Perfect day for a top down cruise.

 

Looks awesome. I was there but earlier in the year, and on the proper vehicle: A motorcycle. Ha ha (on my avatar). Wish I had my BMW, but I live too far away, so had to borrow my cousin's modified SV650, but it was still a blast. That road is way too tight for a car IMO, especially a heavy beast like the LC, so I assume you took it easy. A much sportier Mustang Mach1 I passed tried to keep up, and did for a little bit, but was destroying his front tires, while I was just cruising on the bike. A smaller (and much lighter) mid-engine sports car (like a Boxster Spyder) would be much more enjoyable on those tight twisties, but it's also nice to just cruise around, knowing you're better off on an LC the rest of the drive, even when forced to keep the pace down on such roads. I still had a blast on that SV, which is probably the equivalent of having the LC instead of an all-out sports bike/car there. Hope you had a blast. By the way, hope you did the Cherohala Skyway, and Blue Ridge Parkway, which are WAY better roads for a car like the LC, since you need to go way faster on a bike to have the same fun. As a sad ending story, only saw a group of Harley riders on the opposite side on my 3rd run, and one of them fell into a ravine, requiring a medivac. On that technical road, you better know what you're doing (at a higher pace). Take care.

 

I have ridden and drove all three many times.
Less than an hour away from them.
You are right, the dragon is best on a bike.
The other two are a great drive.
Saw four bikes down on this trip. Two of them looked bad.

 

tennman117 - beautiful pic.

JCtx - yes, having driven the dragon a few times i agree it's best to be on something light and nimble like a small sports car or a bike, although i wouldn't be caught dead on a motorcycle on that road (i wouldn't trust myself). and a car doesn't have to be a fast one. it's perfect for a miata with maybe better springs/rollbar or coilovers too.

while its claim to fame (318 turns in 11 miles) is quite amazing, i realized it's more novelty to me than actually enjoyable (becomes repetitive and boring). agree the skyway and parkway are GREAT drives!

 

To anyone who has not been on the dragon, it is a very remote area, yet it has it's own helipad for Medvec.
Bitkahuna, you are eactly right. It is more of a novelty rather than an enjoyable drive.
Riders and drivers come from all the US as well as other countries for the experience. Saw a Porsche from Montana.
You mentioned a Miata in your comment,. The most serious accident I witnessed yesterday was a Miata and a crotch rocket.
I have no idea if the rider survived but the bike was totally destroyed.

 

It is a very dangerous road, even on weekdays; lots of folks there on both cars and bikes, and many of those riding/driving way over their heads. There are accidents daily. I dodged 2 Harley riders in my lane twice on my previous time there, and it just wasn't too much fun, since I had to go slow, and couldn't even enjoy the ride, watching the vehicle in front of me (going at a snail pace)... but guess it's better slow, than over your head. The last time (2nd) I truly enjoyed it, since it was basically empty, so I could push the bike a little, but still leaving a safety margin if needed... although I dragged the frame once (oops). I typically just ride at the 'pace', so my cousin can catch up to me on the straights, but when I saw the dragon empty, told him over the Cardo (communicator) 'I'll wait for you at the end, buddy'. That alone made my trip, but we later rode probably even better roads, at least for less experienced riders (more predictable curves). Plus we knew where the good roads were. It was an awesome 4 days there, with Maggie Valley as the 'base'. Had to cut it 1-day short due to rain, but we had already rode over 1K miles, so it was enough. So packed the bikes in the evening, and drove to his Michigan home the next day... and forecast was correct (raining all day). I'm full of envy of those living there. Ha ha.

 

Beautiful - looks like an official Lexus brochure pic

 

That's a great shot!!

 

Here's a tail shot on the Tail

 

I like the tail better. Ha ha. And you definitely nailed the fall foliage. Awesome shots.

 

Another awesome pic - I’ve never been there but it looks like they must have professional photogs laying around selling pics?

 

Yes, there are always at least two different ones taking pics.
They usually take 3-5 of each vehicle. On the LC they took 9.
Saw a ton of Porsches and Vetts but no LC's.

 

The main (and original) one is called KillBoy, and has photographers at multiple locations at the dragon. I saw 2 others, but it was just them (alone). They put tents and/or signs, so you know they're there. The last time I went, it was almost empty at that moment, so most of the guys were taking a break. But at least one of those guys caught me on the back. Ha ha. They must make good money; those pictures are not cheap.

 

The ones I posted were by Killboy.
I find his to be a better quality than the other ones.

 

FLY NAVY...are U a brown shoe?