One of the classic issues is that the businesses that benefit from the dragon tourism are generally in North Carolina and the road is mostly in Tennessee.(Wag @ Aug. 07 2007,21:45) I have a suggestion. Copy your letters/e-mails to the local businesses and the local newspapers. You'll be giving them information they will need to protest the issue with the local law enforcement leaders and with the governing body.
--Wag--
The increased patrols started on July 1st. The deaths were on July 12 and 13.(jch364 @ Aug. 08 2007,09:17) I wonder though what motivation would they have to stop. Since the grant money would be most likely spent for o.t. to cover that many crews up there. Since Tn. doesn't get very much money from the road they wouldn't be loosing anything.
Did this all start then after the 3 fatalities then? I wasn't clear on that... how did that go down...?
Looks like a hog carrier.. I'm sure it smelled pretty ripe....(TennBusa @ Aug. 08 2007,08:45) Ray's correct, the first deaths of the year, an accident that caused enough road damage to require repaving of a section of road, as well as an accident yesterday that again blocked the road all happened after the state began it's saturation patrols. Hmm, maybe they were all on donut breaks at the time.
Here's a pic of yesterdays problems.
Not according to what one of the photographers said. He said that one of the truck drivers that were held up told the BC Deputy that this was gonna cost him. He said the deputy told him he wasn't going to write him.(Rayabusa0818 @ Aug. 08 2007,08:50) I wonder if this guy got a ticket for crossing the yellow line?
(lot boy @ Aug. 08 2007,15:48) i know this may sound a bit lame but im kinda glad this is going on. This road used to be a great place to ride just 5 short years ago. Sure people got killed on it but my god its just a mad house there anymore. I live here and i think i may have been there two times ( both times i regret btw). I know most of the riders here are good/ safe riders that might push the limits just a tad for a little thrill, but for every "good" rider there are ten suicidal idiots that think its a trackday. 90% of the idiots are from out of town.....dont know the road.......think they wont get caught.......and have absolutly no respect for themselves or other riders, let alone the local law. Now i have never been a big fan of the cops but as far as this issue goes they are saving lives...no doubt about it. This is a cause/effect deal.......those three deaths brought negitive press to the road ( btw it has never gotten any positive press) and now the cops are FORCED to do somthing about it...they cant let people just continue getting killed. We brought this on our selves.
My solution........go ride some place else.........maybe in a few years things will cool off and we can enjoy deals gap.........but dont look for me to tell you when that time comes, the net is a big part of how this got started in the first place.
I understand your sentiments and I agree with you. However what is being pointed out is that the cops are writing people up for practically nothing.(lot boy @ Aug. 08 2007,12:48) i know this may sound a bit lame but im kinda glad this is going on. This road used to be a great place to ride just 5 short years ago. Sure people got killed on it but my god its just a mad house there anymore. I live here and i think i may have been there two times ( both times i regret btw). I know most of the riders here are good/ safe riders that might push the limits just a tad for a little thrill, but for every "good" rider there are ten suicidal idiots that think its a trackday. 90% of the idiots are from out of town.....dont know the road.......think they wont get caught.......and have absolutly no respect for themselves or other riders, let alone the local law. Now i have never been a big fan of the cops but as far as this issue goes they are saving lives...no doubt about it. This is a cause/effect deal.......those three deaths brought negitive press to the road ( btw it has never gotten any positive press) and now the cops are FORCED to do somthing about it...they cant let people just continue getting killed. We brought this on our selves.
My solution........go ride some place else.........maybe in a few years things will cool off and we can enjoy deals gap.........but dont look for me to tell you when that time comes, the net is a big part of how this got started in the first place.
I think some of the harrassment stuff may be a bit exaggerated. I have ridden through eleven times since the stepped up enforcement has began and have not experienced any harrassment.(whitele @ Aug. 08 2007,16:01)I understand your sentiments and I agree with you. However what is being pointed out is that the cops are writing people up for practically nothing.(lot boy @ Aug. 08 2007,12:48) i know this may sound a bit lame but im kinda glad this is going on. This road used to be a great place to ride just 5 short years ago. Sure people got killed on it but my god its just a mad house there anymore. I live here and i think i may have been there two times ( both times i regret btw). I know most of the riders here are good/ safe riders that might push the limits just a tad for a little thrill, but for every "good" rider there are ten suicidal idiots that think its a trackday. 90% of the idiots are from out of town.....dont know the road.......think they wont get caught.......and have absolutly no respect for themselves or other riders, let alone the local law. Now i have never been a big fan of the cops but as far as this issue goes they are saving lives...no doubt about it. This is a cause/effect deal.......those three deaths brought negitive press to the road ( btw it has never gotten any positive press) and now the cops are FORCED to do somthing about it...they cant let people just continue getting killed. We brought this on our selves.
My solution........go ride some place else.........maybe in a few years things will cool off and we can enjoy deals gap.........but dont look for me to tell you when that time comes, the net is a big part of how this got started in the first place.
Fine the suicidal idiot and take away his license.But if you someone is following the speed limit or is 5 miles over, no need to pull them over cuz they have a bike. That's crazy. Put up speed traps, but don't harrass the drivers. There's a difference. You should only be pulled over for probable cause and riding a bike is not one of those probable causes.
I b*tched about getting a ticket, but I have never said they were wrong to issue the ticket.
PS - I haven't been up there, so I could be way off base about the situation.... let me know if I am
I know the feeling about the tag, that's why my rear fender is still stock...(VaBusa @ Aug. 08 2007,16:12) I agree, crack down on those that are contributing to the accidents and deaths...that would include the guys that do think it's a track day and have little regard for others that want to enjoy the Dragon, and all vehicles with more than 2 wheels that continually cross the center line and create huge hazards for everyone else, cops included...
I am by no means a fast rider, especially when I was on the Dragon, but I had a blast...the idea of being harassed while parked at the overlook after a cop does a walk around with my bike and it's vertical plate just irritates me...I could be doing nothing wrong, and I'll be harassed...that's never okay...
I'm moving my plate now, partly because of the harassment there and the new stinkin' laws here in VA...I've had an officer ride my Busa with the illegal tag; he's always said it's nothing worth pulling me over for, and I've had both state and local cops behind me and have never been bothered...but, it's going to be relocated now just to avoid the hassle (plus, I've got to make room for the new RoadLok from captain and his wife *grin*)(Rayabusa0818 @ Aug. 08 2007,16:16)I know the feeling about the tag, that's why my rear fender is still stock...(VaBusa @ Aug. 08 2007,16:12) I agree, crack down on those that are contributing to the accidents and deaths...that would include the guys that do think it's a track day and have little regard for others that want to enjoy the Dragon, and all vehicles with more than 2 wheels that continually cross the center line and create huge hazards for everyone else, cops included...
I am by no means a fast rider, especially when I was on the Dragon, but I had a blast...the idea of being harassed while parked at the overlook after a cop does a walk around with my bike and it's vertical plate just irritates me...I could be doing nothing wrong, and I'll be harassed...that's never okay...
I thought this was pretty positive...(Rayabusa0818 @ Aug. 08 2007,15:56) ( btw it has never gotten any positive press)