There are plenty of great roads in these hills. Talk to any of the local riders and the Dragon has a hard time making top 5. I think most of the hype comes from West Coast riders and other foreigners who are simply amazed at the Southern Boys skills 
The first time that I rode that stretch of 129, I said to the person that was showing me around, “This is the best stretch of road that I’ve seen”. He replied, “You haven’t seen chit”. I headed back the next year to check out some of the chit that I’d missed; you could wear yourself out on all of the crooked two-lane in that part of the country. The Dragon’s lack of driveways and intersections make it a favorite of mine.
There is a lot of remarkable riding to experience in California, and I found an outstanding 70 mile stretch of road in Southeastern Arizona; Highway 191 from around Clifton up to Highway 60. There is an interesting POI at marker 223 that is worth a look and maybe a photo.
Another day-long favorite is Highway 93, west of Butte, near Hamilton, then 75 through the Sawtooth’s to Ketchum. This is a 270 mile, you must be effen kidding me experience that I always look forward to when I’m out that way.
