lucky dawg Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 In NC for a wedding and realized I am only 100 miles from the Tail of the Dragon (318 curves in 11 miles) http://www.tailofthedragon.com/ . The bad news is that I am in a rental car. The good news: it is a Camaro convertible. Not a 7, but acceptable. When we arrived at the Alamo office at 1am closing, the agent told us to pick a car. A new Camaro had just rolled off the delivery truck. Not bad for $210 a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 have fun, keep the shiny side up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanG Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Have fun. Be careful. There will be lots of police protection on the dragon this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Have fun. Be careful. There will be lots of police protection on the dragon this weekend. have fun, keep the shiny side up Nonsense! . . . . . Drive it like you stole it! :jester: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucky dawg Posted August 30, 2014 Author Share Posted August 30, 2014 Nonsense! . . . . . Drive it like you stole it! :jester: Considering the rental cost, I feel like I did.:cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee break Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Let us know how much your arms ach and if the power steering pump puked! :puke: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rzempel Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 On Wednesday I'm headed to that area for a week, so I'll be interested to read how the rental car works on the Tail. I don't know what car I'll be getting, but I'm pretty certain it won't be as much fun as a Se7en. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hill Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 While driving our new-to-us 1995 BMW 325IC home from Florida a few years ago we took the opportunity to take roads we had previously been unable to travel with a motorhome and race trailer in tow. We hit the Tail of the Dragon, then all of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive. An unbelievable experience, absolute must-do for any car enthusiast. Would it have been more fun in a Seven? Some elements yes, but having the ability to put the top up quickly when it rained, turn on the a/c when the temps hit '95, were certainly welcome. Bottom line....have fun! The Tail is something you have to experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 (edited) The "Tail"is just one of many twisty limited access, drivers roads in that area, all are wonderful. We did many of them as a club back in '07. I have done the Cherohala since and it was wonderful, scenic, curvy, etc. It's fun to do the Tail, tho there are lottsa crazies on motorcycles blasting along. Assume they will be headed toward you, in your lane, as you round every blind curve. Edited August 31, 2014 by Kitcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 (edited) The annual Stalker Ambush will be happening in a couple of weeks in that area. Part of the activity is to head over on Sept 14 to either spectate or participate in Chasing the Dragon hill climb. Edited August 31, 2014 by xcarguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klasik-69 Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I raced the SCCA's Tail of the Dragon Hill climb race last year. Fun event but it trashed my paint job. We had 84 cars and around 92 drivers, and about 2500 spectators just outside of Robbinsville on a closed section of the Tail of the Dragon. We're at our Murphy, NC summer home right now, which is about 50 miles from there and I have my Z06 with me so I'm tempted to go over there. Main problem is that about 4,000 motorcycles are up there for the weekend, and not all know how to ride. So I'll skip that for this weekend, may run later in the week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randychase Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I used to make a point to get to Tail of the Dragon when I was living in San Diego. Took the Elise there, the Noble, the Rossion Q1. This is some snips from 2008 in the Noble. The problem is that it has become such a destination, that it gets too much attention and too much traffic. You can hit it right... I came with the Rossion in 2010 I think.. came just at dusk. Ran the entire thing and never saw another vehicle. It was glorious. But most times I get stuck behind a cruiser bike and have to wait. You do TOTD because it is EPIC. But then drive the other local roads to really experience driving. Now I live within 90 minutes and have yet to get out there! As soon as I get the Zenos, I am heading to Deal's Gap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hill Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Guess we hit it "just right". No traffic, saw about 4 other vehicles, none that slowed or otherwise affected our tour. We were there mid week, mid morning. As they say...I would rather be lucky than good! Sure was a hoot, wear the shirt often...lots of questions every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klasik-69 Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 You're right about getting stuck behind a cruiser or a semi, even worse. There are so many great roads around here; twisties running off Rte 441 going to the Highlands, extension of Rte 19/129 heading to Brasstown Bald peak, Rte 74 heading from Murphy thru Andrews and to Bryson City, rte 64 to Franklin from Murphy, and many others. We are blessed here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I raced the SCCA's Tail of the Dragon Hill climb race last year. Fun event but it trashed my paint job . . . I thought you said I trashed your paint job. :jester: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NVP66S Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 A question for anyone who has done both: How would you compare Tail of the Dragon to Angeles Crest or Bouquet Canyon or Caliente-Bodfish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 (edited) A question for anyone who has done both: How would you compare Tail of the Dragon to Angeles Crest or Bouquet Canyon or Caliente-Bodfish? I have been to the TOD last July (in a lame rental, though) and was underwhelmed. beautiful road and probably fun when empty but at that time of the year it was a crawl even in that rental. As for the road maybe think Angeles Crest with trees left and right and everything green, about as curvy but more undulating camber. Less agricultural than Caliente Bodfish and much more curvy than Bouquet. As far as California goes I would prefer the stretch of any time. Many more curves than anything else I have driven, maybe except Old Hopland Grade (links to 2 clips from a motorcycle perspective, but close enought). Edited September 1, 2014 by slomove Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveStruve Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 The annual Stalker Ambush will be happening in a couple of weeks in that area. Part of the activity is to head over on Sept 14 to either spectate or participate in Chasing the Dragon hill climb. Any details on this event anywhere? I'm only 1.5 hrs from Helen and could make a day of it. Just need to know if there are any plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Any details on this event anywhere? I'm only 1.5 hrs from Helen and could make a day of it. Just need to know if there are any plans. Dave, Sent you a pm. Shane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanG Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 The annual Stalker Ambush will be happening in a couple of weeks in that area. Part of the activity is to head over on Sept 14 to either spectate or participate in Chasing the Dragon hill climb. LOG 34 happens over the same weekend and will be close. Based out of Asheville. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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