Just got back from a weekend at the dragon...
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,319
Likes: 14
Just got back from a weekend at the dragon...
I just got back from an event at the dragon where I was a sponsor. Let me start by saying that the good 'ol days of driving the dragon are officially over! There were so many cops on the dragon that it was just unbearable. 30mph is NOT a fun speed at all and you're nervous as hell about going any faster b/c the troopers would pop up around the corner just as you thought it was clear. There was probably one every mile or so stationed at the turns and a few in large groups waiting to give chase.
The first few miles were clear on the TN/NC border just to get you thinking that it might not be so bad, then all of a sudden, it's just one trooper after another. Granted, I didn't see anybody being harrassed or pulled over, but you just don't feel comfortable knowing that they could be waiting around the next turn to get you for going 31mph or something stupid.
Usually, motorcycles or cars warn you of police ahead with a helmet tap or motioning you to slow down. This time, nobody bothered as it was pretty much useless to warn you. Everybody was going slow for the weekend and it felt like being stuck behind a buick for the whole run. All of the pull over spots were either taken up by troopers or by the photographers looking to hang on to their dying business.
Take my advice and don't even bother going through to give them hope of renewed tourism. It's just a 11mile crawl through the mountains at this point. The Skyway and the Hellbender roads are pretty much the highlight of the area now
Boooo to THP
The first few miles were clear on the TN/NC border just to get you thinking that it might not be so bad, then all of a sudden, it's just one trooper after another. Granted, I didn't see anybody being harrassed or pulled over, but you just don't feel comfortable knowing that they could be waiting around the next turn to get you for going 31mph or something stupid.
Usually, motorcycles or cars warn you of police ahead with a helmet tap or motioning you to slow down. This time, nobody bothered as it was pretty much useless to warn you. Everybody was going slow for the weekend and it felt like being stuck behind a buick for the whole run. All of the pull over spots were either taken up by troopers or by the photographers looking to hang on to their dying business.
Take my advice and don't even bother going through to give them hope of renewed tourism. It's just a 11mile crawl through the mountains at this point. The Skyway and the Hellbender roads are pretty much the highlight of the area now
Boooo to THP
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 2
From: Dragon country
Sorry to hear it sucked Joe. 
Definitely time to vote for the other guy.
We're planning a day trip up there in a couple of weeks but with all the recent BS goin' down it's a good bet most of the run won't be on the Dragon. Fug 'em. There's so many good roads in that area it's not a total loss by any means. At least they're focused in one spot. Bet they love passing each other all day long.
Wonder how long it'll be before someone with common sense realizes that they look like fools wasting manpower like that. . . . . . . no wait, I forgot, this is more political than anything . . . . . . could be a while.
Yup, definitely voting for the other guy next time.
Definitely time to vote for the other guy.
We're planning a day trip up there in a couple of weeks but with all the recent BS goin' down it's a good bet most of the run won't be on the Dragon. Fug 'em. There's so many good roads in that area it's not a total loss by any means. At least they're focused in one spot. Bet they love passing each other all day long.
Wonder how long it'll be before someone with common sense realizes that they look like fools wasting manpower like that. . . . . . . no wait, I forgot, this is more political than anything . . . . . . could be a while. Yup, definitely voting for the other guy next time.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,941
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte
Hey Joe, thanks for the warning! What days and times were you out when you saw all the uber-enforcement? Was it Friday as well as Saturday or just Saturday? Any input on what Sunday morning looks like?
I've also read where the LEO's disappear around 7:00 PM, even on a Saturday, so we miiiiiiiiight could plan on some lovely late-evening Dragon runs during McDragon this weekend. <fingers crossed>
Regardless; we'll report back and hope for the best!
I've also read where the LEO's disappear around 7:00 PM, even on a Saturday, so we miiiiiiiiight could plan on some lovely late-evening Dragon runs during McDragon this weekend. <fingers crossed>
Regardless; we'll report back and hope for the best!
