That video is going south to north. I went the opposite. And, I think it is only about the last 1/3rd of the trek. It is very "hairy" at the peak where there are no guard rails, warning signs and plenty of up-&-overs to raise your blood pressure mega points. Too, it appears to be from a bike due to the lean-in from the camera.

Please be sure that the speed seems to be tame but, in no way does it capture the spirit of the road. The road will win every time if you push it beyond the ability of the car, the tire and the driver.

Anyhoot, this is one that needs to be experienced. It is that good ...................... (and dangerous ..............)

Scott

 

I think a basic question that needs to be answered is: if nothing else changes, can we or can we not drive the road called "the dragon" at the destination? It seems that people are arguing for the coolness of the trip up there, but frankly putting that many miles on the S only to look at a road we can't drive on, and spending a couple hundred on logistics to do so seems silly to me. I'm just unclear what exactly this rockslide changes and does not change.

 

As of today the "Dragon" is closed. It may be open when we are there, it may not but I would suggest that you (and anyone else planning on going) base your decision on the road remaining closed.

The Dragon is one stretch of pavement that is the "draw" to the area and the reason this meet is held. However most people do the Dragon and them move on to other roads in the area. This years trip will most likely just involve those other roads which I happen to like as much if not more.

Things I like about the Dragon:

1) An intense drive for 11 minutes
2) The novelty of "running the Dragon"

Things I do not like about the Dragon:

1) Dodging law enforcement
2) Dodging the Motorcycles who think they own the road
3) Competing with other groups for time on the Dragon
4) Did I mention Law enforcement?

Last year I went out and back on the Dragon 1 time and we spent all our other time on group drives not on the Dragon so for me I won't really miss it.

There are so many great roads not named "The Dragon" that the trip will be everything you could hope for if you want to find out what your S is really made for.

If you specifically want to drive "The Dragon" then perhaps this year is not the year to go. However I can say that if you do decide to go you won't be sorry you did even if you don't drive on the dragon.

Good Luck in your decision! Registration closes on April 7th and if you made a reservation at Fontana they do not offer refunds. I understand they will allow your deposit to be used for the Fall event (Dragon Ball Run) or next years WTD.

 

Interesting. Thanks for
the very thorough explanation, Barry! I'll sleep on it.

 

Yep.....that is the one. they call that 180, 129 loop "The Wolf" Way fun. BTW my cousin has a home in Suches and is a volunteer fireman there.

Also make sure you do the Richard Russel Scenic highway route 348. Rt 76 between Hiawassee and Clyton is fun too.

Sott, I have few more we can discuss too.

 

You need to GO

 

In +1. Dillard house res. made. we'll be meeting up with you guys near i 75 and i 10. Can't wait. Thanks.

 

 

FYI

THE DRAGON WILL BE OPEN!!!

From the Deals Gap Website this afternoon:

Daily Updates
Monday April 5

Ok Gang it is official, TN will sign off on Graham county letter of EMS support. Thanks to all the letters, emails, phone calls and faxes you sent in.

But lets also thank the State of TN for letting NC help. Also, Thank you THP I know that you will have a hard patrol schedule and are going the extra mile to get the road reopened.

This week I will change the save the gap banner to a site listing all the critical political and private players that helped us along the way. Please feel free to thank those folks as much as we asked for there help. All too often we are quick to judge and complain but we never take the time to say thanks...present company included. So I will make sure I take this opportunity to express my thanks for all of there work as a team.

OK now for the WARNING.....this is not a closed course folks, traffic will be going both ways and not all just motorcycles. TVA and Alchoa will be bussing there folks between the dams. Please do not cross the double line thinking it is safe to do so. Crossing will put you at risk of serious injury or a fatality. Also, please do not complain if THP gives you a ticket for crossing they only want everyone to be safe. They would prefer not to write a single ticket and see everyone go home safe and happy.

Thanks again Gang

 

^ FYI you will have to do a round trip, turning around before the rockslide. I am assuming that the rockslide is near where we stopped to use the restrooms last year.