Tail of the Dragon, has anyone run it in their Fit?
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 41
From: New England
FYI, a major road there is closed due to a rock slide. They project it opening at the end of July...
ROCK SLIDE UPDATE March 29, 2010: The rock slide on US 129 is located between the Dragon and Happy Valley Road/Foothills Parkway. US 129 has been closed at the TN/NC State Line by Tennessee making the Dragon itself inaccessable. TDOT has posted a date of July 31 for reopening, but a bonus will be awarded the clean-up if completed by July 1. We will post the latest information here so keep in touch. The only alternatives are the Cherohala Skyway and US 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains. There are many great roads in North Carolina and the Cherohala Skyway is clean. Use this opportunity to run the Moonshiner28. Watch for weather updates on the Cherohala. Rock Slide Photos HERE
ROCK SLIDE UPDATE March 29, 2010: The rock slide on US 129 is located between the Dragon and Happy Valley Road/Foothills Parkway. US 129 has been closed at the TN/NC State Line by Tennessee making the Dragon itself inaccessable. TDOT has posted a date of July 31 for reopening, but a bonus will be awarded the clean-up if completed by July 1. We will post the latest information here so keep in touch. The only alternatives are the Cherohala Skyway and US 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains. There are many great roads in North Carolina and the Cherohala Skyway is clean. Use this opportunity to run the Moonshiner28. Watch for weather updates on the Cherohala. Rock Slide Photos HERE
It is closed, I was just down there last week picking up a modded Mini for my ex-boss.
To our Canadian fellow Fit owner...."its just a road", 318 turns in 11 miles isn't "just a road". It breaks down to a turn every 184 feet roughly, so no, its not just a road. Maybe to someone who drives it everyday it might be "just a road", but then again he's driving an F250 out there, not exactly a canyon carver.
ANYONE WHO WANTS TO GO WITH US IN THE FALL, COME ALONG, AND SEE AND EXPERIENCE THE LEGEND FOR YOURSELF
The post about the Cherahola Skyway is right non target. This road is about 57 miles long and leads right to the Dragon. It starts in Tellico Plains Tennessee, where we stay and goes up to a mile high in elevation and then back down. Along the way there's places to stop off and take pics, observe the scenery and /or catch your breathe! At the North Carolina border the elevation is 4500 ft and goes up almost another 1000 from there and back down, and boy does it go back down, to the tune of a 9% grade, so your going to need to shift to a lower gear or you'll burn up your brakes for sure! These turns are sweeping turns and you've gotta watch your speed as you'll carry alot of speed if your not watching what your doing, so your attention to the road is your first order of the day, its a long way down in certain sections of the Skyway. Not to scare anyone, but more deaths have happened on the Skyway than on the Dragon. Again, not to scare anyone, but all you've gotta do is respect the road and drive within you and your cars ability. I'm not too sure what the Fits ability is, but my last 3 cars that I've taken down there (2000 Contour SVT-modded, 2005 Crossfire Limited and 2007 Mini Cooper S) were more than up to the task as their perf vehicles, so an economy car with some 'sport" to it will take some getting used to. It will be the lightest car I've ever taken down there, but also the first car with an automatic I will be taking down there too, but atleast its a good one!
I know this road isn't close for everyone to get to, its about a 10 hr drive from the greater Chicagoland area or about 625 miles, but if your really into stretching your cars legs and like beautiful scenery and being with a bunch of good car guys, this is your trip. The cabins aren't very expensive, less if you get a buddy or two to come along and split the cost and with the mileage our cars get, gas isn't a problem either (just don't check your mileage while running the Skyway and Dragon, its going to be VERY low!) I usually put away about $400.00 and have a little bit when I come home, depends on what you spend on breakfast, lunch and dinner. We're actually thinking about eating in to save a little money and that's ok with alot of us actually.
I need to get around to posting some of my pics from last years run, 17 cars from 6 different states, this run is well organized and alot of fun
To our Canadian fellow Fit owner...."its just a road", 318 turns in 11 miles isn't "just a road". It breaks down to a turn every 184 feet roughly, so no, its not just a road. Maybe to someone who drives it everyday it might be "just a road", but then again he's driving an F250 out there, not exactly a canyon carver.
ANYONE WHO WANTS TO GO WITH US IN THE FALL, COME ALONG, AND SEE AND EXPERIENCE THE LEGEND FOR YOURSELF
The post about the Cherahola Skyway is right non target. This road is about 57 miles long and leads right to the Dragon. It starts in Tellico Plains Tennessee, where we stay and goes up to a mile high in elevation and then back down. Along the way there's places to stop off and take pics, observe the scenery and /or catch your breathe! At the North Carolina border the elevation is 4500 ft and goes up almost another 1000 from there and back down, and boy does it go back down, to the tune of a 9% grade, so your going to need to shift to a lower gear or you'll burn up your brakes for sure! These turns are sweeping turns and you've gotta watch your speed as you'll carry alot of speed if your not watching what your doing, so your attention to the road is your first order of the day, its a long way down in certain sections of the Skyway. Not to scare anyone, but more deaths have happened on the Skyway than on the Dragon. Again, not to scare anyone, but all you've gotta do is respect the road and drive within you and your cars ability. I'm not too sure what the Fits ability is, but my last 3 cars that I've taken down there (2000 Contour SVT-modded, 2005 Crossfire Limited and 2007 Mini Cooper S) were more than up to the task as their perf vehicles, so an economy car with some 'sport" to it will take some getting used to. It will be the lightest car I've ever taken down there, but also the first car with an automatic I will be taking down there too, but atleast its a good one!
I know this road isn't close for everyone to get to, its about a 10 hr drive from the greater Chicagoland area or about 625 miles, but if your really into stretching your cars legs and like beautiful scenery and being with a bunch of good car guys, this is your trip. The cabins aren't very expensive, less if you get a buddy or two to come along and split the cost and with the mileage our cars get, gas isn't a problem either (just don't check your mileage while running the Skyway and Dragon, its going to be VERY low!) I usually put away about $400.00 and have a little bit when I come home, depends on what you spend on breakfast, lunch and dinner. We're actually thinking about eating in to save a little money and that's ok with alot of us actually.
I need to get around to posting some of my pics from last years run, 17 cars from 6 different states, this run is well organized and alot of fun
not worth the trip. i'm about 2hrs away from it, and everytime i'm there cops are on patrol everywhere. it's no fun since you can't go faster than 35mph and not to mention the stupid amount of traffic in both directions.
i wouldn't waste my time driving halfway across the country for it, imo.
i wouldn't waste my time driving halfway across the country for it, imo.
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 837
From: Atlanta, GA
Deal's Gap is over-hyped, and to be avoided on weekends. Be warned that a rockslide has closed part of 129 until July 31:
Ok now for the weekly rock slide update: Talked with Steve Burden who is in charge of the clean up for TDOT yesterday. They are in great shape on the clean up, no surprises and the plan seems solid. They are a head of schedule but will stick with the 31 July re-open date for a little while longer just to make sure. TDOT and the clean up crew and working hard and fast on this slide. Thanks to both groups for your efforts in getting our area back to normal.
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,222
From: San Antonio
Would love to ride it... this has to be the coolest video of TotD ever...
YouTube - deals gap on a goldwing/gl1800 by yellow wolf dragons tail
(Yes, that is a freakin' Gold Wing!)
That said, I'm just waiting for one of you guys to show on on KillBoy, with your head hanging out the side window!
YouTube - deals gap on a goldwing/gl1800 by yellow wolf dragons tail
(Yes, that is a freakin' Gold Wing!)
That said, I'm just waiting for one of you guys to show on on KillBoy, with your head hanging out the side window!
Last edited by Occam; Jun 1, 2010 at 09:53 PM.
Been there many times, both in my accord and on bikes. I live about 30 minutes from there. I think its fun but because of the traffic I've seen it get more and more crowded. There are a lot of roads in east tennessee that are great drives, but the scenery up there is fantastic. I'm game if anyone heads this way!!
We're voting on the dates right now and it looks like its going to be the 2nd week of October. My buddy Eric lives in Knoxville and he's working on his 86' Corolla and he's been down there many, many times. I'd love to see some Fit Freaks out there this year
New Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 18
From: louisiana lafayette
313 curves in 11 miles of pure fun and beautiful scenery. I go almost every year sometimes twice a year. Been in different cars and its just a relaxing fun cruise out on most of the roads out there. I normally stay at fontana village with friends in a cabin but u can save money by staying in robbinsville at some of the local motels and its only 5-10 mins away. I might have to try and make it but wether i take my 350z or wifes fit will depend on if she lets me take her car lol.
Those pics just scratch the surface of what's waiting for you out on the Dragon. Those views are best left to the passenger, but you can sneak a look every now and then, but I suggest all your eyes on the road, trust me/us
Its an experience for all your senses and I will let you guys know for sure what dates are voted upon, but to be honest with you right now, its looking like OCT 7TH THRU THE 10TH
Its an experience for all your senses and I will let you guys know for sure what dates are voted upon, but to be honest with you right now, its looking like OCT 7TH THRU THE 10TH
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