Cool East Coast Roads

[jkstang78]

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.

Is it true about the tractor trailers? about there being a lot of them on that road

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[BlackGT]

As it is, the dragon is a federal highway and can not restrict tractor trailers from driving on it. It is posted about the curves at the beginning of each side but truckers drive it anyway. When the troopers are working the dragon, if they see a big truck, they site them for failure to maintain lane.

 

[RoadDog]

I've lived near all all the roads listed above and they are great drives but are speed limited - and if you *lose* there are zero to no guard rails and it's not very forgiving.
On the other hand you can head down through SW VA and go towards the Outer Banks.. No curves but Hwy 64 from North of Raleigh to the OBX has lots of really long straights with very few places for radar to hide. Running well above the speed limit (WELL above) for a few miles and no other cars is not uncommon..

Have fun!

 

[RobD]

Lots of great roads. The Dragon is a blast and it is hit or miss on traffic flow. This time of year very few people visit the region. Some what recently TN and NC have prohibited tractor trailer traffic on the dragon(signs posted at either end). Of coarse there could still be a goofball that ignors the law. The Blue Ridge is closed in many places this time of the year.

 

[DrDing.Muscle]

Dragon is fun for sure but as said previously the Cherohala skyway is even better. If you have never driven in that area of TN/NC then you need to do it.

 

[daytripper]

Is it true about the tractor trailers? about there being a lot of them on that road

They showed them in the video so I guess they too are a problem.I personally have never encountered one on the Dragon. I feel sorry for the people who have.

 

[volinbham]

have never encountered a tractor trailer on the Dragon (probably 10 total trips there).

just wish people would use the pull over areas...

 

[k757]

have never encountered a tractor trailer on the Dragon (probably 10 total trips there).

just wish people would use the pull over areas...

I've come face to face with a large box truck (local moving company). It is startling.

 

[RobD]

One of the tricks I use on the Dragon is to look as far ahead as possible to spot a large truck,etc. I have encounter tractor trailers and you want to avoid it if at all possible so looking ahead helps. Depending on the corner you can see traffic coming a few corners ahead which is a big help avoiding wide loads. Using the pull offs to let faster riders/drivers go by should be SOP for all drivers. I think some drivers don't use the pull offs just to piss off the people behind them. The Snake is just as fun as the Dragon and very little traffic.
http://www.421thesnake.com/

 

[Dirtleg]

Dirtleg

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

I'm game. Let's figure out a time to drive it.

 

[OracleHCR]

Big trucks are no longer allowed on the Dragon. They changed that this year in July or August I believe.

 

['Merica]

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.

This is not true for the most part of the BR Parkway. There are so many entrance and exits to the Parkway There is no way for anyone to keep count of when you got on and when you got off.

Big trucks are no longer allowed on the Dragon. They changed that this year in July or August I believe.

I'm pretty sure you are right here. There is no reason for them to be on it and I think they finally made it to where they are not allowed...although be careful still because it doesn't mean there are none there.

 

[RobD]

I agree, no big trucks are allowed and it is posted as such. But that doesn't stop a pick up with a big trailer boat which cannot negotiate the tight turns and stay right of the center line.

 

[volinbham]

One of the tricks I use on the Dragon is to look as far ahead as possible to spot a large truck,etc. I have encounter tractor trailers and you want to avoid it if at all possible so looking ahead helps. Depending on the corner you can see traffic coming a few corners ahead which is a big help avoiding wide loads. Using the pull offs to let faster riders/drivers go by should be SOP for all drivers. I think some drivers don't use the pull offs just to piss off the people behind them. The Snake is just as fun as the Dragon and very little traffic.
http://www.421thesnake.com/

Agree with bolded - most of my trips were with my Boxster - I always pulled off to let the sport bikes go by. OTOH I had several trips behind a van or dually where they stubbornly refused to pull over. Everyone knows why they are at the Dragon - if only people were more considerate.

Had a bad run in with a couple Harley guys on 129 along the lake on the way in. Not sure what their problem was but I'm amazed at how people get vindictive for no good reason.

 

[klumpikat]

I lived in and around Raleigh for many years and have cruised the Blue Ridge Parkway many times. It is best in the fall. (If you plan on staying the night during the leaf-changing period, get a hotel well in advance.)

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