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[Grizzly]

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/wireStory/tennessee-ban-big-trucks-dragon-27359064

[FreestateSE3]

I can understand the inconvenience for the truckers, with the alternative being adding another 100 miles to the trip, but meeting a big rig on the Dragon is a rather interesting experience..   Thank you for posting

[phato1]

I can understand the inconvenience for the truckers, with the alternative being adding another 100 miles to the trip, but meeting a big rig on the Dragon is a rather interesting experience..   Thank you for posting

Yeah...um... interesting is one word for it. Happened to us just this past September, it was unbelievable and if it weren't for the highway patrol that luckily for us was "escorting" the rig, it wouldn't have been pretty at all - for myself the wife or the bike.
We were riding into one of the many blind corners when the motor officer instructed us to get around the curve to the pulloff and GET OFF THE ROAD, as we stopped in the pulloff a Semi pulling a large and long flatbed came around the other side of the corner and he needed the entire roadway to navigate the curve..

I't been an ongoing effort for years by many of the local residents who use "the tail" regularly to get the big rigs banned from both the TN and NC side. Unfortunately even with the bans that are in place there are always going to be those drivers who say "awww  how bad can it be" and then proceed to find that it is really challenging for them to navigate the road successfully. I wonder if any of them stop at The store for a decal after making it through??? 

[Chains]

I met a big rig in a blind corner in my lane in September as well, no escort. If I would have had a RPG on my fairing I swear I would have taken him out.  They really don't need to travel the road with full size trucks.  JMO

[mark]

I can't believe trucks were not banned long ago...why would a trucker even attempt to navigate 129?

[2 ROSE]

Interesting...I have yet to have the pleasure of experiencing the dragon so I cannot comment with any first hand knowledge. I do intend to do it someday soon. But it goes without saying that large trucks aren't the only vehicles that can sneak up on you at a blind curve. I would think busses and motorhomes can be just as bad. And then there is always the maintenance vehicles.

[Cvostu]

That's really some great news.  That should have happened a long time ago.   

[FLSTFI Dave]

I can't believe trucks were not banned long ago...why would a trucker even attempt to navigate 129?

Because no Map or GPS gives you a clue how bad the road really is.  If I-40 is closed it looks like the best alternate route, however it is not.

Its not just trucks banned now.  Looks like anything longer than 30 feet.

There have been warning signs on both sides for years.  But thats just it, warning, not enforceable  but January 1 it will be.

Very good move, glad they finally did it.

[mjb765]

 

[porthole]

What about the "permitted" trucks, are they banned as well?

[firesam23]

  Long overdue  We are going back next year again to ride some of the other routes we missed on last years trip.

[firesam23]

The Harley shop is nice.  A must stop for all.

[ultrarider123]

Because no Map or GPS gives you a clue how bad the road really is.  If I-40 is closed it looks like the best alternate route, however it is not.
Its not just trucks banned now.  Looks like anything longer than 30 feet.
There have been warning signs on both sides for years.  But thats just it, warning, not enforceable  but January 1 it will be.
Very good move, glad they finally did it.

Agreed, Dave.  I've only had one issue with large vehicles the times I've had the pleasure of riding 129.  It's hard and dangerous enough on two and 4 wheels.

[FLSTFI Dave]

Agreed, Dave.  I've only had one issue with large vehicles the times I've had the pleasure of riding 129.  It's hard and dangerous enough on a two and 4 wheels.

I learned about the Dragon long before I moved to TN.  Was headed to MI from Charleston SC in a crew cab dually pulling a 35 foot travel trailer with my wife and 3 daughters.  I-40 was closed and 129 was the shortest detour.  Talk about a bad experience, it was very difficult to stay in my lane and never racking and I had pulled through CO, WY and MT in the same truck and trailer.  Rattled me so bad it was three days later before I though, I must ride my Bike on that road.