safty rules?

[Kham]

most of it, if not all, apply not just at Deals Gap im sure.

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/dragon_howtoride.html


i like these.

· There will always be faster riders than you. Don't try to be the King of the Dragon.


· DO NOT LAY ON THE BRAKES if you see danger ahead. You are much better off to trust your tires and lay into the corner than to hit your brakes hard. Some 90% of the accidents on the Dragon are due to speed and then over-braking.


· If you see another vehicle coming at you in your lane, hug the white line in your lane. In all likelihood you can avoid trucks and trailers if you take the inside 2 feet in the corners. BUT DO NOT CUT THE CORNERS too tight and run off the road on the inside. YOU WILL GO DOWN IF YOU DO.


· DO NOT be spooked by other riders. DO NOT make sudden avoidance moves. You might have to adjust your line to avoid a car, truck, or bike, but DO NOT lay on the brakes or turn off the roadway unless that is the only out you have.


· Plan to make several runs, the first is always a nervous one .... then you can have fun on the second and third.


· DO NOT over-use your brakes. Use your gears and DOWNSHIFT. A good Dragon rider WILL NOT use a lot of brakes.


99% of the accidents on the Dragon come from the following:



· Too much speed


· Too much brakes


· Tricks


· People who should not be riding in the first place


· Inattentiveness

[snowborder]

what makes the Dragon different from everyday common sense?

[Kham]

Originally posted by snowborder
what makes the Dragon different from everyday common sense?

exactly!

[Stoneman]

Originally posted by snowborder
what makes the Dragon different from everyday common sense?

Sometimes common sense ain't so common...

[benVFR]

Common sense is hard to come by at the Dragon!

Ben

[Half Squid]

So true!

Common sense needs to be used all the time anywhere. This site is solely about the Dragon (Deals Gap) where mistakes could be very deadly. There are No Run off's on the Dragon. There are lots of tree's and extreme drop off's in many places, not too mention large rocks.

I have run the Dragon many times over the past three years, and never had any close calls on it. Ride within you comfort level.
I usually run the Dragon once at a medium pace, then the next few times through step it up a bit, but I am never above my level of comfort. That is one place I definately would not risk pushing my riding over my skill level, like I said it could cost you your life..

On a good note, the road is awesome to be able to say you conquered, 318 turns in 11 miles!! I love it. Plus the many other great roads in and around the Great Smoky Mnts. of NC & TN are breath taking..
Next year 2nd week of may I already have the house reserved. It's not too early to put our name on the list!!

[GMAN226]

If it's not a race weekend I am in...

G-man