Deal's Gap (AKA "The Dragon" or "Tail of the Dragon") - By rtcoker

I live 30 minutes from the Dragon. Have ridden it hundreds of times. I avoid it on weekends during the good riding months because it is SOOO crowded and SOOO heavily patrolled. Speed limit is now down to 30 MPH. It used to be 55, then 45. Now it is a ticket revenue generating road. It is a fantastic road to ride. Locals know it and can ride it fast. Newbies are scared to death and don't use the pullouts to allow faster riders to pass. If you ride it, do it during the week, avoid weekends. Pull to the right and wave faster riders past you. It is 11 miles in TN and 2 miles in NC of the closest thing to a closed course you will find on a public highway (No driveways or side streets entering except at Deal's Gap store). Stop and get a souvenir at one of the store at the TN/NC border. As of Fall 2019 they repaved and the pavement is awesome. This route is a gateway access to so many other good riding roads in the mountains. From the end of the Dragon is the Cherohala about 30 minutes, Highway 28 (moonshiner's) run to Fontana, Bryson City/Cherokee to the Smokies, Franklin to Highlands, NC, and so on.