What is the address of the Dragon?
The Dragon itself is out in the woods and has no address. The address of our store is 17555 Tapoco Road, Robbinsville, NC 28771. It is located just a half mile south of the NC/TN state line where the Dragon technically begins. There are two stores at the Dragon. Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort is the large one with gas, motel and restaurant. We are located directly across the street. Tail of the Dragon.
Are they closing the Dragon?
No. This has been a hoax that some people have passed around to their friends for years.
There is also I-3, a proposed Interstate from Savannah GA to Knoxville TN that was originally said to follow US 129 in north Georgia and western North Carolina. There is fierce public opposition to this roadway in the mountains of Georgia and North Carolina. The cost of constructing this swath of asphalt through the mountains would be prohibitive even for the government. And US 129 at the Dragon is bordered by National Forest on one side and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the other side which is considered by many to mean "hands off" any such construction. And there would surely be a huge outcry from the environmentalists as there are 21 endangered species in the Little Tennessee River watershed which parallels US 129 and the Dragon.
We think the Tail of the Dragon is well protected.
What do I do if I have a wreck?
First thing is to do is make sure everyone involved is safe from other traffic. Have people warn approaching traffic, especially in blind corners. Here is what Rider/Attorney David Boyd , Esq, says to do CLICK HERE
Where can I park my vehicle and trailer near the Dragon?
There are miles of gravel parking areas along the Little Tennessee River on US 129 just to the north of the Dragon. We do not recommend overnight parking here and camping is not allowed. On the North Carolina side of the Dragon there is parking at Cheoah Dam (Fugitive Dam) just three miles away. There are a number of other parking areas along US 129 and the river just to the south of Tapoco. >>CLICK HERE FOR MAP PARK AT GREEN ARROWS AT EACH END OF MAP
How much does it cost to ride the Dragon? When is the road open to the public? How much is the toll at Toll Booth? Do they close the road for the various rallies or for racing?
The Dragon is
Federal Highway
US
129 and is free for the public to enjoy at any time. It may be closed for short periods due to downed trees and when the highway is blocked by accidents. The Dragon has never been closed for racing or rallies. Traffic has been stopped for 15 minutes at a time while filming commercials. The last tolls taken at Toll Booth were in the early 1900s when the land was privately owned. US 129 was closed for two days in early August 2007 when a truck carrying recyclable paper flips over near Picnic Tables. The road was damaged as heavy equipment had to be brought in the clear the wreck.
Who counted the 318 curves and what defines a curve?
There are three stories -
ONE: The 318 in 11 was first mentioned by Pete Leary, owner of the Crossroads of Time Motel and Gas Station located at the Gap. Someone asked him how many curves were up the roas and he answered straight out .... 318. Since then it has been taken as fact.
TWO: Several riders including Doug Snavely were sitting around the campfire one evening in the early 90s discussing the road while consuming a few brewskies. They decided to try to come up with a number to emphasize the twistiness of the road. After several rejections Doug said how about 318? His explanation ..... the road is US 129; add the first two numbers and you get a 3; multiply the last two umbers and you get 18. The number also just had a certain ring to it so from that night on it has been 318 curves in 11 miles.
THREE: Several early car drivers who tested the Dragon drove Dodges with 318 cubic inch engines. They used the number to denote the number of curves on the Dragon.
Many people have counted the curves and all come-up with different totals. To us a curve is each time you have to readjust your steering. One corner, say a decreasing radius, will have several curves in it as you turn the wheel more or back. You can count or believe whichever story you wish. Number TWO is thought to be the most accurate one.
How do I get to the Dragon?
SEE THIS PAGE >>CLICK HERE
What is the difference between Tail of the Dragon and Deals Gap?
Nothing ..... both are names for the 11 mile section of road. It is known as Deals Gap, the Dragon, and Tail of the Dragon. Locals call it "that damn crooked road to Tennessee". Tail of the Dragon is also the Registered Trade Mark of our company. It is a different company than Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort. Both companies represent the same road but deal in different products and services.
Is the Dragon really as dangerous as it sounds?
No …. The most dangerous aspect of the Dragon is each rider's/driver’s skills. The average rider/driver who stays alert, watches their speed, practices defensive riding/driving techniques, and does not overreact by swerving or over-braking has much better odds of conquering the Dragon than surviving on city streets and Interstates.
What about the trucks? The pictures of trucks make it look too dangerous to ride.
Truck traffic has declined over the past few years. By publicizing the problems they encounter and contacting some of the major transport companies we have managed to greatly reduce the number of semis on the Dragon. We rarely see semis on the weekends and perhaps an average of one or two pass over the Dragon on weekdays. Your best defense is to stay alert, keep your speeds reasonable, stop short of the corner the truck is coming through and pull over as far as you can in a straight section to let them by. Many of the vehicle vs. truck accidents we have seen over the years could have been avoided using these defensive measures.
Why are trucks even allowed on the Dragon?
US 129 is a
Federal Highway
. Unless it is absolutely impossible for large trucks to make the corners the authorities are hesitant to restrict such traffic. The nearest routes over the mountains are at some distance. I-40 is 50 miles to the north and US 64 is 40 miles to the south. Both are prone to closings because of rock slides. In late 2009 both were closed at the same time for several months. Truck traffic is not allowed over US 441 through the
Great
Smoky
Mountain
National Park.
We do see a few trucks come over the Cherohala Skyway, but since on a map it is only a
State Route,
it is not usually considered by truckers.
To the unsuspecting driver US 129 looks like a good route between
Knoxville
and north
Georgia
. Once they see how twisty it is they are committed to keep going because there is no place to turn around. The warning signs recently placed on each side of the Dragon just do not get the attention of some truck drivers.
Which direction should I ride the Dragon, north or south bound?
You should experience the Dragon both directions. That way you get 636 curves in 22 miles. Most people spend much of the day here riding/driving the Dragon back and forth. One pass just doesn't allow for complete enjoyment of the road. It only takes 20-25 minutes to make one pass across the 11 miles so turn around and do it again.
Is there a death every week?
No. The fatality rate has averaged under two deaths a year for the past 10 years. Most of these have been the result of speed, poor bike handling skills and over-braking.
Is law enforcement out to get all the bikers on the Dragon?
No. Like any public highway there is enforcement at times. The speed limit is 30 mph and we have seen hand held stationary radar and rolling radar on cars and bikes. Stay within reason and you will not attract undo attention from the LEOs (Law Enforcement Officers).
There are times when the Blount County Sheriff or the Tennessee Highway Patrol will “target” the Dragon with increased enforcement so you’ll need to stay alert and ride/drive smart to avoid getting a request to come back and see the judge. Watch for other riders signaling you to slow down by tapping the top of their helmet.
Who are the photographers on the Dragon and how do we find our photos?
Go to the various websites and search for your photos by date. You can order the ones you like. Here are links to the various photographers on the Dragon:
KILLBOY
MOONSHINE PHOTOS
US129 PHOTOS
When is the best time to visit the Dragon?
SEE THIS PAGE CLICK HERE
What is the best way to have a safe ride/drive on the Dragon?
SEE THESE PAGES CLICK HERE FOR MOTORCYCLING or CLICK HERE FOR CARS