Ok just returned from the Dragon U.S. 129 at Deal’s Gap in N.C. and Tennessee. And with over 2000 miles now since the installation of the hack, a few observations. First, my arms have increased in size, soon, I won’t be able to tie my shoes, lol. Second, knock on wood, I haven’t had a single person put out in front of me, usually at least one a day. Third, the smile hasn’t left my face yet, and the muscles are starting to hurt from grinning all the time. And finally single malt scotch help ease all pains.
We hit the dragon yesterday soon after they opened the gate, for right now it is only open between 8am-8pm 7 days a week. This is due to a rock slide on the north end of the road and for now the only way to the dragon is from the south side. With little traffic to worry about, I tackled the 318 curves in 11 miles, and to be honest I had a blast. All those years of riding and racing snowmobiles I do believe has helped as I hung off to the right and left, and yes it is amazing just what it does for the center of balance. In all only flew the chair once, as I had the tool box riding ballast. At the overlook pulled over to take a picture, and back through the dragon we went, another 318 curves later we are back at the motel at the gap, and I can’t lift my arms to return the room key, lol. And we still have to ride home some 200 miles always, well to make a long story short, I am writing this at home, no problems from the hack, or the bike, other than the loss of gas mileage. So to all, thanks for all the encouraging words, it has been a uphill battle that I have enjoyed, and now the downhill side is full of fun. And I guess the biggest thing I have learned is the fact that even if you are only running to the corner store, it may take awhile to get home as there are so many roads I haven’t taken and you can’t go anywhere with a hack that someone doesn’t have questions or some great stories about their hacking time, so see ya soon or on the Road.
turtleman
Glad to hear you had a blast! Got any pictures?
As soon as Killboy, us129, zee photo, publish for the 6 I will.
Did the Dragon last year. It was a blast. But never with a hack. Very cool. Kudos to you.
Hey Turtleman what are you gonna do for an encore?
Way to go turtleman. Quite a ride for a sidecar rig, especially with a new pilot. Might want to check out the discussions regarding steering mods now.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
You the man Turtleman. I passed on the Dragon while in the Smokies last year. I figured I was working plenty hard just going to Hades Cove and Clingmans Dome. Man, the roads down there are crazy, but I did enjoy the lack of potholes and frostheaves that we have here in the north.
Steering mods get the nod this winter...........
Turtleman,
I can't believe you did the Dragon with a hack. That takes big ones.....:) I did it last year with a Harley Tri-Glide (trike) and swore I'd never do it again on one. I've got about 3000 miles on my hack and I wouldn't even think about the dragon with it yet.. Hell, just gettin there through the mountains of Cherokee (I ride it with a trike rider from S.C.) would be a test of any rider's nerves.
I guess all those year of racing snowmobiles in the UP, must have done some good for me. I love driving in the twisties with the sidecar, the only down point, is the fact with all of this moving my butt around, I might wear out a seat..........lol. To be honest I haven't had this much fun in a long time. Yesterday was at the local dealership for Demo Days, was given the honor of trying out a 2010 ultra classic/w/harley sidecar, and I wish I had never driven it. Smooth as glass, very little steering effort, and this with someone in the hack. To say the least I was impressed. I don't have $38,000 so I guess I will just have to do a few upgrades (raked trees, paint, different steering damper) this fall. And for the big ones......well all I did was drive through it, at my speed minus a little, moved over to let the faster traffic through, and just enjoyed it........the smile still hasn't left my face.
Well, it ain't the Dragon, but I had the opportunity to drive our EML rig up the Pig Trail in Arkansas yesterday -- in the rain. Yep, lots of fun turtleman. 🙂
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Hey Turtleman did you get in pictures?
Just uploaded some pictures from the trip........Hacking the Dragon
Very nice and the tree of shame to boot.
Turtleman,
Forgot to ask the last time I posted, but at what speed did you ride the dragon? I'm going up there in a month or so and might try it. As I said before, I did it on a Tri-Glide (trike) and swore I'd never do it again, but after 3000 or so miles under my belt with my rig, I'm thinking about it.
Bubba
