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admin
Greetings friends! As warmer weather settles in, we'll begin to see more and more out here slaying the Dragon, including many who will be relatively new to two wheels.
For everyone who has driven these curves, you know the perils that can lie around the next turn. For those who haven't been here, please remember - ride within your ability. Everyone can ride around a curve but what many don't consider is that riding through 318 continuous curves is NOT the same as riding through a few. Most crashes don't occur near the ends of the Dragon but instead somewhere a few miles into the run. The ride gets very tiring as well as monotonous. Keep your eyes on the road - this is not the place to view scenery unless you're stopped and off the road! If you don't feel comfortable at the pace someone else is driving, SLOW DOWN - stay alive!
Be safe and check back for changes coming to this website.
Hue

admin
Gosh, I HAVE to start updating more often and talk about riding. It seems that mostly what I do is talk about accidents and tonight is no exception. I'm very saddened to report yet another....
The Daily Times has reported another death on The Dragon that occurred on Monday afternoon. Judy Hatley Harris, 62, of Wilmington, NC went off the right side of the road at or near mile marker 4 and could not be brought back under control, according to THP trooper Corey Russell, who investigated the accident. Mrs. Harris was riding a 1996 Yamaha and was just behind her husband's motorcycle.

admin
I've just read a report of another death on The Dragon. A 24 year old United States Marine from North Carolina, Sean McMillin, went off the road at Guardrail Cliff on Friday September 28th. R.I.P. fellow rider and thank you for your service to our great country!
Everyone: PLEASE SLOW DOWN AND RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITY!

admin Check out our weather site for the area - www.DragonWeather.com

admin
Good morning Dragoneers! It looks like a long stretch of mostly clear and hot to very hot riding weather in the foreseeable future. Be safe, ride within your capabilities and keep an extra bottle or two of water handy!
A husband and wife team, Joseph and Michele Gotto, from Ohio went down on The Dragon Tuesday afternoon while traveling on their Harley Ultra Classic. While negotiating a curve near mile marker 6, Mr. Gotto laid the bike down, which then slid off the road into a deep ditch and then struck an embankment and a tree. Mr. Gotto, 68, was airlifted to University of TN Medical Center with critical injuries and his wife declined treatment at the scene.
Best wishes go out to the Gottos for a speedy and full recovery.

admin Have you noticed a tremendous increase in police presence on The Dragon? After 2 deaths and 25+ crashes so far this year, expect to see more on a regular basis. This article in The Daily Times in Maryville explains it well.... http://www.thedailytimes.com/Local_News/story/Sheriffs-Office-saturates-Dragon-with-extra-enforcement-id-024995

admin
This story is from The Daily Times in Maryville, TN -

Dragon claims first fatality of 2012

From Staff Reports

The area of U.S. 129 known as “The Dragon” claimed its first fatality of the year Friday afternoon.

Authorities say 53-year-old Naples, Fla., resident Harley Hogue was killed Friday afternoon near mile marker eight after losing control of his motorcycle.
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Hogue was traveling north when he failed to negotiate a sharp right curve, according to a Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) report.

Motorcyclist hits tree

Hogue’s motorcycle ran off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree stump before running over a fallen tree and striking a standing tree. Both Hogue and the bike then traveled about 50 feet down an embankment.

Hogue was wearing a helmet, the report states.

This is the first fatality of the year on the Dragon, according to THP crash data.

admin
Check this story of our friend Bert. Stop by and see him - have him stitch your patch on - at the Harley Store on the TN side of The Dragon.
http://www.thedailytimes.com/Local_News/story/Giant-statue-welcomes-riders-to-Dragon-id-024802