HOME I DRAGON HYPE I DTV I RACIN I WARNING TO BIKERS I WIN IN TRAFFIC COURT I POLICE PORN I CRASH CURES I SWAG
|
|
|
"A remarkably candid interview, though the end result is not surprising, considering the fact that he obviously had no formal training. This is evident from the fact that he didn't know the definition of countersteering. Any rider, no matter how experienced, can gain from formal training, whether on the track or through an MSF course." "Shyit, in the future, I will be riding with a note in my wallet which instructs EMS that in the case of a severe accident, just morph me up and leave me at the side of the road. There's no way I am paying $100 grand and living like freakin' Frankenstein!" Scar Story on Performance Bikes Forum - In-depth analysis of the dangers and challenges on the Dragon.
|
|
Faster than a Speeding Ticket
Tail Of The Dragon ticketed for shooting cops perping crimes on the Dragon using new unconstitutional state statute TCA 55-9-105 to ban all videocams in vehicles - Note the BCSO deputy impersonating a police officer blocking a federal highway in blind curves while profiting from traffic ticket rackets and organized crime in federal jurisdiction - Saturday 25 August 2007 Photographers Rights versus the police
Tennessee cops arrest cellphone photographer - It’s convenient when you want to take that impromptu photo, but a Tri-Cities area man ended up behind bars after snapping a shot of a Johnson County sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop. The cell phone photographer says the arrest was intimidation, but the deputy says he feared for his life. “Here’s a guy who takes me out of the car and arrests me in front of my kids. For what? To take a picture of a police officer?” said Scott Conover. A Johnson County sheriff’s deputy arrested Scott Conover for unlawful photography. “He says you took a picture of me. It’s illegal to take a picture of a law enforcement officer,” said Conover. Conover took a picture of a sheriff’s deputy on the side of the road on a traffic stop. Conover was stunned by the charge. “This is a public highway,” said Conover. And it was not a place where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy as Tennessee code states. The deputy also asked Conover to delete the picture three times. “He said if you don’t give it to me, you’re going to jail,” said Conover. He expects these charges to be dismissed. “This guy maliciously arrested me, charging me with phony charges that he don’t even understand himself,” Conover said. The American Civil Liberties Union would not comment on Conover’s case without fully reviewing the allegations, but told us there is no law that prohibits anyone from taking photographs in public areas, even of police. Taking photos is protected by the First Amendment.
 King of the South 2008 - Extreme Kings of Tennessee
Fire-Breathing Dragon Deals Gap ChristmasFebruary Music Mix
Jake Jost, Investigative Producer
Click to watch video Fire crews continue their fight Thursday against a brush fire just off US 129, also known as "the Dragon." The rocky, steep terrain is changing the way firefighters have to approach this fire. It makes digging fire-lines unsafe and impractical, so firefighters are using a network of existing roads to contain the fire. Thursday morning, 10 National Park Service firefighters and six Bureau of Indian Services firefighters remained on-site to continue containment efforts. The fire is burning about five miles south of the intersection of US 129 and the Foothills Parkway. No structures are threatened. Forestry teams from Blount and Monroe counties were called in to fight the fires Wednesday, as were the Blount County and Loudon County fire departments. At least 15 acres have already burned, and the fire is expected to burn through Thursday afternoon. The recent rainfall is not making firefighters' job any easier. "When it rains, we've still got a lot of dead debris up there, and even though that dead debris gets some moisture in it, as soon as the sun and wind hits it, it drys out very quickly, and that's what happened on the side of this mountain," Blount County Fire Chief Doug McClanahan said. That fire got started after a motorcyclist crashed, and his motorcycle caught fire. As for the motorcyclist who crashed, officials said he got up and walked away without any serious injuries.
Kent Kunitsugu, editor
Well, they're at it once again, unfortunately. Yet another sham organization posing as an "institute" has distorted the facts to trumpet its insurance-industry-funded agenda against sportbikes. In a press release that was picked up by many major news media outlets, the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and the so-called "Highway Loss Data Institute" claimed that "supersports motorcycles have the highest death rate" and spewed forth statistics that purportedly show why sportbikes should either be capped with a horsepower limit or banned altogether. Quotes were listed from people with inane-sounding titles such as "senior vice president for research"-but all it takes is a cursory look at the actual data used in the alleged report to see that the only "research" done was how to twist and selectively state the data so it would appear to validate the claims of the . . . oh, right, "institute." This is the same situation that occurred back in the 1980s when the IIHS convinced a misguided senator from Missouri named John Danforth to attempt introducing national legislation that would ban all "superbike" motorcycles. Danforth quickly withdrew his proposal after intense protest from rights activists and lobbying by the motorcycle industry. The latest report states that riders of supersport motorcycles have a death rate that is "four times higher than the death rate for motorcyclists who ride other types of motorcycles." Then there are the usual ignorant comparisons between the evil Japanese Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R sportbike and the Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide touring rig. A quote from a woman named Anne McCartt (the "senior vice president for research" at the HLDI) goes on to state that, "[Supersport] bikes made up less than 10 percent of registered motorcycles in 2005 but accounted for over 25 percent of rider deaths." There are more figures bantered about, such as, "Speeding and driver error were bigger factors in fatal crashes of supersport, sport, and unclad sport bikes compared with other classes of motorcycles." McCartt continues her proselytizing with utterly insightful remarks such as, "Motorcyclists presumably buy supersports and sport bikes because they want to go fast, and manufacturers are happy to oblige." Then, of course, she proffers the same insurance-industry mantra that was brought up with Senator Danforth: "Short of banning supersport and sport motorcycles from public roadways, capping the speed of these street-legal racing machines at the factory might be one way to reduce their risk." In basically regurgitating the IIHS' press release, what the news media failed to notice in PR copy is that the supersport's "four times higher . . . death rate" number was achieved through selective percentage; the actual statement is "four times higher . . . death rate . . . per 10,000 registered motorcycles." This means that instead of comparing each group of motorcycle categories as a whole, the HLDI used only a slice of the largest group by far-cruisers-in order to dramatically over-emphasize the figure. What isn't mentioned is that the fastest growing segment of fatal motorcycle accidents (by a large margin) is the over-1200cc category, which basically comprises-yep, you guessed it-cruisers and touring bikes. Sorry, HLDI, but there weren't enough Hayabusas sold to come anywhere near being part of that group. And while selective percentages may show sportbikes to be death machines, the actual numbers show that the groups with the largest fatality figures are cruisers/standards and touring bikes. What was also ignored from the actual data was that deaths in the 20-29-year-old age group-the one that used to be consistently the highest-actually decreased during that same period. Meanwhile, the 40-years-and-over age group (not exactly a prime supersports customer base) increased at the highest rate. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to presume that speeding and driver error will be bigger factors in fatal accidents of sportbikes than other classes of bikes. But again, what the report failed to note was that alcohol played a far greater role in all motorcycle fatalities (more than 40 percent) than speed or rider error. So shouldn't we ban alcohol? I'm not trying to single out cruiser and touring bike riders here; with the biggest percentage of registrations, it's easy for the law of averages to come into play with regard to accidents and fatalities for these two groups. I'm simply pointing out the IIHS' agenda of twisting the facts to gloss over one big problem in order to single out a smaller one, only because that smaller one costs their funding backers more money in insurance claims. It's also disappointing how several of today's major newspapers simply recited the press release in their fervor for a sensationalist story, instead of actually doing a little research to see if the facts stated were actually true. Or even interviewing anyone from the motorcycle industry for a rebuttal statement . . . and they call themselves "journalists"? See also: AMA REBUTTAL SAYS UNCLE SCAM WANTS SPEED GOVERNORS ON ALL VEHICLES Study: 'Supersport' cycles step up risk, USA TODAY, Sept 9, 2007 3 deaths on Dragon halfway through 2008, due to slow response by Rural Metro Ambulance Corp, rookie cruisers and trikes
By Adam Waheed
What do you get when you take 300-plus Yamaha YZF-R1 and YZF-R6 enthusiasts, stir in 318 tire shredding twists and turns in just 11 knee-dragging miles, add a healthy dose of legendary Smokey Mountain hospitality and top it off with some of the most gorgeous scenery east of the Mississippi? Well, my friends, you have the ingredients for the 2007 Kelly Brown R1/R6-forum.com Deals Gap Convention. The winding river of asphalt otherwise known as The Tail of the Dragon is nestled deep in the smokey-blue haze of the Appalachian Mountains. This one-of-a-kind paved paradise is situated on U.S. Highway 129 between the borders of Tennessee and North Carolina. The Tail of the Dragon stands-out from your typical winding country roads. There's no driveways, strip malls, gas stations or other modern-day distractions that we have become so accustomed to everywhere else.
We dropped in Thursday night to catch the tail-end of this year's week-long celebration that featured a variety of motorized and non-motorized events catering to riders and their families. Off-road riding, cycling, boating, fishing, jet-skiing, underwater basket weaving - you name it, Fontana Village Resort had it! Our host for this mechanized shindig was famed custom sportbike builder Shane McCoy of McCoy Motorsports. If you haven't heard of McCoy Motorsports, check out its ultra-trick stretched and slammed Yamaha YZF-R1 Fusion machine and that'll be all you need to verify McCoy's building prowess. Thursday night got off to a hazy start. I was greeted to a full-on house boat party on the picturesque Fontana Lake. The decked out two-story house boat was the perfect place to take in the scenery, have a few cocktails, and meet like-minded Yamaha aficionados. The first thing that struck me at the party was the level of camaraderie of this tightly-knit group. Being an outsider, having never heard of either the R1- or R6-forum.com online round-table, I honestly didn't know what to expect. But I was greeted with a cold can of Milwaukee's' finest, a warm smile, and a question that seemed normal enough at the time.
"What's your name?" asked Vaughn, an R1-rider from Tampa, Florida. "Adam", I responded. "No, no. What's your screen name?" Vaughn asked again. "Oh. I'm not a member just yet." "It's all good; just make sure to look me up when you sign up - I'm yamadogfj1200," replied Vaughn. After catching a few extra hours of sleep in my Fontana Village Resort cabin, I met with the leather clad army of Yamaha enthusiasts. We geared up and set off to slay the notorious Dragon. Chinese folklore says the Dragon brings prosperity, health and luck. While it offers these rewards to the rider, The Tail of the Dragon can take a bite out of those who let their guard down, overestimate their skill or underestimate the risk. And with at least one motorcycle-related fatality every year, not to mention the numerous crashes and injuries associated with those smash-ups, it is important to recognize your skill level. Last year's event was marred by the passing of Kelly Brown, an R1-forum.com group member who suffered a fatal accident during this very ride. For the second year in a row, Yamaha Motor Corporation stepped in and sponsored this year's convention. In wide-open Yamaha fashion, it came fully prepared with a tractor-trailer loaded with a fleet of brand new candy-painted 2007 Yamaha YZF-R6s and YZF-R1s - the ideal weapons of choice for an all-out asphalt assault.
I spent Friday riding the R6, which has an ideal set-up for the tight and technical first-, second- and third-gear switchbacks that litter the curvy 11-mile route. The Tail of the Dragon is all about quick side-to-side transitions, and this is where the R6 shines like a tourmaline gem. The well-marked road meandered smoothly like a river through the unspoiled terrain of the Smokey Mountains. It packs every kind of corner a rider could yearn for. It harbors a continuous mix of off-camber downhill, uphill, side-to-side switchbacks, love-it or hate-it decreasing radius-turns, and abrupt roller coaster-like elevation changes. Most corners offer little to no run-off room, so a rider's margin of error is slim at best. To say the Tail of the Dragon is very technical riding is an understatement. But the real question is: Does the Dragon live up to its hype? That depends. If continuous non-stop, knee on-the-deck cornering is your forte - than you, my friend, have found your motorcycling Mecca. With the sun quickly falling to the West and after a full afternoon of runs up-and-down The Dragon (which are a completely different experience within itself), I decided that tomorrow I would see what the other roads in the area had to offer. Eastern Tennessee and Northwestern North Carolina is an experience of road-engineering virtuosity, offering the widest variety of curves and perfectly paved roadways that I have ever experienced. Everything from slow first-gear bends to ultra-fast fourth-gear sweepers that seemingly beg you to twist the throttle harder and harder. I experienced one such road firsthand by way of the legendary Cherohala Skyway. Many in the group raved about the high-speed highway, so I decided to hop on the R1 to see what it's all about. The road's distinctive name comes from the Cherokee and Nantahala National Parks through which the roadway passes. Originally planned in 1958, the road took over 32 years and $100 million to build, making it North Carolina's most expensive road ever constructed. And all for our motorcycle riding enjoyment - thank you, North Carolina!
On a side note to all you R1 owners out there, the Achilles heel that beset some 07' R1s was the intermittent slow acceleration problem that would routinely occur when the bike was in second gear at 5500 rpm. This glitch had the potential for turning a fantastic ride into something to be desired. Fortunately for us, the R1s that Yamaha brought were fitted with a revised ECU that completely rectifies the acceleration gremlin. On the way up the infamous Cherohala Skyway, I had a chance to test the R1 in a few of the tight second-gear corners and in fact the revised ECU did cure the bothersome acceleration problem. (If your 07' R1 suffers from this problem, bring it your local Yamaha motorcycle dealer and they can assist you further.) After another epic day of riding under my belt, it was time to call it quits and park the hot-rod machines from the boys in blue for the rest of the weekend. Yamaha rounded out the week's festivities with a first-rate three-course meal in the Fontana Village Banquet room Saturday night and thousands of dollars worth of Yamaha swag was given away. And who doesn't like free stuff, right? The dinner was a great way to put the wraps on another successful event. So why do all these enthusiasts make the annual hajj out to Deals Gap? Taking off an entire week of work is pretty difficult nowadays - especially to go hangout with people that you see but once a year. That being said, after sampling the fire of The Dragon and seeing the passion and camaraderie that the people of the R1/R6-forum.com share for each other, there is no doubt that the time taken off work and the travel money spent is worth every penny. If you have a Yamaha, or any sportbike for that matter, and want to have a good time on an unforgettable road with an even better group of people, get on the R1/R6-forum and come join the fun next year - you won't be disappointed. (Tragically, as I am writing this, Glen "Elvis" Breaux, a forum brother, passed in a non-motorcycle related incident after arriving home from the event. God speed, Glen.)
|
|
of East Tennessee Hog wild By Linda Lange, Travel editor
The pleasantly warm, blue-sky days of spring provide thousands of reasons to roam about on motorcycles. Blooming dogwood and redbud trees signal the beginning of East Tennessee's popular season. "People are always looking for new, interesting and challenging routes," says Brenda Whitson of the Johnson City Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Tri-City Harley Owner's Group outlined 12 popular motorcycle routes through lush, green farmland and thickly forested mountains. They include the "East Tennessee Snake," a long and curvy journey along the rushing waters of Stoney Creek (U.S. Highway 421S to Shady Valley). "The Vinegar Pie" ride takes a leisurely spin along U.S. Highway 11E to Morristown. At the top of Clinch Mountain, people get a slice of vinegar pie at the Clinch Mountain Lookout Restaurant. The "Places of the Past" ride to Jonesborough includes wooded back roads, old farmhouses and old-fashioned landmarks, such as Davy Crockett State Park on state Route 9 and Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greeneville. The "Top of the Roan" ride starts just outside Elizabethton on U.S. Highway 19E Bypass and leads motorcyclists to scenic spots, such as the Catawba Rhododendron Gardens at Carver's Gap. "On the descent, you will have the opportunity to enjoy some of East Tennessee's most magnificent scenery," says Whitson. North Carolina offers the "Mountains Ribbons" ride, a route to the top of Grandfather Mountain on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Travelers enter the quaint towns of Linville, Elk Park and Roan Mountain. "There are interesting sites along the way and a variety of things to do," says Whitson. For information on all 12 routes, contact the Johnson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800-852-3392 or 423 461-8000. (www.visitjohnsoncitytn.com)
View from motorcycle helmet The most famous bikers' route in the area is the "The Dragon," a stretch of asphalt on U.S. Highway 129. The 318 curves in 11 miles bring euphoria to legions of riders. The stretch follows the southern border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Blount County to the North Carolina border in Deals Gap. Cherohala Skyway's "drive above the clouds" claims fame for equally spectacular reasons. Overlooks, some as high as 5,390 feet, reward visitors with magnificent views or ridges, lakes and rivers. It winds through Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests and connects Tellico Plains to Robbinsville, N.C. The 50-mile, $100 million two-lane is recognized as one of 96 National Scenic Byways. The Ocoee Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 64) clings to the banks of the Ocoee River through Cherokee National Forest, past the Ocoee flume line and powerhouses. Panoramic views from Chilhowee overlooks and Boyds Gap are highlights. (423-263-7232, 877-510-5765, www.tennesseeoverhill.com) "The trip from Oak Ridge to Rugby is a great scenic drive with lots of twists and turns along the way," says Katy Brown, president of the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau. Motorcyclists come into Oak Ridge via state Highway 62W and continue on the road through Oliver Springs and into Wartburg. They follow U.S. Highway 27N, then state Highway 52 to Rugby. "Rugby is just down the road and makes an excellent stop for a quick tour of the historic community," she says. Another recommendation is to take a road tour from Norris Dam to Melton Hill Dam. "U.S. Highway 441 takes riders on a scenic drive through Anderson and Campbell counties to view the first dam in the TVA system. A picturesque overlook is available just above Norris Dam," Brown says. People who make the loop to U.S. Highway 25W will go back into Clinton. They pick up state Highway 95/61 in the direction of Oak Ridge. State Highway 95 travels along the Clinch River. Once through Oak Ridge, they stay on state Highway 95 to reach Lenoir City and make a stop at the Melton Hill Dam. (865-482-7821, www.oakridgevisitor.com)
Sparkling waterfalls, historic bridges, hot springs, roller-coaster roadways and old-fashioned attractions punctuate motorcyclists' tours of the Upper Cumberland region. The "Hilltop Heritage" tour through Smith County requires crossing the Cumberland River and Caney Fork River before reaching Cordell Hull Lake Dam. The "Center Hill Lake" tour includes the Appalachian Center for Craft and Edgar Evins State Park. A musical journey, the "Broadway of America" tour directs people to the Cumberland County Playhouse in Crossville. A string of picturesque hamlets on the "Alvin C. York" tour lead to the World War I hero's home place and gristmill. For specific routes and other tours, contact the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association, 800-868-7237, www.uppercumberland.org. Attractions The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum has three major exhibition halls to showcase the machines and memorabilia of motorcycling. It is on the campus of the American Motorcyclists Association in Pickerington, Ohio. The AMA is currently conducting a million man boycott of Knoxville, Blount County, Tennessee and the Dragon, in protest of the Tennessee legislature naming Interstate 140 in Knox and Blount Counties for a convicted hit-and-run killer of a sportbiker in Blount County (614-856-2222) See also: Beth Talbott’s Wild Ride: Drexel MSE Alum Shares her Unique Path from Engineering Degree to Motorcycles - Maybe her next job will be attending law school?
|
|
Maryville Daily Times
Ride Texas Magazine, a travel magazine with a circulation of over 30,000, named U.S. 129 from Maryville to Robbinsville, N.C., one of the "Top 10 Roads Outside Texas" in its reader's choice poll. Most commonly known as the Dragon, the route climbs through 318 "S" curves in 11 miles, with the majority of the ride on Calderwood Highway in Blount County. "Because of this curvy terrain, the Dragon has become known as one of the best motorcycle and sports car rides in the county," said Herb Handly, executive vice president of tourism for the Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We are excited that the readers of Ride Texas have visited our area, enjoyed this challenging ride, and that they have given us this prestigious recognition." Handly said motorcycle travel has been a growing tourism trend for several years, and the visitors bureau has recognized that more people are riding in and around the area. "Last year the visitors bureau developed a brochure that identifies all the world-class rides that are within Blount County and the general area," said Handly. "The demand for this brochure was so great that we had to reorder a supply shortly after the first one came off the press. We continue to get feedback from our motorcycling visitors that this area offers some of the best rides in the nation." Motorcycle trips in the Blount County area featured in the brochure include: the Foothills Parkway, Cades Cove, the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, Townsend to Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg to Clingman's Dome to Cherokee, North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Cherohala Skyway Cherohala Skyway is a two-hour ride "above the clouds." The 36-mile stretch climbs to 5,400 feet, and provides scenic views of the mountains between Robbinsville, N.C., and Tellico Plains. The route takes riders on a two-hour journey through Cherokee National Forest and Nantahala National Forest. The Dragon The majority of riders consider the Dragon the No. 1 road in America for motorcycle enthusiasts. This adventure is an experienced rider's dream with 318 curves in an 11-mile stretch. The ride takes about three hours when leaving from Townsend, and riders can retrace the Dragon and ride back to Townsend or proceed on to Robbinsville and ride the Cherohala Skyway, which will take about three hours one-way. Townsend/Cades Cove The tranquil ride from Townsend to Cades Cove and around the 11-mile Cades Cove loop showcases the beauty of the valley, along with the history of Appalachia with its original settlement homes, churches, and cemeteries of this early community. The 20-mph speed limit and many stopping points allow riders to take their time and enjoy the spectacular wildlife and wildflowers. Foothills Parkway Foothills Parkway offers an unforgettable ride with views in every direction. To the south, riders can peer over Happy Valley into the Smokies and beyond. While the views to the north are over Maryville, Knoxville and the great valley floor. Looking to the west, riders will discover Thunderhead Mountain, which is considered the highest peak in the western half of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There is also an opportunity to trek up to the famous Look Rock Tower, an easy 1.2-mile hike. The tower is free and offers a 360-degree panoramic view. Townsend/Gatlinburg During this 15-mile ride, beginning in Townsend, riders will observe the scenic village known as "The Peaceful Side of the Smokies." The Townsend area allows bikers to experience many outdoor activities, unique riverside/mountaintop lodging, craft shops, a heritage museum and numerous seasonal festivals. The short journey up Tenn. 73, also known as Little River Road, will take them to the exciting areas of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Blue Ridge Parkway The Blue Ridge Parkway is the most-visited section of America's national park system. This 469-mile ride along the parkway provides stunning long-range vistas and close-up looks at the natural and cultural history of the Southern Appalachian mountains. As riders climb 6,000 feet and wind through the Balsam Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains there are plenty of places to enjoy the views. Townsend/Cherokee This three-hour journey will take bikers from Tenn. 73 in Townsend through Great Smoky Mountains National Park and into Gatlinburg. Then, the road continues to Clingman's Dome on U.S. 441, with an elevation of 6,643 feet. It is the highest point in the Smokies. The ride then continues on 441 south to Cherokee, N.C., homeland of the Cherokee Indians.
By Iva Butler From 4,500 to 5,500 people are expected to be in and out of the Punkin Center Motorcycle Resort over the weekend, according to resort owner/operator Jody Montgomery. The Wakin’ the Dragon Motorcycle Ride will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the motorcycle resort, located off Calderwood Highway on Old Railroad Bed Road.
The ride will not take the same route as last year on the Dragon — the 11-mile section of Calderwood Highway (U.S. 129) between Tab Cat Creek Bridge and Deal’s Gap, N.C. “The Dragon is a dangerous road for cruiser bikes and 80 percent of the bikes on the ride will be cruisers,” Montgomery said. The 112-mile ride is expected to take four and one-half to five hours to complete. From Punkin Center the bikers will take Calderwood Highway to Foothills Parkway to East Lamar Alexander Parkway at Walland. They will then get on East Lamar Alexander Parkway and follow it to Wears Valley Road in Townsend. On Wears Valley Road they will stop at Smoky Mountain Wood Sculptures. They will then go back down to East Lamar Alexander Parkway to Carr’s Creek Road and travel to the one-lane concrete bridge at Kinzel Springs. There riders will get back on East Lamar Alexander Parkway, travel to Washington Avenue in Maryville, to Hall Road in Alcoa and on to Alcoa Highway. They will travel it to the Hunt Road exit and follow Hunt Road to Louisville Road and then take Middlesettlements Road to West Lamar Alexander Parkway, where they will stop at the Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson & Buell dealership. From there they will get back on West Lamar Alexander Parkway and take that to the Loudon County line. They will exit on Meadow Road and follow it to Morganton Road and on to Baker’s Creek Road. Riders will then exit onto U.S. 411 South and follow it to Extreme Powersports of Madisonville. After that the motorcyclists will get back on U.S. 411 South and follow it north to Sloan’s of Vonore. At Sloan’s there will be a drawing for a VN 900 Kawasaki Limited Edition Cruiser which will be fully dressed. Tickets for the motorcycle give away cost $1 each and can be purchased at Punkin Center Resort, Sloan’s of Vonore and Extreme Powersports. Ticket holders don’t have to be present to win the motorcycle. Riders will then return to Punkin Center. Montgomery expects 600 motorcyclists to take part in the ride, compared to 386 last year.
Scheduled events will begin at 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday night Scheduled are bike games — slow drags, barrel rolls, wet T-shirt contest and luminaries. Live entertainment will be provided by Rigid and Southern Rock Dixie Style. Also on hand will be the Music City Motorcycles from the Speed Channel. They will have Chopper bikes on display. Cost for Friday and Saturday night events will be $25 per person for the weekend. Arm bands will be given out to those attending and there will be special arm bands that will allow attendees to purchase beer. Montgomery said. People wishing to purchase beer will be carded when arm bands are placed on their arms and anyone with an altered arm band will be refused entry to the resort, Montgomery said. Security for the weekend will be provided by Rolling Inferno Firefighters from Porter County, Ind. Montgomery said Thursday evening that area motels had already started filling up. Punkin Center Resort can accommodate 3,000 to 5,000 people in RV sites, campsites and cabins, according to Montgomery. There were already 40 RVs parked at the resort, with room for 40 more, he said.
Iva Butler
MARYVILLE, TENN - With the roar of motorcycles and sports cars along the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway comes another sound -- the ka-ching ka-ching of cash registers throughout the region. For businessmen in the area, the Dragon has laid a golden egg that is hatching more and more greenbacks. On an average weekend, the Dragon draws 3,000 motor enthusiasts, which swells to 5,000 to 6,000 during special events like the Honda Hoot, said Ben Steinberg, vice president of marketing and public relations for Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort Inc. "The Dragon is one of the top five roads in North America and definitely the top road on the eastern seaboard (for driving aficionados)," he added. Ron Johnson, creator of the Web site tailofthedragon.com, said, "That road has brought more people to the area than any attraction here, except the Great Smoky Mountains." 111.1 miles, 318 curves The Dragon is located in Tennessee, snaking 11.1 miles and 318 curves from Tabcat Bridge on U.S. 129 to Deals Gap at the Tennessee/North Carolina state line, climbing 1,085 feet in elevation. It could be called the "Two-headed Dragon." For emergency and law enforcement personnel, it requires more time and resources than most other area roads, but for local businesses it breathes economic success. In fact, some businesses draw all or the vast majority of their revenue from the motor sports enthusiasts, selling everything from "I Survived the Dragon" T-shirts to repair parts for crashed cycles. Commonly called "the Dragon," entrepreneur Johnson decided to call it the "Tail of the Dragon" and holds the trademark on that name. At first the Dragon mainly drew local motorcycle enthusiasts, but its fame is now legendary worldwide, luring not only motorcyclists but also sports car club aficionados. "Most of the visitors are on vacation," Steinberg said. "The focus is that the road is challenging, not for a Sunday drive, the camaraderie and interaction among the motor enthusiasts," Steinberg said. Johnson said, "The No. 1 draw of the road is its isolation. There are no intersecting roads, houses, mailboxes, driveways or businesses on the Dragon," Johnson said. "It has a nice clean surface." "The person who built the road probably didn't know what he was doing, but the road has banked corners more than anywhere I've ever seen. No corner is banked the same, so it is not boring. You can get into a rhythm and feel the road," he said. Graham County tourism Huge tracts of the surrounding lands are part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park or owned by ALCOA Inc. Johnson said "Graham County has been one of the poorest counties in North Carolina for some time. Now with cars and bikes, they've seen that tourism is in their future. Now a lot of people come to stay in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Cherokee and ride the Dragon." The Dragon has a reputation for being a dangerous road. Steinberg said that "you have to concentrate 100 percent on the road." Rick Whaley, a retiree from Maryville and motorcycle enthusiast, said, "To me the tractor-trailers are the most dangerous vehicles on the Dragon." Once when riding his Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic on the Dragon, Whaley said he came around a corner and a tractor-trailer almost had the road blocked. "He stopped. I just had enough room to get my cycle through. It was not his fault." "There is no way a tractor-trailer can stay in its lane and make the curves. I wish Tennessee and North Carolina would ban tractor-trailers from this section of U.S. 129," Whaley said.
Graham County Travel and Tourism Authority is pushing to draw people to the area. In fact, they have paid Johnson to hand out information on the area at motor events in Atlanta, Cleveland, Chicago and at Knoxville's Honda Hoot. "What we need to do is welcome tourists," he added. "Fifteen years ago they (locals) used to shoot at people who rode motorcycles on the Dragon." Johnson, who started his Web site in 2000, said that last year he had almost 1.8 million hits on tailofthedragon.com. His site gives history, comments from visitors and other pertinent information on the Dragon. He sells souvenirs through the Internet, as well as to 15 different vendors. From photos to food A friend of Johnson's, Daryl Cannon, also operates a business on the Internet. He takes pictures most weekends of riders on the Dragon and posts them on killboy.com. People can then purchase the photos from Cannon. He takes 30,000 pictures on a big weekend. Jackie Ramsey, who along with husband, Dave, operate 129 Motorcycle Pitstop at 4391 Calderwood Highway in Tallassee, said 100 percent of their business is associated with the Dragon and Cherohala. "We offer services for people who are traveling through or break down," she said. They sell food and parts. Her husband also pulls in wrecked cycles from the Dragon. Butler's Wrecker Service also pulls in crashed bikes. This is the third year of the Ramsey operation. "Each year our business has grown. It depends on the weather. The first year we didn't do as good because we got quite a bit of rain," Jackie Ramsey said. "We're starting to be a lot more worldwide," she added. They get a lot of business during rallies, including "Wakin the Dragon." In fact, organizers of that event at Punkin Center, just up the road from their business, have made arrangements for people to camp on Ramsey land. `Welcome slayers' Valerie Feil, who along with husband, John, operate Mountain Motors in Robbinsville, said, "We are the original repair shop of the Dragon." Times have changed in Graham County. They opened the business in 1991 and now two-thirds to three-fourths of their business is from tourism. "We were the only ones with a Harley in Graham County. Mostly people here had four-wheelers and dirt bikes back in the early '90s," Feil said. "This county has lost a lot of mills and factories. A lot of people are out of work. There is no indication that anyone else is coming in here except tourism and the Stanley plant, the biggest employer in the county," she said. "Many of the old-timers are concerned about how the motorcycles and cars will take a toll on our area. We are concerned about the environment as well. We'd like to keep the area as undisturbed as possible, but the hobbyists will come and they have money in their pockets," she added. "We need to welcome tourists," she added. Underneath their Mountain Motors sign are the words, "welcome dragon slayers." She said a Web site, thedragonschamber.com, has been established, and any business that provides service to the Dragon, Cherohala or Blue Ridge can be listed there. It covers all of Western North Carolina, East Tennessee and possibly North Georgia. The site is also used as a tool to organize fund-raisers, such as the "Ride for Our Troops" planned May 20 in Robbinsville. "We have a small site, but we've had a tremendous response," said Feil, who has had motorcycles for 38 years. Sports cars are also bringing tourists. Cherohala Skyway Car clubs more and more frequently hold rallies in the area, many of whom make a circuit traveling both the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway. Cherohala runs 35 miles from Robbinsville, N.C., to Tellico Plains, rising up and over 5,400-foot mountains. Johnson says while the Dragon has a reputation for being dangerous, Cherohala is more dangerous. The curves are not as sharp, and there is the temptation to go faster. The elevation as you go down hill causes you to build momentum, get in tight corners and overbrake. You then lose traction and go down. If you crash there is the probability that you will hit one of those metal guard rails." Johnson said emergency help is 45 minutes away on Cherohala and 30 on the Dragon. The car clubs range from a few vehicles to larger groups, such as the recent MINI Cooper meet which drew 450 vehicles. Business owners in the area fear that any development of property adjoining the Dragon or improvement of the road will take away the golden egg the Dragon has laid. They want it to stay the way it is -- remote and curvy -- so they can keep earning their Dragon dollars.
Daily Times
MARYVILLE, TENN - It was millions of years in the making. It is stunning with its steep mountainsides and lush foliage. And it"s a heck of a hard haul if you have to cross it on foot, which is how Native Americans first traversed the pathway now known as the Tail of the Dragon. Or as most call it, simply the Dragon. The key word is "known." Google the Tail of the Dragon on the Internet and you'll find 791,000 sites listed. The Dragon's 11 miles and 318 curves on U.S. 129 from Tabcat Creek on Calderwood Highway to Deal's Gap just over the North Carolina line is famous in motorcycle and sports car circles and infamous to truckers. That fame extends beyond U.S. borders. When Mini Cooper enthusiasts had their most recent run on the Dragon, participants came from Europe and as far away as Australia. It's not in an amusement park. There are no neon signs, no billboards announcing it, but the Dragon is basically a thrill ride for grown-ups. The Wakin' the Dragon motorcycle rally held last weekend at Smoky Mountain Speedway and Punkin Center Campground is one more example of the road's compelling attraction. There is a history. Settlers used the path through Deal's Gap to travel on Parsons Branch Road to Cades Cove. Around 1930, the trail was graded and for the first time could legitimately be called a road. It was named U.S. 129 when it was paved in 1934. Its future was set in the end of the 20th century when the Dragon was discovered by motorcyclists and became legendary to sports car clubs. The road also claims its own legends. Like the story circa the late 1940s or early '50s of the missing motorcycle rider and his girlfriend. They supposedly drove off the road, slipped down a steep slope and were trapped under their bike. The man was killed in the crash, but the woman, unable to get out from under the motorcycle, lived for three days. It took rescuers a week to find them. There's supposed to be a grave of a Civil War soldier buried near the twisted highway. Ghosts rumored to haunt the area date to an era when a landowner whose property was traversed by the ancient trail demanded a toll from travelers. His penalty for those who tried to sneak by without paying was a rather final solution: hanging. Whatever the Dragon's past, it's future seems clear. The Tail of the Dragon may be the most fun place to ride a motorcycle or drive a sports car in the world. It's already built, and people will come. So will business. Does anyone think one of the country's premier Harley dealerships, Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson on West Lamar Alexander Parkway, would be here if it weren't for the Dragon? Tourism is big business and the enthusiasm for motorcycles is growing and maturing. There's something about the freedom and thrill of riding a bike on the open road that captures the essence of America. Blount County would be wise, through businesses and with the help of promoters of tourism, to be a friendly destination to visitors who come to experience the Dragon. Let's help them have fun, and let's keep it safe. But please, be careful out there. Let the lasting tale of the Dragon be one of good times and happy memories.
ABCNEWS.com
"Roads are few and lightly traveled. Chain restaurants and motels are even rarer. Yet the area offers a combination of outdoor attractions that may be unparalleled east of the Rockies. Within easy reach of 11,600-acre Fontana Lake are top-level recreation opportunities for mountain-bikers, whitewater enthusiasts, hikers, fishermen, boaters, and motorcyclists and sports-car enthusiasts. 'My wife's into mountain-biking, motorcycling, she runs marathons, likes to run the trails. We have just about everything you want to do out here,' said Ron Johnson, a retired firefighter from West Palm Beach, Fla., who lives in Deals Gap and runs a Web site dedicated to the curvaceous stretch of U.S. 129 known as the Tail of the Dragon. Fontana Lake was created by the 480-foot-tall dam of the same name, built by the Tennessee Valley Authority on the Little Tennessee River between 1942 and 1944. The project grew from the U.S. military's need for hydroelectric power at aluminum plants in Alcoa, Tenn., and at the top-secret weapons laboratory at Oak Ridge, Tenn., where the government purified uranium and plutonium that would go into the first atomic bombs. With the job site high in the mountains at the dead end of a dirt road, workers first had to widen the one-lane road, then build a two-mile spur from the nearest rail line so that laborers, supplies and heavy equipment could be brought in. The workers, many of them too old to serve in the military, worked three daily shifts, seven days a week to finish the project, which required 3 million cubic yards of concrete. Commuting was out of the question, with the site 65 hard miles from the nearest city, Knoxville, Tenn. So the TVA built a town from scratch. From here, it's a scenic drive east on N.C. 28 to the Nantahala Gorge, where whitewater enthusiasts kayak, canoe and raft in the waters of the Nantahala River. The river empties into the east end of Fontana Lake. At Tsali Recreation Area, on the south shore of Fontana Lake, mountain bikers thrill to 39 miles of jumps, banked curves and fast trails. The lake itself offers a diverse fish population, including smallmouth and largemouth bass, bluegill, walleye and catfish. Though the north side of the lake is in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and mostly inaccessible by road, numerous south shore ramps give boaters access to the lake's vast surface, with steep, forested mountains rising up on all sides. With the park to the north and Nantahala National Forest to the south, hikers and wilderness campers can explore tens of thousands of square miles of southern Appalachian hardwood forest. The Appalachian Trail, the fabled 2,000-mile path connecting Georgia and Maine, crosses the top of Fontana Dam. And U.S. 129 offers motorcyclists and sports-car enthusiasts (even some daring bicyclists) the challenge of the Tail of the Dragon, with more than 300 curves in a 13-mile stretch of road between Tapoco Lodge, N.C., and Tabcat Creek, Tenn. The busiest summer weekends see thousands of drivers a day testing themselves against the road's asphalt whipsaw. For drivers with more sensitive stomachs, the Cherohala Skyway, on U.S. 143 from Robbinsville to Tellico Plains, Tenn., offers a calmer ride, as well as mountain vistas that rival those of the better-known Blue Ridge Parkway. See also: Graham County NC Travel and Tourism Authority: Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap Motorcycle Playgrounds: US 129 - It’s a good thing road builders used to go around mountains instead of just moving them like they do nowadays Dragon Savers - Sign the petition to Save the Dragon from extinction. US 129 scheduled for demolition, replaced by Interstate gridlock, with Great Smokey Mountains flattened for parking lots The Scene: Extreme sportbike action from North Carolina's Deals Gap - By Super Streetbike magazine
"WHEREAS, On occasion, an entity
transcends reality to become a legend in its own time;
and
By MELISSA DiPANE BLOUNT COUNTY (WATE TV) -- Rescuers are ready as a popular stretch of road called the "Dragon" revs with more motorcycles than usual during a popular weekend rally. The 14 mile stretch of Highway 129 going from Blount County into North Carolina is a curvy, unforgiving road. In just three days last year, five motorcycle crashes were reported there. "It's way more challenging than a normal road. You have to keep your wits about you 100 percent of the time," says Ben Steinberg, motorcyclists and public relations spokesman for Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort. The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be keeping the road safe for bikers at the second annual "Wakin' the Dragon Rally," a ride where nearly 5,000 and bikers are expected to rumble their way around the mountain. THP says that stretch of road has more motorcycle accidents than anywhere else in the state. But Steinberg says it's not the road that kills. "The bottom line is, this road requires 100 percent concentration at all times. You could have a big 18 wheeler coming through and you won't see them till the last minute. You might have a Sunday driver in a motor home coming around and they can't negotiate a tight turn." Steinberg says the "Dragon" gets a bad rap. It can be deadly if any driver, whether in a car or on a bike, is driving too fast or tries to pass on the double yellow lines. During the ride, THP will be prepared for anyone that daring. THP will help the Blount County Sheriff's Office make sure safety and traffic laws are followed. Rural/Metro and the Blount County Rescue Squad will be prepared to handle an accident, just in case.
Josh West Video: Don't pass cops on the Dragon With the Honda Hoot rolling into East Tennessee, the Blount County Sheriff's Office will be keeping a close eye on the infamous "Dragon." The route along Highway 129 sees numerous motorcycle accidents each year, and sheriff's deputies are trying to keep riders as safe as possible. Blount County Sheriff's Office Community Outreach Director Jarrod Millsaps knows the Dragon well. He travels the treacherous stretch of highway a few times each month, trying to stop motorcycle riders from taking dangerous risks on the roadway's serpentine switchbacks. "The speed limit is 30 miles per hour until you get to the North Carolina line," Millsaps said. "It's also double yellow all the way into North Carolina, which means it's a no-passing zone." But many riders don't obey those rules. We saw one in action Wednesday afternoon. The driver traveled closely behind Millsaps' unmarked vehicle until oncoming traffic cleared, then sped around Millsaps, nearly clipping an oncoming motorcycle. After being pulled over, the driver said he got wrapped up in the adrenaline rush of the ride and made a risky mistake. "It could've been a major accident," Millsaps said. Sgt. Randy Ailey sees similar incidents all the time. "The major factor is the speed," Ailey said. "They come up here and a lot of them think it's their personal race track. One told me this morning, 'If you're going to play the game, you'd better be prepared to pay the price,' and he said he was." Sheriff's Deputies patrol the Dragon 7 days a week and stop between 10 and 15 drivers each day. With four accidents on Monday alone and more riders on the way this week, Millsaps is advising everyone to think twice before taking risks. "As long as people come up here and obey the speed limits and obey the laws that are here, then they're going to have a great time and enjoy themselves," Millsaps said. The Governor's Highway Safety Office recently approved a $120,000 grant to pay for patrols on the Dragon. See also: UPDATE: UT faces across the board budget cuts UPDATE: UT football coach Fulmer gets $30-million pay raise
By Robert Wilson
TALLASSEE - On the graveyard shift, they are known as Batman and Robin, the Caped Crusader and his sidekick. And though on some level they are crusaders, Tennessee summers are just too hot for a cape. So they patrol one of the nation's best-known stretches of highway in air conditioned Fords, dishing up law enforcement with a little public relations on the side. It's a pre-emptive form of policing. Unlike their comic book counterparts, however, Matt Fagiana and Drew Brakebill, deputies in the patrol division for the Blount County Sheriff's Office, work in the daytime and want their visibility to be high. Fagiana and Brakebill are among a group of deputies who eagerly and regularly devote an off-day to an overtime shift patrolling the Dragon, an 11-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 129 with twists and turns so sharp a motorist might wonder if the taillights ahead could be his own.
The Dragon, the last stretch of Highway 129 before it crosses from Blount County into North Carolina, is internationally known, particularly among motorcycle riders. It has 318 curves and a continuous, unbroken double-yellow line. Among some sport bike enthusiasts, it has a reputation for producing a flash flood of adrenalin as they try to make the run in the shortest possible time. For less-aggressive motorcyclists, it's one of the most scenic roads imaginable, with inspirational mountain vistas. For law enforcement, it's a challenge, with undisciplined riders regularly hitting guardrails, trees or each other, or simply launching themselves off the side of the mountain. In years past, the efforts of people like Fagiana and Brakebill were not so much enforcement but cleanup, dealing with the sometimes tragic aftermath of careless use of the highway. |
