Tail of the Dragon
06-15-2022, 09:48 PM
#1
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Tail of the Dragon
I'm about a 6 hour drive from Tail of the Dragon, one of, if not the best 13 miles of more-or-less legal driving roads in the world. And today I returned from my third trip there and I want to recommend this journey to anyone within reasonable driving range from East Tennessee. If you are not aware of this Mecca for drivers, it is an isolated mountain highway, with no intersecting roads, that has 318 turns in 13 miles. The speed limit is 30 MPH but most of the turns are pushing it at 30. The road is banked perfectly. One run is tiring but exhilarating and 4 runs will be about all you want without a break. There is a really plush mountain lodge called Tapoco Lodge at the end of the run, and I highly recommend it. Nice, well appointed cabins and a really good restaurant and bar right on a beautiful river. Stay two nights if you can, and drive all day between the nights.
You have to be aware that it is possible to get a speeding ticket there. It is also possible to wreck your car if you drive beyond your limits. But aside from a track there are few better public places to really, really push your car and your driving abilities.
Google it. Go there if you are close enough. Last time I was there 6 motorcyclists from Norway shipped their bikes overseas just to drive this area. It's fun and challenging and...fun.
You have to be aware that it is possible to get a speeding ticket there. It is also possible to wreck your car if you drive beyond your limits. But aside from a track there are few better public places to really, really push your car and your driving abilities.
Google it. Go there if you are close enough. Last time I was there 6 motorcyclists from Norway shipped their bikes overseas just to drive this area. It's fun and challenging and...fun.
06-16-2022, 08:34 AM
#2
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I live on Mulholland Highway, 10 miles from The Snake. From what I understand it's a Tail of the Dragon for the poseurs on the West Coast who think they are accomplishing something when they make it from Las Virgenes to PCH without either crashing or getting ticketed. Perhaps I am being harsh, but there are so many drivers in expensive cars who still need to learn to drive who go past my house every day.
No thanks!
06-17-2022, 05:47 AM
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I live on Mulholland Highway, 10 miles from The Snake. From what I understand it's a Tail of the Dragon for the poseurs on the West Coast who think they are accomplishing something when they make it from Las Virgenes to PCH without either crashing or getting ticketed. Perhaps I am being harsh, but there are so many drivers in expensive cars who still need to learn to drive who go past my house every day.
06-17-2022, 03:07 PM
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I live on Mulholland Highway, 10 miles from The Snake. From what I understand it's a Tail of the Dragon for the poseurs on the West Coast who think they are accomplishing something when they make it from Las Virgenes to PCH without either crashing or getting ticketed. Perhaps I am being harsh, but there are so many drivers in expensive cars who still need to learn to drive who go past my house every day.
Then if you get stuck behind some lost tourists, omfg...
06-17-2022, 03:11 PM
#7
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In three trips to the Tail I have only seen two police cruisers, and have seen no one pulled over even though EVERYBODY is speeding to a certain extent. The curves are so sharp that it sort of self-polices.
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06-22-2022, 09:09 AM
#12
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Not exactly NYC, but upstate, around Cooperstown, there are great mountain roads in the Catskills and Adirondacks. A few years ago I took a 911. There was little traffic and the scenery was nice as well.
06-22-2022, 09:12 AM
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I'be been twice on bikes and once in a Maserati Coupe. There were plenty of people but I enjoyed the drive/ride and there were opportunities to go at a brisk pace. I'd go back..not just for the dragon itself but also for all the nearby roads strtching up to Virginia.
