Saturday was cold with afternoon mist. Sunday brought the first snow of the season
November 11-12, 2000
The weather was chilly but clear for the week-end. Traffic was very light. We saw two Blount County Sheriff cars on the Dragon Friday but they seemed to just be making a presence. We had reprots that they were there all week-end. Let us know if you were stopped by them on Saturday or Sunday.
November 5-6, 2000
We have closed the T-Shirt sales at the Deals Gap Overlook for the winter. We will be back at the Overlook next spring with more Dragon products.
Saturday was good for riding until the showers came mid afternoon. Traffic was very light.
Sunday was blue skies, clear roads, and light traffic. Another great fall day for riding.
We rode the Cherohala on Saturday and had a great time until the rains came. Rode it again on Sunday and it was beautiful. Also rode the Stewart Cabin backroad (see OFF ROAD RIDING) on our KLR's on Sunday. Rough road but pure fun.
We did hear of an accident on US129 along the TN river. A cruiser came around a corner too wide and ran into the side of a pickup truck. If he had been wearing a full-face helmet, he might have saved some teeth.
RIDE SAFE !!
BULLETIN POSTED FALL 2000
E WARNED...PASSING ON THE DOUBLE YELLOW CAN RESULT IN A $175 FINE AND SPEEDING CAN RESULT IN A DRAGGING TICKET. UNMARKED POLICE VEHICLES ARE PATROLLING THE DRAGON AND ISSUING CITATIONS!!!
Traffic enforcement in Blount, Graham, and Swain County has been in high gear since the last weekend in September and thru October. The Graham County Sheriff has been focusing on the Cherohala Skyway and Hwy 129. The North Carolina Highway Patrol/TVA has been on Hwy 28 from 23/74 to the Crossroads of Time. The NCHP BMW cycles equipped with radar were in the area for several weekends in October, issueing only 1 ticket during their stay. Blount County and The Tennessee Highway Patrol have been on the Tennessee side of the Dragon in full force. Things settled down on the weekend of October 21 & 22.
The increased enforcement was a result of several factors - the road rage shooting incident on September 8, the large number of cycles and cars expected in the area for the fall colors, and numerous citizen complaints about excessive speeds by cyclists. The word is that the stepped-up enforcement was ordered at the state level.
If you plan on riding the area roads we advise you to obey the speed limits, don't cross the double yellow, and be prepared for license check roadblocks. BE AWARE.... FAILURE TO STOP FOR THE LAW CAN RESULT IN A FELONY ARREST. IF YOU ARE BLUE-LIGHTED PULL OVER AND TAKE YOUR MEDICINE!!
OCTOBER 21-22
Photo of undercover Dragon police with new sophisticated helmet cam? Smile when you pass, that is if you can!!
This was one of the best weekends in a month. Lots of bikes from all over the country gathered on US 129. Saturday was Triumph day. Sunday was Ducati day. The weather was perfect with highs in the 70s and the law was restrained.
Saturday found a steady stream of bikers and cars crossing Deals Gap .... all were enjoying the leaf color. One Blount County Sheriff Deputy roved the Dragon and found that riders were obeying the traffic rules. Many bikers stopped to have their picture taken with him and a few even asked to be handcuffed for their Kodak moment! We also heard that the law was relaxed on the Cherohala.
Stunt of the day was by a biker who wheelied up the hill from the Crossroads of Time and forgot to come down for the curve. We hear this is the 8th time such a stunt has been attempted.
Sunday was even busier on the Dragon. We heard a lot of complaints about Cades Cove and we advise bikers to avoid this traffic headache at all times unless you want to walk your cycle around the 11 mile loop. We even saw three Harleys and two Buells taking the 9 mile gravel road short cut out of Cades Cove (Parson's Branch Road) to escape the madness. This is a great road for a dual sport with creek crossings, we bet the HD's weren't too thrilled with it.
OCTOBER 14-15, 2000
What an ideal cycle day!!! Hundreds of riders from all over the US found perfect conditions at the Tail of the Dragon on Saturday. Temps in the 70s, sunny, a light breeze, and the road stuck like sandpaper.
Nancy smoozed the North Carolina BMW Troopers who once again were very lenient with riders. They only issued one warning all day Saturday.
Blount County Sheriff had two cars on the Dragon and we saw one Tennessee Highway Patrol unit. These officers were also enjoying the day rather than concentrating on enforcement. There was no harassment of cyclists to report. We have received a report of some 20 dragging citations being issued on Saturday and are trying to get more facts.We had a near perfect (uninterupted by traffic) ride across the Dragon in mid-afternoon. Officers are finding that riders are obeying the traffic laws.
The Cherohala Skyway was very busy with leaf lookers and cyclists. The Graham County helicopter was in the air and several tickets were issued. We rode with one large group of some 25 bikers for awhile. Perfect weather at the top!!!
Sunday was much like Saturday. Once again we rode the Dragon with few hold-ups. The copter did not fly.
OCTOBER 7-8, 2000
Saturday the weather was cold and Police coverage was HOT. Blount County Sheriffs Office had a license check and several marked cars and 2 unmarked cars cruising the Dragon. Officers were friendly, but did issue several citations for passing on the double yellow ($175 fine). We advise riders to pull off to the side and wait for traffic to clear ahead of you....much cheaper than a ticket. Many riders who did not pass on the double yellow had a great day.
North Carolina HP was active with radar on 129 and had a license check at the COT (state line). Speeding violations usually occurred on roads leading to the Dragon. The Cherohala was clear and cold, conditions that will continue for the next several days. Only one citation was issued on Saturday. We look for warmer weather next weekend. REMEMBER, BMW Cycle Troopers will be back in Graham County on the weekend of the 14/15th. .
License Check along Calderwood Lake, on the TN end of the Dragon, Saturday, October 7.
Sunday the temperature was in the 40s and the wind was gusty on the mountain. Only a few bikers braved the cold to ride the Dragon. Blount County Sheriff's deputies had a license check in the Dalton Esses. There were more cars than cycles.
The increased enforcement on the Tennessee side has been brought about by motorist complaints and pressure from a Tennessee State Senator.
SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 1, 2000
It was another exciting weekend on the Dragon. A large number of cyclists and motorists were out enjoying the perfect weather.
Saturday the action picked-up by 10 am. As expected the Blount County Sheriff showed a presence with two and sometimes three cars patrolling the mountain. We heard no stories of harassment, as a matter of fact just the opposite .... one stunt rider was caught doing a wheelie and only given a verbal warning. That calmed down his riding for the entire weekend and he had only praise for the officer. Sunday morning a Tennessee Highway Patrol unit was checking licenses for a while and warning cyclists of an oily spot on the roadway. I heard no complaints.
Three North Carolina Highway Patrol BMW cycle troopers spent Saturday and Sunday at the Crossroads of Time. They were not there for enforcement, but to be seen and communicate with the riders. There were a lot of Kodak moments and fun had by all. I think the troopers were all dying to run the Dragon themselves! They did have to issue one ticket to a stunt rider who was endangering himself and other riders right at the COT. The troopers (all off-duty Harley riders) will be returning to Graham County on the weekend of 14/15 if you would like to meet them. Great guys.....
In spite of our warnings about the Cherohala Skyway, several rockets defied the radar and helicopter. Three riders ended-up getting room and board at the Graham County Jail. Another rider received two tickets in ten minutes. Graham County Sheriff's units issued 19 tickets over the weekend (12 of these were to the three bikers who ran). The BMW rally went on without any problems.
BE AWARE, there will continue to be radar and air surveilance on the Cherohala on all high traffic days. Obey the traffic laws on this highway!!!!
REMEMBER .....
RUNNING FROM THE LAW IS A FELONY AND
YOU CANNOT ESCAPE BY
CROSSING THE STATE LINE.
SEPTEMBER 22-24, 2000
The Wings Across the Smokies rally in Asheville brought an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 Goldwing riders to the area. Many rode the Dragon and some wished they hadn't. We heard of at least two Goldwing accidents at the Dragon on Friday. Rains from Hurricane Helene made the roads a little slick.
There was a serious culture clash at the Dragon on Saturday. Blount County hunting season opened and the local good ol'boys were wall to wall on the mountain. Huntin' dawgs (SEE DRAGON SLAYER PHOTO OF LOUIE) were an added obstacle on the asphalt. With bikers and well-armed hunters sharing the roadways local law enforcement decided to make a showing. We heard of no incidents. We did see several wild hogs (not the Harley type) laid-out on the back of pick-ups.
Law enforcement was very active on the North Carolina roads Saturday. The Highway Patrol issued tickets on Hwy 28 while the Graham County Sheriff's Office was on the Cherohala Skyway. The SO issued 10 tickets on Saturday, 9 of them on the Cherohala. You can just about bet on radar in many areas of Graham County on the weekends from now until the first snow.
The rains from Hurricane Helene came again about 4:00 pm on Saturday. A front came through on Sunday and kept everything wet. It was slow going for the few bikers who came and miserable for the hunters. The dawgs didn't seem to care.
SEPTEMBER 15-17
The hogs came to the Dragon this weekend. The North Carolina Harley Dealer's Association sponsered a rally in Maggie Valley. An estimated 
5,000 hog riders came for the festivities and many made it to the Dragon. We had a vender booth at the rally and met a lot of great Harley riders. A sea of machines gleamed in the parking area.
We finally met Randy, the creator of the "Biker in the Bank". On Saturday he was riding the Dragon on his Triumph "Bat Bike". We hear that a new piece of "biker artwork" may be in the works. We'll let you know when it appears.
Sunday was mostly sport bikes at the Gap. It was a day of many minor accidents and at least two bikes had to be hauled off the mountain by wrecker.
The Graham County Sheriff was active on both the Cherohala Skyway and US 129 over the weekend as a result of many complaints by motorists. The Chopper flew on Sunday. Only a few citations were issued.
SEPTEMBER 8-10, 2000
It was a wild week-end on the Dragon with the action beginning on Friday. A biker, in an apparent fit of road rage, reportedly shot a man, his truck, and bass boat near Fontana. We heard that the bikers were angered by the erratic driving of several pick-ups towing boats over the Dragon. The bikers chased the trucks toward Fontana on US 28 where the shooting ocurred. The Graham County helicopter landed at the Crossroads of Time to apprehend the suspect who was staying at the motel.
Saturday was busy too. Several cycle accidents, one on the North Carolina side and the other on the Tennessee side, slowed traffic for a while. One victim was air-lifted for medical treatment.
Sunday started-out slow, but by 11:00 am there were hundreds of bikers crossing the mountain. There was an accident just a short distance from the Overlook apparently caused by a slick spot on the roadway.
A long-time rider of the Dragon who died recently had his ashes scattered at the overlook on Sunday. His last request was to be laid to rest at his favorite place on earth.
Many bikers showed-up here in spite of the cancelled rally in Cherokee.
Sunday afternoon brought traffic enforcement by Graham County Sheriff Deputies on the Cherohala.
SEPTEMBER 2-4, 2000
Labor Day weekend brought lots of cycles to the Dragon. It was quite a mix with everything from trikes to Harleys to rockets. We saw two Harleys set a new Dragon record ... for the slowest trip over the 11 miles. Even cars with trailers were backed-up behind them.
The Graham County Sheriff's helicopter stayed in the hanger on Saturday, but flew on a rescue mission Sunday. When returning to base it spied a group of cyclists passing on the double yellow and speeding toward the Cherohala. The bikes were stopped and ticketed.
There was only one minor accident that we heard of on all the local roads - quite surprising for the number of vehicles here. The trikes, having a rally in Fontana, looked like they were right out of the movie Mad Max. These souped-up cycle-car crosses looked odd and dangerous to us, but they too were having fun on the Dragon.
AUGUST 19/20, 2000
Saturday was one of the busier days we've seen lately on the Dragon. We saw a few minor drops, but nothing to speak of. Weather was hot. Sunday afternoon the rain moved in. It was just a drizzle and cycle traffic was light through Robbinsville. The Graham County heliocopter, quiet for the past several weeks, will likely be flying on Labor Day week-end .... we'll keep you posted on that.
AUGUST 16, 2000
Tail of the Dragon T-Shirts are now on sale at the Robbinsville Texaco located on the 129 Bypass. Shirts and other items will be on sale most weekends on the 129 Bypass....look for the banners and our cycle collection.
AUGUST 12/13, 2000
We road the Tail of the Dragon on Saturday. Cycle traffic was moderate. We heard of the Dragon taking one rocket down just a mile north of the dam overlook. The rider suffered only minor scrapes ..... the bike went over the edge and was likely totaled. Another part for the Tree of Shame. We spent a few hours on the Cherohala Skyway on Sunday after taking the Stewart Cabin back road on the KLR. SEE OFF-ROAD RIDING We were told of a cycle wreck near the Tennessee Line. Seems a brand new cruiser eased off the road and slid on the damp grass. Once again just minor injuries. The weather was great on both days.
AUGUST 3, 2000
We have just heard that the Cherokee Motorcycle Rally scheduled for September 8, 9, and 10 in Cherokee, NC has been cancelled. There has always been trouble in dealing with the Cherokee Indians who are a separate nation with a serious attitude problem. Looks like they put the nix on the rally at the last minute. Nearby Graham County will still welcome riders, so come on anyway. HINT: save your money and don't gamble at the Cherokee Casino.
AUGUST 1, 2000
One of the motorcyclists instrumental in having the Florida helmet law changed was killed in a accident. She was not wearing a helmet. According to officials she probably would have survived had she been wearing one. NOTE: WE BELIEVE WEARING A HELMET SHOULD BE A PERSONAL CHOICE
JULY 29/30
Traffic was rather heavy over the July 29/30 weekend. More than 400 Miata's came to town and gathered at the Tapoco Lodge. Cycle traffic was light, perhaps knowing that the roads would be packed with sports cars.
JULY 4
Independence Day brought a lot of traffic to the area. We heard of no major accidents. Law enforcement was active with a road block on Hwy 28 at Panther Creek on Sunday afternoon and the helicopter flying various Graham County roads on Saturday and Monday.