First Dragon Run

[SaMxp]

Just got back from my first drive up and down the Dragon yesterday. Seemed like a perfect day for a first-timer since there was very little traffic. Only a handful of cars, mostly motorcycles. I had an absolutely blast.
One thing that didn't take long to become obvious was that a lot of you guys on two wheels had been burned by cars and trucks on the dragon in the past. I can totally understand your position, as a collision between a bike and car is always going to end worse for the guy on two wheels. On top of that, I'm sure there's no shortage of jerks in cars that are convinced they're Michael Schumacher.

That said, give the rest of us the benefit of the doubt, ok? My wife and I were out for a spirited cruise in the convertible. We weren't out to make record time. But we were waved at to slow down by no fewer than 20 riders on cruisers. I slowed down on turns to the point I would need 1st gear to climb out of it, and those hands still kept coming out to police my speed. At first I thought it was a courtesy to point out law enforcement ahead, but I didn't see a single cop all day (other than at an accident scene).

Let's share the road. I have a lot of respect for you guys. I'd appreciate the same in return!

[TitanicVol]

Woohoo!! I am PUMPED about my first "Dragon" trip this upcoming weekend. My bro-in-law, sis-in-law, and myself are leaving out just after work Friday evening and hope to be at the store sometime Saturday!!!

We're on cruisers, and while I look forward to the ride up there and back (lil' over 300 miles one way), I am REALLY excited about the Dragon.

With that said, I can't speak to SamXP's experience with bikers signaling him to slow down (since I haven't been there yet). I can say this... most of us bike riders are car drivers also, and so you wouldn't think we should have so much trouble getting along with cars on the road.

Sam, I suppose the folks that were signaling you may have perceived that you were going too fast, whether you were or not. I would guess that after the first few it could get annoying. They weren't trying to signal you about the accident or something in the road ahead, were they?

In my everyday riding, again independent of any "Dragon" experience, my biggest problem is with cars who tailgate me. In my younger days, I didn't care to just squeeze the throttle and leave them... two kids and several speeding tickets later, I actually find myself pulling off or over to let them by LOL.

I intend for my upcoming Dragon experience to be a slow and steady one, and I've already discussed with my compadre's about easing over when safely possible to let faster vehicles pass. And I don't really plan to be signaling anyone, as I figure I'll need both hands on the handlebars!!

3 days and about 5 hrs and counting!!!!

[MilleArp]

No clue why that many bikes of any kind would wave to slow down (sure it was a 'slow-down' wave?) other than po-po or a semi or an accident.

If it was an accident, they may have gotten the bike on the road again before you got there, therefore, you saw nothing.

Police do turn around and leave. Sometimes they just drive in a bit, stop for a couple, and turn around. Saw that happen a couple weeks ago.

Far as I'm concerned, if you can stay in your lane ALL the time, wick it up! But learn the road first!

Enjoy!
:)

[SaMxp]

Well, the one time they were indeed signaling me regarding the accident up ahead. But that was more of a frantic wave, LOL. The other times, it was a downwards wave, pretty obvious a signal to slow down. They may have heard me revving up as I came around the turn, and with my car's 8k rev limiter, it usually sounds more frenetic a pace than it really is. What resulted, though, was me going much slower than I wanted to, just not to start rubbing people the wrong way.
In retrospect, I wish I would have just went as fast as I was comfortable with! I do stay in my own lane, though, No matter what the pace. I almost feel like it is cheating to cut through the other lane.

[PROGINOV]

I have a feeling they were just waving, not trying to be mean. We all are there to have fun, and as long as everyone stays on their side of the yellow line, all are friendly.

[Ben]

I cant espond about any specifics, but I really think they were more than likely warning you about things more than telling you to slow down. Jusy my .02 cents.

[TitanicVol]

Oh Man... I'm nearly ready to jump outta my skin!! One day and about 5 hrs and counting.

One quick question (for anyone)... when the folks come in for these rallies (Ben mentioned the FZ-1 and SV in today's update), is there one area in particular where the majority stay? I imagine many are there at the Deal's Gap resort, but what about Maryville, Townsend, P.F., and Gatlinburg? We haven't made any reservations anywhere yet, just "flying by the seat of our pants" so to speak, and hoping everthing isn't booked up completely.

[SaMxp]

Oh Man... I'm nearly ready to jump outta my skin!! One day and about 5 hrs and counting.

One quick question (for anyone)... when the folks come in for these rallies (Ben mentioned the FZ-1 and SV in today's update), is there one area in particular where the majority stay? I imagine many are there at the Deal's Gap resort, but what about Maryville, Townsend, P.F., and Gatlinburg? We haven't made any reservations anywhere yet, just "flying by the seat of our pants" so to speak, and hoping everthing isn't booked up completely.
You're lucky to be there when the rally is coming through! Things were pretty booked up in the area last week when we went through, so I would definitely make sure you have reservations! I really don't like dealing with PF and Gatlinburg traffic, so I stayed in Dillsboro, right down Hwy 74, about 50 miles from the Gap. There's a Holiday Inn Express that was nice and seemed to always have availablility.

[TitanicVol]

Thanks for the info, SM...

I'm just a tad jumpy today, as some serious thunderstorms are just about to waylay our town here in West Tn. Only good thing is that it is one big line and maybe they'll come on thru and be gone before we leave around 5pm cst. Or maybe we'll be behind them moving East.

But if another line comes in behind THESE... we may be pushing it. :(

[FRIEK]

im gonna guess they were just motioning you as a warning about "danger ahead" if you were in your own lane i cant see anyone carrying about how fast you go.
i know i was passed a few days ago by a volvo hauling butt while i was on my vfr and i was upset because i didnt yet have enough skills to catch him being it was just my 2nd day on the dragon.

this is just me but id keep my eyes and concentration more on the road instead of people waving unless its an obvious danger sign.

plus alot of the cruiser guys are afraid of speed or just dont feel the need for it but whatever there reason is i doubt any sportbike rider will ever tell anyone to "slow down" unless danger is involved.

i did see a few cars that didnt want to let me pass and when i did they sped up to block my path back into the lane to have a safe pass and casing me to enter a corner at higher speeds than i like or on bad line to for entering the corner.
but that is rare imo.

in other words have your fun and ignore some things unreleted to danger.

btw if you ever like making friends talk to the sportbike guys at the top of the dragon resting after a run at the overlook by the dam,we understand wanting to have fun,but doing it safe as possible and risking noones lives.

[SaMxp]

Yeah, I didn't want to single out the cruisers, but they were the ones waving me down. It wasn't a friendly wave. It was the hands down motion. Like patting down a pillow. It wasn't the sport bikes, that's for sure.

As for keeping my eyes on the road - that is exactly it. I was focused on the road, and all of a sudden these guys would be waving a hand to draw my attention away. If I were just screaming along, I could understand, but I really wasn't going that fast.

Next time I just might chat up some of the sport bikers. We certainly have some common interests!

[FRIEK]

id just ignore it myself once you see no danger is present.
im sure most guys on cruisers may just spooked about speed of anything coming at them on the dragon.
i know i talked to a few cruiser riders around the fire pit at night and they dont understand sportbike riders at all and think we are all just nuts and have death wishes.
but they are nice about it and chat about the subject and try and relate.

[TitanicVol]

:)

I won't start a new thread since this one is already entitled "First Dragon Run." That's what I made Saturday along with my Brother in law and Sister in law. It was AWESOME.

Mind you, my Sister in Law probably kept us guys safe(r) as we basically drove 20 and 25 mph the whole way (on cruisers) for her benefit. As a slow-moving cruiser, we now have plenty of experience with sportbikes passing us on a crooked mountain road LOL. It went fine, as all three of us stayed to the right to allow them plenty of room. There was only one pass out of dozens that I was even remotely uncomfortable with - a right hand curve with virtually no visibility and the bike that passed me was really too close to me. That and another guy on a sportbike who took TOO LONG to pass me... he just hovered right behind me for a while, and THAT made me nervous. Once you get accustomed to the sportbikes passing, you just want them to do it and go on... this guy passed up several good opportunities and stayed too close to my tail in the process.

Overall though.... AWESOME. All friendly folks, enjoyed our brief time at the store, and not a scratch on the bikes. Great trip!

[SaMxp]

Man, I know that feeling - where you see an opportunity for someone to pass, and they just don't do it. When they finally decide to make their move, it surprises you that they chose that spot to go!

[748L052]

This from a 2 & 4 wheel family. She's driving, I'm riding, both solo & two-up Running this road since '70s.

Folks just do what they usually do. Doesn't matter to some what you're doing - you're simply wrong - you're not doing it their way - therefore you are wrong.

That's life & no one was down on you & your car. They're just down on different. And 90% think the road rules here are same as back home. Like expecting to eat at McDonalds in Rome. Over the years we've been (2 wheels & 4) fliped, blocked, pushed & lectured by everyone from ME to TX to WA - guests in our back yard!! LOL

The one thing that will put you on the sport cognoscenti Sh## list is crossing the yellow on lefts - particularly in a car. Just not done. Ever. Like farting in church.

[07FLHX]

Hello Friek, I Feel The Same Way About Having Fun,im Coming Over On Sunday To Ride The First Time.used To Ride Kz1000 Back In My Time So I Totally Understand.but My Wife Is A Somewhat New Rider And I Dont Want A Cage Passing In Her Lane With Her.ive Warned Her About Sport Bikes And She Said She Would Motion You Around.or Hug The White.all I Want Is To Be Safe So Everybody Can Enjoy Riding.by The Way I Do Ride A Harley And Do Respect All Bikes And Would Love To Meet Bikers No Mater What They Ride.my2 Cents

[FRIEK]

Hello Friek, I Feel The Same Way About Having Fun,im Coming Over On Sunday To Ride The First Time.used To Ride Kz1000 Back In My Time So I Totally Understand.but My Wife Is A Somewhat New Rider And I Dont Want A Cage Passing In Her Lane With Her.ive Warned Her About Sport Bikes And She Said She Would Motion You Around.or Hug The White.all I Want Is To Be Safe So Everybody Can Enjoy Riding.by The Way I Do Ride A Harley And Do Respect All Bikes And Would Love To Meet Bikers No Mater What They Ride.my2 Cents

much love and respect back at ya.
id not worry much about cages wanting to pass unless its a sportscar ralley or something as im just intermediate in my speed and riding and in 5 days i was at the gap i was only passed once by a cage.
id say that wouldnt change much even if i was going slower as most cars i see the days i was there werent there to run,but just get threw it.


ive found the best place to meet bikers at the gap is either at the scenic overlook at the top of teh gap or at the firepit at night drinking a cold beer.

i did meet a few harley guys like going fast tho,but i wouldnt want to see what happened to one guy again after he was sprinting the dragon on an 883 sportster and overheated his front brake and glazed it and lost all stopping power at the worst moment.
he was fine but his bike needed some work.

[ratlady]

WOW!! What a rush. It wasnt anything like I imagined. It was better. My husband & I were in town for the Honda Hoot in June, and just had to do the dragon. We had rode our bikes from Va Beach to the hoot..580 plus miles.WOO-HOO!!! We both ride Honda 750's. He is into dirt bike riding, so he had the lean thing going on..Me...I had to learn to lean real quick. It was a blast!!! Cant wait to do it again next year. Deals Gap was a great place. Everyone was friendly, and helpful. Thanks for a great memories!!!

RATZ RULE:D

[chrisarrington]

i know i talked to a few cruiser riders around the fire pit at night and they dont understand sportbike riders at all and think we are all just nuts and have death wishes.
but they are nice about it and chat about the subject and try and relate.

That makes us even. I have rode all kinds of bikes. And all brands. Rode a Harley before the Busa. I wouldn't ride the Gap on a Cruiser. To me it makes no sense to hit curves like that on one. I don't see where the fun is in that. I can understand the sportbikers because of the lean. Oh well to each their own though. I love all bikers anyway.