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ron_ces
Aging Hacker
Squid
It simply means-
So Quick Until I Die
Who hasn't been there before?
Before you become old and wise, you must first be young and stupid...
Ron
WOW
Short version
Stupid, Quick, Dead
It simply means-
So Quick Until I Die
Who hasn't been there before?
Before you become old and wise, you must first be young and stupid...
Ron
crawfordt123
Live and Don't Learn! :p
Wow.
Thanks for definitive definitions of "Squid"!
I was told that it is because after having an accident on the road a squid (an irresponsible rider) can look like a squid (a shapeless mass of tissue) lying on the pavement.
The Dragon is 11 miles long and even though the speed limit ( correct me if I'm wrong) is generally around 35mph through there and assuming you ride close the speed limit, the whole thing is over in less than 20 minutes.
The road surface is close to excellent meaning very smooth and well marked with no tar snakes. It's fun and certainly pretty, but not sure I'd ride across the country again for a 20 minute thrill. I had no problem riding it while keeping a moderate pace along with a whole lot of respect for it knowing of all the horror stories. I came away thinking it was more of a right of passage for the cruiser crowd.
Oddly enough, the next day after riding the Dragon and the Blue Ridge Parkway going north I hopped off near Boone, NC and rode Hwy 421 to Bristol, TN. I found many parts of 421 far more challenging and would put that on the wish list of a wild and crazy road since it's not far from the rally for a day ride. It left such an impression on me, I never forgot the number.
The road surface is close to excellent meaning very smooth and well marked with no tar snakes. It's fun and certainly pretty, but not sure I'd ride across the country again for a 20 minute thrill. I had no problem riding it while keeping a moderate pace along with a whole lot of respect for it knowing of all the horror stories. I came away thinking it was more of a right of passage for the cruiser crowd.
Oddly enough, the next day after riding the Dragon and the Blue Ridge Parkway going north I hopped off near Boone, NC and rode Hwy 421 to Bristol, TN. I found many parts of 421 far more challenging and would put that on the wish list of a wild and crazy road since it's not far from the rally for a day ride. It left such an impression on me, I never forgot the number.
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texanrt
New member
Thanks -- I've added that to the list of must-ride roads for my next trip!
I have been "on the Dragon" a number of times and every time, no matter the day or what I was thinking I would be in an accident due to the crazyness going on there! Too much crossing the yellow line for this guy! Ride the many other scenic and twisty roads in that whole general area.
osbornk
Old man in the mountains
Robert Davis (Webmost) and I were discussing the Dragon last week and compared it to our favorite ride. We decided the biggest difference is that the Hayters Gap ride is better but the biggest difference is it doesn't have a T-shirt, squids or LEOs. It is only a 50 mile interstate ride from the Rally. Get off I-81 onto Rt 80 at the Meadowview exit. You will meander 10 miles through the country to Hayters Gap. The next 8 miles have hundreds of curves on a very smooth road with sharp turns and no guardrails.
http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally09/great_rides_from_the_2009_bmw_moa_rally
http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally09/great_rides_from_the_2009_bmw_moa_rally
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J
JAMESDUNN
Guest
It is much like a visit to a ski area. Go, if possible on weekdays, as the weekends, depending on the area, are very busy. The same logic would apply to most vacation resorts. Weekdays rule!
O
OUTBACKUFO
Guest
at least on the dragon... you have a full two lanes in each direction... on Independence pass you have to deal with the two sections of one lane road along cliff faces... and pedal bikers hauling arse down hill (Up Hill traffic has legal right away in Colorado by state law) around the blind corners...
redclfco
New member
yea, but I am here to say independence is more fun than a bucket of monkeys nomatter which day you choose to go! My guess is so's the Dragon!
11 miles? hahaha, that's barely enogh to wet your lips!
heavyjetpfe
New member
My brother came out from Denver to ride the dragon with that same thought. After riding the paved pig trails we call roads he went home with a little more respect for our "little" Smokey Mtns. Like most posters have said Stay off the Dragon on the weekends. And with school being out for the summer, I'd be real careful during the week also. Here's a link to Deals Gap. They try to post what's happening on the Dragon that week. http://www.dealsgap.com/
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R
Rjeffery
Guest
Dragon
The Dragon is a great ride for going on to other great twisties in the area. I went through there a month or so ago without any problems, no semi's (they can't even fit or allowed on the road), no trucks W/boats... After the Dragon we spent the whole day exploring down into Georgia then back up to the Smoky's.
Ya... stay away on the weekends, or go early in the morning before the cartoons end.
The Dragon is a great ride for going on to other great twisties in the area. I went through there a month or so ago without any problems, no semi's (they can't even fit or allowed on the road), no trucks W/boats... After the Dragon we spent the whole day exploring down into Georgia then back up to the Smoky's.
Ya... stay away on the weekends, or go early in the morning before the cartoons end.
Attachments
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dpeace
Guest
Trucks on the Dragon
Before riding the Dragon I recommend watching the YouTube clips of semis on this stretch of road. I have read that because the Dragon is part of a national highway (US 129) it cannot be closed to trucks. As you will see, trucks and bikes don't mix well on this twisty road. I recommend the Cherohala Skyway, Blue Ridge Parkway or any of the mountain roads in North Georgia for your twisty fix without so much traffic.
DP
Before riding the Dragon I recommend watching the YouTube clips of semis on this stretch of road. I have read that because the Dragon is part of a national highway (US 129) it cannot be closed to trucks. As you will see, trucks and bikes don't mix well on this twisty road. I recommend the Cherohala Skyway, Blue Ridge Parkway or any of the mountain roads in North Georgia for your twisty fix without so much traffic.
DP
redclfco
New member
Trucks on Independence Pass are also there 24/7
As example, Independence pass will take anything that will go down the road, is a major connecting highway to Aspen Colorado, AND (most importantly) remains fun, fun fun any day of the week!
As I suspect the Dragon will be fun, fun, fun if you use a little care and caution, and know how to execute repeated turns in a verticle atmosphere!
IMHO for what it's worth!
As example, Independence pass will take anything that will go down the road, is a major connecting highway to Aspen Colorado, AND (most importantly) remains fun, fun fun any day of the week!
As I suspect the Dragon will be fun, fun, fun if you use a little care and caution, and know how to execute repeated turns in a verticle atmosphere!
IMHO for what it's worth!
testinglogin
Hogaan!
I rode the dragon about 15 minutes after a semi went through. It was nice because most people were waiting far longer for him to get through, so we didn't have traffic trying to push us. We caught up to him, but it was at the end when most of the curves were over.
I actually enjoyed riding Route 28 TO the Dragon better than the Dragon itself. Traffic was lighter, too. Just watch for the two turns a few miles before you get to the intersection with 129 which are posted at 25mph (possibly 15?) - they mean it.
I actually enjoyed riding Route 28 TO the Dragon better than the Dragon itself. Traffic was lighter, too. Just watch for the two turns a few miles before you get to the intersection with 129 which are posted at 25mph (possibly 15?) - they mean it.
J
JAMESDUNN
Guest
Colorado mountain passes, the Dragon and such.
I lived in Colorado many years and have been over most, if not all the passes there, not all of which are paved. Independence is sure enough hairy. Weekends can be "crowded". Luckily it is closed winters. All those high steep passes are challenging; Hoosier; Lizard Head: Wolf Creek; Blanco; Monarch to name a few. "Rider Beware".I have not ridden the Dragon. If the possibility should arise it will be on a weekday and it will not be full out. That is for the track. Seems for some the Dragon is "the track", but carries a lot of risk when ridden that way.
I lived in Colorado many years and have been over most, if not all the passes there, not all of which are paved. Independence is sure enough hairy. Weekends can be "crowded". Luckily it is closed winters. All those high steep passes are challenging; Hoosier; Lizard Head: Wolf Creek; Blanco; Monarch to name a few. "Rider Beware".I have not ridden the Dragon. If the possibility should arise it will be on a weekday and it will not be full out. That is for the track. Seems for some the Dragon is "the track", but carries a lot of risk when ridden that way.
Haha, best comment ever.
greenwald
New member
Agreed!!!
That little comment had me rolling on the floor! Good one!
And as far as all this 'negative publicity' on The Dragon............keep it coming.
This will be my fourth year in a row tearing up HWY 129, aka "The Dragon," and though I will miss all of you, I will enjoy the thinner traffic while I'm having a ball!
I mean..............Bad road........bad, bad stretch of road. Everyone should stay away. Big trucks, snakes, earthquake damage, ruts, unspeakable chaos, etc.
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What's the big deal? (Get it? Big Deal!)
Not to be a wet blanket, but from looking at photos, Deals Gap looks little different from any of hundreds of long and twisty mountain/hill/canyon roads that exist in the west and no doubt in many other parts of the country, yet every m/c site I visit talks of the Dragon while other twisty roads get little mention.
What's the big deal? (Apologies in advance re. the lowest form of humor.) Is it the quality of pavement? I can't imagine it's the atmosphere, which to me would be a huge detriment. Not knocking it, 'cause I've never been. Just wondering.
Not to be a wet blanket, but from looking at photos, Deals Gap looks little different from any of hundreds of long and twisty mountain/hill/canyon roads that exist in the west and no doubt in many other parts of the country, yet every m/c site I visit talks of the Dragon while other twisty roads get little mention.
What's the big deal? (Apologies in advance re. the lowest form of humor.) Is it the quality of pavement? I can't imagine it's the atmosphere, which to me would be a huge detriment. Not knocking it, 'cause I've never been. Just wondering.
C
chfite
Guest
What sets the Dragon apart from the others is that there are no intersecting driveways or roads along its length.
I have ridden the Tennessee Snake, Hwy 421. Although not as technically challenging as the Dragon, it is a great ride.
I have ridden the Tennessee Snake, Hwy 421. Although not as technically challenging as the Dragon, it is a great ride.
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