The Dragon is a public road, drive it at the speed limit and use the same caution that you would on any curvey mountain road. Test your skills at a Autocross event where the worse thing you can take out is a cone.
+2 (mostly) The cool thing about that is that the Dragon is actually a lot of fun to drive as a "rhythm" road instead of "slaying" it... General rule to any athletic event: If you can't do it properly SLOWLY, speed will NOT improve the result. Being able to precisely drive "the line" at a slow speed is a necessary precursor to driving it at a faster speed.
Ah safety on the Dragon. Everyone has brought up very excellent points. Definatly stay within the lines. Drive within your limits. Look ahead. Except this don't push thing I don't understand. The pull offs are quite large and paved now too, so it is usually pretty safe to slow down and just let the faster car by so pushing won't be an issue. Why get all worked up about a car behind you when all you would have to do is pull over and you can continue to enjoy the road at your own pace with out the pressure. I am usually one of the cars that will push, if I have to. I have no problem admitting it. Basically I'll come up behind a slower vehicle and give them good distance however after we pass by three pull offs, it is on. So just please just move right for the faster cars. All of the locals do it which is very nice. But some of the visiting MINI's never seem to have been told what the pull offs are there for.
I appreciate your honesty. And I like the message. I find I am both the faster and slower car at times on the Dragon.... Depending who is around me. I always pull over if I feel I should..... No sense upsetting yourself or the person behind you just for an ego or stubbornness. Motor on!
Tis a pain when a bird watcher wants to poke along whilst a string of Minis with their lights on are being held up....:banghead: In the immortal words of #3: "Lead, follow or get the flock out of the way...."
Well, let me explain it this way. This is my third trip to the dragon, but I don't know where all the turn outs are by memory. One has to concentrate on the road itself, even if they are not the hot shot you are, which means a turn out can be missed. I will find one and certainly get out of the way, just give me some room to do so, is all I ask. On the other hand, if a car does refuse to pull over, what good does riding their bumper do, other then set up a possible wreck? Just asking. Jim
Good points Jim, what we are talking about here is a little give and take. If your riding along and a group catches you and seems to want to get by, give way when you get a chance and if your the one catching up, take the time to let the person ahead to let you by. Be nice, share the road!!!
The turn outs are a lot more obvious now there are signs painted on the road with arrows. I was stuck behind a mustang today that would not get the hint even when some bikes passed him and pointed to pull offs. The key is going to patience. If the car or bike won't pull off you should and create some space. I saw a good bit of LEO activity on the dragon today too.
Lots of folks feel it is justa road & not a race track & we all need to understand this. This leads to confusion & frustration for all involved. Those pull offs work for both parties. If all is right & the stars align the person in front will pull over, if they don't the following car can pull over & wait a bit. That is what I do & it does wonders at lowering your stress levels. This weekend is going to be crowded, so be patient & understanding. Have fun be safe.
Law Enforcement Officer. Police. Tennessee has been increasing LE activity in the area for years, because of people driving stupidly on one of the most dangerous roads in North America.
Yes they will be increasing money in the state treasury for sure. Revenuer's... :mad2: Be careful on the Chocoholic Skyway too. It is a federal ticket that will cost you a lot of your donut money. :donut1: Save your money for dounts & mods.