1.leave the ego at home
---->there are many drivers here who have done the dragon a zillion times, do not overestimate your skills as a driver and realize that they are faster than you on this road.

2.find a group you are comfortable with: and find the right place in that group.
---->have a slower driver behind you and a slightly faster one ahead of you. stick with them.

3. communicate:
---->you have a FRS radio for a reason. this is to let you know what is happening ahead of you. big trucks in oncoming lanes, etc.

4. maintain control.
---->this is the wrong place and time to find the limits of your car. a track with an instructor is the best.

5. Have fun
----> this is the whole point right? we're all there to have a blast, so share some smiles

 

ABSOLUTELY; excellent point, my man! This means park across the street from the Deal's Gap gas station, unless you are getting gas.

One of the reasons the owners like us so much (To quote Raul, "We get the fewest complaints of any car club") is that we do respect the bikers and their space. 8 cars can take up the space 24+ bikes could use.

Most of all, be SAFE and have fun!

(Broken-hearted at missing this one! )

 

Sorry Ron and you can't make it

 

Here's another suggestion.....

It's not necessary to drive it like you stole it!

 

- Every time you head to the dragon from Alcoa, make sure you stop at one of the gas stations on 321 exiting Maryville and fill up! Going through 1/2 tank or more is not unheard of, and refilling options are few and far between once you're out of Maryville - and most are quite a bit more expensive.

Your options if you are in need are to get gas at the Tail; and there are two Texaco stations - one about 10 miles south of the tail on 28 (in NC), and one around 12 miles from the head of the dragon on 129 (in TN).

- If you're hungry or thirsty, patronize the store at the Gap. Your other choices are all in Robbinsville, which is around 15 miles from the Gap.

 

You lost most of that tread with that "one midnight run"!!!

You and Joe...... out on a mission!!

 

[QUOTE=Mocky57,Apr 10 2005, 12:05 AM] i know a few people have said this, but you will slide a bit on the North Carolina side.. the surface is noticeably different

 

Can't remember everywhere I've posted it...... but even for the vets, I'd want to mention that the NC side is now posted at (brace yourselves ) -- 30 mph!


Now, about that getting excited ...let's keep the need for wet-naps to a minimum please .

 

Another thought for slower drivers and Dragon Virgins:

The legal wave-by

The first part of this is to WATCH YOUR MIRRORS! A lot of drivers don't, but take a peak now and then and see who is back there. If one or more motorcyclists catch you, you should wave them by when it is clear and fairly straight. The best thing you can do is slow down and move all the way to the right edge of the road, stick your left hand out and wave them past. If you move over they can pass you without crossing the double yellow.

Never wave a car past you.

If you can not find a spot to pull off, do not encourage unsafe habits by waving them past. Pull off at the first spot you can find.

Important note about you relative to bikes:

If you are a moderately skilled driver in your S2000, you will be faster through the dragon than 90% or more of motorcycles. In general, they can out accelerate you, but you will outbrake and go through the turns faster than all but the best riders on sport bikes. You should not run up on the backs of bikes coming into a turn - they will be braking more and you risk running them down. This is especially true of cruisers/choppers.

 

All advice noted...........