able to for 5 or 6 corners, but my wife started to get car sic so I pulled off and let em go. There are some crazy 4 wheel drives to, so just enjoy the ride and let the crazy pass by.
I would also suggest going in the summer, as they do get snow and ice up there, in the shady corners... I didn't see Cops parked in the 12 miles, but the see them on the entrance to the Tail. Saw two when I entered on the West entrance, around the Little TN River. Keep you speed to the limit, as they have very good hiding spots. On the East entrance side I also saw one.
The Trail is not a race course so don't be one of the crazy people.
I have been in my C7 early during the week is great. They do patrol it on occasion. You can have great fun there but you cannot attack it like a race course. I have seen accidents reported there over the years from people with poor lane discipline. I drove the 'snak' which is near boone nc into tenn. Great road empty. There was an old bmw in front of me who decided to get a better-lined by crossing over to the opposite lane to get a better shot at the apex. Stay at the tapaco lodge. it is near the dam where the fugitive was shot. Cherhola hiqhway on the way back from the dragon is a lot of fun. More high speed turns instead of the slow slalom which is the dragon. Just about any highway around Boone and Ashville is fun as you go sown from the smokies in to the valley. The devil's triangle is in tennensee near the dragon and worth a look see as well.
Unfortunately for are all too many self-appointed racer types, the center line is "merely a suggestion." After close calls on both my bike and in my Corvette I no longer take trips on the dragon. If you go, be careful and as noted, avoid the nice weather weekends.
Unfortunately for are all too many self-appointed racer types, the center line is "merely a suggestion." After close calls on both my bike and in my Corvette I no longer take trips on the dragon. If you go, be careful and as noted, avoid the nice weather weekends.
Once enough for me, can say been there done that, got the T-shirt. For me, about half way through, found it very tedious negotiating the turns, couldn't wait for a straight-a-way. Others may enjoy the hell out of it and go many times, but not for me.
Been there MANY times on a motorcycle years ago. We always made a point of being there mid week and would ride it very early in the morning. Still nearly run off the road the last time by a group of BMW suv's coming the other direction in a 4 wheel drift, across the yellow line into my lane. NO THANKS....... don't have any interest in going back as it's gotten too much publicity and people riding / driving out of control.
There are also many other great roads in the area.
Any recommendations on where to stay on or near the dragon? My club is probably going to head down there in the spring.
Tapoco Lodge is right near the bottom of the hill that winds you up to Deals Gap where the Dragon starts. Good place and they have covered parking. Deals Gap does have lodging. i have never stayed there so can't speak to it.
I absolutely agree with everyone else....go during the week, away from any Monday holidays (since folks sometimes take those weeks off work). Also, i would not go during the summer when folks are on vacation-out and about. I go twice a year. Once in May before schools let out and once in September, usually a couple of weeks after Labor Day. Finally, I check out the club schedule at the Deal's Gap website and avoid weeks when car clubs are there. As a result, I can run the Dragon and never encounter another vehicle on some runs. As far as Leo's. The only place I have seen them is at the dam overlook, and out of the probably 30 times I have been there, i have seen a Leo maybe once or twice.
I have been once in my C8, and it was fantastic. It is so superior to my C5 Z06 and Honda Type R that I owned previously. If you are smooth with your driving, it takes a lot to get the rear end to step out-the C8 is just a seriously planted car. I don't go down there with any clubs, just myself and sometimes my wife goes. I'm not really into the whole club caravan driving. It's a seriously technical road and I like to run it by myself. Just stay on your side of the yellow line and hug as close to the white line as possible. In my experience, sport bikes are not who you have to worry about. It's the dopes on Harley road glides and ultras who get into turns too fast for their footboards to handle, and cross the yellows all the time.
The Dragon is a ton of fun in a C8, but it does not equal the fun of doing it on two wheels. I take my Ducati down there, and if you want to sharpen your riding skills, that's the place to do it.
If possible, check out the other incredible roads in the area.
01-11-2022, 09:41 AM
The Dragon
. Stay at the tapaco lodge. it is near the dam where the fugitive was shot. Cherhola hiqhway on the way back from the dragon is a lot of fun. More high speed turns instead of the slow slalom which is the dragon. Just about any highway around Boone and Ashville is fun as you go sown from the smokies in to the valley. The devil's triangle is in tennensee near the dragon and worth a look see as well.
