Why Is the Tail of the Dragon Motorcycle Ride So Famous?

This article is not for the light-hearted bikers who claim to be daring but have never experienced “Tail of the Dragon Motorcycle Ride”. There are many scenic routes and famous bike rides, full of adventure and thrill, if you live in the U.S. and have been on many long rides across different U.S. states. However, the tail of the dragon motorcycle ride is different. The word ‘dragon’ is not there just to spark curiosity; it is there for a reason.

For those bikers who have never been to this route and are eager to take a ride at the tail of the dragon, you are at the right place. It is better to learn more about this motorcycle ride before going to experience it. It is not easy. It may not be safe for you to take this ride if you are fairly new to motorcycling.

Continue reading this article to learn in detail about the ‘Tail of the Dragon Motorcycle Ride’. What makes it unique, and why is there so much talk about it in the town? What is it famous for?

The very famous ‘Tail of the Dragon Ride’ lies at the outskirts of the North Carolina and Tennessee border lines in Deals Gap.

Initial Point: NC 28 and US 129 Intersection, North Carolina, U.S.

Ending Point: Tabcat Creek Bridge, Tennessee, U.S.

This is why the Tails of the Dragon motorcycle ride is famous for. It holds the record of being one of the most challenging rides for both bike riders and car drivers. The Tail of the Dragon route involves a record 318 curves in just a stretch of 11 miles. These curves are what make it the Tail of the Dragon, as it resembles the shape.

Such curves of the Tail of the Dragon ride make it a very scary, and equally thrilling route for both riders and sports car drivers. It is considered the most dangerous road in the U.S. because of its highly unpredictable corners.

The Tail of the Dragon road sits in the Great Smoky Mountains region, where it shares borders with Cherokee National Forest and presents beautiful natural views.

Total Distance: 11 miles

Start: State Highway 115, Tallassee, Tannesse

End: The Tail of the Dragon, Deal’s Gap, North Carolina

Most reviewers have claimed the Tail of the Dragon to be the most popular road among bikers. This has not only to do with the largest number of curves in an 11-mile stretch. It is widely popular due to its historical significance, too. Thousands of riders visit the Tail of the Dragon every year, during the summer, spring, and fall seasons.

The very famous ‘Tail of the Dragon’ road is also nicknamed as the ‘Deals Gap’ or simply ‘The Dragon’.

If you are planning to experience riding the Tail of the Dragon, you have to be very cautious. Do not dare to attempt riding this route before you read the dangers of this road. It is important to be aware of all the risks involved in riding the Tail of the Dragon road.

To start with, the number of curves, one after the other, makes it quite a dangerous place to ride a motorbike. If you are not used to riding a bike on twisty roads and curves, you are likely to face many troubles.

While riding on the Tail of the Dragon road, the next curve starts before the first one ends. You need to maintain your focus and attention while riding on this road. Your motorcycle riding skills have to be top-notch to ensure you get to the end of the Tail of the Dragon road safely.

Those who are new to motorcycling will find it very hard to overcome these curves. You will need to slow down a great deal to ensure you can turn corners on the Tail of the Dragon ride.

One of the least-discussed hazards of the Tail of the Dragon motorcycle ride is the wildlife. While curves are the most discussed part of the Tail of the Dragon, the animals or critters crossing the road or attacking the motorbike riders are a bigger reason to worry.

Animals like deer and turkeys can cause much trouble to bike riders while crossing the road. They are among the major reasons why a rider may end up meeting with an accident.

On the other hand, wild animals, like bears and wild boars, may attack you. There have been reports indicating that riders are being attacked by wild animals on the Tail of the Dragon. A bear or a wild boar can be significantly larger in size and can pose a great threat to a rider’s life.

There are also venomous snakes found crawling on the road. Try to avoid any encounter with animals as much as you can and follow the safety guidelines and tips to stay safe.

Being the Tail of the Dragon, the road is not too wide, making most of the curves blind. While you focus more on taking the curves safely, the vehicle coming from the opposite side can cause you much trouble. Riders need to be very alert of the traffic coming from the opposite direction, especially if they are going at a good pace.

Being too narrow at most sections, the Tail of the Dragon increases the risk of road accidents and collisions. Riders and drivers need to be very responsive and alert to ensure a safe riding experience.

Another salient feature of the Tail of the Dragon road, along with many curves, is its steep slope. The road’s altitude isn’t the same. It changes quite a lot throughout the ride. It becomes hard to manage vehicles while riding on this road. It may be easier for motorbikes to manage the elevations and slopes. However, the larger vehicles can make it tough for bike riders to focus on the existing challenges.

Being located in a mountainous terrain, the weather at the Tail of the Dragon can be unpredictable. It can prove to be harsh for bike riders trying to stay stable and safe. The unfavorable weather conditions, including rain, snow, and fog, can completely ruin your riding experience and make it unsafe.

Considering the challenges that riders already face, the bad weather can prove to be very fatal, especially for riders. It can reduce visibility and responsiveness, and can increase the risk of collisions.

Being one of the most favorite motorcycle rides of many bikers, the Tail of the Dragon is well-maintained. However, there may be only a few road sections that are not as smooth and well-paved as most of them. Considering the other dangers, even a slight imperfection can cause the accident.

It is advised to never ride alone on the Tail of the Dragon road. It is not the safest place to ride without a group. There may be so many threats out there that you can’t deal with them all by yourself.

The safest choice is to go with your group of friends or riding buddies. A rider must have someone to watch over or look after in case of any emergency. Remember! The medical help is almost 30-40 minutes away.

If you are a novice rider, the Tail of the Dragon motorcycle ride is not for you. It is quite complex considering the riding skills of a new rider. You can find yourself in great trouble while trying one of the most dangerous routes in the world.

While riding on the Tail of the Dragon road, it is crucial to stay alert at all times. You will face many distractions and happenings on the road. To tackle these, you must be responsive enough to stay safe and avoid collisions. There are so many things you have to pay attention to while riding. Your safety while riding at the Tail of the Dragon road depends on how expert and trained you are as a rider.

If you plan to experience the Tail of the Dragon motorcycle ride, don’t choose to go there after sunset. It can be riskier due to the low visibility. Also, try avoiding the Tail of the Dragon ride at dusk and dawn as the animals are most active during these times.

The most important safety tip to overcome the challenges of the Tail of the Dragon ride is to know how to brake effectively in an emergency. You must know how to stop the bike in no time to avoid collisions. There are many animals crossing the road at all times. Riders are most likely to crash if they hit an animal or while attempting to avoid a collision. Therefore, you must master the control of braking while riding on the Tail of the Dragon.

Reduce your speed while riding the Tail of the Dragon. Don’t try to show off your riding skills by leaning the bike too much at a greater speed. It is best to slow down and take the curve.

No matter what hurdle or issue you face while riding on the Tail of the Dragon road, do not stop in the middle of the road. Whether you find an animal suddenly crossing the road or you just have to pull over your bike, always stop at the roadside.

Due to being too narrow at certain sections, you must stick to your lane while riding the Tail of the Dragon road. Do not try to overtake or speed up without a reason.

Taking a heavyweight touring bike to the Tail of the Dragon isn’t a wise decision. Considering there are many twists and turns one after the other, it will be much difficult to learn and steer a heavier bike on this road, especially if you are a newer rider and lack maneuvering skills.

Your motorbike must be in good condition to avoid any emergencies on the Tail of the Dragon road. You may not be able to find any help once you start the journey. Your bike tires must be in good condition and properly inflated.

Due to being one of the scariest and most dangerous roads in the U.S., the speed limit at the Tail of the Dragon is set to 30 mph. It was set to 30 mpg a very long time ago, in 2002. Before that, it was 55 mph, which was not very safe.

As far as the motorcycle crashes on the Tail of the Dragon are concerned, in 2020 and 2021, a total of 165 crashes occurred. Out of this number, 123 were bike riders. When it comes to fatalities, there were almost nine riders who died as a result of the motorbike crash at the Tail of the Dragon. According to the sources, almost one accident occurs every day at the Tail of the Dragon.

It gets its name due to many thrilling and dangerous twists and turns, resembling the tail of the dragon.

If you are a genuine motorcycle lover and love to enjoy motorcycle rides, the Tail of the Dragon ride is a must. If you live in Tennessee or North Carolina, you must not miss the chance to take this ride, as it is considered one of the most dangerous roads in the U.S.

The Tail of the Dragon is only 11 miles long, but it has 318 curves with varying altitudes at every step and turn. Don’t take it too lightly. It is not for light-hearted and beginner riders. It requires a lot of skills and responsiveness. There are a lot of risks on the Tail of the Dragon ride. Never ride without a group of friends.

The background, history, and legends about the dragon make it more interesting. Many riders want to travel on the Tails of the Dragon, but not everyone succeeds. The dragon statue at the Deals Gap makes it more intimidating.