Tail of the Dragon

[Bagger]

I'm headed up to the Tail of the Dragon this weekend. This is an annual jaunt for me, and this is one trip when the CTD will remain at home. I'm riding the HD. I'm bringing this up because last year I saw two CTDs on the Dragon. For those of you who haven't been there, it is not exactly the sort of road over which you'd like to tow a 5er. It's twisty: 318 curves in 11 miles, BUT, I have seen 18 wheelers travel the route... ... ... . usually at their own peril, and mostly at the peril of other motorists. Anyway, if anyone is headed that way this weekend, I'll be there Friday morning. Contact me, and we'll tame the beast. Please be careful up there, and please stay in your lane.

 

[Hermansdiesel]

Oh Man your killing me I would love to do that with my '03 FLHTCUI and join you, but I am to fare away and I have family stuff this weekend.



Best Wishes for a safe and fun ride

 

[Bagger]

Helen, GA

Hello from Helen, GA! What a great ride today. The HD was flawless throughout the entire ride. Man I love that scooter. I set half tank as my "start looking" point, and I never had trouble finding gas until I got Helen. Had to double back to Cleveland to get gas when I got here. Prices ranged from $2. 65 at my Enterprise, AL home when I filled up yesterday to $3. 99 when I filled up in Cleveland. Just finished getting the bugs off the HD. Going to bed soon. Will be up early in the morning to head to the TOD. Can't wait. Then I'm going to my hometown, Clarksville, TN, to spend the remainder of the weekend. The HD will get her 35K mile service and a new rear tire while at home. It'll be good to see family and friends. I'll keep you posted as I make my way along.

Speaking of fuel, last night I had to take the CTD to three different filling stations just to find diesel. when I did find it, it was $2. 65. I filled the CTD, and no sooner did I hang the nozzle and the price jumped to $3. 19. WOW! Glad I topped off when I did. Think I'll be riding the HD ALOT more now as with these prices, the CTD is going to doing ALOT of sitting in the garage.

 

[AndyMan]

Hope you have a great and safe ride. When rolling up I-24 out of Nashville towards Clarksville, gimmie a couple a hoots on the horn. I'm two miles off I-24 at exit 24. Pleasant View, TN.

If you get a few extra minutes, fill up at our Mapco Travel Center... Best place to get regular fuel turnover North of Nashville. Also, if you make that stop, gimmie a shout. I'll buy ya a Pepsi while you fuel. I'll PM you my cell if you want.

Rock on.
Andy

 

[Bagger]

The Dragon and Clarksville, Tennessee

Hello from Clarksville, TN... ... ... my hometown! It sure is good to be home, but darn near better was today's leg of my journey. I started at first light in Helen, GA. Cruised down GA 75, which becomes NC 175. That runs into US 64 west. Then went north on NC 141, which ran into US 129/US 19 etc..... Finally I hit US 129 in Robbinsville, NC, and it was GAME ON! Man what a great ride! I made three great runs on the Dragon, bought some stuff for the wife and daughter, then made one last run to the Tennessee side. Picked up 411 in Marysville, TN, I-140 and I-40 to Nashville, and I-24 into Clarksville. Sorry Andyman. I stopped at exit 24 on I-24 and called but got no answer. it was about 3:30. Stopped at Appleton's HD to say hello. Taking the scoot there first thing in the AM for service and rear rubber. Went to inlaws house to visit for awhile. I'm beat down dead dog tired. So far over 700 miles since leaving yesterday, and one hell of a great time on the Dragon. Going to visit some friends tomorrow as well as check on my house and land in Cumberland City. Going to to attend my local HOG meeting tomorrow night and do some more visiting afterward. Will head back to Alabama on Sunday. If you'd like to see pictures of me on the Dragon, go to http://www.killboy.com later next week. Look for the Sep 2 Cruiser files. I'm wearing a blue HOG T-shirt in my last pass and a black HD jacket on the first three. My helmet is black, and my scoot is identified in my sig line. I've attached pics of my scoot when I stopped at the Overlook. It's been a BLAST

 

[Woodenhead]

I did a job at one of the dams out there last year and stayed in Robbinsville for a couple of weeks. At least once a week I'd have to run into Knoxville for supplies and would travel the tail to get there (no trailer). 3rd gear (had the NV4500 at the time) seemed perfect for launching out of the corners and worked well with my exhaust brake to slow down for the next turn. I could go through at a pace fast enough to not have any cars catch up without touching the brake pedal. Had plenty of bikes ride my bumper which I would let by when there was room. Folks take some pretty crazy chances running through there.



Taker easy,

Mike

 

[ekroman]

Tail of the Dragon during Katrina

We rode the tail of the Dragon while the edge of Katrina worked it's way through the area last Tuesday. We also did the Cherohala skyway, there was only one other bike out there, a BMW.



There was a lot of leaves and stuff on the road, but almost no other traffic. I can see why the sportbikers love that road, along with the sportscars. I didn't get much over 30 mph during the Tail of the Dragon, which suited my wife just fine.



We run a 1997 Road King, we'll be getting a 2006 FLHTCUI this winter. I'm riding the Road King everywhere, since it gets much better mileage than anything else we own.



Eddie