Topic: Tail of Dragon Shutdown

[Rocking-M]

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/dragon_SHUTDOWN.html

[Bob Wessner]

My, how times have changed. I rode down from Mich. many years ago, and on along the Blue Ridge. Great ride, remember it to this day. To tell you the truth, I remember very little traffic and not a single cop. Great state, great scenery. Hope you can turn this around somehow.

[BobbyR]

This is an abuse of power. The deck is stacked in their favor and they know it. When I was in the Academy they told me each of us had committed some infraction every day and to keep that in mind when dealing with the public.

[Rocking-M]

I emailed the TN State Highway patrol Supervisor or whatever he's called and asked
if Citizens could stop Cops and make Citizen's arrest? Seems like they're the traffic hazard.
Where is Gomer Pyle when you need him?

[Shiftredline]

This is an abuse of power. The deck is stacked in their favor and they know it.

   No abuse of power, I think they are just setting up speed traps where the speeders are.  How many utube videos are filmed there? It is a known area for people to go fast and to think the "fuzz" dont know about it is wishful thinking.
    The "fuzz" dont put speed traps in retirement villages.
  There are many other nice roads every where and the Fuzz dont know all of them.

I've be there several times, the fuzz normally does not set speed traps in the dragon but on the roads leading up to the dragon where you can hit speeds of 100+. They mostly would just drive through or respond to an accident. The deal now is that are stopping anyone for any infractions of the law. What I see them doing is by strictly enforcing the law people will start spreading the word and less people will show up, in return alleviate the amount of traffic and the amount thrill seekers. I have taken my chopper through there and I couldn't even get to third gear. The fastest I felt in control was 35 in a semi straightaway.

[74cb750]

The kawasaki triples club has a ride there every year.
I haven't been in many years as last time the fog and
deer made it unridable.

The most dangerous vehicles were the tractor trailers
taking up both sides of the road on curves. Really thought I was a goner
on one curve.

No thanks.
peace,
michel

[jsaab2748]

Just another illustrious example of "Operation Revenue Scam".
Who needs tourist dollars when they can fleece it out of everyone
including the locals? This whole thing is a shame. I recognize every
element of that crap and it just makes me (and others) resent and
disrespect law enforcement. Plain abuse of power all the way to the top
IMO.......Ok, I'll, I'll, be good now.......

[MRieck]

My, how times have changed. I rode down from Mich. many years ago, and on along the Blue Ridge. Great ride, remember it to this day. To tell you the truth, I remember very little traffic and not a single cop. Great state, great scenery. Hope you can turn this around somehow.

Same here. Did it the first time in 1980. Second time in 1987. I'll never forget rolling through Pigeon Forge.

[fuzzybutt]

i'll never go back. there has to be nice roads closer to home here in columbia sc anyways

[MRieck]

i'll never go back. there has to be nice roads closer to home here in columbia sc anyways

I agree.

[mrbreeze]

OK!!!!!.....so west coast Fred has to ask.......WTF is the big deal with the dragon??? Everyone over there was raving about how great it was.......lately,everyone says that you can only go 30-35 and the cops are right in your ass!!!!....... Am I missing something? We also have some damn cool rides out here on the west coast although not with COOL names like "THE TAIL OF THE DRAGON!!!" Ours however allow you to go quite a bit faster and don't have cops crawling through your ass.........So please tell me....what is the big story about this east coast dragon?

[mark]

I guess it's kind of a mind thing like 'Route 66' or something.

U.S. 101 is almost all curves with awesome scenery and The Man is a rare sight - BUT on weekends and all summer long it is packed solid with rv's doing 15mph.

oh well.. let's all have some cheese and crackers with our whine.


Happy trails.

[Uncle Ernie]

In Western North Carolina, things have changed a lot in just 8 or 10 years.  Rich people are cutting up the mountains for trophy homes that cause run-off down below.  City council lays on it's back and coos as long as the carpet baggers are paying.
Places like Gatlinburg and the Dragon, locals avoid.  I don't even get on the Blue ridge Parkway during the summer and fall.
Now, there are some mighty nice roads around here, though.  I'd invite folks along for a ride, but then I'd have to kill you.  'Shame, really.

[mrbreeze]

Thats what I'm talkin' bout Ernie!!!!! If I came out there and rode with you....ya' wouldn't REALLY kill me but probably take me on some great roads!!!!!!......... Don't really care to hear more about the(mighty) dragon though cause it sounds like it really sucks anyways and it is on the other side of the country anyways. Sorry to blow your buzz but it really don't sound like such a kick in the ass like some of you make it to be.......................although ,if you tell me its "THE SH!T"......I'd believe it!!!!....................JUST RIDE AND BE HAPPY DOING IT!!!!!

[neil young]

radar gun radar gun im making money and im having fun ....good tune

[mark]

radar gun radar gun im making money and im having fun ....good tune

Yup. 

[mrbreeze]

radar gun radar gun im making money and im having fun ....good tune

Yup. 

Glad I live on the west coast....you crazy mofos can have your dragon!!!

[neil young]

radar gun radar gun im making money and im having fun ....good tune

Yup. 

Glad I live on the west coast....you crazy mofos can have your dragon!!!

never been there and couldnt care less

[nickjtc]

Cripes! How can they spare so many policemen to 'police' such a small area? Is there no other crime thereabouts so they have to keep the officers busy, somehow?

[tsflstb]

I agree some of the police tactics are over the top BUT...

The place was mayhem on weekends.  I made one run several years ago and got the hell out of there.  It would have been fun except for too many bikes, too many close calls with oncoming traffic, and too many people with something to prove.  I'm pretty sure they weren't handing out trophies, but damn if guys weren't trying for it.

True, there are many other crimes going on that the police could enforce.  This seems like an organized effort to make it too much hassle to ride there.  Seems to be working.  It's a shame it's ruined for everybody, but they don't have time to single out the dumbasses from the rest of us. 

There are also many other 911 calls that ambulances, fire and rescue vehicles could respond to instead of taking the long drive to scrape up motorcyclists every weekend.  If I lived anywhere near that area, I'd be fed up with it too.  I felt bad for locals that were actually trying to get somewhere while it was being used as a playground.

Here's the solution:  The TVA should build a nice closed course track in the area and open it to the public. 

[Rushoid]

I agree some of the police tactics are over the top BUT...

The place was mayhem on weekends.  I made one run several years ago and got the hell out of there.  It would have been fun except for too many bikes, too many close calls with oncoming traffic, and too many people with something to prove.  I'm pretty sure they weren't handing out trophies, but damn if guys weren't trying for it.

True, there are many other crimes going on that the police could enforce.  This seems like an organized effort to make it too much hassle to ride there.  Seems to be working.  It's a shame it's ruined for everybody, but they don't have time to single out the dumbasses from the rest of us. 

There are also many other 911 calls that ambulances, fire and rescue vehicles could respond to instead of taking the long drive to scrape up motorcyclists every weekend.  If I lived anywhere near that area, I'd be fed up with it too.  I felt bad for locals that were actually trying to get somewhere while it was being used as a playground.

Here's the solution:  The TVA should build a nice closed course track in the area and open it to the public. 

Well said, and I agree. Given time it will lose it's appeal, the police will back off, it'll get popular again and the whole cycle continues. Or, they'll install speedbumps.

I've never ridden the Dragon, nor have I much cared to. There are fun roads up here and a lot more fun roads down there that are still lesser known.

And Mr. Breeze, I've spent some time in your area and I have to agree that there are some absolutely beautiful roads out there. I only wish I'd had a bike when I was out there. You're not missing anything in that capacity. 

[mrbreeze]

I agree some of the police tactics are over the top BUT...

The place was mayhem on weekends.  I made one run several years ago and got the hell out of there.  It would have been fun except for too many bikes, too many close calls with oncoming traffic, and too many people with something to prove.  I'm pretty sure they weren't handing out trophies, but damn if guys weren't trying for it.

True, there are many other crimes going on that the police could enforce.  This seems like an organized effort to make it too much hassle to ride there.  Seems to be working.  It's a shame it's ruined for everybody, but they don't have time to single out the dumbasses from the rest of us. 

There are also many other 911 calls that ambulances, fire and rescue vehicles could respond to instead of taking the long drive to scrape up motorcyclists every weekend.  If I lived anywhere near that area, I'd be fed up with it too.  I felt bad for locals that were actually trying to get somewhere while it was being used as a playground.

Here's the solution:  The TVA should build a nice closed course track in the area and open it to the public. 

Well said, and I agree. Given time it will lose it's appeal, the police will back off, it'll get popular again and the whole cycle continues. Or, they'll install speedbumps.

I've never ridden the Dragon, nor have I much cared to. There are fun roads up here and a lot more fun roads down there that are still lesser known.

And Mr. Breeze, I've spent some time in your area and I have to agree that there are some absolutely beautiful roads out there. I only wish I'd had a bike when I was out there. You're not missing anything in that capacity. 

Ya got that right Rush!!!!................Come on out!!!!!!!!