DRAGON TAIL RUN

[adrouse]

December 8th.....BMW's conquer the Tail of the Dragon. We're riding from GA early Saturday; it's the off-season so traffic and troopers will be at a minimum. If you don't know--11 miles with 318 turns. So GA, TN, & NC drivers are welcome. Check http://dwaynerouse.com/mpower/mpower2.html for the itinerary. Will have to E63's out so I want the E39's to represent!!!

[cmc540]

Watch out! Law enforcement has really cracked down on drivers on The Tail recently. What follows is an excerpt from a post about this on another forum dated August 24, 2007. I was up there in August and you'd have thought someone was giving away free donuts there were so many patrol cars!

No matter, I found plenty of other roads off the beaten path that were just as fun!

"While it brings a healthy amount of tourist dollars to the region, the curvy two-lane road that runs on US-129 has effectively been shut down by an overbearing Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Apparently the governor of Tennessee, Phil Bredesen, has instituted a program to reduce traffic deaths and accidents on US 129, and so the 11-mile stretch known as the Tail of the Dragon has been saturated with Tennessee Highway Patrol officers writing tickets at a hand-cramping rate. The situation has gotten so bad, US 129 is now being called Tennessee's newest toll road. The Tail of the Dragon website is keeping a running list of tickets that have been issued and why, and the reasons are rather ridiculous. Cars and motorcycles are being ticketed for literally just touching the double yellow line that indicates no passing allowed. Tickets for going 5 mph above the posted 30 mph limit are also supposedly common. And then there are reports of blatant harrassment, with THP officers caught tailgating drivers for miles and threatening arrest for minor violations.

Enthusiasts and those invested in the health of the region are trying to fight the crackdown, even keeping an ongoing photo archive of THP cruisers breaking the law themselves. Alas, authorities have not relented and will reportedly be watching the Dragon like a hawk for at least the next month."

[Richard in NC]

You need to go early and not on a weekend. There are less patrols. In late October, we saw no police for 3 runs.

[adrouse]

THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK!!!!H
I read that same piece and have seen a lot of reports on it and I've heard how bad the cops are. Someone else recommended Wolfpen Gap instead. This will be only the second road trip I've taken so I'm very anxious. I just put new brakes on it for this trip!!! We will definitely be on our P's & Q's. Hopefully getting up there earlier than 11 a.m. will guarantee at least 1 good run. Are radar detectors illegal in TN/NC?

[cmc540]

Originally Posted by Richard in NC

You need to go early and not on a weekend. There are less patrols. In late October, we saw no police for 3 runs.

+1 on the not on a weekend. I went in the middle of the week as well. Big difference in traffic on the weekend.

[Richard in NC]

Originally Posted by adrouse

THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK!!!!H
I read that same piece and have seen a lot of reports on it and I've heard how bad the cops are. Someone else recommended Wolfpen Gap instead. This will be only the second road trip I've taken so I'm very anxious. I just put new brakes on it for this trip!!! We will definitely be on our P's & Q's. Hopefully getting up there earlier than 11 a.m. will guarantee at least 1 good run. Are radar detectors illegal in TN/NC?

Stay out of VA and you'll be fine with a detector. Go with a group 4-6 cars at a time. More than that is tough to manage. Only the lead car is at risk.

Also On the TOD, ALWAYS stay in your lane. Its demanding but also satisfying to drive briskly without crossing the double yellow. The police WILL ticket for crossing the line or wreckless behaviour.

See the web site for other good roads in the area. Although, some may be patrolled just as much as the TOD. The Cherohola Skyway is nice with big open sweepers and overlooks, rt 28 east of the TOD is fun but nothing matches the TOD. Seriously it is 15 minutes or longer of NOTHING but curves. Your arms will get a workout.

[adrouse]

Originally Posted by Richard in NC

The Cherohola Skyway is nice with big open sweepers and overlooks, rt 28 east of the TOD is fun but nothing matches the TOD. Seriously it is 15 minutes or longer of NOTHING but curves. Your arms will get a workout.

WOW!!! That's definitely worth the risk!!!!

Any recommendation on a starting point (gas station, truck stop,etc.) for the few stragglers that will meet us there. That way we can set up the 4-car convoys.

[Richard in NC]

Originally Posted by adrouse

WOW!!! That's definitely worth the risk!!!!

Any recommendation on a starting point (gas station, truck stop,etc.) for the few stragglers that will meet us there. That way we can set up the 4-car convoys.

On the west end there is a large gravel area. We've had 10 or more cars there. On the east side is a gas station/souvenier shop or a few miles south of the rt 28 intersection is the Tapoca lodge. We've mostly met at the lodge. On the dragon there is also a smaller pull off with a nice overlook.

[adrouse]

My contact # in on the link/website dwaynerouse.com. Now I need to figure out where we're going for lunch.......the lodge maybe?

[adrouse]

Just got word we'll have an 08' X5 owner bringing out a slick RX-7 for a better experience!

[OTDoc]

any more runs in the near future?? about to move into this region