Riding the Dragon

So I just finished an article from Men's Journal where a Porsche Cayman S took on the Tail of the Dragon. All I can say is Awesome. Quote: "The Tail of the Dragon turns some 300 times in 11 miles, making it the best auto agility course this side of Nurburgring." Being from out west and moving out to VA almost 5 years ago I have never heard of this place. Has anyone been there and can talk about their experiences. I must do this road trip. It might be worth a sick day or two!!! Video Killboy.com

Last year there was talk about getting Rennlister's to go there. There's apparently an Inn that's pretty awesome.

I believe it's called Blue Waters Mountain Lodge that sits on the shore of a 2800-acre Santeetlah lake.

That's it. Something I would certainly be into doing in the future.

i say we organzie a huge rennlist trip over there. that would be pretty fun and dangerous

If any of you have not seen this piece of road here it is: I plan to there on Aug 7-8. I'm hoping it will be a bit less crowded mid week.

I keep hearing people rave about this 'dragon'.

Yeah - but it's getting crowded. No need to go there on a weekend. You'll only be slowing down the hundreds of bikes. Take some time off in the middle of the week and cruise it early in the morning. Speed TV actualy did a special on it in their new "superbike" show. For those of you that have bikes : leave the Porsche home and take the R1

I am an "ex" sportbike rider so I had heard of the Dragon & always wanted to go there. I flew to Virginia & hit it on my way back to Houston in my new (to me) 996. It is all they say & more, half-way up I was wondering if it would ever end, lol. There are some crazy fast bike riders there......

you can check it out here http://tailofthedragon.com/

I wonder how crowded it gets with the motobikes, and bicycles that enjoy the road also. Any concerns of wildlife jumping into the road?

I went there a few months ago when picking up my 993TT. It was awsome. We hit is mid week thus not crowded. You will hone your skills on this road. Just watch out for the police

We go at least twice a year and take a group of friends. It's always a good time even when the weather turns rainy and the police step up patrols. The past couple of our trips have really been affected by larger and larger groups of bikes ... not sport bikes but those big ole cruisers ambling through the turns. One of the big auto mags (C&T or MT or ?) did an article on it recently and consequently, traffic took a significant turn for the worse. In response to which .... TN state troopers increased patrols not just on the usual approaches but actually ON the dragon! Hadn't ever seen that before and it made one particular turn an experience I am not likely to forget. ps - if you go, do not cross the yellow ! Lots of blind turns and lots of bikes coming the other way. pps - Killboy is a photo group that has at least one station midway up the dragon and takes pictures of most everything. Their site is neat, check out the store, but you have to see his 'best of' pics at the Tail of the Dragon motorcycle lodge http://www.killboy.com/

here is the event calendar. so many bike events! nothing about porsche!

We should get a group of rennlisters together and drive this... How far is it from Charlotte?

It's only 3 1/2 to 4hrs to Robbinsville where we stay depending upon traffic. The Dragon is a short, fun, and often spirted 15mins drive from there.

even better would be to have a rennlister with some swaying ability to let them close the road down for an HR just for us to shinnanigan on camaaan..i'm sure someone here or on F-chat can get it done

deleted

No liabilities there, eh...........

Here's a link to the map with curve names: Dragon Tail Map

dragon is too crowded these days. however, cherohala skyway is almost as much fun (possibly more) and less crowded so. having done the dragon in my 996, i must say that i was not enjoying myself as much. car NEVER leaves second gear if you are willing to use the full range of revs. it is like one huge enormous gigantic long auto-x course. cherohala and other roads that go across the mountains are longer and more open, more suitable to the porsches taller gear range. fontana village was completely rennovated this year and is immaculate in condition. the cabins are amazing and provide great space for cookouts, gatherings, group picture, etc. also 20min from the dragon.