Title:
Deal's Gap (Note: this world famous motorcycle ride is also known as "The Dragon's Tail," "The Dragon," or "The Tail of The Dragon")
State:
North Carolina
Submitted
By: Mark H.
Date Submitted: Jul 03
Motorcycle Type: 97 Goldwing
Motorcycle Road Length: 11 Miles
"Deal's
Gap is to motorcycle riding what the Tour De France is to
bicycle racing, what the Indy 500 is to auto racing, and
what the Super Bowl is to football ... this is it!":
Jim Penske, Founder of the Association of Motorcycle Riders
of America
"Noted to be one of the top ten most sought out motorcycling
riding adventures in the US! 318 turns in 11 miles of scenic
and twisty US 129. With no distractions, the Dragon winds
its way up and over the mountains of Tennessee into North
Carolina and is the gateway for all NC has to offer. Like
the land that time forgot, you will not find any driveways,
gas stations, subdivisions or mini malls. In place of all
the hustle and bustle of big city life, you will find many
scenic and beautiful places to stop and take time to soak
in all the natural beauty": Michael S. McDonald
Motorcycle
Road Scenery:
Beautiful
Smoky Mountain scenery includes some lush forests and evergreen
covered mountains.
Update/Addition
from Michael S. McDonald: People from all walks of life
are drawn to the seducing curves of the Dragon (other wise
known as Tail of the Dragon) at Deal's Gap, also known as
US Hwy 129. They make their pilgrimage to test their skills,
or in some cases, to be bitten by the Dragon. The area surrounding
the Dragon was one of the last areas of North Carolina to
be settled due to its inhospitable terrain. The southern
Appalachian Mountains are made up of two separate ranges;
the eastern range is the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the western
range is known as the Great Smoky Mountains. For thirty-six
miles along the TN/NC border the GSM are more than 5k feet
in altitude with 16 peaks stretching to more than 6k feet.
All of this altitude translates to treacherous travel, especially
for the pioneers in their day, but also for us as motor-sport
enthusiasts today
Motorcycle
Road Quality:
318
curves in 11 miles - what more needs to be said?
Well these just aren't any curves as there are many sharp
turns, steep drop-offs, not many cars, lots of bikes ...
overall a real challenging road. The road is mostly in good
shape as its become a real tourist draw and the local government
knows to keep the road in good shape and the people will
keep coming. Its challenging and exciting for some, scary
to beginning riders, be careful on this one.
Update/Addition
from Michael S. McDonald: 318 curves in 11 miles. By the
time you reach the plateau from which the end (otherwise
known as the turn around) your will be spent but very eager
to hit the tight turns that are banked to perfection. Pay
very close attention to on coming cars and large trucks
as the turns are hairpin and they do come into your lane!
Motorcycle
Roadside Amenities:
Not
many pull-outs, one store at the end of ride, be sure
to go in and see pictures of crashes that have happened
along the road.
Update/Addition
from Michael S. McDonald:
- GAS STATIONS : Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort
- FOOD:
Dragon's Den Grill, , located at the resort
- HOTEL: Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort
- REPAIRS: NONE, You can get some very minor repairs at
the resort. Nearest
repair is Wheelers, 16 miles south
or the 129 Pit Stop located in TN 12 miles
north of the
Gap.
- PULL OFF'S/OVERLOOKS: 1, Dragon overlook.
Deal's
gap is not the easiest road to find on a
map because it is just a small 11 mile stretch
that hugs the border of The Great Smoky
Mountains National Park on its very sparsely
populated southwest corner. Most of the
road lies in Tennessee yet a small section
of it crosses into North Carolina. Suggest
you use the Online Map Link to get your
bearings. The closest town to the north
end of Deal's Gap is Tallahassee,
TN and the closest town to the south
end of the road is Tapoco,
NC. And, keep in mind that when you
get close to the road, all the locals can
point you in the right direction if you
are not sure.
Do you have any pictures of this area? Contribute a photo and show other riders what they’ll see along the way.
Have you ever filmed video along this ride or in the area? Contribute the video and show riders what the area looks like.
Comments page 1 of 0
Click here to add a rating and/or comment
JEFF - 2007 Suzuki
This user rated the route: 8 out of 10
Posted 360 days ago
Very nice ride. keep your eyes open and keep your line. watch out for cars trucks and harley riders crossing the yellow line. I been 4 time in the last 2 months and every time i have almost been hit by a harley that blows the curve. and ive seen 3 harleys go down in front of me so please know the limits of your riding and your bike!
This user rated the route: 9 out of 10
Posted 444 days ago
Been to the Dragon 4 times in the last 3 years and it is a world class ride that deserves it's world wide reputation. I love turns and this road has more than I can ask for in it's short length. Only reason I didn't give it a 10 is because of the sometimes crowded conditions ... although I love seeing all the other bikers out there, sometimes I wish it was more of a less known hidden ride known only to the local riders. Either way, it's worth the trip no matter where you are coming from.
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 10 days ago
We loved it,ride it both ways,watch out for semis in your lane it can be tricky for a novice and yes the sport bikes love to come up and pass touring bikes i think the scenery was great but didnt get to see much ,the semi we met kept my eyes on the road ahead
Two friends and I rode Deal's Gap in mid-June, and had a good time. We were on Harleys, and that seemed to be the ride-of-choice on our Monday. The weather was beautiful, the scenery was outstanding, and most of the bikers behaved themselves.
As my friend says, "It's a good road...with a GREAT agent." In other words, we were a little underwhelmed that the storied Tail of the Dragon didn't live up to its widespread reputation.
Don't get me wrong: the road grabbed our attention and demanded a degree of technical expertise. But I believe that if a rider can successfully negotiate some of the roads LEADING to US129, he/she will be successful on the Dragon itself.
Pay VERY close attention to your mirrors on this ride. Deals Gap has developed the reputation lately of being a "racetrack" for sport bikes. There are numerous documented cases of passing slower-moving riders on their own lane. Use extreme caution. Also, law enforcement has cracked down on the speed limits lately. No warnings are being given, but tickets issued liberally.
Went to Deals Gap first time with another couple Labor Day 2006 & we girls rode with our husbands..wanted to see what we had ahead of us. We came back again Columbus Day weekend and we rode our own bikes...IT WAS AMAZING! Headed back up to that direction at the end of this month...If you're anywhere in the area on your bike and aren't faint of heart....DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have done a lot riding in my younger days, but I don't think I ever had as much fun as I did with the Dragon!!! We went on a Tuesday Just to get away from the Young and dumb, CR'S You Know the ones that have no respect. Wreck causing Morons! We Loved the Ride. You need to pay attention To the road marks, And skid marks To know something bad is up ahead. You Do that and you will do good. Say hello To the store staff, There great!! So if your there around about go do this thing ,
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 353 days ago
Myself and two friends went from Columbus MS to top of the Blue Ridge Parkway, down to Cherokee and culminating in a run on the Dragon (129). We had my V Star 1100, a 1800 Goldwing and a Bergman Executive 650 and had an absolute blast.. The Berg has an unfair advantage, its faster than thought, I believe.
Deals Gap store has all the trinkets and t-shirts you'll need uncluding "Dragon" water and gas. We're going back soon.
This user rated the route: 6 out of 10
Posted 420 days ago
Full of curves- yes. Lots of assorted bikes and fancy cars-yes. However, if you get car sick like I do... It was a nightmare of a ride. I wanted to shoot myself or at least have God smote my sick butt off my V-Rod. Rode all the way down. Stopped by a creek and tried to not throw up. Then, I had to do the whole ride again backwards. Never again... I can only imagine how much fun the ride could have been if I hadnt been car sick.
Crossed the mountain from Cherokee, along Foothills Pkwy, then on the Dragon Tail. Many cars crossing the mountain (Leave season). Not as bad on the Foothills Pkwy. A little crowded on the Tail. Heavily patrolled by Police. A must ride (I got the t-shirt from Deals), but it is more work than enjoyment. It's riding, not sight-seeing. On the Tail of the Dragon, you don't have time to gawk, unless you stop at overlooks.
