From early spring to late winter, hundreds of bikers run the breathtaking hairpin turns of The Dragon at speeds up to 130 mph and at angles as close to 180 degrees as humanly and mechanically possible. In fact, only ice or snow pack deter the passion of bikers and sports car enthusiasts for the voluptuous curves of The Dragon.
Deal's Gap
The heart of the action is tiny Deal’s Gap, N.C., at the intersection of highways 28 and 129 near the Tennessee-North Carolina state line. Here in the highlands bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, motorcycles and sports cars line the roadside outside the motels, grills, gift shops, and bars catering to lovers of raw speed and gleaming chrome.
Heading west from Deal’s Gap, The Dragon officially begins at a spot with the unappealing name of Krudd Corner, according the map provided by Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort. From there the wild rush of curves and spins begins, as the highway winds up and down the mountains and dangles on cliffs overlooking the Little Tennessee River’s dams and reservoirs.
After traversing The Wall, Gravity Cavity, the Rhythm Section, the aptly named Switchbacks, and Bens Brights, the Dragon ends at Tabcat Bridge, just shy of the turn-off for The Foothills Parkway, which skirts the western side of the national park.
Sports Bikers Crave Speed
The Dragon, which follows the course of an ancient Indian trail, is a wild ride and speed demons from all over the world come to run it. Every sunny weekend sees its quota of crashes or jammed 18-wheelers that foolishly attempt to navigate The Dragon.
Chat rooms abound with pictures of wicked Yamahas, Harley cruisers, complaints about overbearing Tennessee State troopers, and plans to meet at Deal’s Gap for everything from midnight runs “at speed limit and moving up from there,” to descriptions of the thrills of doing the Rhythm Section “at 130 mph with a trooper on your tail.”
Motorcycle and sports car clubs from Porsches to Mini Coopers swarm The Dragon at all times of year. After Doing the Dragon, many riders and drivers stop to admire the Tree of Shame in Deal’s Gap. Created in the 1980s by a group of Harley riders with a sense of irony, unfortunate ones who wipe out leave mementos of their mishaps hanging from the old tree.
Dragon Etiquette
For ordinary motorists driven by desire or necessity to Do the Dragon, dragon etiquette is to pull out onto one of the many roadside verges and let the bikers fly by at full throttle. They will appreciate it. And before you go, remember to pack the Dramamine.
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