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[SPIDERMAN]

Just happened to see this thread again and was wondering. Is this a fairly common thing on the Dragon ?

B B

[Fired00d]

Just happened to see this thread again and was wondering. Is this a fairly common thing on the Dragon ?

B B

I would be willing to say that "The Dragon" has become like many of the major rallies. Someone decides they want to start/get back into riding and first place they want to go is to one of the major attractions. Just like the major rallies riding the dragon draws a lot of people. Inexperience and/or high speeds I would think would be the majority of the reason there are injuries/fatalities at places like this.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[DavidB]

Just happened to see this thread again and was wondering. Is this a fairly common thing on the Dragon ?

B B

Pretty much common. Here is a wreck that took place Sat and the Goldwing Driver lived.

Accident on Dragon sends one to hospital
 
By Mark Boxley
of The Daily Times Staff



A two-vehicle accident on Calderwood Highway Friday jammed the busy holiday traffic for more than an hour and sent one person to the hospital.

According to Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper William Garrett, the accident happened when a Honda Goldwing motorcycle, driven by William Hill, 69, Knoxville, was heading southbound on the highway (also known as the Dragon) near mile marker 11 at about 1:15 p.m.

When the motorcycle came around a curve, it appears it crossed the center line and hit the left rear tire on the Jeep, which was driving northbound, Garrett said. The impact caused the Jeep's tire to burst and the driver, Shawn Thompson, 18, Cleveland, lost control. Witnesses reported that the Jeep was up on two wheels at one point, before it started to tumble and came to rest on its roof in the southbound lane of the highway.

Thompson was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, but the other three people in the vehicle were not, Garrett said. But, no one in the Jeep was injured, he said. Hill was also not injured, but a passenger on the motorcycle, Mei H. Pakcunningham, 43, Maryville, was taken by Rural/Metro Ambulance Service to Blount Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, where she was treated and released.

Garrett said he expects to cite Hill with driving left of the center line.


Originally published: July 05. 2008 3:01AM
Last modified: July 04. 2008 9:11PM

[RedDevil]

Very dangerous place form the sounds of things.

The Dragon's not really any more dangerous than the other roads around that area.  Just that it's more populated because of its popularity.  As long as you ride within your abilities and don't try to be a "hero" on The Dragon, it's a very enjoyable ride.

   

[SPIDERMAN]

The Dragon's not really any more dangerous than the other roads around that area.  Just that it's more populated because of its popularity.  As long as you ride within your abilities and don't try to be a "hero" on The Dragon, it's a very enjoyable ride.

   

Bubba_T and I ran into site member Lucky1 who lives on the Palomar Mtn Rd and stopped for a few minutes to yak awhile back. We discussed the fact that we didn't know the road and how distracting it was, (more so than the Dragon although rated the same 5 stars) due to large portions of it having an unobstructed view of the Pala, Pauma and surrounding valleys. You could easily miss a turn and ride off into 5.000 ft of air if sightseeing vice riding. Couldn't help but wonder though how many of the metric riders that all but live on the road get cocky and do the same due to over riding the road.

B B

[SBB]

The Dragon's not really any more dangerous than the other roads around that area.  Just that it's more populated because of its popularity.  As long as you ride within your abilities and don't try to be a "hero" on The Dragon, it's a very enjoyable ride.   

Exactly R/D
As I have said, having the desire to ride doesn't always translate into the ability to ride.
I have a friend that has a great desire to ride the Dragon.
He is a newbie and I take a special interest in his riding skills because "I" don't want to be the one to say you can do it and then he crashes.
I will not let him ride the Dragon till I feel he can handle it.
The Dragon is a serious and intense road. On the Dragon,you take it easy, it's a tiring cake walk. You run it hard and don't have the experience you can die!
Everybody patting everbody on the back telling them they can do it only works if they have experience and ability. If they don't, then don't expect me to join a group that is promoting disaster. I want no part of that. If that is getting in someone's head then the truth is the truth.



    

[pado]

Exactly R/D
As I have said, having the desire to ride doesn't always translate into the ability to ride.
I have a friend that has a great desire to ride the Dragon.
He is a newbie and I take a special interest in his riding skills because "I" don't want to be the one to say you can do it and then he crashes.
I will not let him ride the Dragon till I feel he can handle it.
The Dragon is a serious and intense road. On the Dragon,you take it easy, it's a tiring cake walk. You run it hard and don't have the experience you can die!
Everybody patting everbody on the back telling them they can do it only works if they have experience and ability. If they don't, then don't expect me to join a group that is promoting disaster. I want no part of that. If that is getting in someone's head then the truth is the truth.



    

You are so right.  I crashed 4 yrs ago in the mountains.  I learned on flat-lands where I live and the mountains were different.  Everybody said the mountains were the best (which they are) but you have to have the experience to deal with them.  Over the years I have found that it is easier to ride by yourself (no other bikes) than with a group.

Again,  gain experience to do the hills !!!

[RedDevil]

Bubba_T and I ran into site member Lucky1 who lives on the Palomar Mtn Rd and stopped for a few minutes to yak awhile back. We discussed the fact that we didn't know the road and how distracting it was, (more so than the Dragon although rated the same 5 stars) due to large portions of it having an unobstructed view of the Pala, Pauma and surrounding valleys. You could easily miss a turn and ride off into 5.000 ft of air if sightseeing vice riding. Couldn't help but wonder though how many of the metric riders that all but live on the road get cocky and do the same due to over riding the road.

B B

Precisely!  If you want to sightsee that's one thing, but don't mixed aggressive riding with an unfamiliar road full of twisties with that.  Mountain roads are enjoyable to ride, but they require your full attention whether you've ridden it once or one hundred times. 

   

[RedDevil]

Exactly R/D
As I have said, having the desire to ride doesn't always translate into the ability to ride.
I have a friend that has a great desire to ride the Dragon.
He is a newbie and I take a special interest in his riding skills because "I" don't want to be the one to say you can do it and then he crashes.
I will not let him ride the Dragon till I feel he can handle it.
The Dragon is a serious and intense road. On the Dragon,you take it easy, it's a tiring cake walk. You run it hard and don't have the experience you can die!
Everybody patting everbody on the back telling them they can do it only works if they have experience and ability. If they don't, then don't expect me to join a group that is promoting disaster. I want no part of that. If that is getting in someone's head then the truth is the truth.



  

Couldn't have said it better Chip...

    

[ccr]

... I learned on flat-lands where I live and the mountains were different.  ...

Flat lands?  Ever been to Saskatchewan?  :o  Ever?  Now that is FLAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And where I grew up.  

[BAKRDS]

Only thing the Dragon's got that many other roads don't have is the publicity IMHO.
 It is fun through.

[ccr]

Only thing the Dragon's got that many other roads don't have is the publicity IMHO.
 It is fun through.

In VA Route 56 from Steeles Tavern southeasterly to U.S. Route 60 west of Buckingham we have a similar road, but not famous at all, that is fun. 

[alf]

Sorry to loose another brother to the dragon a trike is not an easy machine to steer in sweeping and switchback curves. If you don't or haven't tried one test drive one and you will see what I mean.

May God Bless him and his family, a tragic loss, but when God calls it doesn't matter what you are doing.  I can relate to his family's feelings believe me I can!!!

[Spike]

There was a time when I was at 129 every weekend screamin through on a sportbike. I had 2 get offs up there in 11 years and I was lucky to walk away both times. I have seen more crashes at the gap than I could ever begin to count. 129 has simply become too crowded. It's very easy to start out with your own pace but then you encounter others running a little faster and suddenly your trying to run their pace and next thing you know your going down. It's been 4 years since I have stepped foot at 129 and I have no desire to ever go back. That last also trip got me an escort with a police helicopter. I hate to hear of anyone loosing their life up there and thats another reason I walked away because I knew something was going to happen. What makes 129 even scarier is all of the car clubs buzzing up there now. My advice is if you are dead set on ridding the road, at least make the effort to go during the week when it's not very crowded and there is less of a chance of being pushed through or trying to push your way through.

[iski]

Exactly R/D
As I have said, having the desire to ride doesn't always translate into the ability to ride.
I have a friend that has a great desire to ride the Dragon.
He is a newbie and I take a special interest in his riding skills because "I" don't want to be the one to say you can do it and then he crashes.
I will not let him ride the Dragon till I feel he can handle it.
The Dragon is a serious and intense road. On the Dragon,you take it easy, it's a tiring cake walk. You run it hard and don't have the experience you can die!
Everybody patting everbody on the back telling them they can do it only works if they have experience and ability. If they don't, then don't expect me to join a group that is promoting disaster. I want no part of that. If that is getting in someone's head then the truth is the truth.



    

You are a good friend to have especially for new riders.  As in other sports, it is best not to push someone into something they are not ready for.  Like taking a newbie skier to the top of the mountain and telling them to watch & learn - it usually does not go very well.


Noticed quite a bit less traffic at the Dragon last trip through in June.  law enforcement has stepped up & the crotch rockets appeared to have gotten the message.  This was on a Saturday afternoon - great weather.  Not that crowded.  Mostly Harleys & some guys on mopeds.  And the guys on the mopeds would get over & yield, cannot say the Harley riders were nearly as polite. 

Something else worth noting for those who are flatlanders - Here in Florida we have signs posted for suggested speed limits around turns (yeah, not all the roads here are straight).  They will suggest 35 mph & the corner can be taken at 70 mph or more.  Not true in many of the mountain states for cruiser riders as to posted corner speeds.  They have a closer bearing to reality than the ones here that are posted grossly under a safe mph.  So a 35 mph turn in the mountains may not be 35 mph, but it usually ain't 70+ mph.