Chronicle Herald in Halifax, NS - Coverage of The Dragon DGRR 2011

[RXtacy]

Hey guys,
I work for The Chronicle Herald in Halifax, NS, and we were at DGRR last weekend.

I write a bi-weekly motorcycle column, among other things, and decided to feature The Dragon this week. Next week, I'll be writing a feature story on DGRR and our trip, so I'll post that when it's available.

Here's my motorcycle column:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Wheels/1241716.html

Dragon slayin’
Jenn motors off to North Carolina to hunt down The Tail of the Dragon
By Jenn Harrie

NORTH CAROLINA — This week I was presented with a unique opportunity, and when opportunity knocks, open the door, right?

I am writing this article from North Carolina, where I have travelled for a motoring vacation.

Specifically, I have travelled to the area known as ‘Deals Gap,’ or ‘The Tail of the Dragon.’

Many riders will already know what I’m talking about. For those who don’t, this will be a treat.

The Tail of the Dragon is a famous section of US129 that travels over a mountain from North Carolina to Tennessee, with 318 corners in 11 miles.

This has become a key destination for many thousands of riders on bikes of all types every year.

Several ‘motorcycle resorts’ are nearby that cater to riders visiting the area to enjoy the roads. They offer inexpensive motel rooms, small bike-sized parking spots, fuel, parts, and accessories.

There are also cottages available if you’d like something a little more spacious, perhaps with some friends.

When you approach the dragon, you know this is going to be fun. Highway 28, the road that leads to it, twists up the mountain and through a canopy of trees that breaks to reveal spectacular views.

There are flowing ‘S’ turns, and some crazy switch backs. When you get to the end of it, you can’t believe this was the warm-up.

At the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort at the mouth of the Dragon, there is actually a pump that dispenses 110 octane fuel (nicknamed ‘Dragon Fuel’) for those who want to bring their highly-tuned racing machines.

The day I was there, there were at least 200 motorcycles parked in the lot, staging to drive the Dragon, or just returning from a run.

The road itself is unlike anything I’ve seen elsewhere. Whoever planned this road had a true sense of adventure. Anywhere else, they would have cut through the mountain.

The Dragon is an exception to this rule. The road flows around the edge of the mountain, with seemingly impossible hairpin turns, fast ‘S’ turns, and an overall layout more challenging than most race tracks.

Out on The Dragon, there are a few photographers who are permanent fixtures, and sell their photos online, so you can pick up some mementos of your ride. The pictures are sure to be dramatic.

Just as a warning, though, the Dragon is not a game. As a reminder of this, there is a tree in the parking lot of the resort that is decorated with broken motorcycle parts and helmets.

On each of these parts, there is a date, a name, and sometimes a story. If you wreck and get bitten by the Dragon, you hang a piece of your bike on this tree. They call this the ‘Tree of Shame.’

On the day we were there, we saw one bike being retrieved from down an embankment, and another being picked up by its unfortunate riders after a little mishap.

The Dragon isn’t the only road in the area to ride. There is also the Cherahola Skyway, a stretch more than 50 miles along the ridge of the mountains, the Hellbender 28 (Highway 28 North), Highway 28 South, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

There are also a lot of activities, such as zip line tours, white water rafting, hiking and much more. After all, this is resort country.

If you’re looking for the ultimate riding vacation, this is it. The drive might be long to get here, but it’s well worth it after you’ve slain the Dragon.

jharrie@herald.ca

[PinkRacer]

Hey guys,
I work for The Chronicle Herald in Halifax, NS, and we were at DGRR last weekend.

I write a bi-weekly motorcycle column, among other things, and decided to feature The Dragon this week. Next week, I'll be writing a feature story on DGRR and our trip, so I'll post that when it's available.

Here's my motorcycle column:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Wheels/1241716.html

Dragon slayin’
Jenn motors off to North Carolina to hunt down The Tail of the Dragon
By Jenn Harrie

NORTH CAROLINA — This week I was presented with a unique opportunity, and when opportunity knocks, open the door, right?

I am writing this article from North Carolina, where I have travelled for a motoring vacation.

Specifically, I have travelled to the area known as ‘Deals Gap,’ or ‘The Tail of the Dragon.’

Many riders will already know what I’m talking about. For those who don’t, this will be a treat.

The Tail of the Dragon is a famous section of US129 that travels over a mountain from North Carolina to Tennessee, with 318 corners in 11 miles.

This has become a key destination for many thousands of riders on bikes of all types every year.

Several ‘motorcycle resorts’ are nearby that cater to riders visiting the area to enjoy the roads. They offer inexpensive motel rooms, small bike-sized parking spots, fuel, parts, and accessories.

There are also cottages available if you’d like something a little more spacious, perhaps with some friends.

When you approach the dragon, you know this is going to be fun. Highway 28, the road that leads to it, twists up the mountain and through a canopy of trees that breaks to reveal spectacular views.

There are flowing ‘S’ turns, and some crazy switch backs. When you get to the end of it, you can’t believe this was the warm-up.

At the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort at the mouth of the Dragon, there is actually a pump that dispenses 110 octane fuel (nicknamed ‘Dragon Fuel’) for those who want to bring their highly-tuned racing machines.

The day I was there, there were at least 200 motorcycles parked in the lot, staging to drive the Dragon, or just returning from a run.

The road itself is unlike anything I’ve seen elsewhere. Whoever planned this road had a true sense of adventure. Anywhere else, they would have cut through the mountain.

The Dragon is an exception to this rule. The road flows around the edge of the mountain, with seemingly impossible hairpin turns, fast ‘S’ turns, and an overall layout more challenging than most race tracks.

Out on The Dragon, there are a few photographers who are permanent fixtures, and sell their photos online, so you can pick up some mementos of your ride. The pictures are sure to be dramatic.

Just as a warning, though, the Dragon is not a game. As a reminder of this, there is a tree in the parking lot of the resort that is decorated with broken motorcycle parts and helmets.

On each of these parts, there is a date, a name, and sometimes a story. If you wreck and get bitten by the Dragon, you hang a piece of your bike on this tree. They call this the ‘Tree of Shame.’

On the day we were there, we saw one bike being retrieved from down an embankment, and another being picked up by its unfortunate riders after a little mishap.

The Dragon isn’t the only road in the area to ride. There is also the Cherahola Skyway, a stretch more than 50 miles along the ridge of the mountains, the Hellbender 28 (Highway 28 North), Highway 28 South, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

There are also a lot of activities, such as zip line tours, white water rafting, hiking and much more. After all, this is resort country.

If you’re looking for the ultimate riding vacation, this is it. The drive might be long to get here, but it’s well worth it after you’ve slain the Dragon.

jharrie@herald.ca