Cool East Coast Roads

[Krysys]

I am starting to think about road trips in my '16 Vert, and was wondering if anyone has driven Skyline Drive in VA, the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Dragon Tail down in NC? The Dragon Tail looks pretty hairy on paper. Does anybody have any experience with any of these roads?

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[Ponykix]

Yes I have driven them all. Actually live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Parkway. All great roads with great scenery. Do the parkway when the leaves are changing. Be careful on the Dragon it can be exhilarating but dangerous.

 

[jburgess1379]

Skyline drive. Since your in MD and close Howard County has a lot of great backroads.

 

[volinbham]

Tail of the Dragon is an experience but I prefer the nearby Cherohala Skyway. Both are fun and beautiful though you won't have time to do any sight seeing on the Dragon. It is relentless. The Skyway has bigger sweepers, is considerably longer and climbs to over 5000 feet so you typically get some weather changes on the trip. It's also relatively lightly traveled. The Dragon will be packed out on a weekend.

There's a Dragon equivalent somewhere near Kingsport TN and Bristol - would be closer to you.

 

[BlackGT]

Dragon.. lots of fun but very mindful of what lies around the corner. Not everyone stays on their side of the road.

The Skyline, Parkway, and the Cherohala are all beautiful drives. The speed limits suck. Much of the Blue Ridge Parkway is 25mph. I had taken a trip from NC to DC and tried to stay on the these roads but could not take the slow speeds.

 

[MX5Racer]

I also heard one of those (Blue Ridge maybe?) would give you a speed ticket if you exited the park too soon (based on the time stamp of your entry). IE: a 10 mile drive is posted 35mph and you get thru in less than 17 minutes.

 

[DanDglassman]

All of those roads are nice. Skyline drive is 35 mph while the BR Parkway tends to be 45 mph. The Tennessee counterpart to the Dragon is called "The Snake" and it is just as twisty. It runs through Shady Valley, TN.

I ride two motorcycle trips each year, all in the SE, and usually 3 day length. When planning for the group ride, I have found the following resources to be helpful:

1. http://www.sundaymorningrides.com/
2. http://www.amazon.com/National-Geog...48&sr=8-1&keywords=scenic+highways+and+byways

 

[daytripper]

All these roads are great rides.The Dragon is pretty much a motorcycle ride.People die every year.It is crowded on the weekends and the sport bikes make it very dangerous.Good lunch at Deals gap. The BRP and Skyline dr.Is the best East coast ride. Never did it in a car but still will be great.Lots of pullouts and beautiful scenery with no commercial traffic.I am sure I was speeding, with no problem. I dont know how anyone would know or care how long you were on b/4 you got off.
I live right by the Cherohala Skyway and ride and drive it all the time.It is a beautiful road with light traffic.

 

[Chameleon]

Maybe MD/VA people would be up for a Dragon trip in spring.

 

[Dirtleg]

Maybe MD/VA people would be up for a Dragon trip in spring.

Yes indeed. A Dragon trip would be fun.

And often overlooked but right here in Virginia is VA16 between Marion and Tazewell. Often referred to as "the back of the dragon". Done it on my bike (RC51) but would be great in a car. Not as tight or crowded as the Tail of the Dragon.

 

[Ponykix]

Dirtleg

311 to Paint Bank is nice and close us. Let me know if you want to try that one day.

 

[jkstang78]

The first time I drove down to Florida. I took the long way down I-81 and making my first stop in Boone NC, to go hiking at Grand father mountain. I didn't know how close I was to Tail of the dragon. Now that I know about it. I definitely want to go back and drive on it.

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[pantograph3]

I took a road trip down from the NYC area to Alabama. On the way back, I went down a road called "Pisgah Highway". Route 151 in North Carolina from the Blue Ridge Parkway with my '14 Mustang. It was really fun, very tight, and very steep. It was in the middle of nowhere and there were no cars to be seen. It was short, but when coupled with a drive on the Blue Ridge Pkwy, it made for a nice day.

 

[k757]

I go to the dragon (and area roads) every year for maybe 4-5 days there. The blanket statements of overcrowded or biker area, are not true. It really is hit or miss but check out the Dragon Calendar, if you see a heavy bike event, believe that is not the time to go

2015 calendar: http://tailofthedragon.com/tail-of-the-dragon-info/2015-events/

 

[daytripper]

The first time I drove down to Florida. I took the long way down I-81 and making my first stop in Boone NC, to go hiking at Grand father mountain. I didn't know how close I was to Tail of the dragon. Now that I know about it. I definitely want to go back and drive on it.

Thanx for posting this video.It is a fair representation of what goes on at the dragon. I usually start from TN and head south.Before you are into the dragon its a great scenic drive or ride. The dragon would be nice too if you could relax for a second and not be worrying about some pretend racer slamming into you. I have seen many crashes. This area and N.GA have so many great rides with curvy roads,light,if any,traffic and beautiful scenery that you can enjoy.This is not one of them. A local.

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