Watch your speed on the Dragon (US 129)

[R-RatedCustoms]

I was out cruising the infamous Dragon (Hwy 129 that runs from Maryville TN to Robbinsville, NC) on Friday the 13th.

Well, the THP has been trying to keep things under control on their side of the line - Unfortunately they missed something until it was too late. I spoke to some of the folks that watched the crash and here is what happened.

Fellow hops on his trike at the US 129 NC28 intersection and tears out heading north. Not even one mile into it he crashes into a southbound pickup pulling a large boat/trailer. The trike came around the blind curve and hit with such force that the boat was pushed off the trailer and the trailer's left side rails were pushed into the center.

All that was left of the trike was the rear axle and wheels. I do not know if he made it alive or not. I did see both Blount Co. Deputies and THP. The Troopers had made their measurement on the asphalt, which from my experience means their either was or is expected to be a death.

Point is this, watch the speed! Had he been going the speed limit (that section is 30 mph with curves marked much lower) he should have been able to stop.

Funny thing is www.killboy.com has postings complaining of the THP driving under the speed limit. Do you think they might have a reason (even more so now)?

[Ezrdr]

Don't have the link but you can Goggle it. 1 dies Friday and 2 die Saturday on the Dragon. Slow down and live to tell your experiences on the Dragon. I know it's not always the riders fault.

Ez

[R-RatedCustoms]

Originally Posted by Ezrdr

Don't have the link but you can Goggle it. 1 dies Friday and 2 die Saturday on the Dragon. Slow down and live to tell your experiences on the Dragon. I know it's not always the riders fault.

Ez

I agree with Ez whole heartedly about slowing down over there. That is the reason that the THP is out because of some bad riders/drivers. I have heard the expression of being "dead right". I guess if you run into someone that is over the line then you might end up that way.

From what the witness to the crash said was that speed was a factor for the trike. Either way keep these souls in your prayers.

Here is a link to the local news of that area http://www.thedailytimes.com/apps/pb.../NEWS/70714003

[R-RatedCustoms]

I read the latest from www.Killboy.com blog and they are complaining of all the Law Enforcement presence over there now. Funny thing is that over half of the comments from the readers justifies the need for cops.

I do not get it, if the death rate nearly doubled then why would you think that the surviving famalies would not cry out for more patrols?

If everyone over there would cool it and be calm, then Johnny Law would eventually go somewhere else. Apparently noone told them that it only takes a few bad apples to spoil it for the rest of us.

[Shaw_2112]

I'm thinkin I'll pass on the Dragon. Too many times I hear about other riders crossin the line into on comin traffic, I don't wanna be the guy comin the other way. Won't matter one bit if I'm keepin in my lane if some @sshole takes me out.....

[holobach]

Originally Posted by Shaw_2112

I'm thinkin I'll pass on the Dragon. Too many times I hear about other riders crossin the line into on comin traffic, I don't wanna be the guy comin the other way. Won't matter one bit if I'm keepin in my lane if some @sshole takes me out.....

Have always wanted to go over there but from what I have been reading much safer and more relaxing to ride the parkway.

[hdmarsh77]

I saw yesterday, a video some guy took on the Dragon this last weekend( I think). He was behind 2 or 3 cars, all going 30 mph(believe it or not, that is the speed limit on the D in TN) and there were 12 or 13 different TN toopers in the 11 miles.

Near the end he got pulled over!

Cops have been harassing bikes there for anything and nothing.

I understand that they are trying to curb deaths and crashes but what ever happened to probable cause.

[R-RatedCustoms]

Originally Posted by hdmarsh77

I saw yesterday, a video some guy took on the Dragon this last weekend( I think). He was behind 2 or 3 cars, all going 30 mph(believe it or not, that is the speed limit on the D in TN) and there were 12 or 13 different TN toopers in the 11 miles.

Near the end he got pulled over!

Cops have been harassing bikes there for anything and nothing.

I understand that they are trying to curb deaths and crashes but what ever happened to probable cause.

Dude, I just watched the video. There are some problems there:

1. It cuts in and out about 3 times.

2. Same trooper setting in same curve x2, but the vehicle in front of the bike changed from a red car to a red truck?

3. The video changes back to the red car being in front of the bike again. Where did the truck go? With all those bears out there, could not have pulled off right? No room left?

4. When the alleged stop happens, the tape cuts out. My question is, was the bike actually stopped? If so could it be due to have the camera and whatever is seen on the left of the screen mounted where it might interfer with the operators vision? Maybe the cop was curious? Maybe they did not stop that bike at all? Or perhaps there was a case of mistaken identity? With the tape cutting off, we do not know for sure.

If I was the attorney reviewing the tape, I would think twice about showing it in court, the tape cuts alone would allow reasonable doubt that there was that many cops out just harrassing bikers. After all, if we are to believe the count (which I pointed out is suspicious) then many of them passed by this rider without a problem. I know that turning a Crown Vic around out there is a magical feat in itself, but what about the motor officers?

I recall a show on Speed called SUPERBIKES. They like showing exihibitionist riding and even did an episode out on the Dragon. Then there is the Ride Like a Pro DVD about the Dragon showing the two sport bikes that run by the more experienced riders, only to be chased down by the cameraman on the Goldwing.

With stuff like that out there showing how many jerks are drawn there, no wonder the police presence has grown. Now sadly there is this mentality that the cops are after us all, but it is not the case. They are after the few riders that make it bad for us all!

If you read the comments, it is not a 50 to 1 complaining about the cops. More like a majority that have been there done that trying to get the inexperienced to cool it for a while. Heck, look at the folks on this topic stating they just would not go due to what was going on without the cops.

For those of you that want to look at the tape, here is the link

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...36395229&hl=en

Judge for yourself, would you buy it 100%?

By the way, I emailed the Tail of the Dragon website and complained that they had posted a clearly photoshop enhanced pic of the trooper with his back to the camera looking at the parked unit under the state sign, when Killboy had the same pic, but no trooper was standing around. Come on, if you want to complain then do not make stuff up - it takes away from the credability.

[hdmarsh77]

I don't remember the truck when I watched it. But I'm usually doing 30 things at once so I probably just spaced it out.

I'm not really that concerned about it. I rode it, had my fun there. Something does need to be done, though, because it is getting out of hand but that video isn't the only complaining being done about the extra presense of cops.

[R-RatedCustoms]

Originally Posted by hdmarsh77

I don't remember the truck when I watched it. But I'm usually doing 30 things at once so I probably just spaced it out.

I'm not really that concerned about it. I rode it, had my fun there. Something does need to be done, though, because it is getting out of hand but that video isn't the only complaining being done about the extra presense of cops.

I hear you about being busy and not being concerned. I too have tamed it 5 times and found that early am or late pm are the best times because the buttheads hot rodding are not likely to be there.

However, we are having a big HOG rally down near there and I do send some of my friends over there for the heck of it. I want there to be an honest presentation of the facts and history surrounding this. Too many times have I seen a rider do something stupid (like the guy last week who was drunk and crashed his sportbike out here before any of his friends could stop him) only to hear them cry and whine how everything was someone else's fault when they refused to listen in first place.

I think a better ride is either US Hwy 74 (out to Waynesville NC), US Hwy 441 (up through the park), and NC 28 as opposed to US 129 with curve, trees, curve, more trees, curve, curve, overgrown overlook, more trees, etc. At least 441 up through the park is not going to have the semis and there are some really awesome places to pull off by the mountain river.

[R-RatedCustoms]

Here is a copy of an email discussion with one of the businesses out there complaining of the increased patrols. I rearranged it to read from top down.


Anthony C. Roberson wrote:
>
> Come on with the photo shop already (pic of the trooper’s back same as
> Killboy.com photo of just the cruiser). From all the complaining, why
> can’t the folks learn that if they behave, the enforcement will ease
> up? Sounds like the few that made the problems for the rest of us with
> the wheelies, speeding, etc (remember the Superbikes show on Speed
> channel) has made it bad for the rest of us.
>
> As far as the car over the yellow line, probably getting a good view
> of the photographer. Of course if you really wanted to show bad
> driving why not show the TN govt tag on that unit? That corresponds
> with their badge number, but then again some folks may not want to get
> in trouble for staging photos.
>
> I have been out there several times and can see why there is an
> increase in patrols. Last time I checked, the fatalities had almost
> doubled prior to the increase? Sounds like some surviving families had
> a few letters and calls made.
>
> Sure the semis cross, sounds like there needs to be more Commercial
> Motor Vehicle troopers (different car colors) but they can write up
> anyone too.
>
> As for claiming lost revenue, I checked the latest on the HOG rally in
> Knoxville and they are just as booked up in the hotels as they have
> ever been.
>
> I also see that there are exclusive home sites being built over there
> with an entrance right onto the Dragon, do you think there will not be
> even more traffic with all the equipment coming and going?
>
> Good luck to you all and remember, be good and if you cannot be good
> then be careful
>
> Anthony C. Roberson
>
> R-Rated Customs


-----Original Message-----
From: TailoftheDragon [mailto:info@ridedealsgap.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2007 6:50 AM
To: Anthony C. Roberson
Subject: Re:

Anthony:

Some of your statements are incorrect.

The Trooper over the double yellow is not staged. I personally filmed
it. I have tried to pull the license number from the video but the
resolution is not good enough to read. I'd publish it in a heartbeat if
I had it. I do believe that there is another photo that may reveal this
info.

The three fatalities and truck wreck shutting down the road for 3 days
all occurred after the stepped-up enforcement began July 1. At the time
of the double fatality (a husband/wife in their 70s on a trike) there
were 4 Blount County Sheriff cars on the Dragon. I had just passed the
cars before being halted by the wreck minutes after it occurred.

The Troopers will not stop and ticket semis. They do have the power and
semis cross the double yellow a hundred times on the road. There is
usually a couple a day on the Dragon.

You should read the emails of cancellations that we are receiving.

There is no privately owned land on the Dragon. It is completely
bordered by Great Smoky Mountains National Park and National Forest.
There are no large scale developments nearby.

Wonder how you'd feel if the Troopers blanketed your Main Street.

Ron and Nancy Johnson
www.TailoftheDragon.com
3094 Santeetlah Road
Robbinsville, NC 28771
1-800-768-7129





Hey there back folks,

The three fatalities are only part of the 17 that have occurred over there. The majority was prior to the increased patrols. However, last year there was about half that in deaths. From what the rider behind the couple on the trike said to the press out of Maryville, speed was involved on the trike's part. So it sounds like you just justified more patrolling because since the trike crashed only 2 miles inside TN then more officers would have deterred their speeding. I too was held up by that crash that afternoon/night and got to talk to several riders that were in the area at the time the couple roared northward. Here is the link for the article about that crash: http://www.thedailytimes.com/apps/pb.../NEWS/70714003

Yes there is privately owned development that enters right onto US 129 and NC 28. It is located just north of the NC 28 intersection and is bordered by the National park to your left when driving through the development there so the homes will have a view of the valley and lake on your right. There will be several "exclusive homes" as the developer puts it. In fact the construction crews were also coming in from Tennessee and were waiting for the road to reopen after the trike crash. So since the Dragon ends at NC 28 for everyone to turn around, then yes they are on the dragon. Here is the website - http://www.cheoahoverlook.com/location.htm . Do not forget the homes located on the section heading out to Maryville by the lake either.

It is unfortunate that drivers/riders cannot behave, but it only takes a few to ruin it for everyone. Do you remember Superbikes being filmed out there? That show did/does not portray a flattering picture for the "typical" sport bike rider and that is what the public sees. I also have seen the Ride like a Pro DVD showing some bad riding and driving that occurs there as well. My friends and I have been out there numerous times to see that as the day goes on, the number of folks making all of us look bad grows.

The best suggestion to get the heat off is to encourage everyone to ride within the law or use NC 28 since I doubt THP is going to come over that far. Sure there are going to be stories of injustice. I really like the one about rider standing to stretch while riding especially since I have witnessed several standing for about a half mile as a group at times.

As far as Troopers blanketing main street here, I welcome it. They use gas and eat at the local restaurants on their breaks with the local cops here. That is money in someone's business. I am sure that they are doing the same out there. Have you talked to any of them? I would think the ones on the motorcycles would be the ones most receptive to discussing the riding skills needed to master the dragon.

Good luck to you all and I am sure once there is nothing for the cops to do then everything will be back to "normal",

Anthony

[pwwise]

I don't think anyone would complain about enforcement ticketing those crossing the yellow, or excessive speed/riding above abilities. From what I'm hearing, that's not what they're targeting. They're targeting "bikers". That's a world of difference.

I've rode the road; saw some things I didn't like too. Would love for them to decrease those incidents. However, I'm looking/was looking forward to the Dragon/Cherahola loop in Sept. and I would hate be harrassed on my nice little mountain vacation simply because I'm on 2 wheels.

[R-RatedCustoms]

Originally Posted by pwwise

I don't think anyone would complain about enforcement ticketing those crossing the yellow, or excessive speed/riding above abilities. From what I'm hearing, that's not what they're targeting. They're targeting "bikers". That's a world of difference.

I've rode the road; saw some things I didn't like too. Would love for them to decrease those incidents. However, I'm looking/was looking forward to the Dragon/Cherahola loop in Sept. and I would hate be harrassed on my nice little mountain vacation simply because I'm on 2 wheels.

From what I can tell a majority of the cop tails are coming in secondhand and hearsay. I even went as far as to suggest on Killboy, they post the actual ticket so we could see what was going on. So far, nothing.

I am heading out there myself in a few weeks as part of the HOG rally in Knoxville. So I will PM you and post if I see anything firsthand.

[FlaFatBoy]

Originally Posted by Shaw_2112

I'm thinkin I'll pass on the Dragon. Too many times I hear about other riders crossin the line into on comin traffic, I don't wanna be the guy comin the other way. Won't matter one bit if I'm keepin in my lane if some @sshole takes me out.....

Yup... completely. Risk death just so you can say "I rode the Dragon"...fuk that...I'd rather live to ride another day on a more sane road.


Ride Safe
Randy

[atimberwolf]

A group of 4 of us rode the Dragon (and Cherohala Skyway) on August 1. We only saw two cops and they didn't seem interested in a few loud Harleys traveling on the Dragon. We were staying in our lanes and obeying (more or less) the speed limit.
We decided to ride early (arrived at the Dragon at 1000) and mid-week to avoid some of the craziness on that road. God blessed that decision since a semi tried to run the Dragon that afternoon and shut it down for a day and a half when he flipped the rig.
Just so you don't think semis are the only idiots ignoring lines. We got stuck behind two jeeps about a mile or so from the overlook. They had no interest in staying in their lane. When we stopped at the overlook one of our guys went over and politely told them they should be more careful before they take someone out. The blew him off. When they left, they honked to get our attention, then drove in the wrong lane for as far as we could see them.
I'd make the ride again, but you definitely need to drive defensively. A lot of people (doesn't matter what they ride/drive) could care less about your safety.