Well, I took a side trip on my way to Maine today. I realized I would be going right by this road, so I turned off and drove the Cherohola Skyway and came back to Knoxville by way of US 129. All I can say is "wow". We don't have roads like this in Texas. The closest we have is the "Devil's Backbone" out in the Hill Country by Vanderpool. Anyway, here's a pic. Ummn, pay no attention to the speedo, I think it's off!

 

Looks like you picked a good stretch of road to snap that picture (especially with that broken speedometer ). That looks like the way to do The Dragon. I'd love to do that road sometime, but it honestly looks more fun to me with a handful of MINIs than jam-packed with hundreds of them.

I know that's probably blasphemy, but being unique is what attracts us to the MINIs in the first place. Right?..............Right?

 

I enjoy driving that road when I get the chance. I have a cabin right on the outskirts of Bryson City and my wife likes to shop in Pigeon Forge. The stretch through the Cherokee National Forest up past the turn off to Clingman's dome and Deals Gap is pretty fun too.

 

50mph ain't bad, I mean, the speed limit is 45mph, right? (I've never been to the dragon)

 

60 is doable in many parts.....Ohhhh yeah limit is 30 and the THP crawls there on the weekends, might need to knock it down a few notches.

The Dragon was OK, there's much better roads in the NC back country though. *puts on flame suit*

 

It wasn't too bad on a Monday, I guess. At least not according to the locals. There were a lot of bikes, mostly touring bikes, but a few sport bikes, and those guys were nuts! As I was just about done, I met a Sheriff's car and an ambulance heading back up. Don't know what happened, but it wouldn't surprise me if one of those guys didn't wipe out. So, off to Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Any suggestions on good roads up there?

 

I haven't been to The Dragon yet, hope to go up for MSSD later this month. I do believe there are some pretty fun backroads up in Western NC though. Highway 80 comes to mind.

 

Agreed, especially when one considers that most of the "Dragon" is in TN and not in NC [if you feel it really "ends" at Deal's Gap]. To me, taking the TOTD from Maryville, TN, represents that the "best is yet to come".

 

If you are going to be in Vermont you must try Rt 100. It is a great road. Runs north to south right up the center of the state. Beautiful country, not quite the adventure that the Dragon is but still a wonderful road.

Off Rt 100 there are several roads that traverse the Green Mountains. The Appalachain Gap (App Gap), Granville Notch, Lincoln Gap, Middlebury Gap, and Smugglers Notch come to mind.

Smugglers is definitely not a fast road but it will certainly keep your attention as it is very unforgiving of any errors on your part. There are no guard rails in the worst sections, but you can not fall off of the road as there are parts of the mountain right there to keep you on the road, and they will not be moved, no matter how hard you hit them. This is definitely a road that needs to be driven several times, slowly at first so you learn where the really blind corners are, and where you can have a little fun. Early in the day is nice before the traffic arrives.

Also, in New Hampshire I would highly recommend the Kangamangus Highway http://www.nhtourguide.com/tripreports/kancamagus_highway_new_hampshire.htma beautiful flowing ribbon of highway.

While you are in the area, a trip up to the top of Mt. Washington is always worth it. Provided the top isn't obscured by clouds. Sometimes, even if it is, it can be quite a drive until you get up into the clouds. Then it can be very slow, and I mean VERY slow, first gear, fog lights on, crawling along trying to follow the painted line in the middle of the road, hoping that someone coming down doesn't run into you, type slow. But once you get to the top, you will be at the top of the highest point in the northeast and where the highest sustained, non-storm related, wind was recorded. Park headed into the breeze so it doesn't rip open the doors as you try to get out

Certainly something different from the normal fare in Texas. Enjoy.

 

I agree there are many great roads out there, but the difference is on the Dragon you don't have to worry about someone in his pickup pulling out of a driveway or cross street when it is least expected.

Many great back roads in NC!

 

Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia

Great scenery, some twisties, and interesting little towns can be found on the following off-the-beaten-path routes:

Take I-95 through Philadelphia and get off at Yardley and drive up the Delaware River on PA 32 and 611 (north).

Take Route 6 East from Harriman, NY over the Bear Mountain Bridge, and then take the Taconic Parkway north to I-84 East into Connecticut. You also can take the Taconic all the way to I-90 and head into Mass.

In Connecticut, Route 37 in Sherman and New Milford is great. You can take US Route 7 north from New Milford into Massachusetts and Vermont. It's just a short jump over to VT route 100 from Bennington, VT.

Second the suggestion of the Kancamangus, too.

 

Yep, Hwy 80 was kickin'!!

Having driven both, I actually liked 80 better, since there weren't nearly as many cars/motorcycles on the road. Perhaps the Dragon is better during the week.

We really have no shortage of awseome twisties, here. That is fo sho!

 

Actually you do! There are people that live on the Dragon, and a few roads that dump out onto it, I've been cutoff by such cars, as well as tourists from the pull offs, not to mention the common reports of locals putting oil or gravel onto the road to slow down the crowds that traverse the Dragon. Vigilance and focus when driving these roads is paramount, as there is much less margin for error.

 

Thanks guys and gals. I will definitely try route 100 in Vermont, and also route 112 through New Hampshire. I'll be going back to Texas by way of the Blue Ridge Parkway also. I'm just moseying around up here taking pictures. So here is a question for the Pennsylvanians. Do they sell house paint in any color other than "white", "off-white", and "Eggshell"?

 

Well, not the actual Dragon but yes the roads leading to it have cross roads and driveways.
That is the claim to fame is the lack of any access for the 11 miles and 318 turns for the Dragon.
You are also correct no matter what great road you drive using your head is very important.

 

No. The other option is brick.