Why it Rocks: If there's a more infamous stretch of curvy two-lane blacktop in the country for the hardcore sportbike rider to test his or her skill and bravery, we haven't heard of it.
The Tail of the Dragon, or just the Dragon to some, packs more than 300 curves into just 11 miles. On a motorcycle, that means you'll be leaning over hard and flicking the bike back and forth, changing direction constantly. It's a blast. Even taken at a pace far below your or your bike's limits (which is smart), the Dragon will plaster a wide grin behind your face shield all the way up?and back down. Riding a big cruiser? It's no less fun, but plan to scrape floorboards and foot pegs?a lot.
Of course bikes aren't the only vehicles that can have some fun on the Dragon. A lithe little sports car is a perfect weapon for this road. What about a big Vette or Viper? Sure, but remember how tight these turns are. You'll probably be using more of the road than you should. Slay the dragon with a narrower and more tossable car, such as a Mazda Miata, Subaru BRZ or Porsche Boxster.
William Klos/Flickr
Be smart?drive slowly until you get the rhythm of the road. Learn the turns over the course of a few runs, then take the speed up a notch. Those who have pushed beyond their own skill set have ended up contributing a part of their motorcycle to the Tree of Shame?a monument decorated with the bent, twisted, and mangled motorcycle parts resulting from crashes on the Dragon.
Best Corner: Just about every corner, twist, and turn on the Dragon is blind. You won't know what's coming next until you're already there. The sharpest curves have names designed to make the hair on the back of your neck stand at attention: the Whip, Crud Corner, and Horns of the Dragon. Sounds fun right? Sure. But the Dragon has so many crazy switchbacks you'll be looking for a break halfway up. Dalton's Esses has just what we're looking for and provides a spot where you can roll on the throttle before the road tightens up again.
Tibby's Harley-Davidson/Flickr
What to Watch Out for: The Dragon is famous. It's a destination for thousands of motorcycle and sports car fans throughout the warmer seasons. Translation: it's packed with vehicles. One spring morning a few years ago, smack in the middle of the week, we saw an entire Vespa scooter club from New Jersey tackle the Dragon, followed by a Corvette club. Until you know how crowded it is, it's best to be cautious.
Alternate Route: If the Dragon is too packed with traffic, head over to the nearby Cherohala Skyway. This 40-mile ribbon of road has beautiful and long, sweeping corners. The route winds up and crests at 5000-foot mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee. And while the Dragon is shaded in trees and forest for most of the run, the Cherohala Skyway brings breathtaking views.
Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/motorcycles/the-great-roads-tail-of-the-dragon-15695960?src=rss
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