Share 'em! Can be funny, can be serious, can be about the road, driving, or event. Help out the newbies - and remind the veterans!

A few to start:

On The Dragon, Hellbender, and the other area roads:
- There is no timer
- There are no records
- There are no guardrails (to speak of)
- There is no cell phone coverage
- The nearest ambulance is 45 minutes away
- If it's not, it's tending to someone else on the Dragon. He's in a tree
- There will always be someone faster than you

 

STAY IN YOUR LANE, STAY IN YOUR LANE, STAY IN YOUR LANE!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can run a fast pace and not cross the double yellow (see sig pic)

 

On these roads, drinking and driving might seriously injure or kill you and/or somebody else, so don't...not even a little.

LEOs will most likely be present, so stick to the speed limit...the fines can be hefty (no, I'm not speaking from personal experience.)

Watch out for wild life crossing the roads...bear, turkeys, deer, snakes, etc.

Prepare for a wide swing in temperature ranges..it can be very warm during the day, but near freezing at night. Last year, we had frost for a couple of nights...summer tires do not like these low temps.

Please don't use the gas station at the Crossroads of Time to fill your car. There's always been an understanding that that fuel is for the bikers.

Patience, especially on the Dragon, is a must. Most times, slower drivers will pull off, if they can do it safely, and allow you to pass. However, this doesn't always happen. Road rage has no place on these roads and can even be dangerous, so if you get stuck behind a semi or someone hauling a boat or trailer, DO NOT TRY TO PASS THEM!! Nearly every corner on the Dragon is totally blind and you'll never know what hit you.

Be considerate of your neighbors, no matter where you're staying. Loud parties are fun, unless you have to get up early to go on a drive.

Bring serious rain gear...there seems to be no such thing as a light rain in that area.

Clean up after your self. Carry a trashbag in your car.

Again, I cannot reiterate too much about safety. In all the years MOTD has happened, we've not had a really serious accident. Let's keep that record going.

 

The importance of obeying the double yellow lines can not be stressed enough.

Bottom line - if you can't manage to take the turns without crossing the double yellows... you are driving beyond your ability... SLOW DOWN.

Don't give any kind of paltry excuse like "Oh, I can see there is nobody coming on this inside turn, it's no big deal!"

BS! Know your limits and don't push past them, because you are likely to wreck your car, wreck someone else's, or worst of all, get somebody injured or killed. The Dragon is not a game, treat it with respect and treat it seriously. You will probably never drive a more challenging road in your life.

 

hmmmmm... I don't know, Edge. The Dragon, or I-495 at rush hour. I think your odds of living are better on the Dragon.

Your point is well made though.

 

Don't chill your BrewSwap trading beer, except what you intend to use as samples. It's easier to get it home if you don't have to keep it cold.

 

While driving on the Dragon, stay off the brake pedal!!!! You're going way too fast. A tap should do it. When I find myself behind some one riding the brakes I pull over and let them get WAAAYYYY ahead.

 

In general, even if there is no one in front of you, do not ride the brakes. If you do, they will not work well when you really need them!

 

Well, I don't know about a "tap" of the brakes, especially if you're coming "down" the Dragon.

But if you're riding the brakes through the curves, take a driving class. Slow down entering the curve and accelerate out of the curve.

 

Be sure to cool your brakes at each end of the Dragon...it's no place for fading brakes.

 

Especially if you're driving an Automatic and you don't like to use the Manual shift mode. You're going to need those brakes more than other drivers.

 

I don't suggest just a tap, but not riding them, using the brakes properly to avoid fade, is the point I was trying to make.

 

Notice I didn't quote your post. I was referring to the word "TAP" that FranticFreddy used.

 

I'd have to agree with the easy in-hard out technique. Works on oval track, works on road courses and will work on most any set of twisties.

Also, look "through" the corner. Too many drivers, both on track and on the street, only drive to the end of the bonnet. And we got short bonnets!

 

I didn't think you were singling out my post.
I was just clarifying my statement.

 

Here's my biggest tip:

US 129 IS A PUBLIC ROAD. That means you're going to see people of all different driving styles and abilities. From our Dragon virgins to the bikers who spend almost every weekend at the Gap, the entire range will be there, and they all have the right to be there. So take it easy. If someone is riding you wanting to get around, take your time and find a safe pull off. If someone is going too slow for you, give them time to pull off, and show your appreciation. Yes, there may be a run or two where you don't get to get up to even the speed limit , but there's plenty of time to make more runs.

 

Good. Because it was so hard to understand the first time.

 

There are tons and tons of great roads in the area go exploring.

 

Yes it can't be stressed enough, respect the yellow line. (Can't be stressed enough because every year too many people don't get it) If you stay on your side vs cutting across it's twistier. Why on earth anyone would go all the way there and then try to straighten out the ride is beyond me! If you want to drive a straight line stay on the interstate! I've even got video of MINI's 100% on the wrong side of the road and there is simply no excuse for it. None.

Re brakes, most of the time I just leave the car in 2nd (6 speed S) and run it in that. Plenty of go for fun cornering and engine braking is adequate. Yes there are points where it straightens for a bit and I could up shift... But why? See how smooth you can be.

The few occasions when I've made a harder run braking and up shifting have always been early in the day and during the week, when it's a ghost town. But even then you need to stay on your side of the yellow.

In addition to Mom's with children in car etc, there are also cyclists on these roads, including the Dragon occasionally. Oh and a black bear or two after dark sometimes.

You CAN both have fun AND be safe. If fact you can be safe and have the time of your life.

 

Oooh.. A P.S. Folks often run with lights on for better visibility. Some folks turn on their front fogs... Fine.

DON"T TURN ON YOUR REAR FOG. It looks like a brake light when you just catch a glimpse here and there. Not a big issue for the car immediately behind you but a issue for the second car back.

 

Particularly if it's raining, the light scatters across the windshield and can affect those behind you as I found out when I blinded geekswrath one night.

 

I know this has been covered but I thought I would put it out there one more time....

DON'T CROSS THE DOUBLE YELLOW LINE AT ANY TIME!!!!!!!!!
DON'T CROSS THE DOUBLE YELLOW LINE AT ANY TIME!!!!!!!!!
DON'T CROSS THE DOUBLE YELLOW LINE AT ANY TIME!!!!!!!!!
DON'T CROSS THE DOUBLE YELLOW LINE AT ANY TIME!!!!!!!!!

I hope that we are crystal clear on this...

There are numerous professional photographers on the Dragon and
chances are really good that if you cross the double yellow line your
picture will be posted for everyone to see who the BAD MINI driver is...

 

Let me get this straight, I am not supposed to cross the double yellow?

WOW, who knew!!!

 

I forgot to mention that sometimes when your GPS tells you "Bear Right"
it really means there is a Bear on the Right.


Original post from MOTD04

 

I guess we can toss this out there...