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I did the Dragon about seven years ago on my 1200 Sport. I don't think I got out of second gear, maximum speed attained up the hill was 65 mph (I think it is a 35 mph speed limit with LEOs everywhere).
I didn't think I did very well, but I was well in front of a couple of BMW K-bikes who I was traveling with. Never bothered to go up or down it again, but I got the T-shirt.
FWIW there are a lot better roads in that neck of the woods with lower trafic. Also it's a long ride to the hospital from anywhere that remote.
What a fun place to land on a whim. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Having grew up on the East Coast, I got to ride the Smokey Mtns. A lot. Being young, self-employed with decent amount of disposable income at that age, I traveled extensively almost every weekend on two wheels. The whole mountain range is significant for two-wheel travel (the ridge not so much), for East Coast travel anyway.Just ended up there on a whim. Next time I will spend more time up there exploring. Lots to see and ride.
Thank you for the tips, suggestions, and some history.What a fun place to land on a whim. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Having grew up on the East Coast, I got to ride the Smokey Mtns. A lot. Being young, self-employed with decent amount of disposable income at that age, I traveled extensively almost every weekend on two wheels. The whole mountain range is significant for two-wheel travel (the ridge not so much), for East Coast travel anyway.
My suggestion is to utilize all of the online resources these days for travel before going. Almost every road to and from the ridge is better than the ridge, and the foothills are equally entertaining (outside of small town speed laws).
Point very well made/taken on hospital care. In the late 80's, my very good friend (of my Dad's that I rode with) crashed at this spot HERE-- he was taken to what would barely qualify as a hospital even then, kept him for several days with a misdiagnosed broken back (compression destruction, and I'll leave it at that). He recovered fully after a literal rented van ride home to Baltimore to get worked on at John Hopkins. We as his friends, demanded the trip. They wanted to transport him to another smaller hospital hours away at the time. Anyway, aside from that downer, hope you had a blast, and the next is even better!
There are scattered Guzzi events in the Southeast region. Check in on MGNOC.com for published events.
That's what I hear. Just ended up there on a whim. Next time I will spend more time up there exploring. Lots to see and ride. Not so commercialized.
Talked with 3 Guzzi owners in NC but saw no bikes. Would really like to find a place closer to home to show at a rally to see other Guzzy bikes and talk to the owners. Very cool group they are. And now I'm a part of it.
At a minimum, the trip brought me to a whole nother level of respect for the brand....
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