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Back of the Dragon

I found my first switchback in the US in WV last summer. I was on a small road passing through Lost River State Park. There are plenty of hairpins throughout the Smokies, e.g. NC, VA, WV... You can't compare the Alps with the Smoky Mountains. Comparing switchbacks in the Alps to the sweeper/hairpins of the Smoky's is like comparing Trial riding with motocross... And if you haven't RIDDEN switchbacks, you DON'T get it... waste of time trying to explain it... I've been lucky enough to have ridden both. Thankfully I live in northern Va and get to experience the Smoky's on a regular basis. Let's see, weekend in WV, $200. Two weeks in the Alps, $9000... You be the judge of the value!
 

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But endless roads like that pic you post is why we keep returning to the Alps. Horse meat is cheaper than steak, but I still like steak as often as I can get one.


BTW is that looking back at Arabba?
 
But endless roads like that pic you post is why we keep returning to the Alps. Horse meat is cheaper than steak, but I still like steak as often as I can get one.


BTW is that looking back at Arabba?

But most of us are worn out after four or five days of curves and are ready to go home and recharge. We have very few straight stretches on the western end of West Virginia like gunnert's picture shows on his end of the state. He is on the level end.
 
If you're camping, Hungry Mother State Park just outside Marion on Rt 16 is a good choice. It's about 30 seconds from the first good curve.

Thanks, yes, we are camping, and don't want/need to pay for hook ups and whatever, not to mention listen to someone's A/C running in their motor home while we tent it the next space over. Our goal is from the Lancaster, PA area to burn down 81 then west into some fun roads on day one, camp, then hit Deals Gap, 16 and whatever else looks good, as we head north on day two. Spend the night at a second campground up near VA/WV, (depeding on route) and day 3 take the back roads home as long as we have time for, then cut back over to 81 and get home before dark as we all have to work Monday. Not nearly enough time for this trip but with the National and family time, I don't get many ride vacation days.
 
But endless roads like that pic you post is why we keep returning to the Alps.
And for me, it's only a day driving! ;) Next year I come to the US and check out the famous Dragon.

What I see in the picture reminds me of the Alpe D'Huez, which is quite steep and there are a few tricky turns. Last year, I was an escort for a group of people who did a charity run up and down the Alpe, so I did 100km up and down that day. Wonderful! I'm still smiling...
 
But endless roads like that pic you post is why we keep returning to the Alps. Horse meat is cheaper than steak, but I still like steak as often as I can get one.


BTW is that looking back at Arabba?

Yep, good eyes. Took the photo from a ski lift. We spent 13 days in the Alps last year, plan on going back in 2012 for at LEAST two weeks...
 
And for me, it's only a day driving! ;) Next year I come to the US and check out the famous Dragon.

What I see in the picture reminds me of the Alpe D'Huez, which is quite steep and there are a few tricky turns. Last year, I was an escort for a group of people who did a charity run up and down the Alpe, so I did 100km up and down that day. Wonderful! I'm still smiling...

Mike the Dragon is like Stelvio... you have to do it but... the surrounding roads are a hoot. For my money I'd go to West Virginia. The back roads are as good as they get on the east coast and traffic is non-existent.
 
Mike the Dragon is like Stelvio... you have to do it but... the surrounding roads are a hoot. For my money I'd go to West Virginia. The back roads are as good as they get on the east coast and traffic is non-existent.

The best way to WV from the Dragon is across 16 and the Back of the Dragon. You end up one little ridge from the WV line.
 
Yep, good eyes. Took the photo from a ski lift. We spent 13 days in the Alps last year, plan on going back in 2012 for at LEAST two weeks...

Been '07 since I spent most the summer there. In '09 wife and I did the Schwarzwald/Alsace/Vosges regions. Last fall did Tuscany, Avruzzo, Lazio, and Umbria regions of Italy. Talk of getting tired of corners, try that region of Italy! Wife almost fainted when a week and a half in I mentioned I was almost getting tired of corners, a nice dinner and bottle of wine fixed that though:D

Yea, Mike, the GAP is destination road, but compared to what you have in your back yard, I am afraid you might be disappointed. Not near the elevation of an Alps pass, and much more like the Ballon d'Alsace, or Schwarzwald areas. Lots of entertaining roads BESIDE the GAP to ride down there.
 
Mike the Dragon is like Stelvio... you have to do it but... the surrounding roads are a hoot. For my money I'd go to West Virginia. The back roads are as good as they get on the east coast and traffic is non-existent.
Well, I've planned a 3 month tour of the US, and I've decided to spend some time in the area surrounding the Dragon. I start in New York en go down to Key West first, so I pass the Dragon. I'll take my time and try to do the best motorcycle roads in the US, as long as they're on my route (which is flexible).

I'll also try to educate the people over here a bit more about traveling by bike in the US. I bring my own bike since the shipping and insurance is even cheaper than renting a bike for a month. Also, when Dutch people think of the US by bike, the only thing they think of is Route 66. While it's not at all bad, it's not the best route you can take in the US. By spreading the word about how nice it is to drive around in the US and how easy it is (I hope) to bring you own ride), you might see more crazy Dutchmen on their own bikes.
 
Go do it. It is a great ride and I will go again. Good pavement with many very sharp turns and wonderful views. Look out for the blind curves, I was surprised more than once. :eek
 
Well, I've planned a 3 month tour of the US, and I've decided to spend some time in the area surrounding the Dragon. I start in New York en go down to Key West first, so I pass the Dragon. I'll take my time and try to do the best motorcycle roads in the US, as long as they're on my route (which is flexible).

I'll also try to educate the people over here a bit more about traveling by bike in the US. I bring my own bike since the shipping and insurance is even cheaper than renting a bike for a month. Also, when Dutch people think of the US by bike, the only thing they think of is Route 66. While it's not at all bad, it's not the best route you can take in the US. By spreading the word about how nice it is to drive around in the US and how easy it is (I hope) to bring you own ride), you might see more crazy Dutchmen on their own bikes.
I'll ad my 2cents: why go to Key West? The road(not roads) is flat and full of traffic, prices too high and so on down the line , all adding up to a not so great place to ride a bike.I've been on the highest spot in FL & if I remeber right it is like 700'+, so not the place to get great riding. Maybe just OK for winter hideout , but not a bikers heaven for sure. So, spend more time up where the scenery and culture are a bit more vibrant! If you want some Carribean, save it for a trip to Yucatan, in the winter, if you want good riding its where you already know it is.
Another 2cents: I love to ride curves but fail to see the attraction of the ones that make you virtually stop your motion-per the discussion of hairpins vs. switchbacks? I've been on the Stelvio and yes its aneat place but full of tour buses and bicyclist , plus you have to sort of stop to negotiate the curves, whatever you call them. I'll take the SE US curves anytime over those & that from a person that enjoys being in Europe.
Make certain you watch your speed if riding I-81 in the area of this thread as I can attest to very strict enforcement of the speed limits there-EXPENSIVE IS THE WORD!
 
Go do it. It is a great ride and I will go again. Good pavement with many very sharp turns and wonderful views. Look out for the blind curves, I was surprised more than once. :eek

I have mapped out 6 more good rides in the area at the request of the Smyth County Tourism Association (http://www.visitvirginiamountains.com/) so folks who come to the area can spend about a week and have a different good ride every day. I plan to map out a couple of others that are more scenic and less demanding. They have been sent to the map guy who is to draw them out. I hope they will appear on the Back of the Dragon website (http://backofthedragon.com/ ) the near future. If someone wanders this way before then, just drop me a line and I will send them to you. The rides are beintween 60 and 200 miles long. They all involve mountains and lots of curves. You will ride in Va, WV, TN, NC and a tiny bit in KY.
 
I'll ad my 2cents: why go to Key West? The road(not roads) is flat and full of traffic, prices too high and so on down the line , all adding up to a not so great place to ride a bike.I've been on the highest spot in FL & if I remeber right it is like 700'+, so not the place to get great riding. Maybe just OK for winter hideout , but not a bikers heaven for sure.
I know, but still it's a place I'd like to visit. There are lots of places that are riddled with tourists, but it's not like I'm in the US every year and there are some place I'd like to see. With Key West in particular I don't have a choice but riding to the end and back again, but with other places I can decide on the spot that it's not worth it and take a turn somewhere else.
I'll make it a mix between great riding and things to see/do. Remember that Holland is flat too, and the scenery in FL is not the same as we get here. So maybe it's heaven for us poor Dutch people ;)
 
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Some of you who attended the MOA Rally in Johnson City are familiar with the 32 miles of Rt 16 between Marion, Va and Tazewell, Va. It is a better ride than the Tail of the Dragon but without the publicity. A group has gotten together to get the message out in a shameless attempt to attract tourist dollars and show our little part of motorcycle heaven. We are in the very early stages but the website is http://backofthedragon.com/

Ken


I drove a tractor trailer across their once. Not even half way across I was regretting that decision!
 
I drove a tractor trailer across their once. Not even half way across I was regretting that decision!

Most don't make it half way. If they come from the I-81 end, they generally get stuck in the third curve on the first mountain. The wreckers and state police get great joy in punishing violators of the warning signs.
 
Last July my brother and I made that ride. We were started in WV and rode south through Tazewell ultimatly to stop in Bristol. When we stopped an Hungry Mother State Park we both said this is every bit as good as deals gap, maybe better because there is less traffic. The one thing I specifically remember was the approch to the base of the mountain (shortly after leaving Tazewell). The foilage was like a huge carpet. My description does is no justice. But it was absolutly beautiful to look at.

I like stickers. Are there any available yet?
 
yep, there are stickers. In my mind it is sacrilege to order one and have it mailed. I must now ride to Tazwell and get one in person.

My Aunt Judy lives there (actually she's in Pounding Mill) so free lodging for me.
 
Last July my brother and I made that ride. We were started in WV and rode south through Tazewell ultimatly to stop in Bristol. When we stopped an Hungry Mother State Park we both said this is every bit as good as deals gap, maybe better because there is less traffic. The one thing I specifically remember was the approch to the base of the mountain (shortly after leaving Tazewell). The foilage was like a huge carpet. My description does is no justice. But it was absolutly beautiful to look at.

I like stickers. Are there any available yet?

You were looking at Kudzu that has taken over the north side of the first mountain. The stuff grows about a foot a day in the summer and covers everything.
 
You were looking at Kudzu that has taken over the north side of the first mountain. The stuff grows about a foot a day in the summer and covers everything.

The Electric Utilities nightmare plant...takes out lines & transformers with ease...especially wet:banghead
 
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