My bro-in-law and I met up in Knoxville a week ago for a few days of riding in the Blue Ridge mountains. He on his new BMW 1200 sport/tourer (I don't know the model designation) and me on the Busa, of course.
As you'd expect, we headed directly to "The Dragon". It was about a 30 minute ride from our hotel. The ride to the Dragon was very nice, some beautiful back country and parts that ran along a breathtaking mountain lake (man-made). I was hyped.
The curves tightened and the grade got steeper as we entered the fabled Dragon, but the pace was slow and even nerve-racking as there were quite a few other bikes and sport cars seeking to tame the beast.
I saw a Harley that missed a curve along the way. Several people were helping the poor ####### get his bike back on the road. We made it to the Deal's Gap resort and hung out for a while.
My impression of the Dragon was not good simply for the fact that so many people seek it out. It's dangerous enough with all of the steep grades and switchbacks. but the shear number vehicles make it worse. Add in the obligatory percentage of squids and you start to get the picture.
Although we rode the Dragon twice (once each direction), I found that there are many other roads in the area that are much more enjoyable to ride on. My favorite was the Foot Hills Parkway. Plenty of challenges with nice 60 mph sweepers. Then there was the Blue Ridge Parkway. Beautiful. Much less traffic than the Dragon with great views. The temperature was nice too. When the thermometer read 95 in Knoxville, it was 82 in the higher elevations. Much appreciated since leaving the 98 degree weather we've been having in Florida.
I guess I can say that I have done the Dragon now, but when I go back to the area (and I will), it will be the other roads and spectacular views that will draw me there.
As you'd expect, we headed directly to "The Dragon". It was about a 30 minute ride from our hotel. The ride to the Dragon was very nice, some beautiful back country and parts that ran along a breathtaking mountain lake (man-made). I was hyped.
The curves tightened and the grade got steeper as we entered the fabled Dragon, but the pace was slow and even nerve-racking as there were quite a few other bikes and sport cars seeking to tame the beast.
I saw a Harley that missed a curve along the way. Several people were helping the poor ####### get his bike back on the road. We made it to the Deal's Gap resort and hung out for a while.
My impression of the Dragon was not good simply for the fact that so many people seek it out. It's dangerous enough with all of the steep grades and switchbacks. but the shear number vehicles make it worse. Add in the obligatory percentage of squids and you start to get the picture.
Although we rode the Dragon twice (once each direction), I found that there are many other roads in the area that are much more enjoyable to ride on. My favorite was the Foot Hills Parkway. Plenty of challenges with nice 60 mph sweepers. Then there was the Blue Ridge Parkway. Beautiful. Much less traffic than the Dragon with great views. The temperature was nice too. When the thermometer read 95 in Knoxville, it was 82 in the higher elevations. Much appreciated since leaving the 98 degree weather we've been having in Florida.
I guess I can say that I have done the Dragon now, but when I go back to the area (and I will), it will be the other roads and spectacular views that will draw me there.
