My wife and I had a free trip to Gatlinburg, TN which we took this last weekend. We left on Friday around noon and headed up through N. GA with a planned route to drive Hwy 129 from NC to TN which is also known as The Tail of the Dragon. But this time I took my wife's car so no CL-S6 commentary, just the E46 328i 5-Speed manual with Sport Suspension.

Those in the southeast have to drive this at some point, it is incredible. My wife actually started feeling sick with the constant turns and elevation changes. I turned off the DSC and had a ball sliding some of the turns as it was fairly deserted. However, of the five cars I went around when they pulled off four were base model Camry's Why would anyone waste the time or gas driving a Camry through these parts. They couldn't exceed more than 25 MPH through most parts...

It was a blast and then on to the Foothills Parkway for a higher speed and wider sweeping turns. This is where my wife enjoyed it more as the transitions were not as significant.

Dragon Map

 

funny thing is, sportbikers have been saying the same thing about you cagers being at deal's gap for years now...

 

heheh, I'm sure they have... But they do this behind our backs... Man, you really have to watch out for some of the bikes, many use the entire road and don't mind getting close through a turn.

It is kinda funny about the bikes there. The sport bikes will come flying up behind you and pass at the first chance (although I pull off at the first chance to let them by). But I have never had a cruiser pass me, they are normally left well behind.

Damn semi's though, I saw two going in as I was leaving.

 

I probably don't have to tell you that a lot of the non-local guys out there (and some of the locals) are riding way over their heads.

I'll admit, I've been known to pass on a double yellow on occasion while riding a bike, but I've never been big on using the oncoming lane as a place to set up for or exit from a turn, blind or otherwise. of course, very often at a place like the gap, the rider didn't intend to leave his lane - hubris and enthusiasm have certainly been known to overwhelm discretion and restraint where motorcycles are involved.

don't give up on the cruiser guys, though. the faster ones back the long wheelbase bikes into the tight turns to make up for the lack of ground clearance. I almost ran wide the first time I saw a guy getting his intruder 800 all crossed up going into a 15 mph turn at 35-40 mph...

 

Looks like a typical driving run up in Sacto!!!

 

If you get the chance to come out this way I'll take you out there (I have two cars and both are capable). The rolling mountains along with the southern pines makes for a beautiful run. It is hard to fathom this road from the pictures, it really has to be experienced

IMO, it is more hard core than many video games can render. You find yourself driving with a heart rate well above 120 and constantly turning left and right along with shifting gears and moving between the brake and throttle.

 

How far away are u guys from there? I would love to see a dash mounted camera view of the entire drive. About how long is the rollercoaster ride?

If any of u guys do that for me I'll do a top speed land speed run for ya'll.


Juker008

 

I had a DV camera with me but decided that it wouldn't turn out too well to have my wife hold it. I am working on a front mount for my camera where it will be located in the front license plate frame (I can mangle mine up as we don't have front plates). This should give a good view of the road and the speed. I'll route the microphone input into the cab to eliminate wind noise.

As for how long it takes to run this stretch of Hwy 129, with 318 curves in 11 miles it takes about 20 minutes to go between the Crossroads and Tabcat Bridge; and that is pushing it. From my house it takes about 2 – 2.5 hours to get there. I plan on going back in the CL-S6 sometime soon but it does need to be soon as this area will get snow due to the elevation.

 

I've been wanting to take a trip there for a while. I just don't have a truck to haul my bike in.

Some day.....

 

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

autox'ers paradise

 

By the way what do the bold number underneath the names mean?


Juker008

 

scalbert, man ain't the DRAGON something else! I will go at least once a year, maybe 3 or more times since it is only a lil while from the ATL. I am glad u enjoyed it, I felt a lil queezy the first time too. What a road!!!!

 

If you are refering to the posted map they are the miles into the Dragon.

 

It really is the epitome of a fun tight course. That was the fifth time I have driven it hard and it still amazes me.

BTW, if you are interested, I found a road just outside of Elijay that is similar but a bit faster. Myself and an employee plan to run it soon. Elijay is just about an hour up I575 and then the fun parts are only 20 minutes from there. It might make for an enjoyable Saturday to drive in the N. Ga. mountains...