| Author | Message | ||
     1250_x1 |
Having a big family trip this June down in Topsail NC rented a massive cottage on the beach. Just wondering if we should take the bikes and hit the legendary road on the way down there. For those who have been there what are the pros and cons and would you go again. Your opinions are greatly appreciated! | ||
| Buellistic |
BE CAREFUL as the curves are unforgiving and what comes around the blind curves is from another rider or a smi-truck ... "AND" the POLICE are there to protect you from yourself ... "BUT" "i" sure had fun the times "i" was there !!! | ||
| Buellish |
The best time to enjoy that stretch of 129 is during the week.On a summer weekend it can be a parking lot full of people that don't have a clue of how to go around a curve safely. | ||
| Bsdfool |
1 - as stated, weekends are not optimal 2 - the Dragon should be respected - don't attempt it tired or otherwise impaired 3 - beware of oncoming traffic - the road is too tight for big trucks but they regularly end up there due to poor dispatch instructions (or from wearing an ass hat) 3 - it's close to 8 hours away from Topsail Beach If you have a F.O. day then by all means, you should ride it, both directions, multiple times. The Cherohala Skyway is also in the neighborhood and should be on your itinerary.
...when I went my group was trapped behind a Yamaha R1 from Florida - the rider didn't have a clue how to go around a curve at all. Fortunately, we were heading back to Blairsville, GA on route 60 so it wasn't a total loss. | ||
| Fasted |
even if you blow off the dragon, the roads down there are worth riding. cherahola and blue ridge (cool little moto museum in nc near smnp), just to name two biggies. lots of others that are smaller. i hit a bunch of miles on roads that were off the beaten path. make sure your rides are reliable 'cause you can get out in the middle of nowhere quickly, with no services in case of problems. WONDERFUL SCENERY even on the lesser roads. | ||
| Ratbuell |
The Dragon was my least favorite road when I went to the 2 Buelltoberfests I attended. EVERY road down there is great. All you need is fuel, and a GPS with a "route home" button you can hit when the sun goes down. 'Cause you'll be riding longer than you expect, just having fun. | ||
| Mdoughten |
the best motorcycle roads in the country!! i hit them 2 - 3 a year. don't get close without enjoying those curves. be careful and enjoy. if you need more info, PM me. matt | ||
| Foximus |
I've taken 2 trips up to Murphy now. Both times I did numerous runs on the dragon.. To be honest. I found the surrounding valley roads MUUUCH more entertaining. DT is just waaay to nervewracking. Not because of the road, but because of the other people. I have video of a 400 lbs fat man falling off his ZZR at 40 mph and the bike heading like a missle right at me. Missed me by about a foot and went off the side of the cliff. The other roads were just as good, and were all empty. Id say take the trip to say you did it... but spend your time looking at the other roads. Valhalla forrest is great, as is the roads going to the german town (which i forget the name.) | ||
| Foximus |
Also watch out.... cops give tickets for 35mph speed limit, however since its a county road, the actual speed limit is 55. Court throws out the tickets every time. | ||
| Knwyman |
Be careful is good advice. I hope to head down that way again in May. The first time I rode the Cherahola Skyway I almost ate the grill of a white dodge minivan. That road has great sweepers but a few a decreasing radius & off camber & you'll be dragging pegs before you know it! The Dragon is fun early in the morning during a weekday. The road is ridiculous! I'd like to check out other roads in the area next time. | ||
| S1wl |
My wife and I just got back from there, 2 weeks ago. Drove Tail of the Dragon, Moonshiner 28, Devils Triangle and a small part of Blue Ridge Pkwy (that's where the deer ran out in front of us). The Newfound Gap has lots of cars (even this time of year) plus a nice 270 degree turn and a great view at the top. Here is the 2011 brochure link http://tailofthedragon.com/pdf/Brochure2011_LowRes .pdf for the roads & resorts in the area. |
