The Dragon King...
 

Interesting article on Deal's Gap aka The Tail of the Dragon, from R&T.

I live about 45 mins from the NC start of Deal's Gap, and have driven/ridden it a few dozen times in the VetteVert, or on one of my Scoots.

Good read...
GL, mD

The Dragon King - Road & Track

Run the "Tail of the Dragon" a few times with the Viper Club, awesome drive!

Good read.

I live about 1h from it but do not feel the need to attempt it. There are a handful of roads in my vicinity where I can have fun and I truly also do not fully trust my driving skills, even with a few track sessions in years past and karting every couple months. I roared my way 90-100km/h around 40km/h hairpins in WV this past weekend and that is a good shot of adrenaline and fun but one at a relatively crowded road like the Dragon, a slipup can be catastrophic.

It is why I ride DH mountain biking. I get a greater sensation of speed and even higher risk going over jumps and drops and boulders at speed, but at least if I wreck, I haven't done anything illegal and don't need to deal with insurance. Well, maybe health insurance, but not car insurance ;)

Probably the best automotive journalism I've ever read.

When in Rome...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...resresized.jpg

Same here.

We head out to Dallas Karting Complex several times a year, fastest rental karts in TX!

Rotax 34HP shifter karts are insane, 85 MPH & 3 Gs in the corners.

Rental Kart Racing

Titz pic on Deal's Gap road, J.Belknap!

Matt: if you are ever over this way, you ought to at least drive the Dragon. One does not have to powerslide /haul azz or 9/10ths it to have a little fun.

Hellsbells, if we are around anyone can drive my VetteVert on it for a near G in the corners, or my Scoots if I think you are capable and 'good'. ;)

And, the atmosphere is kind of fun for the first couple of times there, seeing all the various cars/motorcycles that show up.

For a casual but fun drive, a weekday is highly rec'd as it is much less crowded, but the people/rides spotting is more fun on weekends.

Beyond Deal's Gap, the NC roads leading to it are really better/higher speed/potentially less cops than the Dragon area itself, in my experience.
GL, mD

That's the thing. There are plenty of other good NC highways in that area (and a bit closer to Asheville) so I find it hard to justify trying the Dragon......I have driven them, trust me :driver:. There was one (which shall remain unnamed) that had no other cars on a Saturday afternoon and went through no towns or suburban areas and quite scenic. Wide variety ranging from 50km/h sharp turns to 120+ km/h sweepers.

I'd guess Rt 129 from Robbinsville...
why not share the road name/number?

Life is short, Matt; an occasional & careful on the edge is recommended.

A picture speaks a thousand words. Or in this case, answers your questions.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psdbe8e990.jpg

I live life on the edge riding and racing Downhill MTB. Luckily I haven't broken any bones yet. :cool:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps5a9145fe.jpg
Crédit photo: ITM Exposures

Who knows though, I may stop by your area before you head down to FL, since the DH season is mostly over.

Ah, NC 281...have ridden/driven it many times.
Good run, and one of a dozen great two lane black tops here in western NC.
GL, mD