Category Archives: Tail of the Dragon

Classic twisty road in North Carolina and Tennessee

Looking For Motorcycle Adventure? See The Wild Smoky Mountains With GSM Moto Rent

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcAgqmGpiZk

Remember all that fun you had as a kid learning to ride on that dirt bike? Maybe you’ve dreamed of challenging the wilds like Charlie and Ewan, taking the Long Way Round ? Already riding a dual sport bike and looking for motorcycle adventure? Whether you prefer just tooling along on the pavement, groomed fire roads, or gnarly single track trails, you can find them near Townsend, Tennessee.

GSMmotoRent offers dual sport motorcycle rentals, guided & self guided tours and cabin rental on the Little River: All within a half mile of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

We invite you to ride some of the greatest paved and gravel roads around! Everyone knows about our great roads in East TN and Western NC, such as the Tail of the Dragon, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Cherohala Skyway, all within an hour or less from our base in Townsend, TN.

But if you want to really avoid the crowds and get in some great motorcycle riding off the beaten path– let GSMmotoRent help. Our fleet includes Kawasaki KLR 650’s, Suzuki DR 650 and 200’s. We can provide the equipment, and with our knowledge of the area provide you with the best routes that fit your needs. On-site river front cabin rental is available as well as transportation to and from the Knoxville, TN regional airport. We also offer secure storage for your bike: short or long term.

The bikes were in great shape and well maintained. We had an unbelievable day riding 180 miles of excellent paved and unpaved roads in and around Smoky Mountain National Park. We arrived back at GSM in the late afternoon very happily tired. We all agreed it was one of the most enjoyable motorcycling days we’ve ever had. This was our first experience with GSM MotoRent and it could not have been better. Dan and Debbie are wonderful people and run a top-notch outfit. Thanks,
Joe Nardy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tb1CIolSOw

Visit http://gsmmotorent.com
CALL US AT 865-448-6090

Ride Like A Pro On the Dragon Video – Motorcycle Crashes Like These Can Be Avoided

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekkUzhh9E9A

Do You have Jerry “Motorman” Palladino’s Ride Like A Pro Video? I bought one years ago and it changed my motorcycle riding skills dramatically. Consider the cost of the mistakes you see in the motorcycle ride video above and compare that to the cost of the CD and a little practice time? Let Jerry show you how to Ride Your Motorcycle Like A Pro. He’s got lots of tips, videos and instruction at his web site.

Whether your riding the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Tail of the Dragon, or just tooling around your home turf, the skills and techniques you learn will make you a much more competent and safe motorcycle rider.

Don’t end up on Deals Gap’s tree of shame or worse.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o3fPCT3-Xk

http://www.ridelikeapro.com/

Why Is Riding the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap So Dangerous?

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Photo - Smoky Mountain Rider and BMW Girl at the Tail of the Dragon

Smoky Mountain Rider and BMW Girl at the Tail of the Dragon

If you’re convinced the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap in North Carolina is “too dangerous” or “ too challenging” a motorcycle ride, you’ve been deluded. If you can negotiate a crowded parking lot without panic, navigate city traffic, or confidently explore unknown back roads, you can ride the “infamous” stretch of US 129 at known as “The Tail of the Dragon”.

While riders are killed on the Dragons Tail almost every year (once you visit you’ll know why) it’s not the road that does them in. It’s a great motorcycle road with more than 300 curves in 11 miles. The pavement is nice, the road is well engineered, and it sees little commercial traffic. Still the motorcycle accidents at Deals Gap keep piling up.

Truth is, motorcycle riders crash here due to their own expectations. The Tail of the Dragon near Deals Gap is so hyped as a challenging and dangerous motorcycle ride people believe they have to make it one. Too many bikers push their limits on this great ride to fulfill the myth and prove something to themselves. Those limits of skill and reason are exceeded far too often resulting in motorcycle wrecks that would not have otherwise occurred had the rider not been so persuaded this was the ideal place to test his mettle. Truth is, I can direct you to roads far more dangerous, all of which make for good motorcycle rides you will enjoy and savor if you don’t consciously try to kill yourself.

That said, the Tail of the Dragon may not be for everyone. If your bike was on the showroom floor last week, and your warm license stills smells like fresh plastic, think twice, break in the tires and get a few miles beneath them. The Blue Ridge Parkway will give you all you need, and I’ve mapped hundreds of miles of other great motorcycle roads in the area.

There are certainly TIMES to avoid the Tail of the Dragon. A rally can turn it into a suicidal circus. Weekends bring out the squids and posers. Safest bet is to go mid week, early in the day. Be warned, it’s heavily patrolled by overworked troopers who have absolutely no sense of humor left.

With hundreds of posted videos to choose from, you can be sure I’ll be posting more. Here’s one of the longer ones that not only shows the entire ride, but demonstrates why this good motorcycle ride has earned such a bad reputation. Is it the really roads fault?

For lots more info about the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap visit http://tailofthedragon.com

The Most Dangerous Road for Motorcycles?

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Charlies Creek Road

Charlies Creek Road - even the sign is crooked


 “That’s the most dangerous road we ride” my wife commented after a recent morning outing.

“It’s my favorite road!”, I responded.

“I know, but it’s still dangerous” she reiterated.

We talked a bit more about it and the things she finds most dangerous are the things I enjoy as an added challenge.

“I still like it, it’s just a dangerous road” says Jackie.

Jackie’s no lightweight. We rode dual-purpose bikes all over the country years ago, she can throw a motorcycle around. Now, astride her Beemer, she often gives the boys a run for their money on the twisty roads. She can handle herself and I enjoy watching her flow through the curves. And no, we’re not talking about the infamous “Tail of the Dragon“. That’s just another ride for us compared to this.

riding Charlies Creek Road

Be ready to get some lean on when riding Charlies Creek Road

Photo – Wayne prepares to get some lean on in a curve on Charlie’s Creek Road

What makes Charlies Creek Road a challenge is it’s unpredictability. You just never know what it’s going to throw at you next, and it throws everything in the book along it’s 10.1 mile length making it seem a whole lot longer. Mixed pavement, potholes, bumpy repairs, loose gravel, climbs, descents, first gear hairpins interspersed with sections of relatively straight road that lure you to roll on the throttle then snare unsuspecting riders with turns which shut down on them the deeper in you get. Cresting a rise you never know what lies on the other side, which way it will dive. Is there a patch of loose gravel in the next corner, a flock of turkeys in the road, will the tires maintain their grip on that concrete bridge littered with sand and rocks, what’s with this freakin turn, it’s getting tighter? How many seasons before some bear hunter discovers my rusted bike and bleached bones if I lose it out here in the middle of nowhere?

It’s a handful it you approach it cautiously. Come at it with vigor, and it will test everything you’ve got. My kind of road. Beware of Charlies Creek Road, it’s the most dangerous road we ride. It’s also my favorite and I do it as often as I can. Just don’t try to keep up with me. I know it pretty darn well. Respect it or it will eat you.

Note – Charlies Creek Road runs between NC 215 and NC 281. It’s found on America Rides Maps “#6 – The Best Motorcycle Roads EAST of Great Smoky Mountains National Park”.

>> Go To America Rides Maps.com – http://americaridesmaps.com

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Wayne Busch

Wayne Busch - Cartographer

– Wayne Busch lives in Waynesville, NC, where he produces the most detailed and comprehensive and up-to-date motorcycle pocket maps of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains to help you get the most of your vacation experience. See them here – AmericaRidesMaps.com
 
See “Map #6 – The Best Motorcycle Roads EAST of Great Smoky Mountains National Park”