[Driski]

I am headed out to Virginia, close to the Parkway, the first week of Oct., and considering a one day trip to the Tail of the Dragon in North Carolina. I am looking for any tips, do's and don'ts, etc. and possibly any other Camaro owners that might want to meet up and chat, cup of coffee, run the Dragon, or whatever. I look forward to hearing from you...

[Spanky1]

Hit the dragon on a weekday.

[Giri]

Beautiful drive in a beautiful car, all I can say.

[SSport16]

Always out in that area, western NC. First, take the Hellbender 28 into the Dragon, awesome road! Second, lots of idiots on the Dragon, on bikes and in cars. Just take it easy, watch out for those idiots and have fun. I was last on the Dragon last October on a Saturday, was a little crowded even it being a beautiful day. Weekdays are less crowded. If you have time, stop off at Fontana Village resort for a quick bit to eat or to rest, off of 28 about 8 miles from the beginning of the Dragon. Let us know when you are going, been wanting to go back up to the Dragon.

[Driski]

Thanks to all for the feedback. I will be in Virginia the first two weeks of October and open to any weekday (excellent advice Sporty1 and SSport16) to hook up with anyone for a ride. Putting fresh rubber on next week in perpetration. Just need a sunny day.

[Donner]

Hello,

On the Blue ridge parkway, there are limited legal passing sections. Expect to see the po po waiting just beyond anyone of them (passing out paper for those that don't back it back down). Also remember that they are federal, not state, employees. It's best to enjoy the scenery and not go for a romp and stomp on the parkway. Lots of bicycle riders, leaf lookers, and 4 footers that can crowd your lane. Even more so come the fall. I do love the road and was just up there a couple of weekends ago. For my money, rt 60 through West Virginia is a better drive. The speed limit on the twisty parts is still 55 and well above what is reasonable for romping though most curves (not putting one's licence in peril is important to me), so I love that state route. Kindness to strangers still exists in most of those little towns as well. Especially good food at the mom and pop shops. Plenty of other great roads to ride up and down there as well. Many of the locals will even try to get out of your way if they are able. I pick up 60 just past Sam Black's church (off I-64W). Be cool in the little towns and there shouldn't be any issues. The Sky Line drive is also very lovely but that speed limit is 35 for much of the way.

If it's a Sunny Sunday, I may come up for a ride. I do like the road.

Kindest,

Donner

[Driski]

Originally Posted by Donner

Hello,

On the Blue ridge parkway, there are limited legal passing sections. Expect to see the po po waiting just beyond anyone of them (passing out paper for those that don't back it back down). Also remember that they are federal, not state, employees. It's best to enjoy the scenery and not go for a romp and stomp on the parkway. Lots of bicycle riders, leaf lookers, and 4 footers that can crowd your lane. Even more so come the fall. I do love the road and was just up there a couple of weekends ago. For my money, rt 60 through West Virginia is a better drive. The speed limit on the twisty parts is still 55 and well above what is reasonable for romping though most curves (not putting one's licence in peril is important to me), so I love that state route. Kindness to strangers still exists in most of those little towns as well. Especially good food at the mom and pop shops. Plenty of other great roads to ride up and down there as well. Many of the locals will even try to get out of your way if they are able. I pick up 60 just past Sam Black's church (off I-64W). Be cool in the little towns and there shouldn't be any issues. The Sky Line drive is also very lovely but that speed limit is 35 for much of the way.

If it's a Sunny Sunday, I may come up for a ride. I do like the road.

Kindest,

Donner

More excellent advice, Thank you!

I am open for any day, and just about any ride (Doesn't have to be the Dragon). Perhaps we could get a significant ride together.

I will be in Moneta at Smith Mountain Lake from 10/1 to 10/13.

[Ryephile]

Visit the Fontana Dam and Village, have lunch or dinner on the riverbank at Tapoco Lodge, buy some tchotchke's at Tail of the Dragon / Crossroads of Time (hwy-28 and 129), be sure to stop at the Overlook near the north end of The Dragon.

If you have the time, do the Cherohala Skyway, though that's a several hour loop from pretty much any direction.


Don'ts? Definitely do not cross the double yellow, stay in your lane! Don't let a conga line form behind you, be courteous pull over and let people by. Don't think you'll win the day by going flat out, it's incredibly easy to crash and the consequences are dire. Many people die every year on The Dragon. Don't speed, there are police everywhere itching to write expensive tourist 10-over tickets.

It's beautiful mountain-scape. Be safe and enjoy the sights.

[Driski]

Originally Posted by Ryephile

Visit the Fontana Dam and Village, have lunch or dinner on the riverbank at Tapoco Lodge, buy some tchotchke's at Tail of the Dragon / Crossroads of Time (hwy-28 and 129), be sure to stop at the Overlook near the north end of The Dragon.

If you have the time, do the Cherohala Skyway, though that's a several hour loop from pretty much any direction.


Don'ts? Definitely do not cross the double yellow, stay in your lane! Don't let a conga line form behind you, be courteous pull over and let people by. Don't think you'll win the day by going flat out, it's incredibly easy to crash and the consequences are dire. Many people die every year on The Dragon. Don't speed, there are police everywhere itching to write expensive tourist 10-over tickets.

It's beautiful mountain-scape. Be safe and enjoy the sights.

Really glad I put this question out there. The feedback has certainly changed my approach to this ride. Thank you!

[gpskinzhut]

Originally Posted by Ryephile

Visit the Fontana Dam and Village, have lunch or dinner on the riverbank at Tapoco Lodge, buy some tchotchke's at Tail of the Dragon / Crossroads of Time (hwy-28 and 129), be sure to stop at the Overlook near the north end of The Dragon.

If you have the time, do the Cherohala Skyway, though that's a several hour loop from pretty much any direction.


Don'ts? Definitely do not cross the double yellow, stay in your lane! Don't let a conga line form behind you, be courteous pull over and let people by. Don't think you'll win the day by going flat out, it's incredibly easy to crash and the consequences are dire. Many people die every year on The Dragon. Don't speed, there are police everywhere itching to write expensive tourist 10-over tickets.

It's beautiful mountain-scape. Be safe and enjoy the sights.

+1 I was just going to put this same thing up there.

Definitely take it easy on the Tail. It's a fun ride but if you want to look at scenery, pull over. Be alert, as you never know what's coming at you in the wrong lane around the next corner. Idiots abound. Be prepared to sit behind slower traffic that won't pull off. Do. Not. Pass.

If you can settle on a fixed date, I wouldn't mind a cruise myself, finish off my tires properly. I'm a Mass transplant myself. Moved down from Easthampton in '13.

[Racerman27410]

The dragon is fun on a motorcycle but in reality a little too tight with a huge penalty for messing up in a car. Plus the police presence and absurdly slow speed limit really sucks the life out of the place for me.

The Cherohala skyway (143) on the other hand is like driving in a video game....I can go down there and be perfectly happy just riding back and forth across it all day.

http://tailofthedragonmaps.com/cherohala-skyway-map/

if you must have tight curves then take 28 down to Franklin. Lots of good roads in the area to have fun on without a heavy police presence....

[Driski]

Starting to get cold feet regarding the Dragon. I am not saying I will chicken out totally but... seems to be alternatives that might be more fun and less stressful.

Sounds like Rt. 60 through West Virginia.would be a great ride. Anyone up for that?

As far as The Cherohala skyway (143), Googled it, looks awesome, it is to far away for me from Moneta VA.

I am open to almost any day during the two weeks I will be down that way (10/1 to 10/13).

Lets throw some possible dates and locations around and set up a ride?

[Driski]

Originally Posted by gpskinzhut

+1 I was just going to put this same thing up there.

Definitely take it easy on the Tail. It's a fun ride but if you want to look at scenery, pull over. Be alert, as you never know what's coming at you in the wrong lane around the next corner. Idiots abound. Be prepared to sit behind slower traffic that won't pull off. Do. Not. Pass.

If you can settle on a fixed date, I wouldn't mind a cruise myself, finish off my tires properly. I'm a Mass transplant myself. Moved down from Easthampton in '13.

We love East/Northhampton area. Frequent weekend drive.

[RicSimonis]

+1 to everyone's advice.

The only thing I would specifically add would be to stay in your lane. You may be tempted to cut the corner, DON'T!

Make multiple runs if you can. I did it for the first time back in July. Was an absolute blast.