Ride to the Dragon, 2009
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The Old Dominion Cruisers slayed the Tail of the Dragon, the Cherohala Skyway and Devil's Triangle in early August, 2009.
We (Eddie and Becky, Ronnie and Pam, Gary and Karen, Fatback and Dudley) left early on Thursday, under cloudy skies. After we picked up Jazzman, Sunny and Gunny, we got into some rain. We decided to stop early for breakfast, then drove to Lenoir City TN on an uneventful ride.
(Remember, these pics are thumbnails - click on the picture to enlarge the picture, and click on it again to close the picture.)
We got to the Dragon Friday morning, perfect weather, cool, sunny, dry! We stopped for sodas and a courage break across the street from the helipad, then for a photo op at the overlook. Then we buttoned up and took off to slay the Dragon's Tail! After we encountered Five-O chatting with two wingers as we approached the dragon, we began the 318 curves.
Some pirated pics from the pros that sit along the Dragon taking pics as we go by. (Of course all of us will pay for the rights for these pics!)
We took some pictures at the Deal's Gap store and bought t-shirts and stickers. Then we motored on to the Fontana Dam and shopped in the dam gift shop, then went to lunch in Robbinsville and on to the Cherohala Skyway.
At the end of the Cherohala Skyway, we'd been told of a waterfall that was off a sideroad. We took a beautful ride along the stream to the waterfall and got some pics. On our return to civilization, we stopped by the Harley shop where they had the cool Dragon sculpture, then back to the hotel.
Saturday, we took off for the Devil''s Triangle. We'd heard we needed to ride it clockwise, so it was a significant ride to get to the jumping off point for the clockwise launch. We had a fun lunch at a Greek restaurant and gassed up for the next leg of the trip. Couple of miles down the road, we ran through part of the famous Rt 127 World's Longest Yard Sale. We rolled through about 20 miles of this 1/4 mph highway of junk. It was hot, clutch in, clutch out 301.487 times - finally, we got to our turn, dismounted and all gasped for air! On the bikes again, we cruised along happily to the next stop, a produe stand. Karen made instant friends, then made a dramatic exit.
Several miles from the produce stand, we stopped for sodas and another break at an interesting store. As we were leaving, Eddie had found out about shirts and stickers the lady had available. We all scrambled in to drop cash for these trophies. Then we took off to bisect the Devil's Triangle! The DT was interesting, we saw wind generators on the mountains, little communities along the way, a big stone crushing plant, and plenty of gravel in the tight switchbacks. Some commented they liked the DT more than the Tail of the Dragon... Anyway, more gas on getting out of the DT and on to the hotel and dinner.
Sunday. we mounted up and had an uneventful and safe ride home - I81 to Wythville or so, then we split up as some continued on I81 and others took Rt 11 to Radford for lunch, then home. At Lexington, we took a break at the Tastefreez to complain about the monkey coming up from behind, then returned to the bikes and rode home in the waning hours of the afternoon.
It was a good ride, we arrived home safely, left no parts on the Tree of Shame and after putting 1200 miles on the bikes, all decided we can't wait to return next year!