For anyone who loves to ride a motorcycle, and particularly for those who love the twisties on a motorcycle, the Tail of the Dragon is THE road where you can put your riding skills to the test!
After 3 years honing my skills as a new rider, I finally felt able to take on this daunting challenge: 318 curves in 11 miles! Some of these curves were 180 degree switch-backs!! Of course, the road is treacherous, claiming multiple lives every year, and injuring untolled numbers, but for me, it represented the ultimate challenge, and I knew I had to do it.
In late May of 2009, I finally made my trek out to western North Carolina from my home outside of Raleigh to seek my adventure of a lifetime. I rode the Blue Ridge Parkway from Boone, all the way to Robbinsville over three days, and after all of those sweepers and twisties, I felt even more prepared for what was to come.
On the fateful day, my friend and I set out nervously, especially after seeing the fabled “Tree of Shame,” where countless bikers have brought pieces of their damaged or wrecked bikes to serve as testament to the danger of this hazardous by-way.
When we approached the first few curves, we were tentative, even cautious. Then, as we progressed through more and steeper turns, we began to focus our minds on the task at hand: carving the perfect line through perfect curves. Finally, we ended up super-charged, as each successive curve successfully carved brought waves of exhileration and heightened excitement. We picked up speed, gaining in confidence with each turn, getting up to 40 MPH at some points, and shouting with glee at it all! I even leaned over so far that I scraped the foot-boards on my Road King!!
All in all, it took us about 20 minutes to finish the course, which is none to shabby for a couple of first-timers on a pair of baggers, one a full-tour dresser!! We even outpaced a sport biker who obviously had to be newer at this than we were!
What a time!!
I have to say that this was one of the best experiences of my life, and I highly recommend it to any experienced motorcycle rider who loves twisty roads.
Ride safe!!