XJ on the Dragon

I was fortunate that I was able to go to eastern Tennessee and Western NC last week and was able to run the Dragon several times and the Blue ridge Parkway.

I'm guessing that my 82 Seca 650 was the oldest bike there, and my wife who both drove it in her van and rode pillion, was probably the oldest person there at 63! The Seca hung in there with a Ducati, an FZ6 and an Aprilla that were well but sensibly ridden.

I rode the parkway on Thanksgiving day and the weather sucked, but I had it almost all to myself. I rode at whatever speed I thought was sensible. I wouldn't trade the experience for a million bucks!

The Dragin:











The Road to Nowhere:



The Blue Ridge Trail:



The pictures of the road to nowhere and the BRT look worse than they really were. If there hadn't been a detour onto the interstate while riding the BRT, I may never have stopped. I was having a great time! Except for experiencing carb ice while on the BRT, the old bike did real well! It took me a little bit to figure out what was happening to the carbs. Elevation was over 5000' and temps were in the 40's

Mike

 

Wow, what a trip! The Dragon is legendary on the bike forums I frequent. Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

C-O-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-I-O-N-S!!!

The Dragon is slain by a XJ-Bikes Member.
I envy you!
I dream of taking a ride across that Legend of Highway.
Nice work and thank-you for sharing.

Sincerely,

 

I am hoping to tackle the dragon in the spring. I live in Boone, NC just off the parkway. We saw the detour and looked up why it was there. They are repairing a tunnel between Mt. Mitchell and Asheville, so it is closed from 70 to Mt. Mitchell. I love the parkway, and can't wait to try the Dragon. The pictures make me want to do it even more. Maybe we should plan a weekender event there. How cool would that be, a whole bunch of XJs taking on the dragon.

 

It's like seeing a sign that says, "Roller coaster ride straight ahead."

 

Thats pretty much what I thought every time I saw it! Just like the kid at the amusement park, I wanted to do it again and again. I actually rode it 6 times.

I'm a pretty serious minded individual. Most people would not describe me as "fun loving". Riding in this area was fun!!! There are a lot of good roads in this country, but if you have an opportunity to do this, I would. I enjoy riding here in Ft. Worth, but it's nothing like what some of y'all get to ride.

If I lived as close as you, I would be there every month, but I liked the Pkwy too. If it hadn't been for that detour, I don't think I would have stopped before I got to Virginia - I was just having too much fun!

I went to a bike show here in Ft. Worth a couple of weeks ago and then to Deals Gap last week. I'm really disappointed at the number of older bikes I'm seeing. There have to be hundreds in peoples garages with fairly low miles on them, and as I proved this week, they can still be a load of fun to ride.I was really proud of the way the old bike held up. It ran with many newer and more expensive bikes.


Take care,
Mike

 

The dragon is an amazing section of road. I was there in '06 and i can't wait to go back. You can look at pictures and maps all you want, untill you have been there, you can't imagine it.

We should have an XJ day at deals gap

 

Nice pics! Although I'd have a hard time slowing down long enough to take pictures

 

Does anyone know how the San Bernardino Mountains would compare to that? Possibly an alternative for those closer. It is very scenic with some tight and difficult turns, both incline and decline. The only problem is tourists, if it was less frequented I would jump for joy!

 

I second that I just moved to Morristown, TN. (just above Knoxville) Apparently I'm only about an hour and a half from the Dragon and was waiting for the weather to warm back up before riding it. Also since I moved from the northern VA area, it would be feasible and somewhat practical for me to ride the entire Blue Ridge Parkway sometime.

And Rettic, I go to Boone once a week for work. You've already got some great roads to ride right there!

 

Yes, definitely have some great roads, one I have wanted to ride all year just got paved and then it got cold, iced this morning. But tonight is happy!! App State is going to Chattanooga again this year for the 3rd time. Unfortunately I graduate and have to move off the mountains for a good paying job. Plans are in the works for a ride of the entire parkway with one of my friends and my Step father in the summer. Would be hitting the bars tonight to celebrate but... alas have to work 7am tomorrow.

 

I remember riding that stretch of road many years back. In the fall, it has some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever laid my eyes upon. Ever since I moved out west, I've been longing for the rolling mountains of the east.

 

rock on i love the Dragon it is awesome. Ipropose that all xj riders converge on the gap on the first weekend of may that is when i am going to go. there are rooms, appartments, and camping available. check it out at www.dealsgap.com

 

The first weekend in May is MINI's on the Dragon. If you go then you will be sharing the area with 500+ MINI Coopers driven by people of varying skill levels if last year's event is anything to go by.

 

Be VERY careful if you head to Deal's Gap on a bike, particularly around holiday weekends. The state and local law enforcement agencies have discovered the golden eggs laid by geese on motorcycles, and write thousands of tickets every year to bikers. Not just on the Dragon itself, but on the surrounding roads used to get there.