The dragon n.c.

[Justyntym]

Been looking online at the dragon/gap in N.C. It is definately someplace I have to go to someday soon.

My question is, being from Central Fl...and there are not many/ANY twisties, I am pretty newbish on in the, shall we say aggressive riding style. Just do not have places to practice.
SOoo, this place looks pretty crowded. Are the runs somewhat co-ordinated, for example do "they" try to group like riders/skill levels togather? e.g Advanced riders go first, cause they are faster, followed by slower riders so they don't hold up the GP riders.



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[omslaw]

Nope - it's a free-for-all. (unfortunately!).

Now, sometimes, you will come up on another rider (or car/truck) and they are courteous enough to wave you by. I almost hate to say it, but your average Hardley rider either won't be paying attention or won't care...they will just 'hog' the road!

Sorry - no offense to any Hardley riders - just stating what I saw when at the Bash! Several sportbike riders and cars waved us by....but NOT ONE Hardley rider bothered!

Anyway - if you can - try to get there EARLY in the week (Sunday pm-Weds) - you're not going to have nearly the amount of traffic that you'll see later in the week (Thurs-Sat/Sun am)

But that said, anytime you can go, it's worth it - especially since you don't have the twisties. I'm in KC - and we definitely don't have those kinda roads! Heck - over the weekend, GSXcite and I rode over 300 miles - I think we only hit 4 turns that would count for anything! (well, 8 if you count the return trip).

...I miss the Dragon <sigh>...



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[Yort]

But that said, anytime you can go, it's worth it - especially since you don't have the twisties.  I'm in KC - and we definitely don't have those kinda roads!  Heck - over the weekend, GSXcite and I rode over 300 miles - I think we only hit 4 turns that would count for anything!  (well, 8 if you count the return trip).

Wow I need to find where you guys riding I never find that many on one ride.

As far as the dragon I am same boat as you and Omslaw hardly any turns in Ks. Just make sure to ride your own pace through the dragon and don;t cross the yellow line. Also pay attention behind you also so as faster riders come up you can lety them go by. Last thing to remember is have a great time if you go and make sure to hit oither roads around there everyone of them seems like a great ride.

 

[NCBusa2001]

1+ I agree with the above.

Let me reinforce that this is a PUBLIC ROAD and not a racetrack.


While it is true that there are no interseting roads or driveways on the dragon (except at the NC line).

There are also NO hospitals, EMS, VFD in the general area. Robbinsville has a EMS base but that's about it and it's 20 miles away (on slow going roads mind you).

Just keep it SMOOTH and you should be fine. The fastest riders on the dragon rarely use their brakes and are butter smooth.

Be sure to check out the skyway, hwy 28 and wahala road.

Have a great trip,

Chris

 

[hydrabusa]

I heard alot about it...and I'll be there one day, soon... hopefully, I come home in one piece...

 

[renaldoaoa]

If you like twisties, youll love the gap.

As everyone has said above its a public road. Ive seen cars.trucks,motorhomes, and mac trucks roll through there, so just remember to STAY IN YOUR LANE.

Chances are youll be past by other bikers, just keep that in mind. The first time I went I was buzzed and got spooked for a little bit. Nothing link a yosh screaming past ya.

I would also recommend NOT going alone. Its been said above about the lack of hospitals in the area and if you ... (not gonna throw bad luck your way) they'll be someone there to give you a hand or flag someone down.

I say that because a few years ago a guy lost control and luckly bailed before his bike went over the edge. His friend was able to make sure he was ok. The towtruck shows up and pulls up a bike and the guy was like.. UHHH thats not my bike.
Turns out a guy had been missing for a LONG time and they found him and his bike down there. If he wasnt riding alone then he possibly couldve gotten help.

Ive got a video that I bought last time I was up there. If interested I could try to find a way to get it on the net, but theres a BIG difference from watching it on tv vrs riding it.

If ya go good luck and take it easy.

Dang now ya got me missing my F4I !!!

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[Burger King]

yup........one hour wait on the ambulance from Marysville, Tn.   Take it easy!

 

[gsferrari]

I am a newb at the Gap too so if you wanna ride together we can get an experienced rider to come along and give us some pointers and stuff...

 

[vman1300]

For you thinking about making a trip to the Gap, we are planning the Busa Bash for September 22-24th.

Check out the pinned post in the general section.

 

[GJoker]

Been looking online at the dragon/gap in N.C. It is definately someplace I have to go to someday soon.

My question is, being from Central Fl...and there are not many/ANY twisties, I am pretty newbish on in the, shall we say aggressive riding style. Just do not have places to practice.

Actually... JenningsGP is a great place to practice "aggresive riding"~ In fact they have a great deal coming up that fits just what you're looking for~ It's only a 3 hour drive from the Tampa area even~ Check it out.. well worth the money spent~

Sunday, June 18th!

$125 at the gate, or $100 pre registered. You have to ask for the discount rate.

We will have a separate group for NEWBIES, with an instructor for every 5 riders (all the usual suspects will be instructing).

We will have the #2 (Dave McEnery) and #3 (Greg Melka) plate CCS FL region riders in attendance for you fast guys to chase. Oh, and me too!

Take advantage of this cheap trackday!

 

[GSXcite]

The gap is a blast! You will be a better rider when you leave than when you got there! Just ride at a pace that is comfortable for you. If you are looking for a place to go for some competitive riding , the gap is NOT the place. If you want to enjoy some beautiful scenery, hang out with many people with the same hobby as you, and relax, the gap is the place!



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[schroetf]

there are great roads all around that area-I would skip the Gap on the weekend and hit it on a weekday-much saner--

 

[Relsek]

being from Central Fl...and there are not many/ANY twisties, I am pretty newbish on in the, shall we say aggressive riding style. Just do not have places to practice.

There are plenty of roads to practice on down here, you just have to know where they are. They are not like in the mountains, but there are twisty roads. Where are you located, we could show you some of them sometime if you want?



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[schroetf]

which roads are you referring to??

 

[HOLLYWOOD33]

Some pics by KILLBOY of me on Saturday on The Dragon... 2nd time there (I too live in the 11 turns---318 miles state of Fla)... You'll love it, but stay well within your limits!!!
Have fun!!!

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[LA Busa]

Just go there!

Its a special place that lives and thrives on motorcycles and riding!

Beautiful scenery, wonderful locals......C'mon September!

 

[psteen]

+1 to everything that's been said. If you ride motorcycles, you owe it to yourself to go ride the Gap. I was there last summer. We drove 18 hours from Texas (318 turns in the entire state). And this was just for a weekend of riding in NC. I'll do it again this summer if I can find anyone from Dallas to go with me.

If you'd like to log some crooked miles before tackling the Dragon, I'd suggest the Blue Ridge Pkwy. It's 465 miles of limited access, two lane blacktop. There is no commercial traffic allowed and it's more scenic than the Gap.

Actually, just get out a map and put a stick pin at Asheville, NC. Draw a circle around that pin with a radius of 100 miles. Every two lane road in the circle will be as crooked as a snake's ass.

I grew up in Asheville, and dreamed of riding a street bike on the Parkway. When I finally got to ride it last year, I realized it was WAY better than I had imagined.

 

[fasttoys1]

Been looking online at the dragon/gap in N.C. It is definately someplace I have to go to someday soon.

My question is, being from Central Fl...and there are not many/ANY twisties, I am pretty newbish on in the, shall we say aggressive riding style. Just do not have places to practice.

Actually... JenningsGP is a great place to practice "aggresive riding"~ In fact they have a great deal coming up that fits just what you're looking for~ It's only a 3 hour drive from the Tampa area even~ Check it out.. well worth the money spent~

Sunday, June 18th!

$125 at the gate, or $100 pre registered. You have to ask for the discount rate.

We will have a separate group for NEWBIES, with an instructor for every 5 riders (all the usual suspects will be instructing).

We will have the #2 (Dave McEnery) and #3 (Greg Melka) plate CCS FL region riders in attendance for you fast guys to chase. Oh, and me too!

Take advantage of this cheap trackday!

+2, a trackday would be and is a great way to prep./learn for your furthering adventures aboard the BUSA. Hope to see you at the fall Bash if you can make it.

 

[vman1300]

Actually, just get out a map and put a stick pin at Asheville, NC.  Draw a circle around that pin with a radius of 100 miles.  Every two lane road in the circle will be as crooked as a snake's ass.

Have I mentioned, I love living here!

 

[georgiabusa_05]

there are great roads all around the dragon. The Foothills Parkway is also a great road to ride.