Topic: Tail of the Dragon

[RAFster122s]

Report on TV tonight of a two motorcycles colliding on Tail of the Dragon,apparently head on style wreck, with one dead and the other critical condition.  They went over a very steep embankment (gully in the mountainside it winds through) and ended up about 80 ft below according to the Fire Dept member who spoke to the reporter.  This is the 15 th accident on the tail this year with deaths occuring in several of those accidents.  300 turns makes for an intense ride and so many don't know the road and try to take it too fast and end up paying a very heavy price for that mistake.

The fellow that climbed down to the faint but consistent cry for help had toask the injured rider how many bikes were involved as there were parts everywhere and he couldn't tell.  The riders were likely have fell most of that distance airborne because it is an extremely steep gully they both went into.  Ok, maybe more of a ravine.

Be careful out there guys...

News channel was WCYB Ch 5 NBC affiliate local news.  Likely to have video clip about accident on their website.  They showed from the road into the area the bikers ended up.  Fire dept took 45 minutes to reach the site, nearest fire/rescue site, after the call.  It is a very tight and winding road and big firetrucks aren't going to be able to respond quickly.  Many Fire/EMS crews are not lucky enough to have multiple sized vehicles that might be able to respond quicker.  Bigger cities have larger budgets.  In this area in the past 3 years there have been at least two or three EMS companies ran by small towns nearby that have had to suspend services or had financial issues causing issues for operations.  Not a wealth area by any means and there was not mismanagement by those companies or towns. So, many struggle to respond to the increasing demand and load on those services.
Definitely no Isle of Mann style MC fast responders on bikes.  Those guys are incredible...


David

[BomberMann650]

Rest in Speed brother.
Well wishes for the rider who survived.

[madmtnmotors]

Such a shame too.    Ask Jerry (RxMan) about his near head-on T-bone at the Dragon. He fared much better, only requiring pins to put his ankle back together. My one trip down the Dragon I was being passed by high speed riders on blind curves, pure dolts with a total disregard for others.    No wonder Tennessee stepped up enforcement.

I don't mind someone doing their best to achieve a Darwin award, just don't take anybody with you when you go. 

[70CB750]

Sad

I rode the tail on Thursday and it was very low traffic, worked for me.

[bill440cars]

That is really too bad, about that accident. I have heard alot about that place and would really like to check it out, but would definitely not go out through there, at much speed, without having some trips through there, quite a few times. Some just don't seem to use common sense. Or maybe some just don't have any? I don't know. Anyway.

[FunJimmy]

I've had the pleasure of visiting the Dragon on two separate (1 week) vacations. The most recent on a Triumph 675 Street Triple R from Sportbikes4hire. IMO, Highway 129 (aka Tail of the Dragon) is certainly not the best motorcycle road in the region but it is the "Drawing Card" for most. A right of passage many are to eager to cross. Skill levels range from track star to scared to death. Literally in some cases. I've whitnessed riders so intimidated by the lore that they can hardly pilot their bikes. This is not a road for the faint of heart, inexperienced or the casual rider. Last trip we whitnessed a rider run head on into the front of a Kia Soul. Not because the rider was speeding but as a result of object fixation. Luckily there was no loss of life but the family driving the Kia Soul where left stranded in their tracks with a written off vehicle.

[BobbyR]

We have a lot of roads in this area very much like the Dragon. You really need to worry about people coming across to your side of the road on blind curves. Except for Interstates, you are either going up or down a hill or around a sharp curve.  I am amazed the body count is not a lot higher here.

[70CB750]

Dorothy, complete with the deer dent in the tank 

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

It should be made one way only then have at it!! I'm lucky I have my left leg and my life. Sport bike rider in over his head trying to keep up with 3 other more experienced riders. Too fast for his ability. Looked like he just did a lean-turn and totally blew the apex. Started wide, cut the curve and came out wide and hit me damn near/basically head on. The shame of it he says he crashed last time there also!! Yeah, help takes time to get there but I wasn't bleeding much and was conscious. Just had a fukd up leg and had surgery late that night. I had nothing to do but wait for the meat wagon. And I was on the last mile too.

[Bailgang]

I've had the pleasure of visiting the Dragon on two separate (1 week) vacations. The most recent on a Triumph 675 Street Triple R from Sportbikes4hire. IMO, Highway 129 (aka Tail of the Dragon) is certainly not the best motorcycle road in the region but it is the "Drawing Card" for most. A right of passage many are to eager to cross. Skill levels range from track star to scared to death. Literally in some cases. I've whitnessed riders so intimidated by the lore that they can hardly pilot their bikes. This is not a road for the faint of heart, inexperienced or the casual rider. Last trip we whitnessed a rider run head on into the front of a Kia Soul. Not because the rider was speeding but as a result of object fixation. Luckily there was no loss of life but the family driving the Kia Soul where left stranded in their tracks with a written off vehicle.

I'd have to agree with that, the Dragon is a bit over rated but it none the less is a "bucket list" road if you're in the area. I've been there twice, once with my 750 which is where my avatar pic is from and a second time on my GL1100 Interstate and both times riding 2 up. So long as I stayed within my skill level and my bikes capabilities I had no problem but even when riding at an easy pace you still better have your wits about you. The locals there told me the best time to ride at a sane pace is during the week because it's the weekends when the speed demons come out. Middle of the week is still no guarantee you wont come across a knee dragger just less likely. Our first time there was on a Wednesday and the parking lot of the lodge there was filled with mostly full dress HD's and Goldwings with hardly anyone in any kind of hurry. I say hardly because there was one sportbike in the parking lot with slicks mounted on its rims.

[J-Rod10]

I've had the pleasure of visiting the Dragon on two separate (1 week) vacations. The most recent on a Triumph 675 Street Triple R from Sportbikes4hire. IMO, Highway 129 (aka Tail of the Dragon) is certainly not the best motorcycle road in the region but it is the "Drawing Card" for most. A right of passage many are to eager to cross. Skill levels range from track star to scared to death. Literally in some cases. I've whitnessed riders so intimidated by the lore that they can hardly pilot their bikes. This is not a road for the faint of heart, inexperienced or the casual rider. Last trip we whitnessed a rider run head on into the front of a Kia Soul. Not because the rider was speeding but as a result of object fixation. Luckily there was no loss of life but the family driving the Kia Soul where left stranded in their tracks with a written off vehicle.

Corey stays booked up renting bikes out over there. Good group of people to deal with.

[bluezboy]

It should be made one way only then have at it!! I'm lucky I have my left leg and my life. Sport bike rider in over his head trying to keep up with 3 other more experienced riders. Too fast for his ability. Looked like he just did a lean-turn and totally blew the apex. Started wide, cut the curve and came out wide and hit me damn near/basically head on. The shame of it he says he crashed last time there also!! Yeah, help takes time to get there but I wasn't bleeding much and was conscious. Just had a fukd up leg and had surgery late that night. I had nothing to do but wait for the meat wagon. And I was on the last mile too.

      Oy, I remember your crash all to well Jerry. Idiots like that should not be allowed to ride again, ever. I did the Dragon once a few years ago, it was fun and very challenging in certain spots, no room for day dreaming or object fixation! If I ever do go up there again, it will only be in the middle of the week, weekends bring our all of the boneheads!

[RevDoc]

We have a lot of roads in this area very much like the Dragon. You really need to worry about people coming across to your side of the road on blind curves. Except for Interstates, you are either going up or down a hill or around a sharp curve.  I am amazed the body count is not a lot higher here.

Sounds like some of the roads I rode in the middle of the Finger Lakes Region, west of Syracuse, when I first started riding as a
teenager. Yes, you definitely have to stay alert for bozos!  Where are you in NY, Bobby? When I'm running up to visit my brother
I may take a detour to enjoy some of the roads in your area...and say hello!

Hijack over...back to our regular scheduled broadcast!

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

One road I've found much safer and more fun was the northern end of CA101 in the forest. Talking about getting a good rythym and no where nearly as much traffic.

[70CB750]

I hear that Cherohala parkway is a great ride and less crowded than the Tail.

[BobbyR]

We have a lot of roads in this area very much like the Dragon. You really need to worry about people coming across to your side of the road on blind curves. Except for Interstates, you are either going up or down a hill or around a sharp curve.  I am amazed the body count is not a lot higher here.

Sounds like some of the roads I rode in the middle of the Finger Lakes Region, west of Syracuse, when I first started riding as a
teenager. Yes, you definitely have to stay alert for bozos!  Where are you in NY, Bobby? When I'm running up to visit my brother
I may take a detour to enjoy some of the roads in your area...and say hello!

Hijack over...back to our regular scheduled broadcast!

I am in northern Westchester County. About 20 mins from Bear Mountain and the rest of the Mid Hudson Valley.

[cb650]

one reason I dont do the mountains here (front range) unless I'm going to the other side.

[FunJimmy]

I hear that Cherohala parkway is a great ride and less crowded than the Tail.

The Cherohala is awesome but a much faster road.
One of my favs is Hwy 28 The Moonshiner. Now that's rhythm.

[ofreen]

One road I've found much safer and more fun was the northern end of CA101 in the forest. Talking about getting a good rythym and no where nearly as much traffic.

I think I know the spot.  Interesting road with redwoods growing right up to the edge of the road in places.  Not a good place to screw up but kind of unique the way it snakes around through the trees.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

That's the one  short distance before it terminates at Hwy 1 somewhat south of Eureka I'm thinking.

[Bailgang]

I hear that Cherohala parkway is a great ride and less crowded than the Tail.

It is a great ride, my wife and I haven't ridden on all the roads in that area but so far the Cherohala is our all around favorite. There's a whole bunch of great roads in that general area that we've yet to try.

[BobbyR]

If you go out into the rural areas you can find a lot of interesting roads. Tail of the Dragon may be iconic, it is not that unique.

[scottly]

One road I've found much safer and more fun was the northern end of CA101 in the forest. Talking about getting a good rythym and no where nearly as much traffic.

I think I know the spot.  Interesting road with redwoods growing right up to the edge of the road in places.  Not a good place to screw up but kind of unique the way it snakes around through the trees.

You guys are probably thinking of the area around Garberville. Highway 1 from Jenner going North also has some very nice stretches of road; they used to make car commercials there.
Skyline Drive and Alice's Restaurant was a zoo in the early '80s on weekends, with many of the riders having more balls than brains.

[J-Rod10]

Quarter mile from my shop, I hit Highway 7. 20 minutes North, I'm in the Ozarks, 20 minutes South, I'm in the Ouchitas. The Dragon is cool and all, once, but not worth the hassle when there is better riding all around.