DECEMBER 17, 2007 No more balmy temps. On Sunday morning we read 16 degrees at the highest point on the Cherohala (5300') compared to 35 degrees at 2000'. Blowing snow and cold temps, but not much accumulation. The Cherohala is fun to explore in the winter, preferably in a 4wd vehicle. The road is notorious for black ice in areas that don't get any sun all winter. Remember, if you get in trouble on the Cherohala, help is a long time coming and cell phone service is sketchy.
DECEMBER 11, 2007 We couldn't resist the 75 degree weather after returning from Toronto and sub-freezing temps, so we headed out on the KLRs for a 175 mile loop on the Dragon and US 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There were three or four dozen other riders on the Dragon which was damp in spots but overall in good condition. This time of year the road can stay wet all day in some corners. The Foothills Parkway was drier with some haze in the distance. We had a good traffic-free ride on the normally crowded Little River Road (TN 73). US 441 from Gatlinburg to Cherokee was also traffic free. These roads were in good condition other than some sand/salt at the higher elevations near Newfound Gap. The road to Clingman's Dome was closed. We had a great downhill run to Cherokee without being held-up by any other vehicles.

OCTOBER  20-21 and 27-28 THP must have finally decided to send their troopers to more important hot spots in the state. There has only been a few brief visits to the Dragon by one THP unit for the past two weekends. The relaxed atmosphere for riders at the Dragon has returned with the changing of the leaves.

FALL COLORS ON THE DRAGON - Photo at right

Just when you think you’ve heard it all the THP steps to even lower levels.

One of Graham County’s most respected citizens was recently ticketed while returning from Knoxville. This doctor has served Graham County’s medical needs for more than 3 decades and has made this trip to and from Knoxville hundreds of times.

A few weeks ago she had just begun the climb into the stretch of road known as the Dragon when she noticed blue lights in her rear view mirror. She glanced at her speed and noted it was just under 40 mph. Thinking that the emergency vehicle was responding to a wreck on the mountain she began looking for a place to pull off the road to allow the vehicle to pass. Not seeing an immediate pull-off she accelerated so as to find a pull-off as soon as possible.

When she finally pulled into a safe place she was startled to see the Tennessee Highway Patrol car pull in behind her. Trooper Baily cited her for doing 46 in a 30 mph zone. He would not listen to the fact that he caused her to speed-up or that she was returning to Robbinsville to answer 6 medical calls from the local nursing home.

Trooper Baily was mechanical and stated the speed of 46 was a more serious violation by 1 mph. He would not even reduce the infraction 1 mph because of the circumstances.

Keep it up Tennessee …. You surprise us nearly every day.

OCTOBER  6-7 and 13-14 Between two and four LEOs each Firday, Saturday and Sunday. Still ticketing riders for speed and other violations, but not as bad as the harassing tactics of before. The Dragon is still active, but slowing down a bit each week.

FRIDAY THRU SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 28-30 A busy weekend at the Gap with many sport bikes returning for the first time in months. THP was there with a couple of cars each day, but they seem to be tiring of the out-and-out harassment. You'll still need to watch your speed, especially along the Little Tennessee River as you near the Dragon. We just got a copy of the state grant for overtime salaries to THP and BCSO. It has some interesting discrepancies that we will be commenting on. In the grants the state actually used the Tail of the Dragon map which is copyrighted materials without asking our permission. And we are the lawless ???

Nancy and I spent Sunday through Wednesday last week as special guests of the Governor of Virginia where riders are given a much better welcome than Tennessee. There were no troopers waiting under the WELCOME TO VIRGINIA sign and in four days or riding some great roads we saw only two LEOs who smiled and waved as we passed. We'll be posting the complete story in a week or so. We wore our new Olympia Moto Sports jackets from Tellico Outfitters CLICK HERE and were quite happy with their versatility and convenience. Thanks to all those who gave us some hints about where to ride. Your help was invaluable !!!

FRIDAY THRU SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 21-23 Another slow tourist weekend thanks to THP. Tennessee businesses must be suffering based on email comments to us and the obviously evident reduced tourism. We are stunned that more Tennessee businesses have not SCREAMED ABOUT THIS FIASCO. The number of accidents are down because of fewer tourists, but the severity of injuries on the Dragon and other nearby roads have worsened. We are seeing more inexperienced cruiser riders on bikes that are not as agile in the corners and with slower reaction times in emergency circumstances. Many of these riders are wearing minimal protection if any. The "brain buckets" are not very much help in a wreck !! THP continues to waste manpower on the Dragon on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (7 units on Saturday alone). Tennessee must have tax money to burn. We just got a copy of the state grant for overtime salaries to THP and BCSO. It has some interesting discrepancies that we will be commenting on. In the grants the state actually used the Tail of the Dragon map which is copyrighted materials without asking our permission. And we are the lawless ???

Nancy and I spent Sunday through Wednesday last week as special guests of the Governor of Virginia where riders are given a much better welcome than Tennessee. There were no troopers waiting under the WELCOME TO VIRGINIA sign and in four days or riding some great roads we saw only two LEOs who smiled and waved as we passed. We'll be posting the complete story in a week or so. We wore our new Olympia Moto Sports jackets from Tellico Outfitters CLICK HERE and were quite happy with their versatility and convenience. Thanks to all those who gave us some hints about where to ride. Your help was invaluable !!!

FRIDAY THRU MONDAY SEPTEMBER 14-17 Rather slow, but still a good crowd of cruisers and touring bikes with a smattering of sports cars. Saw a number of antique cars attending the show in Pigeon Forge. THP continues to waste manpower on the Dragon on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tennessee must have tax money to burn. We just got a copy of the state grant for overtime salaries to THP and BCSO. It has some interesting discrepancies that we will be commenting on. In the grants the state actually used the Tail of the Dragon map which is copyrighted materials without asking our permission. And we are the lawless ???

FRIDAY thru MONDAY, SEP 7-9: Even with the rallys in Cherokee and Maggie Valley it was a quiet weekend. Sunday was especially slow. The Wild Horses brought a little excitement. The THP is still at the Gap on weekends so watch you speed. Hang it up if you are stopped by Sgt Kim Ogle ... she can write tickets faster than you can get thru the Wendy's driveup. She must have a wonderful life ...... NOT.

FRIDAY thru MONDAY. AUG 31 -SEP 3: The Labor Day weekend was enjoyed by many riders and drivers on the Dragon. For the most part THP and BCSO did not spoil the fun. We did hear that some eight THP were on the Cherohala Skyway Sunday. And on the North Carolina side some 6 NCHP were running a sobriety check that started at 10 am. What a waste on taxpayers money in two states in this Hands Across the Border program. We will now be contacting the NC Governor Michael Easley with complaints. There is a NC trooper on 28 that is harassing everyone, not just motorcycles so watch your speed on this 4-lane between US19/74 and NC143. We are sending his name to the governor.

In additional to all the troopers at the Dragon and the Cherohala, there were 4 THP on lightly traveled TN133, just north of the popular motorcycle destination Shady Valley. If the THP would spend more time on heavy traffic roadways, perhaps 11 people would not have died during the Labor Day weekend in Tennessee. CLICK HERE FOR STORY

THURSDAY thru SUNDAY AUG 26: The busiest days of the entire year as the HOG Rally in Knoxville and the Women's Sportbike Rally at Fontana Dam brought in thousands of riders.

I spent most of Friday and Saturday touring the empty roadway along with a few local motorists affraid to go over 25 mph. Engine kept overheating at this speed. Couldn't get pulled over for too many cameras. THP keeps waving at me like we are old friends.

We have written a new congratulatory letter to the Governor.

BULLETIN AUGUST 26: THP nabs one of the "lawless" on Saturday. I was ticketed for holding a video camera while driving my car. Trooper Martin stated it is a television or similar device even though the video display was closed and there is no viewfinder to look through. According to the trooper cellphones, IPODS, Whoppers and drinks are legal to hold while driving, but video cameras are not. We go to court on November 1 ... we can't wait. The stop is fully documented on two video cameras and ready for presentation to the judge.

Looks like THP doesn't like their pictures taken. As a photo journalist covering the news on the Dragon I resent this attack on my personal freedom. IT IS JUST MORE HARASSMENT BY THP. We are looking into filing a civil rights violation against Trooper Martin, THP and the state. Ron - TOD

An Open Letter to Governor Bredesen:

Congratulations. Let Tail of the Dragon be one of the first to congratulate you on the success of your program to reduce accidents and deaths on the 11 mile stretch of US 129 known as the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap. In just one weekend the problem has been eliminated. Of course so have all the tourists who usually come here to enjoy the road. It was a stroke of genius whoever came up with this plan.

Too bad that your success has also attained the following:

1. An incalculable loss to Tennessee in taxes from motorcycle and sports car tourism. And not just the area of Deals Gap, but statewide. We in the motorcycling community are a tight knit group who love the freedom of the road. Take that freedom away and we will ride elsewhere. We also communicate and pass on good and bad reports about where to go and where to avoid. Internet forums across the nation are filled with harassment stories about THP.
2. An incalculable loss in revenue for Tennessee businesses. And not just in the Deals Gap area, but statewide. We have received hundreds of email complaints from tourists promising to avoid your state entirely or spend as little as possible if they have to pass through. We’ve had several major businesses promise to cancel all dealings with companies in Tennessee. We’ve had several large groups promise to take their annual meetings elsewhere. We’ve had hundreds of small groups and families promise to take their vacations elsewhere.
3. A monumental setback in the attitude toward law enforcement in Tennessee. The actions of your Tennessee Highway Patrol verged on criminal and certainly violated the civil liberties of many of your “guests”. If Commissioner David Mitchell of the Department of Safety was responsible he should be fired. If Colonel Mike Walker of the Tennessee Highway Patrol was responsible he should be fired. We do see on the Tennessee.gov site that “the Tennessee Highway Patrol maintains a riot squad …. that can respond to any emergency that may arise.” Guess we saw them on the Dragon. Perhaps you should review this organization.
4. These troopers, sworn to uphold the law and promote safety, made a mockery of their profession by harassing law abiding tourists coming into your state and themselves driving in such a manner as to endanger the public safety. There should be an investigation into the dangerous practices exhibited by your troopers. We have had numerous accounts of THP cars tailgating motorcyclists, making U-turns on the Dragon in violation of 55-8-141, and the crossing of the double yellow as evidenced in several photos and video on our website.
5. Please review the photos and video of some of the actions of THP and BCSO officers posted on our website www.TailoftheDragon.com. We will meet with any official of the state at any time to provide the documentation, original sources, and eye witness accounts of these violations by Tennessee law enforcement agencies.
6. Actions such as this will leave a lasting impression that will take years to reverse. Graham County, North Carolina, made some similar mistakes in the 1997 BMW Rally and still hears people complain of the treatment they received.
7. Put a severe strain on the local court system for minor infractions.
8. Expenditures of state monies that could have been better utilized.
9. Reassignment of troopers left many areas of the state unprotected during busy week-end traffic and possibly contributed to injuries/deaths elsewhere. Several people reported traveling hundreds of miles on Interstates and not seeing one THP.
   
   

Tail of the Dragon has worked diligently over the past seven years to promote tourism in the area. We have met with many area groups such as the Knoxville Optimist Club, the Maryville Kiwanis Club, and numerous tourism groups in Tennessee to increase local awareness of the special attraction of Deals Gap.

Tail of the Dragon recently spent time with Tennessee DOT to formulate recommendations for safety improvements to US129. Many of our suggestions appear in the final report. We have begged Blount County and THP for years to have routine patrols on US129 to enforce the laws as they should be. The failure to do so is on Tennessee’s hands.

Graham County Travel and Tourism in North Carolina has spent tens of thousands of dollars to promote the area to motorcycles and sports car groups. Tennessee has benefited directly from these expenditures.

Now, in one weekend, someone in your government has negated all this work. US129, normally alive with people from all over the country/world enjoying motorcycling, is today a ghost road. There are literally more law enforcement vehicles on the Dragon than there are motorcycles most of the day. What little traffic there is moves at a 20 mph snails pace meeting radar units every mile or so. And yes, there are people who will say thank you for making the road safe. But our statistics show they are about 2% of those speaking up today.

Last weekend, while 14 THP vehicles were on the 11 miles of Dragon, two motor vehicle deaths occurred within 65 miles of US129. On this Saturday afternoon, with seven troopers on the Dragon, a rider was killed on nearby US411 in a collision with a pick-up truck. Had these units been in those areas perhaps a life or two could have been saved.

If Tennessee is so interested in lowering the accidents and deaths on its highways why did it not take part in the 2004 study conducted by Georgia Institute of Technology? Tennessee was the only southeastern state not to contribute a report for study. This study revealed that the best target areas for patrol are rural back roads late at night looking for intoxicated motorists.

Perhaps Tennessee should listen to the 2003 Surface Transportation Policy Project which states that “the most dangerous roads are those with a posted speed limit of 60 mph or higher.” This study also shows that less than 2 percent of all traffic fatalities occur where the posted speed limit is 30 mph or less as it is on the Dragon.

There is not much else to say except that we are sorry for the innocent citizens and businesses of Tennessee who will suffer. Perhaps they will take action the next time they vote. Seems none of the local or state officials want to step up to the plate right now.

Tail of the Dragon and thousands of others still cannot believe the disgraceful actions of your state. Someone should answer for it all.

AND THE GOVERNOR ANSWERS:

Dear Friend,

Thank you for writing and sharing your concerns.  Your comments and suggestions were greatly appreciated and I will be sure to forward your concerns to the Department of Safety for review and response.

Again, thank you for taking the time to write.  I hope to hear from you again on other matters of importance to you.

Warmest regards,
Phil Bredesen  
cc:  Commissioner David Mitchell, Department of Safety

NOW WE ARE FRIENDS !!! NO WONDER THE TROOPERS WERE WAVING AT ME.

BULLETIN AUGUST 22: Who is running the Tennessee Highway Patrol? Read this article about another Tennessee trooper and the death of an 18-year old motorcycle rider. When is the Governor going to take some action against this run-amuk agency? CLICK HERE And Tennessee says they WELCOME MOTORCYCLISTS? How long before something like this happens on the Dragon? Let the Governor know how you feel !!! THP is running rampant against motorcycling.
AND last week a Dragon regular and his girlfriend were hit by a DUI who fled the scene and then another DUI hit the rider and people who came to his aid. Both DUIs were apprehended. Guess the THP troopers were busy getting a good night's sleep so they could harass tourists at the Dragon during the day. Something is seriously wrong with THP priorities. Anyone in Nashville listening?

BREAKING NEWS: Seems the Governor has even more problems with THP. Are they all thugs???? CLICK FOR DETAILS

MORE  SATURATIONS !!! Seems TN enforcement has reached a fever pitch and is expanding into nearby areas. Watch it on Monday August 20 in the Alcoa, Maryville area. Now they are after the locals too. CLICK FOR DETAILS

There was also stepped-up enforcement in the motorcycle popular Shady Valley area again last weekend with at least six LEOs at this small country crossroads to handle the "lawless" at the annual Rally in the Valley. More troops are scheduled for the Shady Valley Cranberry Festival in October. We hear this can get pretty rowdy too.

AUGUST 17-18 FRIDAY/SATURDAY: Count for Friday and Saturday was back up. Guess the Shady Valley Troopers were called back in. All the Kings Men couldn't keep Humpy Dumpy from crashing at the Hump in the early afternoon on Saturday. Counted at least 10 troopers at this scene alone. Saturday there were 4 THP motorcycles, 6 or 7 cars, a pick-up, and 3 Blount County Sheriff's cars. The SO was busy writing-up riders at the Overlook for lawless licence plate placement, just one of the new "Save Lives" tools. We advise you NOT TO STOP at the beautiful, scenic spot if there is anything not up to snuff with your bike or equipment. The SO walks around looking for these heinous violations that contribute to "Utter Chaos" by the "Lawless" tourists to their state and county.
The Troopers are still waving at me. One motorcycle trooper even pulled over to where I was stopped to make sure everything was okay. At least their blatant harassment seems to have stopped. Of course everyone is going under 25 mph so there is not much to enforce.
We have also heard that Blount County SO has been ticketing the gravel trucks that are working to repair the Parsons Branch Road leading from Cades Cove to US129. One got $600 in tickets for minor DOT violations such as unreadable company name on tailgate. MORE LAWLESSNESS.
Has all of Tennessee gone nutso?

I spent most of Friday and Saturday touring the empty roadway along with a few local motorists affraid to go over 25 mph. Engine kept overheating at this speed. Couldn't get pulled over for too many cameras. THP keeps waving at me like we are old friends.

BULLETIN AUGUST 12 - SUNDAY: Count for the day - four THP units and three Blount County units. Most of the day there were more LEOs than motorcycles. The Governor's plan has worked. US129 is now the safest highway in the state. Of course now there is no traffic.

Blount County SO makes harzardous turns in blind corners on the Dragon so watch it if you are on US129. SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE

I spent most of the day touring the empty roadway along with a few local motorists affraid to go over 25 mph. Engine kept overheating at this speed. Couldn't get pulled over for too many cameras. THP keeps waving at me like we are old friends.

WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS: LEO COUNT AUGUST 11, 2007, LEO COUNT AUGUST 4, 2007, WRONG LANE LEO AUGUST 4, 2007

BULLETIN AUGUST 11 - SATURDAY: Well today there were only six THP marked cars, one undercover black Expedition, and one Blount County unit. The Troopers wrote a couple of probably deserved tickets but spent most of the day snoozing in the shade. Easiest duty they have had in a long time if the can dodge my cameras.

The Blount County SO K-9 car stayed pretty busy writing silly plate violations at the Overlook. "You-all don't come back now."

I spent most of the day taking scenic videos and managed not to get pulled-over. Bet the LEOs could have made-up some violation if they had the nerve to stop me. Too many cameras or something like that. They sure were careful driving after their morning pep rally/strategy meeting.

BREAKING NEWS: Seems the Governor has even more problems with THP. Are they all thugs???? CLICK FOR DETAILS

BULLETIN AUGUST 10 FRIDAY: Well today there were only seven THP cars, two Blount County units, and one Ranger. They were cool, mostly sitting on the side of the road hoping not to get photographed in the wrong lane. Wrong Lane Leo was not sighted anywhere. But we did manage to get pulled-over in Nancy's Jeep for using a video camera. Now the State of Tennessee doesn't even want you to videotape their beautiful scenery either !!!!

I was going 25 mph with the video camera taking some shots of the flora and hopefully fauna when suddenly there were blue lights in the mirror. Surely there is an accident ahead so I pull over to let the Trooper pass and was surprised to see him pulling in behind me. He says we are not allowed to have a video camera within sight of the driver. We got the complete going over just looking for something else to cite. What next Governor?

Yet a tanker semi-truck was allowed to cross the Dragon. Luckily this one made it over. Wonder if he was ticketed for crossing the double yellow?

Oh by the way .... the Dragon had more Troopers on it today than vehicles most of the time. The new "chase tourists out of Tennessee" campaign is working. We saw much "chaos and lawlessness" in North Carolina though as bikers and sports car drivers were enjoying the freedom of the road. And the complaints keep rolling in.

Here is the law: 55-9-105. Television in motor vehicles — Penalty — Law enforcement officers exempt.
 (a)  No television screen or other device of a similar nature shall be installed or used in this state in any position or location in a motor vehicle where it may be visible to the driver, or where it may in any other manner interfere with the safe operation and control of the vehicle. It is unlawful for any person to install or cause to be installed a television screen or other device of a similar nature, in violation of the provisions of this section, or to operate upon the public highways, or sell within this state, any motor vehicle which has a television screen or other device of a similar nature installed in violation of the provisions of this section.
 (b)  The prohibitions contained in this section do not apply to the following:
(1)  Electronic displays used in conjunction with vehicle navigation systems;
(2)  Closed circuit video monitors designed to operate only in conjunction with dedicated video cameras and used in rear-view systems on motor vehicles;
(3)  Television receivers or monitors used in government-owned vehicles by law enforcement officers in the course of their official duties; and
(4)  (A)  Computer or other electronic displays or monitors used in utility vehicles by employees of the utility in the course of their official duties; provided, however, such use shall only be permitted while the vehicle is stopped, standing or parked.

To us it is a long reach to say that a video camera is a "device of similar nature " to a television. If so then IPods, cellphones, and video/still cameras with displays are all prohibited from use in the front seat if a Trooper really wants to cite you. SOLUTION: KEEP YOUR VIDEO DISPLAY ON THE CAMERA CLOSED.

We can't believe that THP is NOT writing tickets for violating this law which is actually on the books:
55-8-166. Driving on mountain highways.

The driver of a motor vehicle traveling on mountain highways shall hold such motor vehicle under control and as near the right-hand edge of the highway as reasonably possible and, upon approaching any curve where the view is obstructed within a distance of two hundred feet (200') along the highway, shall give audible warning with the horn of such motor vehicle.

[Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 66; T.C.A., § 59-867.]
LET 'S START OBEYING THE LAW - SOUND HORN AT EVERY CORNER. Thanks to D. Stallings for pointing this law out.

Well, the Late Great State of Tennessee has answered our open letter. Not in words but in actions. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday August 3-6, there were some 14 Tennessee Highway Patrol vehicles and a couple of Blount County Sheriffs cars blatantly harassing both motorcycles and cars on the 11 miles of the Dragon. They promise to be here for the next month. Talk about showing your ignorance. CLICK HERE to count the Troopers in this video filmed August 4, 2007

These actions prove Tennessee does not welcome visitors to this area. One Trooper pulled me over for no reason. I was on my motorcycle following three cars at the posted 30 mph speed limit and the Trooper signaled me to pull over onto the gravel. He gave my bike a once over and then signaled me to pull back out. Why did he let the cars pass and then stop me?

We heard worse stories. An older female vacationer from Minnesota in an SUV was pulled over in one of the straights and ticketed for 45 in a 30. She insisted she was not going that fast. A local Blount County family was showing their friend from out of state the Dragon. He was ticketed for 40 in a 30. A Georgia rider was pulled over and threatened with arrest when the Trooper insisted that he had crossed the double yellow at 30 mph. He was then harassed for having his face shield up even though he was wearing glasses. The Trooper said the rider HAD TO PROVE they were shatter proof. We heard of a number of non-DOT helmet tickets and saw many rider helmets being inspected buy THP. Traffic crept over the Dragon at 20 mph all day. Get a life Tennessee. Many visitors who were staying in Tennessee told us they would not return or spend any money in that state.

While these 14 Troopers were here:

• Friday 11 am, Meigs TN, 45 miles from the Dragon - Two pick-ups collide, one driver dead
• Saturday Morning, Bledsoe TN, 65 miles west of the Dragon – A motorcyclist was killed in a one vehicle accident.

Bottom line ….. Tennessee doesn’t want your tourism dollar. Answer ….. bring it to North Carolina. We have many roads that rival the Dragon. US 129 all the way through Robbinsville to US 19/74 has some great sections. The Hellbender NC28 is a real challenge. Continue to the east of US 19/74 on NC28 and get a real thrill. And all of these roads have a 55 mph speed limit, not a ridiculous 30 mph like the Dragon.

Ride the Cherohala Skyway. The speed limit is 45 in North Carolina, but that’s fast enough to get a thrill. In Tennessee the limit drops to 40 mph even though the road is easier. Ride the NC side.

You’ll have to obey the law in North Carolina, but there won’t be a storm trooper at every turn.