Deal's Gap/The Dragon Closed...

motordavid · #1 03-16-2012, 05:31 PM

For a few days, maybe a while longer.
The news art is very vague, from Asheville-Citizens's Times.
May be more follow up in tomorrow's paper.

Rock slide at the NC/TN border on that Route 129.
GL, mD

Rock slide closes US 129 at Tenn.-NC border | The Asheville Citizen-Times | citizen-times.com

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FSETH · #2 03-27-2012, 08:39 AM

Is it still closed?

I drove it about a month ago with my buddy in his 4.8i. It handled pretty darn well for a heavy vehicle. We lucked out with traffic too. I think we got a few miles into it before we saw the first car on the road. Both of us were fairly shocked. We are planning on going back up in a few weeks to drive the Cherohala Skyway.

Cherohala Skyway, mile high legend from Robbinsville NC to Tellico Plains TN

Should be a lot of fun. He is taking his new e92 M3 and I will be in my e46 M3. I hear this particular highway has a lot of high speed sweepers as opposed to the very tight turns of the Dragon. Should I be expecting significantly more traffic on this highway if the Dragon is closed?

motordavid · #3 03-27-2012, 11:46 AM

Seth, I'm still at the FL Starter Joint, but a quick web look shows it reopened ~ March 20th.

Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, motorcycle and sport car two lane tourism serving Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, Cherohala Skyway, Moonshiner28, Devils Triangle, and Six Gap North Georgia.

Imo, the Cherohala Skyway is 'better/more fun/more enjoyable' to drive than Deal's Gap:
it is similar to sections of the BR Pkway, but at higher altitude, with better views, and less traffic than BRPKway, or Deal's Gap...And, it is a thoroughly enjoyable ride/drive at regular speeds or, at higher than regular speeds. It does not toss the driver/passenger around with a litany of tight azz, off camber, diminishing radius turns like DG does, and it takes an idiot or someone taking a nap to get in trouble on the Skyway. The Skyway is not 'cop free', but less than the Gap and surrounding areas.

Speaking of surrounding areas, the road(s) leading into the Deal's Gap area are fabulous in themselves: Rt 129 in from Robbinsville, or Rt 28 in from Almond, are both exc roads...though the cop activity has picked up on these 'Dragon feeder roads' in the past few years.

I run the SC Skyway several times a season, Vette or one of the Scoots...I might drive the Gap once a year, but if I didn't I wouldn't miss it. The Gap 'store'/campground/motel area on the NC side is more fun for hanging around on a weekend morning looking at Scoots and cars. The C Skyway does not really have a hang out area, per se.

I realize most of you work, but Deal's Gap, the Skyway, BR Pkway and all the surrounding find 2 lane blacktops, in western NC, are delightful on a weekday vs weekend, though the Gap will have less scoots and cars to 'see' on a weekday.
GL, mD

Skyway Links:
Cherohala Skyway, mile high legend from Robbinsville NC to Tellico Plains TN

Skyway 'map':
http://www.cherohala.com/maps/chero_tn_map.gif

Cherohala Skyway, mile high legend from Robbinsville NC to Tellico Plains TN

FSETH · #4 03-27-2012, 12:22 PM

MD, That info was literally right on the Dragon's homepage. I have no clue how I missed it. I guess I clicked on news and searched around every other tab. Should have just scrolled down. Anyway, thanks for spoon feeding me.

We take 129 from Highway 19 heading up to the lake and I agree, 129 is a great road before you get to the Dragon. In fact, 129 just south of the dragon/Fugitive Bridge where the road parallels the river is one of my favorite sections.

I am really looking forward to the Cherohala Skyway as it is more open. I have also heard that the temperature is typically significantly lower once you get up in elevation, which should be nice. The Dragon is fun, but it is very, very tight. My buddy (who competed in BMWCCA Club racing for the past few years) was giving the 4.8i sport package about 8 tenths the last time we were up there and I felt a little green once or twice from the passenger seat. I always feel much better driving the Dragon than being a passenger.

After we hit the CS this trip, we may shoot for the Moonshiner28 next time. Plenty of great roads to drive in that area.

motordavid · #5 03-27-2012, 01:21 PM

S, If you come up again in the summer, we gotta hook up, over near the Skyway or Deal's Gap, or bring your clubs and we can also chase it around my track: Laurel Ridge CC. Helluva fine 'mtn track'.

You will like the Skyway, and with the buds barely out/few leaves out yet, the views are pretty fine. It is always cooler at that, and my elevation!
GL, mD

FSETH · #6 03-27-2012, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motordavid

S, If you come up again in the summer, we gotta hook up, over near the Skyway or Deal's Gap, or bring your clubs and we can also chase it around my track: Laurel Ridge CC. Helluva fine 'mtn track'.

Thanks for the invitation. We are usually good for 2-3 trips a year up near your summer stomping grounds, so that could work out.

I think I swung the clubs once all last year, so I would certaintly have to dust them off before sticking them in the trunk.

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