A lot of Vipers, a Dragon's Tail and Hooters

[SSG CHIC]

I used to live in Fontana Village.....very near the Dragon. My sister-in-law actually had to take the Dragon when she was in labor having her first child to get to the hospital in Maryville. She was NOT happy.

I hope your friend gets better soon. The Dragon is a nasty beast that demands respect.

Originally Posted by GTSnake

I had a friend of mine just wrecked her bike on the dragon a couple of weeks ago. She wasn't in a sharp turn or anything. One second she's in a sweeping turn and the next second she's tumbling off the road. She broke her back in 5 places but nothing serious. She's extremely lucky it wasn't worse.

I know some people that live down there and drive the dragon to work every day. They dread tourist season...

I wish I could go

[uvbnbit]

Every time we've gone, there's been at least 1 ambulance going or coming. Hopefully, going on a friday, traffic won't be too heavy (which might not be a bad thing). We've never had any "close calls". It's usually the sport bikes trying to pass somebody in the wrong lane on a blind turn. We're ALWAYS safe!

[SSG CHIC]

Originally Posted by uvbnbit

Every time we've gone, there's been at least 1 ambulance going or coming. Hopefully, going on a friday, traffic won't be too heavy (which might not be a bad thing). We've never had any "close calls". It's usually the sport bikes trying to pass somebody in the wrong lane on a blind turn. We're ALWAYS safe!

The sport bikes get a little crazy over there. But with 300+ curves in 11 miles, you can expect it.

I'm looking forward to this trip. It sounds like a lot of fun.

FYI. There is also a Pontiac show in Pigeon Forge the same weekend.

[SSG CHIC]

By the way, remember to wear your best smile when driving the Dragon. There is a group over there who set up cameras along the way and takes pictures of everything that goes up and down the mountain.

For the bikers, if they get a picture of your wreck, it's free! Otherwise, you can go to their website a few days after your trip, find your picture and buy it.

[uvbnbit]

Originally Posted by SSG CHIC

The sport bikes get a little crazy over there. But with 300+ curves in 11 miles, you can expect it.

I'm looking forward to this trip. It sounds like a lot of fun.

FYI. There is also a Pontiac show in Pigeon Forge the same weekend.

Pontiac show??? We definitely need to do a "drive by" there and make our presence know! I was also notified this morning of a big Mopar show saturday at the Smokies baseball stadium. We might have to make an appearance there on the way to/from Hooters.

[jmillsUT28]

Can't wait!! I wish it was next weekend!! ha

[SSG CHIC]

Originally Posted by uvbnbit

Pontiac show??? We definitely need to do a "drive by" there and make our presence know! I was also notified this morning of a big Mopar show saturday at the Smokies baseball stadium. We might have to make an appearance there on the way to/from Hooters.

My daughter just got her first car (1998 Pontiac Firebird Convertible Purple) and she is taking it to the Pontiac show that weekend. Would be fun to have our presence be known. The Mopar show should be fun, too.

Also, anyone who wants to see the pics from the Dragon, go to Killboy.com. Just gives you an idea of what it looks like.

[uvbnbit]

Originally Posted by SSG CHIC

By the way, remember to wear your best smile when driving the Dragon. There is a group over there who set up cameras along the way and takes pictures of everything that goes up and down the mountain.

For the bikers, if they get a picture of your wreck, it's free! Otherwise, you can go to their website a few days after your trip, find your picture and buy it.

k i l l b o y . c o m - Your High Quality Photos from the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap

[jmillsUT28]

I just posted a comment on their site saying when we will be on the Dragon. This should get us some good camera time!

[SSG CHIC]

Originally Posted by jmillsUT28

I just posted a comment on their site saying when we will be on the Dragon. This should get us some good camera time!

Good idea! What a great job they have. Can you imagine just sitting and taking pictures of cool cars and bikes all day. Fun!

[slaughterj]

Is that a good idea? Police monitor websites for stuff like that, would rather not increase their presence.

[musicncars]

Originally Posted by slaughterj

Is that a good idea? Police monitor websites for stuff like that, would rather not increase their presence.

um....the tail of the dragon is a very well known road. it is highly unlikely that you will be breaking any speed records going through the extremely twisty curves, especially since the viper group will in all likelihood not be the only group there that day. especially since there are two other shows going on that weekend, a mopar and pontiac gathering that should be pretty cool.

[SSG CHIC]

Originally Posted by slaughterj

Is that a good idea? Police monitor websites for stuff like that, would rather not increase their presence.

It shouldn't matter. There have been a number of fatalities and accidents on that road so they have a presence there anyway. They usually leave the cars alone. It's the motorcycles that get into trouble. Believe me, it's very difficult to go really fast in a car through those curves and not spin out. The cars (even the fast ones) are usually safe drivers. The motorcycles are just crazy fast. The record is 9 minutes on one from one end to the other. Having been riding on that road my whole life, I can tell you that 9 minutes is insane.

My advice: if you get motion sickness, I strongly suggest you take the medication before you set out. If you are prone to it at all, you will need it on this road!

[uvbnbit]

I personally, will not be trying to break any records (much less my car). The road is a fun and scenic drive. We've always seen Troopers shooting radar, but never seen them go after anyone...only motion them to slow down. We like driving our car home in one piece. I'm sure there'll be some that want to be a "little more aggressive" than others. And those guys will be in front of me.
It's gonna be HUGE. And we're gonna ROCK N ROLL!

[slaughterj]

I get where you guys are coming from, but just announcing a group of Vipers is coming just seems like the sort of thing that might draw undue attention.