Tail of the Dragon

[Tomcat9700]

I live near the Tail of the Dragon and was wondering if anyone else that's purchasing an FR-S or BRZ is planning on coming to the Dragon or any of the surrounding roads?

[neutron256]

I've always thought about making a trip to do that. Maybe once I get my BRZ it will be the right time.

[Grimlock]

I'm not very close to the Dragon, but I've gone there in my Miata. It would be a hard choice between the two cars to decide which one to take.

[bestwheelbase]

If we get an FRS, we'll definitely visit Deal's Gap at some point. And the beautiful roads surroudning it.

[delongedoug]

It's a road. In the United States. I'm sure it's worth traveling to...

[Ryephile]

The Dragon and surrounding roads are fantastic, beautiful, and challenging. Worth an endeavor, always.

[Dave-ROR]

Surrounding roads yes, I'm sure at some point on the way to a track event somewhere. I avoid deals gap simply because of the massive number of complete idiots who happen to drive on that road.

[FRSpdDmn]

Dave, I'll get down there at some point, I'm sure. Maybe we can coordinate.

[GenkiElite]

The surrounding roads are great. I would say the Dragon is like the big ride at the amusement park you wait two hours to ride. It's fun for the short time you're on it but you can ride all the other rides all day.

That may not be a good analogy but I've hit it up a few times on my K6 GSXR750 and had a blast but I had more fun on Blue Ridge pkwy and all the other roads in the surrounding area plus there isn't as much heat patrolling the other roads.
In short the Dragon is the destination but everything else is the journey.

[Ryephile]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

... simply because of the massive number of complete idiots who happen to drive on that road.

The proportion of idiots isn't any different than normal daily driving. The difference is more of said idiots feel entitled to impress themselves and their friends. The only counterpoint is, they're perhaps less distracted because there's virtually no cell phone coverage.

[nate89]

I'll be making the trip.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by FRSpdDmn

Dave, I'll get down there at some point, I'm sure. Maybe we can coordinate.

Sounds good

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by Ryephile

The proportion of idiots isn't any different than normal daily driving. The difference is more of said idiots feel entitled to impress themselves and their friends. The only counterpoint is, they're perhaps less distracted because there's virtually no cell phone coverage.

That may be true. All I can say is that back in the mid to even late 90s it was a fun road to drive, with very little concern for people driving beyond their ability and even less concern for idiots crossing the double yellows. For the last 7 years every time I've been I've had said idiots crossing the double yellows (in cars and bikes), I've had to put two off to avoid them a couple of times, and I've seen people go off the road twice during that time. Those 7 years only include 4 trips to deals gap, so the ratio there is pretty damn bad.

On the flip side, the roads around it are MORE fun IMO and I've yet to see anyone drive off them, but do see the occasional fool crossing the double yellows around corners still, it's just greatly reduced.

[Dadhawk]

I will definitely be heading up that way, probably sooner rather than later. I'm only 3 hours away in N. GA, and lots of back roads between here and there.

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Surrounding roads yes, I'm sure at some point on the way to a track event somewhere. I avoid deals gap simply because of the massive number of complete idiots who happen to drive on that road.

And the number of cops waiting at speed traps. Not worth it.

[Ryephile]

Dave - I agree with you, I was just putting it in perspective. That said, The Dragon itself has become a speeding ticket trap in the past handful of years. Personally, I don't even go on the Dragon anymore; the surrounding area is more fun, less militant, and more interesting than the 11 mile auto-cross that is the Dragon.

[FRSfan111]

Idk about dragons tail, but I'm drinker going to gunma to beat the whole prefecture. Starting with my akina! Lol

[delongedoug]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

That may be true. All I can say is that back in the mid to even late 90s it was a fun road to drive, with very little concern for people driving beyond their ability and even less concern for idiots crossing the double yellows. For the last 7 years every time I've been I've had said idiots crossing the double yellows (in cars and bikes), I've had to put two off to avoid them a couple of times, and I've seen people go off the road twice during that time. Those 7 years only include 4 trips to deals gap, so the ratio there is pretty damn bad.

On the flip side, the roads around it are MORE fun IMO and I've yet to see anyone drive off them, but do see the occasional fool crossing the double yellows around corners still, it's just greatly reduced.

This is the Youtube generation. Everyone's out to show off how awesome they are up until the moment they run out of talent. I wouldn't go near that pissing competition. Track any day. That said, I'm sure it's a great road.

[Kids Heart]

Tail of the Dragon is a big speed trap these days. Tennessee State Troopers killed it. Plenty of good roads off of US 129 to run if you research and explore.

[ZetaVI]

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Video from Discovery Channel.

[goldenfri]

I'll be making my yearly trip there in April with the S2000, but this may be the last year for the S2000. Will probably want to bring my wife and daughter next year in the FR-S/BRZ.

I actually prefer the hellbender, faster speeds and far far less police presence.

[Kids Heart]

The tree of shame is funny. Im down for a Frs/BRZ car meet late summer