This past weekend three people died, all on motorcycles.

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

According to the above link the MI cyclist was the first this year but that's not true, in fact, he is the second MI cyclist to die there in the past two months. Another MI man who died there less than two months ago was from a small town about 15 minutes away from me.

 

I saw that also.

A perfect example of why you shouldn't cross the double yellows.

 

I read in another report that the two people from FL ran into the back of the boat because they came on it too fast and didn't anticipate something that slow.

 

Great link, Dave. I always have auch great fun on the Dragon. But it appears that just obeying the rules yourself does not guarantee your safety on the Dragon. The pic of the semi with jaws on its grill taking up the whole roadway is pretty intimidating, alas!

 

On, tailofthedragon.com, they said they (bikers) crossed the centerline.

I didn't see any updates/nor links.

 

Here's the story on the local fellow who was killed just killed just two weeks ago (I knew it was fairly recent but didn't recall it was that recent; so that's two from MI within two weeks).

Wednesday, June 27, 2007
By Holly Klaft

Brian Raguso had a soft spot for fast cars and nice motorcycles.

The NASCAR fan and father of three bought a Harley-Davidson in 2004 and enjoyed taking it on trips around the country.

"He was young at heart, and he loved adventure," said his wife, Terri Raguso. "He had a need for speed, and he'll admit that to anyone."

Raguso died doing what he loved Saturday when his Harley-Davidson collided head-on with another vehicle in Tennessee.

Raguso was driving north on a particularly dangerous stretch of U.S. 129, known as the Tail of the Dragon for its sudden, sharp curves, in Blount County, Tenn., when he collided with a vehicle.

The 32-year-old Grass Lake Township resident hit a 1996 Nissan 200 SX head-on about 2:15 p.m. Saturday after attempting to pass another motorcyclist on the highway, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The driver of the Nissan collided with a 2005 Ford Focus and another motorcycle after hitting Raguso.

Raguso was killed in the crash.

The other drivers were not seriously injured, according to the highway patrol.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whNI88AuJD0

People do stupid/crazy things.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvrcqeIPYOg...related&search=

I still haven't mustered the kahoni's to run the Dragon. Partially b/c my car keeps crapping out on me and I'm afraid of other drivers crossing that yellow line.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re10s2KPQVA&NR=1

-S2000s in this one

 

I have not been there but my impression is that it's "High Risk Amateur Hour" since any idiot with two or four wheels can try to prove something to his buddies.

 

People do dumb things. Based on my experiences there on bikes, things happen fast and often unexpectedly, especially going down hill. To be safe, getting into a comfortable groove is necessary. Crossing the yellow line can become hard to resist, especially on big, heavy bikes that don't want to turn, that stand-up under braking, and easily drag parts like centerstands and exhausts. Controlled test runs and uphill runs are vital to build confidence and to establish pace and to deal with front end loading on a motorcycle. Best to never try and learn it with friends along unless there is a trusted pace setter. Then, there are the off-camber downhill curves which are challenge to skill, bike setup, and experience. Just way too much happening too fast for unskilled and inexperienced riders.

 

Too bad, they're saying more trooper patrols because of this.

Glad I got to run it already this year.