vfroger
Rider
I ride the NC/TN mountains a lot, and have ridden the Dragon many times. Here's my advice:
1) Ride it on a weekday.
2) Ride it at speed limit or speed limit +5 in the straights. Feel free in the corners. You'll notice that cops usually sit on a straight section just after a corner, looking for people who are exiting the corner at speed an accelerating in the straight. If you power through a corner, let off at the end and slow down for the straight.
3) Cops will drive the Dragon also, keep on your side of the yellow.
4) Have a radar detector.
5) If you MUST get into it, and you want to ride hard, I suggest riding a section, like 1 or two miles, and make sure it is cop free. Then, turn around and nail it on the section you've cleared. Of course, a cop could still pop up but you are likely OK.
6) The area around there has so many great roads. Too many to list. They are all really as good as the Dragon, just not famous.
7) Always signal other riders if you see a cop. Pat your helmet. I've been saved, and saved others, many times. If we work as a team, we can beat the cops.
8) I have occasionally run scout. I get about a 5 minute head start and run at the limit. If I see a cop, I U turn and if my buddy see's me coming back, he knows to slow down. Of course, this is for stationary cops, not cops driving as you'd have to pass them to warn a buddy!
9) Drag that knee and have fun (keeping the above in mind); And keep your eyes open for cars/bikes/trucks coming into your lane. It is not a track.
My avatar too is a pic on the Dragon from Killboy.com
A big 2nd to all of the above. I live here and monitor our local boards. The wrath of the THP and Blount County Sheriff's Dept is at its highest on the weekends. We have lots of wonderful roads in the area, some that equal the infamous "Dragon". As motorcyclists we share in the demise of the dragon. Hooligan riding, loud pipes, and other antisocial antics as well as numerous accidents with injuries or fatalities led to this.
If you must ride it, do it during the week. Also, US421 from Bristol to Mountain City a.k.a. "The Snake" has stepped up enforcement due to the same problems as US129 across Deals Gap. Watch out.
Now, a little self promotion. The BMW Riders of Knoxville are having a pre-rally in Del Rio (near Newport) just prior to the national. We are the "locals" and can give lots of advice on great riding all over east Tennessee and western North Carolina. Check it out and get in the good riding before the national rally starts.