"'I said, 'Luke you have to be careful on The Dragon, I would not be able to go on and survive.' Here he lies with pistons and crank For 11-miles, U.S. 129 winds and twistsmore than 300timesthrough the mountains of Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina. Because of the curvy path, this stretch is known as the Tail of the Dragon. The challenge of the Dragon is to take the many curves in the best line possible and both lanes IS NOT the line. The Tail of the Dragon is only 11 miles long and the following facts pertain only to those 11 miles. 2010 - One death: August 28 South bound sportbike rider off road and hit tree. It took 34 years and more than $100 million to construct the Cherohala Skyway, but when it finally opened in 1996, the 43-mile National Scenic Byway and National Forest Scenic Byway was a winner, offering some of the most glorious views in the region. But the other area roads do have a much higher death rate than the Dragon itself. On May 27,six highway safetydepartments and local law enforcementagenciesfrom Tennessee and North Carolinapartnered for an educational campaign. 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Sept 21 sportbike hit tree at 5.0. July 31 one death. Cutting through the mountains in Deals Gap at the Tennessee/North Carolina state line, the Tail of the Dragon is actually just a portion of the longer US 129, or as some North Carolina folks call it, that damn road to Tennessee. 2015 TN DOT banned vehicles over 30 feet in length. 0000088925 00000 n The road is surrounded by forest, meaning there's plenty of trees when leaving the black stuff, and help is by no means just around the next corner in the event of an accident. Driving a little too fast on curvy mountain roads is one thing, but barreling down Tail of The Dragon with people hanging out of your windows . 2001 - Two deaths: The entire Blount County (home of the Dragon) saw a total of four motorycle fatalities in 2001. For diners, that means delicious bites like hush puppies made with aged cheddar and served with Sriracha aioli, and green tomato salad with spicy pecans and a grilled pork chop brined in sweet tea and served with molasses barbecue sauce. Dont forget to save room for the fried cheesecake! Before you ride the Dragon, brush up on these additional driving tips for handling unexpected scenarios. 2022Recurrent Ventures. Trip up the Dragon rolled through a deadly crash scene. Tennessee Department of Transportation, NORTH CAROLINA 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. We are located at the intersection of US 129 and NC 28. 2018 - Three (Two*) deaths: Oct 5 GA cruiser rider off road, but death was a result of a medical emergency, not the accident. <<26E940FE51F7DC43BC00621507A4D422>]/Prev 224013>> Report inappropriate content . Its about 90 miles west of Asheville, North Carolina, and 60 miles south of Knoxville, Tennessee. Recent Deadly Motorcycle Accident at Tail of the Dragon. Many of the Dragons turns actually tighten as they curve, making them even more challenging than they seem. Dont pull over along the roadway. It follows the southwest boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so there are no intersecting roads or drives to interfer. Scenic129.com. Once youve tamed the Dragon, stick around to explore the regions towering waterfalls, crystal-blue lakes, atmospheric mountain towns, and truly scenic highways. It offers 28 rooms, a gorgeous riverfront location, two restaurants, and a 125-acre site filled with walking paths and hammocks. FATALITIES: Click Here to view Tail of the Dragon Death Map with death location since 2000 Many people confuse traffic deaths from as far away as 100 miles as being "on the Dragon". According to Saferoads.org,helmets lower the risk of motorcyclistsdying in a crash by 42%. Stick to your skill level. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. He was adventurous, a daredevil and fell in love with the thrill. 0000151323 00000 n Some time in the 1980s, a group of Harley Riders started the "Tree of Shame," now a fixture at the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort. 2007 - 953 deals gap on a goldwing/gl1800 by yellow wolf dragons tail. However, if you go too hard and end up in the wall, expect to find little sympathy from the broader community. 0000041111 00000 n The attraction is the road itself, not the scenery. There's fundamentally nothing wrong with taking a drive on a fun, winding country road. The Reason For Most Crashes at the "Tail of the Dragon" Features The Reason For Most Crashes at the "Tail of the Dragon" Jack Korpela June 8, 2022 Motorcycles crashes at the famous Tail of The Dragon near Deals Gap, NC and Smokey Mountain National park are very common. 0000034338 00000 n Aug 30 heat stroke/heart attack. . DEALS GAP The Tail of the Dragon, colloquially known as "The Dragon," is a curvy stretch of Highway 129, running through Blount County and into North Carolina. Investigators determined that Green was traveling north on The Dragon and as she negotiated a right curve she looked away from the road briefly and traveled into a ditch on the left side of the roadway; as the Trike came out of the ditch, she over-corrected, causing the Trike to turn over onto the roadway, according to the sheriffs office. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The organization also saysmotorcycle riders who dont wear helmets are three times more likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury inthe event ofa crash. Low-key and friendly, Lynns Place serves Southern favorites like fried okra, sauted local trout, and the Dragon Slayer, a chicken breast covered in barbecue sauce and topped with bacon and mozzarella cheese. Are semi trucks allowed on the Tail of the Dragon? Much of the front bumper is destroyed, and the rest of the bodywork has been torn up on the road surface, too. If hikings your thing, here are more of the best hiking trails in the country. Available while supplies last.Let me know in the comments what videos you want to see!If you want to see more GROM action, tech, group rides, subscribe today!Store: http://www.grombeardo.comMerch: http://www.teespring.com/stores/grombeardoInstagram: @GromBeardo http://www.instagram/grombeardoFaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/GromBeardoFeel free to email me: GromBeardo@gmail.comIf you're into old VW Buses, subscribe to my other channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/WideFiveStay Rad!#whatdidyourbearddotoday #gromlife #grombeardoGROM Parts on AMAZON:Shift Shaft Support: https://amzn.to/3qbHNAdProTaper Pillow Tops: https://amzn.to/3pYXLNMProTaper DRZ/KLX 110 Bars: https://amzn.to/3bnK3QqBar Mount Mirror: https://amzn.to/39gPK07Phone Ram Mount Parts: -Handle Bar Ball Mount: https://amzn.to/3sbXZDi -Phone Holder: https://amzn.to/3s43MdU -Short Arm Mount: https://amzn.to/3btwgrF -GoPro Ball Mount: https://amzn.to/3nzffPcLED Integrated Taillight: https://amzn.to/3q5n3tDMX Foot Pegs: https://amzn.to/2Lha1up -My Instal Video: https://youtu.be/hcbm3uFQdTQLED Plate Lights: https://amzn.to/3bmZQ1VNumber Plate CRF: https://amzn.to/2LhaeOdLight Bar Mounting Bracket: https://amzn.to/3npJbgE6 Light Bar: https://amzn.to/3s7UWMdReflective Backpack: https://amzn.to/2PqUhanGo beyond your YT analytics and install TubeBuddy for FREE:https://www.tubebuddy.com/grombeardoCamera Equipment I Use:Canon M50 w/ kit lens: https://amzn.to/2LMjXwi -Jobi Gorillapod: https://amzn.to/3adulqd -MOVO VXR10 Mic: https://amzn.to/3aa7sUE -Neoprene Case: https://amzn.to/3rFnBHm -A Legit Tripod: https://amzn.to/3aaj7CIMotoVlog and GoPro setup: -Hero5 Black x2: https://amzn.to/3aUAoz7 -Audio Adapter: https://amzn.to/372seDt -Case for Camera and Adapter: https://amzn.to/3perQIz -MX Helmet Mount: https://amzn.to/3aVXyVV -Purple Panda Mic: https://amzn.to/3pcw6bA -Cheaper Alternative Mic: https://amzn.to/375Y2HM -Jobi Gorillapod: https://amzn.to/3acqD08 -30KmAh Battery Bank: https://amzn.to/2OqwrKR -MicroSD Card SanDisk Extreme 128G: https://amzn.to/2Z9XYT2DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this YouTube Channel and the resources available for download/viewing through this YouTube Channel are for educational and informational purposes only.This description may contain affiliate links. hb``a`` 0000118553 00000 n Another female died a month later in the same area. One day we crossed in a snow storm riding two-up on our FJR in freezing temperatures. Think outside the box this Mothers Day and opt for gifts other than flowers and chocolate. That bridge is actually 225-foot-tall Cheoah Dam, which was constructed in 1919. Check out the TOD Death Map http://tailofthedragonmaps.com/tail-of-the-dragon-deaths/ It is considered by many as one of the world's foremost motorcycling and sports car touring roads. Sept 25 trike 2 dead. The Sheriffs Office Traffic Safety Unit is continuing to investigate the accident. PSA: Take the South's most dangerous road seriously. xref Raw video: 'Dragon' crash survivor says final goodbyes, Man says his final goodbyes after a 2016 motorcycle crash on "The Dragon. Nobody died, but six of the 10 crashes were of motorcyclists. As it twists and turns across the rugged mountain ridges, the Skyway gains more than 2,700 feet in elevation. Drivers from all over the country have made the pilgrimage to tackle the winding asphalt, but sadly, not everyone makes it through unscathed. April through October is the peak time for Dragon slayers to hit the highway; winter weather in the area is unpredictable and can make the drive even more treacherous. How many people have died on tail of dragon? Stark Love, a silent film, was shot in Graham County and the surrounding area in 1927. The windshield has been badly caved in, and the deployed side airbags can be seen hanging out of the doors. Considered a classic film because of its realism, the movie portrayed the mountain people as slothful and backwards. Luke's sister, Lydia, said his passion for life is inspiring. Tabcat Bridge to Hwy 28 - 11.8 miles 2009 TN DOT made some major safety updates to the Dragon. 0000118295 00000 n Tailofthedragon.com is a member of the Tail of the Dragon family of websites which promote tourism in western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, north Georgia. 1995 - 520 Another scene was shot at the Fontana Marina. In Dreams (1998) Starring Annette Bening and Robert Downey, Jr. had scenes at Cheoah and Calderwood Dams. The tree is covered in parts from motorcycles that have crashed, or been "bitten by The Dragon," at some point in time. Drivers from all over the country have made the pilgrimage to. Fontana Lake, which was created when the dam opened in 1944, is open to the public for swimming, boating, fishing, and other activities. There is very little elevation change. Then conflict between the father and son ensues. 0000151196 00000 n Lisa continues to beam with pride because of her son and is determined to keep his legacy alive. In addition to Readers Digest, her work has appeared in Southern Living, Afar, Global Traveler, Virtuoso Life, AAA Traveler, Real Simple, Shermans Travel, Fodors and other outlets. Here is the segment on YouTube. [New Motovlog every Thursday! As you can see, the Dragon won!! It claims the lives of a handful of people each year. It is also one of the more dangerous roads in East Tennessee. June 22 sport bike vs tree. Anyone looking for an exciting highway will enjoy this 11-mile stretch of US 129.The Dragonis desolate and can be a real adventure in the winter months. Tail of the Dragon Deals Gap. Four people died, three of whom were motorcyclists. One motorcycle rider at Tabcat Bridge parking area. The dam and old single lane bridge were also in the 1971 movie Two Lane Blacktop that has become a cult classic. Fontana Dam is located just a little over nine miles from the North Carolina end of the Dragon. 1985 - 365 Take a break and stop at our Tail of the Dragon store. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. My idealized corner geometry is very simple: So, if the Dragon were "standardized", you would have318 corners 183 feet apart, each with an Entrance/Exit angle of 60 degreesand a corner radius of 29 feet. Many just remember curve after curve after curve and surviving the run of their lives with a hoot and a big smile on their face. Using these "optimized" arbitrary proportions,an "Average Tail of the DragonCorner" would be defined as follows: Turn Radius - a 120 degree arc of constant 29 foot radius, The turn Entrance and turn Exit legs would be at a 60 degreeangle to each other, Straight line distance from Start to Finish of the 11 convolutedmiles - 6.7 miles. Brake gently, and downshift when necessary. 1989 - 582 0000000016 00000 n 3 years ago. If you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Sign in Hell Roads - Tail of the Dragon apdeuceftw 813. The 1971 cult classic movie Two-Lane Blacktop was partially filmed on the Dragon. Of those, 90 resulted in injuries and three were fatal. 2021 - Eight deaths: June 12 sport bikes head-on one death. Its located at the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort. The Deals Gap Riding Society record for an amateur rider was a 22 minute round trip run, which averaged out to 11 minutes one way (50.7 mph average). North bound sportbike at 9.2. One Ferrari driver on an exotics cruise flipped their vehicle on Wednesday, becoming the latest cautionary example. You can hike along the Appalachian Trail (a half-mile section of the trail actually crosses the dam), take in gorgeous views of forested hills that surround the dams pretty lake, and check out the exhibits and historical photographs within the visitor center. 0000049213 00000 n 2011 - One death: August 3 Tennessee sportbike rider run over by 18 wheeler at mm 5. Aug 19, 44 yr old AL woman flipped trike at mm 4.3 northbound. 0000088672 00000 n The campaign reminds drivers to slow down, buckle up and be alert, according to a press release from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. There was also a chase scene filmed on Moonshiner 28 between the Dragon and Fontana. The 11-mile stretch of road spans through Blount County into North Carolina and is known worldwide for its dangerous curves. Saw a dread body, so that was a memorable ride. The Drive has sought further clarification on this point, and will update accordingly. Around 2 weeks ago,18-year-old Luke Hutsell from Maryville was killed while riding on the Tail of the Dragon. 34 0 obj <>stream 0000040621 00000 n 0000001109 00000 n The Tail of the Dragon is one of the most famous driving roads in the United States, snaking between Tennessee and North Carolina. It was shown in September 2013. It's hard to breathe but I am thankful he passed doing what he loved.". Clarissa Donnelly-DeRoven is the cops and courts reporter at the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Deals Gap Resort now asksriders to turn in their motorcycle parts to management with a date and signature, rather than affixing them to the tree themselves. 2000 - 626 Each treehouse has an oversized deck, a king-size bed, and lots of privacy. Buried up to his ass Before you hit the road, make sure you have these essential road planning tips and the following important information about the Dragon. Several earthen berms were constructed to prevent bikes from going down steep drop-offs. Legend has it that in the 1830s, a group of Cherokee Indians used the trail to avoid. The Blount County Sheriffs Office said an Alabama woman died and a passenger was injured in a motorcycle accident on The Dragon (U.S. Highway 129), a popular scenic roadway in East Tennessee with 318 curves in 11 miles and hugging the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Chilhowee Lake in Blount County to Deals Gap on the Tennessee-North Carolina stateline. 2019 - Two deaths: Aug 10 - 70 year old crashed Slingshot at 1.9. We recommend our users to update the browser. Prior to hitting the road, take a look at the route on a Tail of the Dragon map so you know what to expect. 2016 - Fourdeaths:South bound trike off bank at 10.2 killing 90 year old male passenger. Luckily, there was no northbound traffic at the time to hit the stricken Ferrari, which could have made a bad incident much, much worse. 2006 - 1022 In North Carolina, there were 10 crashes in 2019 on the Tail of the Dragon. The Dragon, also known as the Tail of the Dragon, (U.S. Highway 129) is a scenic roadway known worldwide by motorcyclists and sports car driving enthusiasts that runs from East Tennessee into North Carolina. A number of the posts still remain. In 2012 Larry the Cable Guy came to the Dragon to film a show for his Only in America series on the History Channel. The Tail of the Dragon is about you, the pavement, and two white knuckles holding tightly to a steering wheel. Each of its 19 rooms comes with a garage for your motorcycle. One sportbike rider at 8.2 (found three days after wreck). Dragon's Tail - Tail of the Dragon Hell Roads (Death Roads) Deals Gap, North Carolina Show more What not to do on the Dragon. . Many people confuse traffic deaths from as far away as 100 miles as being "on the Dragon". 2003 - 823 Nobody died, but six of the 10 crashes were of motorcyclists. Sympathy for deaths. How many people died on the Tail of the Dragon each year? Its no wonder this exciting roadway attracts riders and drivers from all over the world: There are no intersections, traffic lights, or stop signsjust an asphalt ribbon that unfurls into 318 bends, curlicues, and hairpins for all of its 11 miles. 0000057476 00000 n And the curves arewhat you should be concerned with. Hiking trails loop through the tract and include the two-mile-long, figure-eight-shaped Joyce Kilmer Memorial Trail and the Naked Ground Trail, a 4.5-mile in-and-out that crosses streams as it climbs into the woods. %PDF-1.5 % Cruiser rider passing a car and sportbike losing control and hitting tree. Yum! "If you could see the joy in his eyes whenever he was out riding," said Lisa. In all likelihood you can avoid problems if you stay alert and watch ahead. In 2011 the Discovery Channel filmed a segment that appeared on theirHell RoadsShow. NOTE: The parking area death actually occurred while the rider was stopped. We were amazed to see the original Crafton's Motel, Restaurant and Esso gas station in the film too. 0000034760 00000 n According to Blount County Sheriff's Office, there were 178 crashes on The Dragon between November 2015 and April 2017. There will be a memorial made at the site of Luke's crash. TN last repaved the Dragon in June of 2002. Conquer the 318 curves in 11 miles on the Dragon, a section of U.S. Highway 129 that starts near Robbinsville and Fontana Dam. 0000033962 00000 n 2016 - 1500 Youll also want to check out the following nearby attractions, restaurants, and accommodations while youre in the area. ]http://www.youtube.com/user/cyclecruzaSUBSCRIBE to my new new 100% MotoVlogs Channel:http://www.youtube.com/user/cyclecruzavlogs WEBSITE/Blog:http://www.cyclecruza.comINSTAGRAM:http://www.instagram.com/cyclecruzaFACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/cyclecruza1TWITTER:https://twitter.com/CycleCruzaGET CYCLECRUZA STICKERS HERE:http://cyclecruza.com/ccstickersMERCH (Get SportBike T-Shirts and Hoodies):http://www.cyclecruza.spreadshirt.comMusic in Video:Takeoff by Ethan Meixsell (Free YouTube Library) Rode the Tail of the Dragon over SMSBR2021 weekend. The inn is located about 20 miles farther down U.S. 129, just south of Robbinsville, North Carolina. At Moonshiner Steakhouse, youll find more than big steaks, Caesar salads, and burgersthough they are all delicious. 4 0 obj <> endobj How many people died on the Tail of the Dragon in 2021? To some the Dragon begins on the North Carolina side at Fugitive Bridge with a view of the Cheoah Dam where Harrison Ford jumped from in the movie The Fugitive. Oct 25 at 8.0 a 73 year-old GA cruiser rider southbound off road. A look at the dangerous curves on the most famous motorcycle route in the Southeast. NOTE: In the winter months traffic is extremely light, probably less than 50 vehicles a day. Knoxville's Forgotten Champion: Big John Tate, Hometown Hidden Gems: Bootleggers Distillery, Meet Drago, the Texas bull who captured the hearts of many as he escaped large hail, "The Tail of the Dragon" to be dedicated to Vietnam War helicopter pilot, Filming to shut down parts of the Dragon for couple hours Sunday. Stick to the posted speed limit, which is 30 mph, and dont tailgate. Legend has it that in the 1830s, a group of Cherokee Indians used the trail to avoid forcible removal to land west of the Mississippi along what came to be known as the Trail of Tears. Next comes Deals Gap and the Tennessee State Line where the real action begins. Although it is bordered by the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest, driving on The Dragon is no time for sightseeing. The family is left with unbearable pain and now urging people to understand the risks involved.
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