Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8724
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« on: March 22, 2025, 03:10:41 PM » |
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It was a beautiful day in the great state of Tennessee, so I took a short ride to Deals Gap. The Dragon was not very busy, so I enjoyed a nice ride. As I was heading home, just south of the dam on 129, there was about 6 sheriff's vehicles with lights on in the parking lot. I saw a bike leaning against the guardrail and stopped to see what was up. A witness told me that he saw 2 bikes travelling at a high rate of speed, and then a bunch of dust/dirt in the air. Apparently one of the bikes left the road and lost it in the gravel lot and hit the guardrail. He was pretty busted up and died at the scene. A horrible end to an otherwise gorgeous day. Please be careful out there, and ride safe.
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 Troy, MI |
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GiG
Member
Posts: 2827
"That's just like, your OPINION, Man!"
NEAR the "In 'n' Out Burger"
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« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2025, 03:15:48 PM » |
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Beware of Gravell!!!  |
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Nothing is Everything.
When you come to a fork in the road - TAKE IT!
(Then be sure to send it to OSS... C.O.D.)
This isn’t Rocket Surgery
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2025, 03:56:18 PM » |
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I used to ride like that from time to time, and in the right places (curvy county roads with no traffic), but almost never do anymore.
I'm not sure (at 72) if it's fear or improved judgement. It's certainly some of both.
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old2soon
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« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2025, 10:31:19 AM » |
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Gravel sand water we As RIDERS ALWAYS gotta be aware of those Constantly changing road conditions. Nothing Less than a Laser Focus on our little patch of road and that ahead of us. And of course our immediate surroundings. I too used to ride too dang fast. While Not entirely slowin down I tend to pick my spots a bit more carefully now!  R I P Bro!  RIDE SAFE. |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16769
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #4 on: March 23, 2025, 10:54:57 AM » |
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I rode to Athens (where Stanley Steamer lives) a couple of days ago. Through the
beautiful Georgia countryside. Until you get to Athens. I took some... chances...
getting through the traffic to where I was going in town. When I got there I called Stanley.
He'd just been out in the traffic to get some brisket tacos and was unwilling to come back
out into the traffic he was so mad at the lunatics... I hope to keep on riding and keep
on seeing y'all unhurt at all the rides...
-Mike
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da prez
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« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2025, 01:31:03 PM » |
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This is harsh! The road did not claim a life , a bad judgment call claimed the life. I repaired crotch rockets and rode with some of them while on my Valk. They did some stupid stunts. I do not ride with or around the idiot (organ doners) riders. If this crash was self induced , then the fault is on the driver.
I remember a few years ago a member was on the dragon and a crotch rocket slid into him and his wife. If I remember , both got hurt. I am sure someone will chime in with the name.
da prez
Until the accident details are made public , it is all speculation!
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GiG
Member
Posts: 2827
"That's just like, your OPINION, Man!"
NEAR the "In 'n' Out Burger"
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« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2025, 05:23:46 PM » |
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“ars ago a member was on the dragon and a crotch rocket slid into him and his wife. If I remember , both got hurt. ..” Ross, sounds like you are describing what happened to Mr Whiskey & Sugar: They had stayed a few days at my place lace in MI, then, on the way home on 129, a Triumph crossed the line & sent them both to hospital . Triumph guy lost a foot. Ugly incident all around… |
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Nothing is Everything.
When you come to a fork in the road - TAKE IT!
(Then be sure to send it to OSS... C.O.D.)
This isn’t Rocket Surgery
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Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8724
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #7 on: March 24, 2025, 06:18:22 AM » |
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“ars ago a member was on the dragon and a crotch rocket slid into him and his wife. If I remember , both got hurt. ..” Ross, sounds like you are describing what happened to Mr Whiskey & Sugar: They had stayed a few days at my place lace in MI, then, on the way home on 129, a Triumph crossed the line & sent them both to hospital . Triumph guy lost a foot. Ugly incident all around… I believe Whiskey and Sugars event actually happened on the Cherohalla skyway. |
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« Last Edit: March 24, 2025, 06:54:07 AM by Skinhead »
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Troy, MI |
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GiG
Member
Posts: 2827
"That's just like, your OPINION, Man!"
NEAR the "In 'n' Out Burger"
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« Reply #8 on: March 24, 2025, 01:07:01 PM » |
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Yeah, could be… Seems I still have rocks in my head  |
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Nothing is Everything.
When you come to a fork in the road - TAKE IT!
(Then be sure to send it to OSS... C.O.D.)
This isn’t Rocket Surgery
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98valk
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« Reply #9 on: March 24, 2025, 01:57:42 PM » |
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what ever happened to Stanley Steamer?, haven't seen him post for awhile now.
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8724
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #10 on: March 24, 2025, 02:03:03 PM » |
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what ever happened to Stanley Steamer?, haven't seen him post for awhile now.
He's around. Retired. Still posts now and then. |
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Troy, MI |
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16160
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #11 on: April 04, 2025, 07:53:02 AM » |
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Wasn't there so, I can't give more than an opinion but, I believe the "gravel" was simply a contributing factor. The real problem was the speed and the rider's lack of or inability to handle the situation.
Some of us took a long time to finally figure out that speed is the real factor. I've ridden 129 a few times and every time I did, traffic from the opposing direction (not once but on most of the curves) came into my lane driven by someone wanting to prove just how fast they could negotiate the road. While my speed was under control, theirs wasn't. I doubt I'll ever ride the Dragon's Tail again.
Rams
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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MAD6Gun
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« Reply #12 on: April 04, 2025, 08:39:50 AM » |
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The last time I rode the Dragon I had my stepson with me on his Kawasaki Nomad. My forth time his first so I took my time and rode pretty conservatively. I still had a Harley cross into my lane. Fortunately I was on the inside of the lane so he missed me but it was scary anyway.
The Quote from Dirty Harry comes to mind. "A mans got to know his limitations"....
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mbramley
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« Reply #13 on: April 09, 2025, 03:49:29 AM » |
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I have no desire to ride the dragon tail. There are toooo many roads to enjoy for me to deal with people trying to prove how good/bad they are. I've heard all kinds of stories from cars not staying in their lane to trucks jackknifed when you round a corner (I know not supposed to be there) bikes passing in blind corners, no thanks. My favorite was years ago a friend of mine was riding it, rounded a corner and there was a bear hanging out in the middle of the road. Fortunately he was riding smart and had time to stop until he bear decided to move on. I know that's not limited to that road, critters can be a danger anywhere. My condolences to that riders family as they are the ones suffering now.
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« Last Edit: April 09, 2025, 03:55:20 AM by mbramley »
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DIGGER
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« Reply #14 on: April 09, 2025, 05:01:01 AM » |
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I feel as you do...but....when young and full of testosterone and my body was looking for a place to get rid of some adrenaline....roads like the dragon tail had quite a draw.
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cookiedough
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« Reply #15 on: April 09, 2025, 05:33:44 AM » |
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speed and foolish decisions cost lives. about 4 years ago now I saw in a town of 50K people a HD rider ran a red light in front of me, I stopped for the red light, but the other guy coming our way decided to also run the red light turning right in front of the HD rider. HD rider got t-boned on SUV passenger front door, flipped over the SUV like a rag doll, landed on his head no helmet, died 1 week later in local hospital. That shook me up big time did not ride my cycle for 1 month after that seeing a 300lb dude flip over entire SUV like a rag doll and blood on the road by him.
HD rider had plenty of time stop but decided to gun it. Last word he said was Fu.... did not get the entire word out when I heard and saw the crash 20 yards in front of me.
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f6john
Member
Posts: 9306
Christ first and always
Richmond, Kentucky
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« Reply #16 on: April 09, 2025, 06:17:22 AM » |
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The Quote from Dirty Harry comes to mind. "A mans got to know his limitations"....
Probably the reason I’m still around. I’m well aware of mine! My pucker reflex kicks in a little premature sometimes but you get to feel like your living on the edge whether you are or not. |
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LTD
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« Reply #17 on: April 10, 2025, 07:15:49 AM » |
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the dragon is not a dangerous ride unless you make it dangerous its some of the riders on it that make it dangerous.
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #18 on: April 10, 2025, 07:37:50 AM » |
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the dragon is not a dangerous ride unless you make it dangerous its some of the riders on it that make it dangerous.
And peer pressure at such popular ride destinations doesn't help with the danger. I've followed great riders through the Smokies where they live and ride every day, and I kept up OK, until I decided to ease up and let them go (off and on). |
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ridingron
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« Reply #19 on: April 10, 2025, 07:34:16 PM » |
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I have no desire to ride the dragon tail. There are toooo many roads to enjoy for me to deal with people trying to prove how good/bad they are. I've heard all kinds of stories from cars not staying in their lane to trucks jackknifed when you round a corner (I know not supposed to be there) bikes passing in blind corners, no thanks. My favorite was years ago a friend of mine was riding it, rounded a corner and there was a bear hanging out in the middle of the road. Fortunately he was riding smart and had time to stop until he bear decided to move on. I know that's not limited to that road, critters can be a danger anywhere. My condolences to that riders family as they are the ones suffering now.
I rode it about a half dozen times and saw things that literally scared me. The last time, I stopped on the way out and bought a shirt so I could say, been there done that and have the Tee shirt to prove it. Too many as good or better roads in the area! |
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16160
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #20 on: April 10, 2025, 08:29:01 PM » |
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the dragon is not a dangerous ride unless you make it dangerous its some of the riders on it that make it dangerous.
I would agree but, there seems to be quite a few Road Runner idiots out there. Beep, Beep and they're off....................... I can't control the riders and drivers in the opposing lane. Or those coming up from my six and blowing past me. Rams |
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« Last Edit: April 10, 2025, 08:32:32 PM by Rams »
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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Hook#3287
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« Reply #21 on: April 11, 2025, 05:17:47 AM » |
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I have no desire to ride the dragon tail. There are toooo many roads to enjoy for me to deal with people trying to prove how good/bad they are. I've heard all kinds of stories from cars not staying in their lane to trucks jackknifed when you round a corner (I know not supposed to be there) bikes passing in blind corners, no thanks. My favorite was years ago a friend of mine was riding it, rounded a corner and there was a bear hanging out in the middle of the road. Fortunately he was riding smart and had time to stop until he bear decided to move on. I know that's not limited to that road, critters can be a danger anywhere. My condolences to that riders family as they are the ones suffering now.
I rode it about a half dozen times and saw things that literally scared me. The last time, I stopped on the way out and bought a shirt so I could say, been there done that and have the Tee shirt to prove it. Too many as good or better roads in the area! I've been on the Dragon about a dozen times, but never on a weekend. Volume is more to my liking in midweek. Your absolutely right, so many great roads and just getting to the Dragon is excellent. |
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old2soon
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« Reply #22 on: April 11, 2025, 10:44:53 AM » |
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Ran it once. I'm GOOD to go now. Saw far Too Many folks ridin too dang far Above their skill set. And I Do have my pin and patch from Deals Gap.  MIGHT hit it again during mid week! RIDE SAFE. |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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