Tail of the Dragon trip Tuesday!

[zyzzyx]

Finally getting a chance to take the FJR down to Deals Gap and check it out. Never been.
Leaving Tuesday morning out of Orland Park after I pick up my riding partner who just bought a Harley Trike. The weather is supposed to be beautiful and in the 80's, no rain. We're taking
41 south and 65 south to Nashville, then East to Knoxville where we will be staying. I don't plan on crashing or getting a speeding ticket, so I will be there for the ride! I've seen You-Tube
videos on the ride and it looks interesting. After that we're going to ride the countryside and
enjoy the colors and twisties! If anyone is close to our route, I could stop by and say Hey!

 

[davek]

My buddy loves driving it on his bike. He lives in Knoxville Have fun and be safe.

 

[3sloppydogs]

I'm planning on that trip next year with my road glide ultra then tour the bourbon trail
Have fun
Ride safe!

 

[Frank Mopar]

A newbie on a trike and the dragon? Proceed with caution.

 

[Mackman]

My wife and I rode the Dragon in 2007 on our FJR. Wore off the toes of her boots on those curves. After a while it gets tiring, 318 curves.

 

[bandit67]

Made several runs on my big *** Ultra but never on a sport bike, I just can't imagine the fun that would be...as stated, stay keenly alert, focused and it will be a blast......

 

[zyzzyx]

From what I've been reading, they have cut the speed limit down to 30mph so I suspect the ride will
be anti-climactic! I don't want to get a speeding ticket, so the FJR can lean all the way over without
dragging the ground at that speed. I want the experience of the ride, and hope we can see some Fall
colors! Got to take a break from putting the GTX together because the aggravation of not being able
to get parts in a timely manner and shipping rip-offs are taking their toll on my well being! Maybe
while I'm out riding around Appalachia, they'll unload some more cargo ships on the west coast!

 

[Gold Rush]

The "DRAGON" is still on my bucket list!! Back in 2012 a couple friends and I rode from here up to the top of Skyline Drive then all the way down to Robbinsville, NC before an UGLY case of my chronic bronchitis got the best of me. Spent a couple days in the motel room trying to beat it while my friends checked off their bucket lists. The day we were to head home I got to take an ambulance ride to Swain Community Hospital instead. Four days later we finally headed home.

Hope you have a GREAT TIME!!!! That part of the country sure is super riding!!!!

 

[Pistol Pete]

I've done the Dragon a few times, worth doing yes, but check out Moonshiners 28 while you're in the area. Much cooler ride IMHO.

 

[MarPar]

Way to go Paulie!! Have fun man! and of course...

 

[RGAZ]

Tell us about the trip! Did your arms and legs fall off from all the turning and braking? Did you stop at any of the cool rest stops. dish.

I used to drive all through those roads in a minivan! Man that is the most tiring driving I have ever done. Constant attention and constant turning and speed control. It really is a workout.

RGAZ

 

[MarPar]

Ya man, make with the stories!!

 

[cosgig]

Do the Cherahola Skyway while you’re there, it ends at Deals Gap if you ride out of Maryville past the Harley dealership.you get to see both sides of the Fontana Dam, and a lot of beautiful outlooks. That adds about 130 miles of beautiful riding to your day before you hit the Dragon. The Smoky Mtn Parkway is also a nice ride for a warm up if you aren’t sure about the Dragon just yet.

 

[zyzzyx]

Well, we got out of northern Illinois on Tuesday early and got to our hotel in Andersonville at 6pm.
Found out my driveshaft seal in the swingarm is leaking a little! Went to Wally World and got a quart of 75/90 and topped it off. Did the Devil's triangle today and rode across the Norris Dam. Back at the LaQuinta near the Knoxville Airport wating to go get some Mexican! Will do the Dragon tomorrow! Riding in the sunshine is always better than in the rain!

 

[MarPar]

Well, we got out of northern Illinois on Tuesday early and got to our hotel in Andersonville at 6pm.
Found out my driveshaft seal in the swingarm is leaking a little! Went to Wally World and got a quart of 75/90 and topped it off. Did the Devil's triangle today and rode across the Norris Dam. Back at the LaQuinta near the Knoxville Airport waiting to go get some Mexican! Will do the Dragon tomorrow! Riding in the sunshine is always better than in the rain!View attachment 1179227 View attachment 1179228

NICE!! Good weather always makes for a great day!!

Wait, Mexican?? Gotta go for the BBQ out there!

 

[zyzzyx]

Yeah, O.K, we did the BBQ too! Today we did the Dragon. Three times! Shot video. Will post when I get home. Did the Cherahola Skyway today. Colors are changing 4000+'. Beautiful. Going to have to baytle the rain back to Lisle!

 

[MarPar]

Good luck battling the rain Paulie!!

 

[Gold Rush]

Well, we got out of northern Illinois on Tuesday early and got to our hotel in Andersonville at 6pm.
Found out my driveshaft seal in the swingarm is leaking a little! Went to Wally World and got a quart of 75/90 and topped it off. Did the Devil's triangle today and rode across the Norris Dam. Back at the LaQuinta near the Knoxville Airport wating to go get some Mexican! Will do the Dragon tomorrow! Riding in the sunshine is always better than in the rain!View attachment 1179227 View attachment 1179228

GREAT photos so far!! You were smart to get there during the work week so traffic wasn't too CRAZY!!! Sounds like you hit many of the high spots. Hope you have a safe ride home.

 

[Outlawd]

My wife and I rode the Dragon two years ago, on a Harley Ultra Classic...two people on a big *** bike loaded down with enough luggage for a 10 day 8 state trip. It was a hand full but we done it twice that day, had a blast, beautiful ride!

 

[YY1]

Lots of the more rural roads in that general area are both beautiful and challenging.

I drove from Asheville to Ivester's all Mopar JY a few years ago and felt like I was living "Dukes Of Hazard".