Missing the Dragon

[Uncle B]

Looks Like I will miss riding the Dragon this year. But I will be out riding that week.

Wife’s son and grandson came by about 2 weeks ago and asked if I wanted to take a summer ride with them this year, {they took one last summer}.

Of course I wanted to [b]ride[B\].

Well the week they can go is 2007 Ride Days Gatlinburg Edition and they have a westward bound trip planed Texas to Arizona via I-20 to I-10 then north some where’s out west.

Haven’t been able to talk them into riding to Tennessee. yet

[Clint]

Not sure I'd want to hit the Dragon this year anyway. Have a great trip.

Posted by TNHP officer Cagle on his myspace page

"EVERYONE WHO GOES TO DEALS GAP------PLEASE READ THIS-----I'M TRYING TO HELP YOU ALL OUT"

posted by a State Trooper:

"Hey, just to give you a heads up for next season----we have a new captain in the knoxville district which covers blount county------ he has already told us that we will put a stop to the "race track driving" up on the dragon this year------so far what they have said is that the speed limit is 30mph and "ANYONE" caught going 50mph and up will be charged with reckless driving and will be jailed and their bike/car will be impounded--- --I am telling you this because i am trying to put the word out to everyone i know----or to people who know people that go up there-----I don't want to have to take people to jail for this---however I have bills to pay and I kind of like having a job---so never the less I have to do what i am told to do-----so the way i see it is that if killboy.com knows and you know and dealsgap.com knows and whoever else can find out can pass this along---it will benefit everybody--- -----feel free to copy and past this and let everyone know-------if you get caught up there it is only your fault because i am trying to pass the word along for everybody's sake-----we are not just going to come up from the bottom like in years past---they are gonna have us go through cherohala skwy in north carolina and come from the top down to the bottom----so no more free rides on your way back to the state line----they are gonna bring unmarked cars with radio's and have unmarked bikes up there----this will be a joint effort with blount county and the THP-----The entire THP motor unit will be brought in 2 people at a time(for a week long assignment) to be paired up with the local car----they plan on busting tail at least 3-4 times right off the bat---then they will sit back and see what takes place-----these orders came from Nashville Headquarters- --we have a complete brand new higher ranking structure from the very tip top spot down----they have said we will work until the problem is solved----just wanted to give you and your friends a heads up.......... SIGNED... .......Trp Cagle with THP assigned to Blount County Division---- (don't come crying to me if you get busted----cause I'm telling you now)"
__._,_.___

[drgibson]

I have no intention to speed on the ride.

[dragbar]

Well considering the for cruiser's 30mph is fast on the dragon..hehe we're good to go.

[Rockhead]

Hey, im well capable of going as fasts as 35 so Nah.

[Everett Keith]

The Misfits captain called the state troopers office and they said its not true.

[stp1971]

+1 !!!!!

By the way,, if you seriously think you will be exceeding the speed limit on the Dragon as part of our group you're seriously wrong. So no worries here. We will be well within the speed limit and I am not worried about that at all. This will be a fun safe ride like we had last year but with some new twists and turns.

But yeah,, it seems that story was fabricated and probably by one of the locals that hate the traffic in the area anyways.

[tnichols]

Every year there is some story or another about how the cops are going to be all over the dragon to calm things down. Afterall, things are just outta control. You know someone dies up there everyday.

Right............

They will be, just like they are every year, during the weekends, holidays, special events, and the occasional "we're going to save the world" odd day.

[DragonRider]

Originally Posted by stp1971

But yeah, it seems that story was fabricated and probably by one of the locals that hate the traffic in the area anyways.

Exactly why I have no intention of ever going to the Dragon as a destination,too many freaking people in general(plus Squids doing 70MPH+ endangering everyone passing on double yellows,blind curves). If I happen to be in the area,yeah I would probably ride it(NOT on the weekend). But in The Northwest we have lots of great roads ,probably better than the Dragon, that have hardly anyone one them ...(seems The Dragon is way overrated anyway,by most accounts I have read) Plenty of other roads in that area that are better and less congested ;posted from riders familiar with the area.

[HAMMERPETE]

STP
You need to make sure to get in lots of practice on the dragon. You are going to freak out when you get out to SOCAL.
I'll work on finding a rental bike for you...v-rod, screaming eagle or Gullwing?

[stp1971]

Will do. Got lots of places to play right in my backyard.

[davidc83]

I did the Dragon 2 weeks ago on my 'baby' cruiser and 30mph was all I wanted. I got past a couple of times by the street racers, but I rode my mirrors as much as I looked forward, saw them coming, pulled over and let them go by. About a mile from the bottom (Knoxville side), I was stopped about an hour for a father/son crash (son went down, father swerved to avoid and went about 150 feet down the mountain).

A better way to slow them down, SPEED BUMPS in the curves .

[stp1971]

People need to ride it and drive it within their means and legally. Eventually the goverment will shut it down or do something of the sort if people don't start riding it a little more reasonably.

But for now enjoy it and conquer it while you can. And do it as safely as possible.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by stp1971

+1 !!!!!



But yeah,, it seems that story was fabricated and probably by one of the locals that hate the traffic in the area anyways.

It had one of them Urban Legend feels to it the way it read. Plus the grammar and syntax was about frickin' awful. I have it on good authority that you need to be somewhat literate to be a Statie.

[stp1971]

+1!!!!

[Uncle B]

Kay asked for some of this info in a PM.

This is the ride I took while some of you went to slay the Dragon.

Gordon TX reset trip odometer to 0 trip meter
Gordon TX to El Paso TX 544 544
El Paso TX to Tombstone AZ 290 834
Tombstone AZ to Gold Canyon AZ 200 1034
Gold Canyon AZ to Sedona AZ 236 1270
Sedona AZ to Chinle AZ 265 1535
Chinle AZ to Cortez CO 286 1821
Cortez CO to Roswell NM 491 2321
Roswell NM to Gordon TX 408 2720
Total for trip 2720 2720

Checked trip meter against with mile post in AZ, UT, & NM was less than three (3) feet off consistently.

I know, I know,

Film is being developed, should be able to pick it up Wednesday 6/13/2007 or Thursday 6/14/2007.

[Uncle B]

More pics.

[stp1971]

Cool Pics!!! Wouldn't mind testing the Strom out in that area too. I can pretend since they look alot alike.

[Uncle B]

Blake and Garrett on blake's Vstrom 650.

[Uncle B]

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