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Me and my girlfriend are taking a road trip with a bunch of other S2k's for a meet in Alcoa, TN to drive on the dragon and some skyway and other roads, etc.

anyone ever been to that area or know of the route I'm talking about? We have about 50 S2k's lined up for the meet so far, of which about 25 of us are meeting up in cincinnati that friday morning to meet the rest in Tennessee on a friday evening in april. I'd like to know what kind of things there are to see in that area, and how the driving is so I know what I'm in for.

 
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The rotary community took this trip not too long ago...but isn't it called the tail of the dragon or something like that?

Anyways, being in Vegas I couldn't make it out, but from what I understand it's a pretty dangerous road.

 
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yeah it's called tail of the dragon. this is the 3rd year in a row they've had this meet now.

 
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See, why can't all enthusiasts have all met on the same day?

 
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Woo Hoo! Get out your map of Eastern Tennessee/Western North Carolina.

You will take US 411 south for a few miles out of Alcoa, then turn onto US 129, which is THE DRAGON (something like 318 mountain curves in a 11 or 12 mile stretch).

After about 50 miles, you will get to Robbinsville, NC where the CHEROHALA SKYWAY begins (it goes thru the CHEROkee & NantaHALA national forests, hence the weird name). It runs for 30 or 40 miles on top of the mountains to Tellico Plains, Tennessee.

If you don't mind breaking off from your group at the beginning of the Skyway (or doubling back after you run the Skyway), there is an awesome place to stay. It is an 80 year old lodge on top of a mountain Snowbird Mountain Lodge.

Then if you want to go back the way you came via the Dragon, you could take US411 to US441 and go into the Smoky Mountains to the Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg areas for Sunday (depending on how much time you have).

 
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The Dragon is a bad idea. Espically if you ride a motorcycle.

Buddy of mine went down there for a few days this summer, to try to "tame" the dragon. Well, the first mistake was that he went out with experienced riders. He had only been riding a maximum of about 4 months when he decide to make the trip.

Well, needless to say, it wasn't a good idea. I think it was on day 1 that he damned near killed himself and broke his bike. From what I understand, he took a turn somewhere between 60-80mph and acidentally bliped the rear brake. Got the wheel to lock up and the bike shot out from under him. Well, he broke his collarbone in 2 places, lost vision, and dislocated his shoulder. Busted his bike all to hell too. See pictures below ...




Bike was a 2004 Yamaha R1. I think he's still in the process of trying to fix it. It's pretty trashed.

 
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Well i'm going with about 60 S2000's total, and we are all hitting the dragon about the same time. I imagine it's not going to be breakneck pace, though I'm sure we'll be driving spiritedly.

I've auto-x'd my S2k and done plenty of spirited driving myself, I'm on my 2nd S2000, and have owned an S2k for about 4 years total now.

 
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I plan on goin to the Dragons Tail on my bike this season. It is something i've been dying to do. Have fun.

 
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i'd tame the dragon in my sleep, tail of the dragon is childs play

 
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i thought it was in a carolina and not TN? ive heard about it, maybe ill go down there sometime. dont know, id rather go cross country to CA and do some driving over there, at least theres other stuff to do also. not sure what else there is in TN once youre done for the day w/ the dragon.

 
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Uh, you might want to re-read my previous post. If you go all the way, it starts in Tennessee & ends in North Carolina.

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Tennesee are loaded with things to do, especially by springtime.

I know because I'm lucky enough to live down here about 30 minutes from the Skyway on the Tennessee end.

 
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so what are these things that there are to do? give us some examples.

 
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You go there to drive on the road. There are alot of nice surounding roads, but most people go there just to ride/drive the dragons tail. I don't know about you, but thats worth the trip to me.

 
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Yeah, it's some absolutely stunning scenery as you drive through the mountains. The roads curve, twist, turn, and it makes for some fun spirited driving. It's just basically the breathtaking scenery that's worth the trip. We are also going to some dam and the chereohala (sp?) skyway.

 
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has anyone ever been to, i heard of deal's gap?(i think that's what it is called......not sure though)

 
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yup. heard of deal's gap.

johnbt23 - where is fountain valley? just asking because there are TONS of great roads in CA.

http://www.pashnit.com/motoroads.htm
check those out.

 
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I used to live in Lexington, Ky and i been around that area like Pigeon forge and Western North Carolina... the roads are very hilly, and your going to be in the Smokey Mt area... its very scenic...and definently worth the trip

 
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S2000man01, the dam you are talking about is a side trip off of the Dragon to Fontana Dam.

S2000man01, do you know what city you are staying in Saturday night?

 
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yes we will be in alcoa, tennessee. we will be at the airport hilton. won't be hard to spot cuz there should be a good 60+ S2000's in the parking lot.

 
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Enjoy your trip to the Tail of the Dragon and watch out for semi-trucks!