Deal's Gap - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

diamond_jim · 10-10-2007, 09:23 PM

Anyone been up to Deal's Gap (or the Dragon as the newcomers call it) lately? It's been about ten years since I was up there last. The roads were perfect and it wasn't too crowded back in the early to mid 90s but heard it's gotten busy lately.

Thundurburd · 10-10-2007, 10:34 PM

I haven't talked to anyone who's been there recently but there has been a crackdown by the Tennessee Highway Patrol this summer with as many as 14 patrol cars on the 11 mile stretch on weekends. They seem to be enforcing the speed limit and touching the double yellow lines.

Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway, Graham Co, NC

diamond_jim · 10-11-2007, 07:10 AM

I heard that about the increased police presence the other day. Last time I was there I don't think they had the Tree Of Shame thing going. Nor did they have any car traffic or police patrols. I had first learned about Deal's Gap in a motorycle magazine article around 1990-1991 about the 10 best kept riding secrets in America. It was number 2. Guess it's not much of a secret anymore. I rode there several times from about '92 to maybe '96.

Thundurburd · 10-11-2007, 07:28 AM

Like someone pointed out here not to long ago the Tail of the Dragon is the only road that has its own marketing department. For some interesting videos go to YouTube and do a search for Deals Gap or Yellow Wolf. You can see some fairly heavy traffic on some of these.

themeatmanlandry · 10-11-2007, 07:37 AM

There's plenty of good roads out there. No need to go to that particular one. All of the attention makes it even less appealing to me.

Smurf · 10-11-2007, 07:42 AM

Wayah Road (I think I spelled it right), it's 30 miles of the Dragon.

The "Wolf", not as long as the Dragon or Wayah Road but just as challanging, the "Wolf" is Ga. 180 and it starts in Suches off of Ga. 60 and runs over to U.S. 129 at Vogel State Park.

Keep your options open, like TMML said, there are a lot more roads out there that are just as good if not better than the "Dragon".

jgreth · 10-11-2007, 08:19 AM

I doubt they will be better than the dragon. The only reason they would be better is no cops and not so much traffic. There's a reason the dragon became popular... it is an amazing stretch of road for those 11 miles.

Smurf · 10-11-2007, 08:23 AM

I don't disagree with that what-so-ever, it is an awesome road, but untill you have ridden the others, you don't know for sure if it's better or worse.

Untill I tried Sirloin, I thought ground beef was the best thing in the world.

jgreth · 10-11-2007, 08:31 AM

Well, lol... not a very sound counterpoint but it'll do I s'pose

There are a few that are close but there is a reason why it's rated as one of the top ride ( if not THE top ride if it weren't for the crowd and the T.H.P. ) after so many years of motorcyclists riding around searching for good roads.

diamond_jim · 10-11-2007, 09:08 AM

I agree that the presence of more cars and the THP takes much of the fun out of it. But the presence of so many riders does make for an interesting experience. I remember meeting riders from so many different states and striking up some really cool conversations. Is the Crossroads of Time Motel still there?

Jerryzuki · 10-11-2007, 10:42 AM

Yes the CRoT is still there. I was there a month ago on a beautful Sunday and there was very little traffic. I did see 5 leos though, but me being on a slow azz HD it didn't matter to me.

The road is in great shape and traffic is lite, so come on.

TechJD · 10-11-2007, 03:30 PM

some friend were there a month or so ago
said cops were out of their cars with hand helds writing 2 mph over
said they seen 7 in 11 miles

jgreth · 10-11-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechJD

some friend were there a month or so ago
said cops were out of their cars with hand helds writing 2 mph over
said they seen 7 in 11 miles

Uhhh, legally they can't pull you over for going 3 or less over due to variations in speedometers.

At least, I'm pretty sure about this, I'd have to check the actual law though.

Smurf · 10-11-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgreth

Uhhh, legally they can't pull you over for going 3 or less over due to variations in speedometers.

At least, I'm pretty sure about this, I'd have to check the actual law though.

In Georgia, a State Trooper can pull you over for 1 mph over the speed limit and issue a citation for the infraction.

However.............this rarely ever happens, but when it does happen (yes it's happened before) the judge just throws it out.

just my 2 cents

jgreth · 10-11-2007, 03:55 PM

Yeah by LAW I guess they can cite you for it, but no judge would make it stick. The only bummer is that you have to piss away a few hours of your day to go to traffic court and pay court costs so the city still makes their money.

Rickster · 10-12-2007, 09:33 PM

In 06, and again in 07, there was a whole group of us from this forum that met up there from all over the country, well OK, maybe not all over the country, I rode the furthest from Minnesota, but it was a nice cross section of riders, and bikes, and we all had a great time, of course we rode some of the other great roads in the area too.

I didn't see many LEO's, only 2 on the Dragon. The weekends can be pretty busy, but during the rest of the week, it's not to bad. And as Jerryzuki said, the road is in great shape.

chrisan · 10-28-2007, 02:38 AM

Angelest Crest here in So Cal is newly paved and is pretty nice ride too.
But going to the track beats all the roads.
Before I was very passionate riding on any stretch of road with bends in it. since I started going to track days that's no longer the case. Deals Gap or whatever,
go for track days instead.

Gixxerman · 10-28-2007, 05:22 AM

Nice words. Hit the track

Even though it's called the dragon, you'll meet the devil at the track

.... or something

diamond_jim · 10-28-2007, 09:05 AM

I have to settle for the public track.

Kodatech · 10-28-2007, 09:45 AM

The dragon probably used to be a fun road, I went there about 2 months ago. There were WAY too many cops, and WAY too much traffic.

THIS is my favorite road for "spirited" riding. MySpaceTV: ZRX's by Some Guy Whatever you do, keep it safe. Like others said already, the gap has just got too much negative attention lately. Too many maniacs ruining it for others. I got passed quite a few times in blind corners and in unsafe areas while riding in a group on "the dragon".

It is my opinion that if you really want to, then you SHOULD go ride Deal's Gap. Just don't treat it like a race track and the police won't bother you. I rode it at the speed limit and 5-7mph over and I never got hassled by "the man". I also never passed on the double yellow, never crossed the center line, didn't wheelie, stoppie, or burn-out. But I had a great time.

10-10-2007, 09:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
diamond_jim Throttle Jockey Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: M8 Hellcat Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,290	Deal's Gap Anyone been up to Deal's Gap (or the Dragon as the newcomers call it) lately? It's been about ten years since I was up there last. The roads were perfect and it wasn't too crowded back in the early to mid 90s but heard it's gotten busy lately.

10-10-2007, 10:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Thundurburd Foil Inspector Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 2007 Black S50 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 953	I haven't talked to anyone who's been there recently but there has been a crackdown by the Tennessee Highway Patrol this summer with as many as 14 patrol cars on the 11 mile stretch on weekends. They seem to be enforcing the speed limit and touching the double yellow lines. Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway, Graham Co, NC __________________ Like Roseanne Roseannadanna would say: "it just goes to show you, it's always something."

10-11-2007, 07:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
diamond_jim Throttle Jockey Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: M8 Hellcat Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,290	Deal's Gap I heard that about the increased police presence the other day. Last time I was there I don't think they had the Tree Of Shame thing going. Nor did they have any car traffic or police patrols. I had first learned about Deal's Gap in a motorycle magazine article around 1990-1991 about the 10 best kept riding secrets in America. It was number 2. Guess it's not much of a secret anymore. I rode there several times from about '92 to maybe '96.

10-11-2007, 07:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
Thundurburd Foil Inspector Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 2007 Black S50 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 953	Like someone pointed out here not to long ago the Tail of the Dragon is the only road that has its own marketing department. For some interesting videos go to YouTube and do a search for Deals Gap or Yellow Wolf. You can see some fairly heavy traffic on some of these. __________________ Like Roseanne Roseannadanna would say: "it just goes to show you, it's always something."

10-11-2007, 07:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
Smurf Quiche' King Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2005 Red Flamed M-50 Location: McDonough Georgia Posts: 4,267	Wayah Road (I think I spelled it right), it's 30 miles of the Dragon. The "Wolf", not as long as the Dragon or Wayah Road but just as challanging, the "Wolf" is Ga. 180 and it starts in Suches off of Ga. 60 and runs over to U.S. 129 at Vogel State Park. Keep your options open, like TMML said, there are a lot more roads out there that are just as good if not better than the "Dragon". __________________ "I would rather be lucky than good!"

10-11-2007, 07:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
themeatmanlandry Banned Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 600S (Black); 2006 GSXR750 (Black) Location: Memphis Posts: 11,423	There's plenty of good roads out there. No need to go to that particular one. All of the attention makes it even less appealing to me.

10-11-2007, 08:19 AM	#7 (permalink)
jgreth Mr. Threadjack Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki GS500F Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 3,059	I doubt they will be better than the dragon. The only reason they would be better is no cops and not so much traffic. There's a reason the dragon became popular... it is an amazing stretch of road for those 11 miles. __________________ What the hell am I looking at? When does this happen in the movie? You're looking at now, sir. Everything that happens now is happening now. What happened to then? We passed then. When? Just now. We're at now now. Go back to then. When? Now! Now? Now! I can't. Why? We missed it. When? Just now. When will then be now? Soon.

10-11-2007, 08:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
Smurf Quiche' King Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2005 Red Flamed M-50 Location: McDonough Georgia Posts: 4,267	I don't disagree with that what-so-ever, it is an awesome road, but untill you have ridden the others, you don't know for sure if it's better or worse. Untill I tried Sirloin, I thought ground beef was the best thing in the world. __________________ "I would rather be lucky than good!"

10-11-2007, 08:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
jgreth Mr. Threadjack Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki GS500F Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 3,059	Well, lol... not a very sound counterpoint but it'll do I s'pose There are a few that are close but there is a reason why it's rated as one of the top ride ( if not THE top ride if it weren't for the crowd and the T.H.P. ) after so many years of motorcyclists riding around searching for good roads. __________________ What the hell am I looking at? When does this happen in the movie? You're looking at now, sir. Everything that happens now is happening now. What happened to then? We passed then. When? Just now. We're at now now. Go back to then. When? Now! Now? Now! I can't. Why? We missed it. When? Just now. When will then be now? Soon.

10-11-2007, 09:08 AM	#10 (permalink)
diamond_jim Throttle Jockey Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: M8 Hellcat Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,290	I agree that the presence of more cars and the THP takes much of the fun out of it. But the presence of so many riders does make for an interesting experience. I remember meeting riders from so many different states and striking up some really cool conversations. Is the Crossroads of Time Motel still there?

10-11-2007, 03:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
TechJD Found second gear by accident Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: 1996 Shadow ACE VT1100C2 Location: 50 miles south of Lexington, KY Posts: 337	some friend were there a month or so ago said cops were out of their cars with hand helds writing 2 mph over said they seen 7 in 11 miles

10-11-2007, 03:55 PM	#15 (permalink)
jgreth Mr. Threadjack Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki GS500F Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 3,059	Yeah by LAW I guess they can cite you for it, but no judge would make it stick. The only bummer is that you have to piss away a few hours of your day to go to traffic court and pay court costs so the city still makes their money. __________________ What the hell am I looking at? When does this happen in the movie? You're looking at now, sir. Everything that happens now is happening now. What happened to then? We passed then. When? Just now. We're at now now. Go back to then. When? Now! Now? Now! I can't. Why? We missed it. When? Just now. When will then be now? Soon.

10-12-2007, 09:33 PM	#16 (permalink)
Rickster Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul Mn Posts: 2,914	In 06, and again in 07, there was a whole group of us from this forum that met up there from all over the country, well OK, maybe not all over the country, I rode the furthest from Minnesota, but it was a nice cross section of riders, and bikes, and we all had a great time, of course we rode some of the other great roads in the area too. I didn't see many LEO's, only 2 on the Dragon. The weekends can be pretty busy, but during the rest of the week, it's not to bad. And as *Jerryzuki* said, the road is in great shape. __________________ Ever notice that the person telling you to calm down, is the same one that got you worked up in the first place. 2008 1250 Bandit ABS 2008 DR 650 2006 HD Road King 2005 DL1000 V Strom (sold) 2004 Twin Peaks 700 2003 KTM 525 EX/C (for sale) 2005 Santa Cruz Heckler

10-28-2007, 02:38 AM	#17 (permalink)
chrisan Found second gear by accident Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: suzuki bandit 400/ gsxr 600 k4/ gsxr 750 k7 Location: L.A. Posts: 340	Angelest Crest here in So Cal is newly paved and is pretty nice ride too. But going to the track beats all the roads. Before I was very passionate riding on any stretch of road with bends in it. since I started going to track days that's no longer the case. Deals Gap or whatever, go for track days instead. __________________ gsxr 600 k4 yellow gsxr 750 k7 silver

10-28-2007, 09:05 AM	#19 (permalink)
diamond_jim Throttle Jockey Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: M8 Hellcat Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,290	I have to settle for the public track. __________________ M50 tutorials, tips and how-to links

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10-28-2007, 09:45 AM	#20 (permalink)
Kodatech Handlebar Consultant Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 616	The dragon probably used to be a fun road, I went there about 2 months ago. There were WAY too many cops, and WAY too much traffic. THIS is my favorite road for "spirited" riding. MySpaceTV: ZRX's by Some Guy Whatever you do, keep it safe. Like others said already, the gap has just got too much negative attention lately. Too many maniacs ruining it for others. I got passed quite a few times in blind corners and in unsafe areas while riding in a group on "the dragon". It is my opinion that if you really want to, then you SHOULD go ride Deal's Gap. Just don't treat it like a race track and the police won't bother you. I rode it at the speed limit and 5-7mph over and I never got hassled by "the man". I also never passed on the double yellow, never crossed the center line, didn't wheelie, stoppie, or burn-out. But I had a great time. Last edited by Kodatech; 10-28-2007 at 09:49 AM.

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