You are hereTail of the Dragon? Ha! Try this road...
Tail of the Dragon? Ha! Try this road...
Headed South out of Floyd County on a chilly November Saturday. Not sure where I wanted to go so I carved the twisties on U.S. 221 from Floyd to Willis and stopped for breakfast at Jim's Cafe.
After scrambled eggs and pork tenderloin, I topped off the tank and stayed on 221 South to Hillsville. Decision time at the stop light: Left of U.S. 52 and down Fancy Gap Mountain to Mt. Airy, NC, or stay on 221. Opted for 221 and headed for Galax and Independence where another decision awaited: U.S. 58 through Mt. Rogers to Damascus or stay on 221. Once again, 221 won out and I headed on to Boone, NC. The highway offers a lot of twists and turns as it leaves Virginia and enters North Carolina and the Super Glide carved them with glee.
Lots of traffic in Boone so I pondered another decision: Stay on 221 south to Blowing Rock or take U.S. 421 North.
I've been to Blowing Rock so I opted for 421 -- a road I've never traveled. Didn't have the foggiest idea where it would lead but soon after leaving Boone I found myself in Cherokee National Park (above) and a road with lots of hairpins, switchbacks and tight turns. After 10 miles of scraping pegs, the engine guard, the kickstand and a few other things on both sides of the bike, I hit a straightaway for a few miles and then 10 more miles of great winding road with turns galore. This road makes the Tail of the Dragon look like an Interstate. In fact, many of the mountain roads within an hour or two ride of Floyd are far more challenging than the stretch of road that runs from North Carolina to Tennessee and has gained so much undeserved fame.
Stopped in Mountain City, TN, for gas and some refreshment before continuing on U.S. 421 to Bristol, a city where State Street is the dividing line between Virginia and Tennessee.
After a bite for lunch, I turned north on U.S. 11 to Abingdon and then turned right on U.S. 58 for Damascus. Beyond that popular tourist town, the highway winds through Mt. Rogers nature preserve and, again, provides more challenging turns than the Dragon.
With the sun setting in my rear views, I hit the last stretch of U.S. 221 for the ride home.
A great day...and a great ride.
In an isolated place just outside off Tennessee in North Carolina lies the 11 mile stretch of US129 called Deals Gap, more commonly known as The Tail of the Dragon. This is a place of adventure as well as misfortune. Thousands come from miles, year round to get a glimpse of or even ride the Dragon. Known as the road with the most twists and turns the Dragon has 318 curves in just about 11 miles and is one of the most popular places for motorcycle and street car enthusiasts alike. It's a place to test your ability and the cops patients. Oh yes did i say cops? The 5-0 have been cracking down on the Dragon hardcore this year and don't plan on stopping, but this should not deter you from making the trip to see the Dragon. But remember to wear your motorcycle helmet and motorcycle jacket. Anyone looking for an exciting highway will enjoy this stretch of US129.
Thousands come from miles, year round to get a glimpse of or even ride the Dragon. Known as the road with the most twists and turns the Dragon has 318 curves in just about 11 miles and is one of the most popular places for motorcycle and street car enthusiasts alike. It's a place to testking ccie test your ability and the cops patients.