Dragon veterans

[Ninja Nate]

When is the best time of the year to hit up the dragon and surrounding areas? I am trying to put together a bike vacation and really want to hit up the dragon, just dont know when the weather is best over there? Any help is appreciated

[dm_gsxr]

I've been there several times. It's best not to go on weekends really. During the week and especially in the morning is the best time. The last time I was there, I planned it so I got there at 5pm and set up my tent. Then made a couple of runs. I got up early the next morning and was able to enjoy the road pretty much by myself all morning. By the time it was 2pm or so, more folks were starting to show up. I packed up my gear and was on my way by 3pm to the next campsite.

I've been in June, July, and August and there doesn't seem to be a good or bad time in that range of months. I suspect earlier or later and you'll have a chance of being rained out.

Carl

[Keyser Soze]

Early to mid spring. Think thats when we went Weather was perfect every day

[Captain Obvious]

My old stomping grounds.

Depends on what you are looking to do.

Weekdays are always best, less traffic and less Po-Po.

Seasonally, it gets cold up there from late Oct to late March, but my buddy and I went for a thanksgiving ride. Jeans, textile jacket with liner, baclava, and summer gloves (bit too light). Big thing up there is the Blue Ridge Parkway will shut down from Nov to April depending on snow.

After a while, you will find there are a lot better roads than just riding the Dragon. Cherahola Skyway, Blood Mountain, Hwy 60 from Dahlonaga to Morgantown, Warwoman to 28N into Franklin, NC.

Turkeyday ride.


Cherahola Skyway view.

[Captain Obvious]

Oh yeah, you can ride there year round if you want to.

12-17-06 trip, top of Deals Gap. Same riding buddy. View from the top of Deals Gap.



All the gear I was wearing for that trip.

[Player 2]

We've always gone early-mid April before the "season" really takes off. Next year we're probably going mid-September for a change of pace.

If you don't like heat/humidity you'll definitely wanna go early or late and avoid the summer months...

Definitely schedule time during the week as weekends become more of a pain than they're worth. If you're looking at staying around a week you should get with Ron & Nancy of TailoftheDragon.com and see about renting one of their houses. It beats camping or the shitty "bike motels" in the area Much nicer to come home to a house w/full kitchen, garage & hot tub after a long day of tearing up the Dragon.

Lots of great Dragon pics from seasons past...
http://picasaweb.google.com/jdatwood/Dragon05
http://picasaweb.google.com/jdatwood/Dragon06
http://picasaweb.google.com/jdatwood/Dragon07

includign Keyser "Barbie" Soze
http://picasaweb.google.com/jdatwood...00223664166930

[Keyser Soze]

Thanks twat waffle!

Edit: 05 FTMFW! That trip was prolly the best vacation I've ever had.

[Sully]

ahhh... memories... Good times.. good times !



Funny to think what life brings you...

[Ninja Nate]

Thats for the replies, I called my vacation club today to book a place for early July. Only to find out that I cannot reserve a room longer than 9 months out, so I have to wait until Oct 4th to book it. Either way, I'm looking forward to the trip

[Sully]

www.tailofthedragon.com Check out their accomodations.. Great places to rent, close to the Gap, good schwag to purchase, great info, free internet.... check it out !

The last two trips there, I believe we went right around Easter. The weather is great, except for 1 entire day of RAIN... but the temperature was great and not much humidity July may be a bit HOT, but if that's how ya like it. !

[Ninja Nate]

Well i grew up on the East coast, and was actually in eastern Tennessee last summer. We were treated with beautiful weather and the humidity didn't effect us at all... Though we were used to Texas humidity then...

[Gramps]

Trust me here .....

July on the gap is pretty terrible as far as humidity. the first time I went was late June. Full leathers and humidity don't mix. so even when it's not raining you will look like it did. They also seem to get a rain shower every afternoon that time of year.

Spring is good. Like has already been stated, late spring is probably better. You get the warmth without the humidity.

Fall or late summer is also good. You have to catch it before the leaves fall and after the tourist leave. The leaves on the road will take half the day to dry and blow away before you can ride at full speed.

Been a while since I lived out ther but I grew up there. Lived there until "99. So yes I am a redneck and yes I know the weather.

Anyway you have already been given some good advice.

Have fun!

[Gramps]

05 FTMFW! That trip was prolly the best vacation I've ever had.

That was a great year


Last year turned out pretty damn awesome as well.

[Gramps]

That's a pretty painful picture

Killboy taping my leg together

[Captain Obvious]

Well i grew up on the East coast, and was actually in eastern Tennessee last summer. We were treated with beautiful weather and the humidity didn't effect us at all... Though we were used to Texas humidity then...

Yeah, I didn't think about the humidity, growing up there you just sort of forget about it.

I've stayed at a place in Robbinsville. At the intersection on N Main St and Laura St, but I can't find their name or website. The place was very cool. We slept 4 and it was pretty cheap. They even had clean rags in the living room next to the TV marked "for motorcycles only". Normally it was always a day trip.

[Ninja Nate]

The place to stay isn't a problem, I'm in a vacation club that has many resorts around the country, so basically the lodging is free. We plan on hitting the dragon and MANY other roads around the area that I have been told are as good, or even better (less traffic and same type of roads) than the dragon. Thanks again for all the replies!