Super Dave's Epic Bike Trip 2012: Slaying the Dragon

June 20.

Like crossing the Golden Gate bridge, and riding the California Coast, this was a day I had been looking forward to for a very long time. Today we were going to ride a very special section of US-129 in Tennessee and North Carolina, called Deals' Gap, or in motorcycle circles, the "Tail of the Dragon".

For motorcyclists this road is a sort of Mecca, and at one point or another, every serious motorcyclist should make the pilgrimage to slay the Dragon. It is an 11 mile stretch of road with 318 curves. Enough said.

Prior to going to ride the Dragon, I am happy to report that Scott escorted Mike and I to a coin wash to get our bikes respectably clean. I hadn't washed mine since Oregon, and it was filthy. The jokes about the "Pig-Pen" cloud following my bike were in full swing.

I learned there are a number of photo companies right on the Dragon, that shoot photos of all the bikes going by and post online later for purchase. I'm sure I will want to buy one of these so it would be nice to be on a shiny bike.

After we loaded up we set off out of Alcoa for a relatively short ride to the Dragon.

Some nice scenery on the way in.

I'm really riding US 129!

Check out the sign, urging trucks to go another way.
Most can't make it through the tight turns, not to
mention a serious danger for those coming around the turns.

You are greeted by the Dragon at the Tennessee end,
just before the serious business starts.

HD at the Dragon. This place must make a fortune selling swag.
They were nice enough to let me store my camping gear
and top bag in the store so I could ride the Dragon without them.

This guy makes a fortune selling and sewing patches.
Got my US-129 from him!

This was the most technically challenging and fun road I've ever ridden, and is certainly worthy of the legendary status. For those that have been following my blog, in California I raved about the Avenue of the Giants and wondered if the Dragon could be better.

The Dragon has tighter curves and most of the road is spent in 2nd and 3rd gear. Crazy hairpins, dropping curves. But there's more traffic around, and frankly there are more accidents that happen here.

There was no way I could snap pics and one-hand the handlebars on this road. However there are pictures online that give you a sense of what the road looks like. Click here if you're interested.

The Avenue of the Giants is longer and most time is spent in 3rd and 4th as I recall. Traffic is much lighter and there are more opportunities to pass if you have to. The giant Redwood scenery is awesome.

There are +'s and -'s to both but if I could only ride one, it would have to be the Dragon. It's simply fantastic and there is so much motorcycling atmosphere and camaraderie everywhere; it's great.

At the North Carolina end.

The Tail of the Dragon "Monument"

"The boys" all safe and sound, with huge smiles on!

Awww.... and I was just about to do all three of these.

Bikes everywhere. Cars are completely out of place.

Nice view from a look out point we stopped on the ride back.

After riding the Dragon back to the Tennessee end, we collected my bag and camping gear and reluctantly rode away, headed to Cherokee NC where the Blue Ridge Parkway begins. We rode the Foothills Parkway as well as US-441. These were fantastic bike roads by any standard, but seemed to pale compared to riding the Dragon.

There was certainly more holiday traffic but still a very enjoyable ride for the rest of the day.