Trip to Tail of The Dragon / thoughts on handling

[AMpowerJ]

We should plan a forum meet for a drive there. I drove it in my last M3 and all the roads around there were fun. I agree that you will want to do it during the week to avoid the crowds and not when the leaves are at their peak either.

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[JohnZiraldo]

btw... Just use caution if a Miata gets on your tail

I would be pretty pissed if someone I didn't know who was familiar with the Dragon tailed me like that when I was there for the first time. It looks like this guy kept looking for some stranger in a nice car that he could show off to.

The cars in front crossed the center line many times which is a guaranteed ticket if they are caught. Meanwhile the local boy would have known better and was more likely to avoid a ticket or a crash.

I have played follow the leader with friends on the Dragon several times, but only to the extent that the leaders were comfortable with the pace.

 

[Tomster]

I would be pretty pissed if someone I didn't know who was familiar with the Dragon tailed me like that when I was there for the first time. It looks like this guy kept looking for some stranger in a nice car that he could show off to.

Me too. One day he is going to do that to the wrong guy and get his ass kicked.

 

[Screamer]

I would like to plan a trip around November to do Tail of the Dragon. Is there a nice area not far where I can get a cabin or something maybe take the wife and do 3 or 4 days? I'm a 10 hour drive from there.

My buddy from Tennessee recommended Gaitlinburg to stay and get a cabin.

Any recommendations on how to plan a trip for this?

So... When are we going to do this?:clap2:

 

[elmn8r]

I grew up in this area just across the state line in NC. There are LOTS of roads in this area of north Georgia, eastern Tennessee, and western North Carolina that are just as good, but not as famous. Thus, less traffic.

Shoot me a PM if you'll be in the area and would like a couple of route suggestions...

 

[kairojya]

I've taken a few of my performance cars there (Mazdaspeed3, GT-R), and to surrounding roads, and intended to take the GT350, but after dealing with the warranty issues I've had, I wouldn't trust my car for even the road trip there. Glad some of you are at least enjoying your cars. Good luck!

 

[NorthernBeast]

I did the Dragon in my gt350 back in July. It really lives up to the hype, if you go when traffic is light. I spent 5 days in the area and put almost 800 miles on my car down there. My most enjoyable time was to get up and go before 6 am. Hardly no cars on the roads early in the morning. The Dragon is only a small part of the awesome driving roads in the area. The Foothills Parkway is a great road leading to he Tail, also the road heading east past Fontana Dam. Only saw one cop on the Tail, and he was on a tight curve, just showing his presence. Stayed in second gear a majority of the time. Lots of redline pulls. I did hit limp mode about halfway through one time though. First and only time in 4,000 miles. If any members are able to go, I highly recommend it. Well worth the trip!

THIS...the roads surrounding the Dragon are amazing and in many cases you can really open it up more on these other winding mountain roads. I could move there simply to drive each day. A must with any performance car

 

[dpAtlanta]

True story about the Tail:
I passed a Suzuki GSX-R on a corner while driving a 2003 Cobra!




As Paul Harvey used to say, "And now for the rest of the story"




I came around a corner and the rider of the Suzuki must have just had an 'Oh Dear Jesus' moment because he was hunched over the tank with his helmet in his left hand waving me around as he going about 5 mph. I passed with at least a 3 mph delta V... in the corner...!!!

 

[svassh]

Yeah, this is a HARD pass for me....

 

[Tribefan]

When @alan0614 @madlag? When????

 

[shogun32]

Just don't treat it like a private race circuit and you'll be fine. If you want to drive beyond all sense, go to Road Atlanta. The Tail has zero run-off and generally a very steep drop-off if you leave the road. The Cherohala Skyway is also worth a visit.

Gotta avoid the 'color' sightseers.

My first time I was on old, badly flat-spotted tires, in the rain. The 885cc triple had lots of torque so it required a steady hand and abundance of caution.

 

[Droopy1592]

I grew up in this area just across the state line in NC. There are LOTS of roads in this area of north Georgia, eastern Tennessee, and western North Carolina that are just as good, but not as famous. Thus, less traffic.

Shoot me a PM if you'll be in the area and would like a couple of route suggestions...

I feel like the Suches loop in N GA (60) and 129, 180, etc all of those curvy roads around Helen are just as good. I’ve been to Helen 4-5x this year and if you go early enough, there’s no traffic. Hell, you can go up through the Helen area for a day then head to the tail, then hit Helen on the way back for a whole weekend of curves.

 

[hp1000]

Just got back from this trip. What a road, the roads outside of the dragon are even better like the skyway and devil's whip. Worth the 10 hour trip each way.

 

[tex929rr]

I’ve done it on sportbikes several times and last time I discovered I much preferred nearby Cherehola skyway. Too many bikes and cars on the gap.

 

[alan0614]

When @alan0614 @madlag? When????

Soon John, soon.

Just don't treat it like a private race circuit and you'll be fine. If you want to drive beyond all sense, go to Road Atlanta. The Tail has zero run-off and generally a very steep drop-off if you leave the road. The Cherohala Skyway is also worth a visit.

Gotta avoid the 'color' sightseers.

My first time I was on old, badly flat-spotted tires, in the rain. The 885cc triple had lots of torque so it required a steady hand and abundance of caution.

Amen, treat it with respect and it's fun. Don't and it will bite you.

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