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[SERK3]

A women from Canada lost control and hit a tree, and didn't make it. Sometime over the weekend

[DavidB]

Found this on KNOXNEWS.COM


TALLASSEE — A woman from Canada was killed this afternoon in a motorcycle crash on the stretch of highway in Blount County known as “the Dragon,” according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Julie A. Beacock, 52, of Ontario, was driving a 2009 Suzuki motorcycle northbound on U.S. Highway 129 about 4 p.m. today when she ran off the left side of the road and hit a tree, a THP report said.

Fourth dead this year on the Dragon.
There is another curve about a mile from the Dragon that killed at least three this year.

[Screamin]

Found this on KNOXNEWS.COM

Fourth dead this year on the Dragon.

Too many. 

[sadunbar]

Always tough to hear about fatalities....  God Bless...

[DB07]

The accident on the dragon that killed the 49 y/o woman from austin texas on july 7th happend right in front of me.  Another 6 inches and she would have hit me..  Could have went the rest of my life without seeing what i did..  I still cant get those images out of my mind.  nuff said.

[DavidB]

The accident on the dragon that killed the 49 y/o woman from austin texas on july 7th happend right in front of me.  Another 6 inches and she would have hit me..  Could have went the rest of my life without seeing what i did..  I still cant get those images out of my mind.  nuff said.

http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20090805/NEWS/908049863

Here is another bike that took a long ride down into the thickets.

[smkymtnboy]

  Hey guys!! I live very near the dragon. My suggestion is stay away Fri evening til Sun. Ride it Mon.-Thru. Forget Holidays anyday of the week.

[JeffsHogPen]

Thanks for the advice. Is the problem that people get caught up in the moment and get careless ? Or is it lack of skill. I am planning a trip in that area next year and would like some input. Thanks Jeff

[mr_magoo]

Sad to hear.

[smkymtnboy]

Thanks for the advice. Is the problem that people get caught up in the moment and get careless ? Or is it lack of skill. I am planning a trip in that area next year and would like some input. Thanks Jeff

  ]lots of riders. too crowded. like sharks in a frenzy. the more riders come the crazier it gets. a few months ago i excavated an area at the base (beginning ) of the dragon. the rescue squad showed up fri evening and made us move some of our equipment. they wanted parking. they informed us they leave the station on fri evening and return sun evening. so many crashes. the ems send trainees to the area because of the frequency of accidents. its the crash course in more ways than one. try the cherola pkwy. its more fun and not as dangerous. the other riders is whom you watch for. so many come thru the turns on the wrong side and hit the oncoming motorcycles or run them off the pavement. on the positive side lots to see and do in the area. it is a must trip for bikers.

[tennisman]

I live close to the Dragon, and want to make a comment.  The Dragon doesn't kill - the people who take needless chances, are too unskilled, or who themselves may be the victim of another driver get killed.  The Dragon is just a road, and a special one that needs to be respected and have one's full attention when driving it.

T-man
Lenoir City, TN

[DICKW]

I live close to the Dragon, and want to make a comment.  The Dragon doesn't kill - the people who take needless chances, are too unskilled, or who themselves may be the victim of another driver get killed.  The Dragon is just a road, and a special one that needs to be respected and have one's full attention when driving it.

T-man
Lenoir City, TN

Well I believe that's every road.........................

[LarryB]

since I live in Tennessee, I'd like to comment. I have ridden the dragon many times and I love it. more so the anticipation than the ride itself. But I have taken the time to explore many other roads in the state and I have to tell you, there are alot more roads here that make the dragon look like a driveway.
The issue with these fatalities/accidents is the riders, not the road. under experianced riders on vacation, or idiots who should have stayed in their subdivisions. you throw the dice, you might die, you might live, but you could stay home and fall off the couch and.........die.
so the dragon kinda thins the heard out a bit, so be it.

[RickC]

I live in Tennessee, too. I've only ridden the dragon a handful of times, all during the week when the traffic is pretty thin. The Dragon is a great road that does command the rider's respect and, above all, constant attention.

Most (though not all) of these accidents happen on the weekends when the Dragon is very crowded. Some of these crashes are less experienced riders who typically show up on the weekend when their limited skill set gets challenged by both the road and the traffic. Some of these crashes are the result of some folks who want to ride the Dragon hard. When the dragon is not so crowded -- weekdays -- they take themselves out, maybe a riding buddy, too. On the weekends and in the crowds, things get a bit more dicey and sometimes, unfortunately, one (or more) totally innocent rider(s) is(are) involved.

I'm sure there are other causes for accidents such as mechanical failure. Truth be told, though, on a road like the Dragon, most of the accidents can be chalked up to bad judgement on someone's part.

[tennisman]

Amen....what concerns me is the toll that is being taken has gotten attention of those who can make big changes.  I am a close friend of a Blount county commissioner and he has been saying several times, "Something has got to be done"....not sure what the something is, but it could alter the road taking away what we all like to ride.  Obviously, the increased LEO presence has not solved the problem.
T