I strapped my Wixom windscreen on and headed out from Indy for the Tail of the Dragon in NC. Maybe every already knows about it but I just heard of it about a month ago. I left about 10 am and arrived at dark in Townsend-just north of the Dragon. I had been concerned about rain watching for a three day envelop e. I finally called down there and he said go for it. That caused the late start. Went thru Cinti, Lexington and Knoxville. Once I got into southern Indiana, the scenery was great. After a great breakfast, I headed for the Dragon-318 turns in 11 miles. I started hitting curves right away. I noted the speed signs were pretty accurate. I saw signs warning trucks off. I figured this was it and it was great. Then I saw a big area and a sign saying last turnaround for trucks. This was the real start. The roads thru the whole trip were impeccable, a tight two lanes with 90% no shoulders on one side of the road. You would lean into a curve and as soon as it broke another one started. There were really almost straight sections. The week-ends are supposed to be packed. I was able to be by myself most of the trip. If I got in sight of some one in front, I got to a respectable distance and found a place to pull off and stretch. Same if I was holding someone back. I didn't see any squids. No one pushed anyone else. Just like you hoped it would be. After the Dragon I arrived at Deals Gap. Food, shirts, restrooms, beer but no gas. You get gas every time you find a station
There were over 100 bikes there-mostly Harleys and Goldwings. Maybe a dozen super bikes, some three and four wheelers and me-no other vintage bikes. At that point, you are at the top of a triangle. I went to the s/e on 28.
It's about a 30 mile leg with gas/food about half way. I turned west on 143 and took it toward Tellico Plains along a mountain ridge. All these sights are unbelievable! There was no place I wanted to stay so went the 40 miles back and stayed in Robbinsville. The first two motels were filled and they found me a room. Motorcycles are big down there. Some have sheds along side the units for your bike. The next morning I got up and went up 123-the other leg of the triangle and a continuation of the Dragon. I had wanted to see the "Fugitive" Dam-the one Harrison Ford "jumped" out of. Then I headed for Cherokee and the beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I was expecting a super highway. Not. It's 500 miles of the same stuff. It was great! After about 100 miles I started to head home again. I wanted to catch the AMA Oregonia Ohio Hill Climb. There were about 2000 bikes there. A neat event. Then home. It came to about 1500 miles. Tuesday thru Sunday. This is Highway 1 stuff. Great roads, scenery, food, people... There's still time this year. Check youtube. A guy does the whole Dragon with a helmet cam and averages 40mph. A hell of a rider. Sorry this is so long but I had to get it off my chest.
