The Dragon is closed
Mr. MOTD
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,741
Likes: 3
From: Spring Hill, Florida
the barricade will be moved from the state line back to the actual rockslide. So from Deals gap you can ride the Dragon, turn around and return to Fontana. The road will still be closed at the actual slide area so you can not continue to the foothills parkway
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 3
From: Okemos, Michigan
The person most responsible for making this happen is Brad Talbott, owner of the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort. Please show your appreciation by SPENDING LOTS OF MONEY THERE! 
Seriously, they are a great bunch, give them all the business you can. This wouldn't have happened without them. Let them know how much we appreciate them. The breakfast sandwiches on toast are awesome! Please show the Resort lots of love! Tell them Paul and Molly sent you.
Seriously, they are a great bunch, give them all the business you can. This wouldn't have happened without them. Let them know how much we appreciate them. The breakfast sandwiches on toast are awesome! Please show the Resort lots of love! Tell them Paul and Molly sent you.
The Positive Side...
I'm glad to hear the Dragon will be open for us. The one positive thing that comes out of this rock slide and a shortened version of the Dragon, is that this should reduce the big trucks and 18 wheelers traveling on the Dragon to ZERO! Hopefully. There is nothing worse than meeting up with one of the big rigs around a blind curve on US 129. We had a problem with this about three years ago during the Dragon Parade.
It also sounds as though there will be increased patrols on the Dragon on both sides of the border. For the newbies, when you meet another MINI or biker on the Dragon and they are tapping their roof or pushing a hand toward the ground, be looking to slow down because of a speed trap.
Looking forward to the trip!
It also sounds as though there will be increased patrols on the Dragon on both sides of the border. For the newbies, when you meet another MINI or biker on the Dragon and they are tapping their roof or pushing a hand toward the ground, be looking to slow down because of a speed trap.
Looking forward to the trip!
The person most responsible for making this happen is Brad Talbott, owner of the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort. Please show your appreciation by SPENDING LOTS OF MONEY THERE! Seriously, they are a great bunch, give them all the business you can. This wouldn't have happened without them. Let them know how much we appreciate them. The breakfast sandwiches on toast are awesome! Please show the Resort lots of love! Tell them Paul and Molly sent you.
Seriously, they are a great bunch, give them all the business you can. This wouldn't have happened without them. Let them know how much we appreciate them. The breakfast sandwiches on toast are awesome! Please show the Resort lots of love! Tell them Paul and Molly sent you.There's nothing better than breakfast at the Gap and an early AM Dragon run.
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 692
Likes: 91
Thank you everyone who helped with moving the barricade! This could be very interesting, running the Dragon with no through traffic on the road, just us driving enthusiast and the police. I also agree we must show great respect to the Dragon, other drivers and the police.
Mr. MOTD
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,741
Likes: 3
From: Spring Hill, Florida
In addition to Brad at Deal's Gap, the following folks were instrumental in getting the Dragon reopened.(this list is from Ben's Site) I have already sent several "Thank You" emails to these folks and would incourage you all do the same. (contact emails can be found HERE)
US Congressmen Heath Schuler, NC Sen John Snow, NC Rep Roger West, TN Sen Doug Overbey, TN Commissioner Gerald Nicely, TN Rep McCord, all the folks at TDOT, the Graham County Commissioners for all the EMS support, THP, NCHP NC and TN Governor's staff and most importantly all the wonderful motorcycle and sport car groups and people who took the time to write, email, fax and call letting these folks know how much you love our area.
US Congressmen Heath Schuler, NC Sen John Snow, NC Rep Roger West, TN Sen Doug Overbey, TN Commissioner Gerald Nicely, TN Rep McCord, all the folks at TDOT, the Graham County Commissioners for all the EMS support, THP, NCHP NC and TN Governor's staff and most importantly all the wonderful motorcycle and sport car groups and people who took the time to write, email, fax and call letting these folks know how much you love our area.
Now, since the Dragon is open, it is important to NOT end up on YouTube like the big doofus who drove into the big pile of rocks. So when you get to the slide location, please remember to stop. 
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Okemos, Michigan
Lawyers have oked all the paperwork Monday (4/12) at 8 am The Dragon will be if full swing from 8 am until 8 pm everyday.
snooter: It's Brad's site. Ben no longer works at DGMR.
Definitely show the love. They are all great people and it's a great place. The food is really good at the grill. That is where we had our wedding reception
snooter: It's Brad's site. Ben no longer works at DGMR.
Definitely show the love. They are all great people and it's a great place. The food is really good at the grill. That is where we had our wedding reception
Mr. MOTD
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,741
Likes: 3
From: Spring Hill, Florida
dang....and I knew that too and still did it...must be getting old...no Dragon Fever...yea that's it.......Dragon Fever got me 
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Noblesville, Indiana
This may be a dumb question but I'll offer it up anyhow. . .
If the turnaround is near the rockslide, I'm trying to picture how that will work. 3 point turns? Sounds like a massive jam up, at least during high traffic times like the Dragon Parade?
If the turnaround is near the rockslide, I'm trying to picture how that will work. 3 point turns? Sounds like a massive jam up, at least during high traffic times like the Dragon Parade?
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Okemos, Michigan
BTW- they have paved all the pull-offs on the Dragon, so no more gravel or drop offs to deal with.
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Denver, NC
Here is an article from the Charlotte Observer about the dragon partially reopening
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/201...reopening.html
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/201...reopening.html
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: TN
Wonder if its open the whole way to and from Fontana? Comming from Knoxville it would be a huge pain to have to go around through Tellico or Gatlinburg. Even if its short hours, it would still be nice to be able to go through the Dragon on my way in and out instead of the long way.