Yesterday, since we were in Gatlinburg already, SWMBO suggested we go ahead and visit the Dragon as I had mentioned it days earlier. We'd never been before and finding it wasn't the easiest (their website gave TERRIBLE directions).
Thoughts on the experience: motorcyclists are either slow or stupid
RAV4s need to learn to pull over and let people pass
It's a LOT of fun!
VR6 at full trot sounds exquisite but I want to go back in the Miata.
Anyone else?
The best times to go are Monday through Thursday. If you have to go on the weekend try to go in the morning early, or late at night.
In my experience, individual motorcycles will usually get out of your way, but if you come up on a group of them there is no hope. Cars are a hit or miss depending on the driver.
I'm glad to hear you had fun! My first time through the dragon was in my dads Jeep Grand Cherokee with both parents with me. I still managed to pass a few bikes. :)
Drove it years ago in my Honda Odyssey. On the way "in" to Deal's Gap from Gatlinburg, we had a great time. On the way back, the kids got car sick and we got stuck behind a white knuckling old geezer who wasn't pulling over for anyone. We were about number six in a line of cars/bikes looking to get around him, and there aren't many passing opportunities. That was less fun.
Like you, I really want to go back with my Miata.
Swung though there when I drove my Integra back from FL. Ended up going through mid-morning on a Tuesday after a light rain but a good time!!
I took my Aprilia thru there a few years ago. I guess I am stupid. 
I was glad that I wasn't in my Miata
Neat road, but dangerous. I wrecked my car on a nearby road being very stupid years ago.
I've been back, but no desire to go fast. Last time I went there for a meet I never actually drove the Dragon, I spent most of my time hanging out with people, or mountain biking in the area.
I'd rather be stuck doing 15mph under the speedlimit on the Dragon than be anywhere in Gatlinburg I think.
ProDarwin wrote: I'd rather be stuck doing 15mph under the speedlimit on the Dragon than be anywhere in Gatlinburg I think.
Except the karting place in Pigeon Forge ... my kids thought it was the greatest theme park ever ... and the brew pub in easy walking distance from the trail head at the top of town (Gatlinburg). After stomping thru 12 miles of mountains, the first pint isn't something I wanted to sit in traffic for. By the 10th one - the shuttle full of shopping peasants came in handy 
The rest of the place was a bit commercialized in an over-the-top way (like Jesus is on billboards near Charlotte, NC)
I've taken at least four motorcycle trips up there. I haven't taken a car, yet. One time I was there that must've been some kind of Miata meet because I saw a ton of Miatae on the roads. I had some great driving sessions with Miata guys in front and trying to keep up from behind.
When the Dragon is brought up I always recommend the Cherohala Skyway as an alternative. It's one of the most perfect pieces of road I've ever driven. It's not as heavily traffic'ed as the Dragon and just as fun in my opinion.
The roads in the state park are nice too but the speed limit is low. I actually got a federal speeding ticket fairly early in the morning coming down from visiting Clingman's Dome for sunrise. I paid the fine, strangely enough it never showed up on my record and/or insurance.
In reply to Rusnak_322: I know I'm wildly ignorant of exotic motorcycles so when I read Aprilla I didn't think of the fast ones but rather the Vespa looking scooters. And the image of someone in a full leather romper suit hammering through the 'tail on a Vespa made me laugh so hard SWMBO came to investigate.
I'm not sure if I would want to go any faster through it than I did. The lack of anything soft or forgiving definitely gives one pause.
That said, instead of ticketing the fast I suspect local government could make a fortune by making it one way and charging everyone $10 to run it at whatever speed they want (nurburgring style).
Harley "dressers" have no business on this road, for that matter most harley's.
I drove it bringing the 911 back from Pennsylvania to Texas when I bought it. Had a fantastic time. I was able to drive quick enough that it was interesting but nowhere near quick enough to be dangerous.
I live in the area of the dragon and there are better less crowded roads around... Devil's Drop is one that comes to mind.
I've been twice, both times in the xB with friends. Had plenty of fun both times, but the 2nd time we went to Pigeon Forge and included the Dragon as a side-trip. Much more fun.
I thought I had a slow-ish car but got stuck behind Harley's more than crotch rockets got stuck behind me. And one lady in a Pontiac minivan going 20mph, on a donut spare, that was half inflated. 
I thought my friend was going to punt her off a few different times.
I just missed a Fiat event that occurred right after I bought mine. I'll go next time, or this fall with same friends (even though we have different cars now). Did I mention my friend dressed as the Stig the first year? Walking thru the souvenir shops was hilarious.
So when is the GRM "Tales of the Tail" weekend?
aussiesmg wrote: So when is the GRM "Tales of the Tail" weekend?
When they close off the road and give us exclusive access, hill climb cars and put a keg at one end.
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:aussiesmg wrote: So when is the GRM "Tales of the Tail" weekend?When they close off the road and give us exclusive access, hill climb cars and put a keg at one end.
Do you know how much I love you man
I've lived here since 1955 …. been driving since 1965 … I've never been to the dragon … guess I should go someday (maybe 30 mi away)
MrChaos wrote: I live in the area of the dragon and there are better less crowded roads around... Devil's Drop is one that comes to mind.
This.
I don't live up there, but I've been driving the mountains since I was 15. Every time I hear Dragon, traffic is in the next sentence.
There are a lot of really great roads in the mountains. Many of them with little traffic and no cops. Why pick the one with an overabundance of both?
In reply to Toyman01:
exactly one of the supposed best unknown driving roads(per the drivel that is Jalopnik) in the are is North Carolina 215 Between Rosman And Waynesville(I travel this road frequently as the closest free shooting range is just south of Lake Logan on this road) and 276 between brevard and waynesville(though this road is crowded in the summer and bicyclists crowd the road a lot.)
Its something I want to do, never been there yet
Devil's Drop AKA NC-151 AKA Pisgah Highway. It drops 2000' in 5 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
In reply to MrChaos:
My wife and I drove 276 out of Waynesville a couple of months ago. It's one of my favorites. Not exactly the fastest way from Waynesville to Charleston, but worth the detour. I also like 178 out of Pickens up to Rosman and then 215 up to the Parkway. I'm getting the itch to head back up there for a long weekend.
It is fun, I tend to be there a coulpe times a year. (It's conveiently 'along the way' to see family). Actually I was there about a week ago. During the week or very early morning is the best time to go. There are many other good roads in the surrounding hills too. The Cherohala is a nice road, but the very low speed limit kills any fun. It is great fun in the 60 mph+ range however. Traffic on Christmas morning tends to be nill....
In reply to Toyman01:
The only issue with 276 this time of year is the bicyclists. It is a 45 mph road with blind curves and the bicyclists are going maybe 3 mph up 276 the road goes like this / \ . And also with looking glass falls and sliding rock it is also a tourist filled road.
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