OT: The Western Dragon
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
OT: The Western Dragon
I have read all about the Great Smoky Mountains, and the Tail of the Dragon, and in the videos it looks like a ton of fun...and work! Here in Colorado we have our share of great driving roads, including the Western Dragon, which is 30 minutes from my house.
The Western Dragon is 31 miles long, including 341 turns, and has scenery that is out of this world (my profile pic was shot there). It took me about 33 minutes to complete. The halfway point is Echo Lake, which is also the entrance to Mount Evans. I will upload a video of that drive when Mount Evans opens. It is incredible.
Keep in mind as you watch this video that this is one of my top 5 routes. We have multiple "Dragon level" routes like this, depending on how long you want your drive to last. This is definitely one of my favorites, but it is far from the only option here.
Regarding this drive, a few comments. First, I got lucky and there was very little traffic. There were 3 vehicles in front of me the entire drive, and 2 pulled over to let me pass. The truck at about the 7 minute mark did not pull over, so you might want to forward about 3 minutes or so, although there are some good sections, even at slow speeds to see.
As far as my driving goes, there were a few times I crossed the double yellow. One was to pass when a Prius waved me around. Another was as I was coming into a hairpin and saw a big rock. In both of those instances, visibility was excellent, and risk was zero. The only real transgression was around a blind hairpin where I just took the turn wrong. I am not making any excuses. I was not happy about that, and I will make sure it doesn't happen again. I was lucky nobody was coming the other way, even though I was no more than a foot or two over the line. I don't want my fun to ruin someone else's life.
Hopefully you can see from the video that I wasn't driving too crazy. Mostly just enjoying those 341 turns, the engine and the scenery. Well, my wife was enjoying the scenery. I was busy.
Let me know what you think of the route.
The Western Dragon is 31 miles long, including 341 turns, and has scenery that is out of this world (my profile pic was shot there). It took me about 33 minutes to complete. The halfway point is Echo Lake, which is also the entrance to Mount Evans. I will upload a video of that drive when Mount Evans opens. It is incredible.
Keep in mind as you watch this video that this is one of my top 5 routes. We have multiple "Dragon level" routes like this, depending on how long you want your drive to last. This is definitely one of my favorites, but it is far from the only option here.
Regarding this drive, a few comments. First, I got lucky and there was very little traffic. There were 3 vehicles in front of me the entire drive, and 2 pulled over to let me pass. The truck at about the 7 minute mark did not pull over, so you might want to forward about 3 minutes or so, although there are some good sections, even at slow speeds to see.
As far as my driving goes, there were a few times I crossed the double yellow. One was to pass when a Prius waved me around. Another was as I was coming into a hairpin and saw a big rock. In both of those instances, visibility was excellent, and risk was zero. The only real transgression was around a blind hairpin where I just took the turn wrong. I am not making any excuses. I was not happy about that, and I will make sure it doesn't happen again. I was lucky nobody was coming the other way, even though I was no more than a foot or two over the line. I don't want my fun to ruin someone else's life.
Hopefully you can see from the video that I wasn't driving too crazy. Mostly just enjoying those 341 turns, the engine and the scenery. Well, my wife was enjoying the scenery. I was busy.
Let me know what you think of the route.
Last edited by robmypro; 03-06-2017 at 12:45 PM.
#2
Rennlist Member
You're late
#5
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Nice, Rob! I'll have to give that a go sometime
#6
From your video, the 'western dragon' looks like a nice road but no where near comparable to the Smokey's Dragon regarding curves and excitement. Also, even though the Smokey's tail is only 11 miles long, there are just as amazing roads with less traffic around Deal's Gap.
#7
Race Director
Thread Starter
LOL technical difficulties!
I saw that. Good source!
She keeps me honest.
Grant, you have to drive this road! Next time we are going to come from the other direction.
Thank you for sharing , here is a good link for drives in the Northeast
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/best/?c=108
Be great thread for best driving roads
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/best/?c=108
Be great thread for best driving roads
Grant, you have to drive this road! Next time we are going to come from the other direction.
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#8
Race Director
Thread Starter
From your video, the 'western dragon' looks like a nice road but no where near comparable to the Smokey's Dragon regarding curves and excitement. Also, even though the Smokey's tail is only 11 miles long, there are just as amazing roads with less traffic around Deal's Gap.
#10
Rennlist Member
A great late spring, summertime, early fall drive is HWY 14 out of Ft Collins to Walden, then HWY 125 to Granby. Not much traffic once you get a little ways up 14.
We have so many fun drives though.
We have so many fun drives though.
#11
Burning Brakes
From your video, the 'western dragon' looks like a nice road but no where near comparable to the Smokey's Dragon regarding curves and excitement. Also, even though the Smokey's tail is only 11 miles long, there are just as amazing roads with less traffic around Deal's Gap.
#14
Race Director
Thread Starter
#15
Three Wheelin'
Originally Posted by tasman
I love the Cherohola (?spelling) skyway. Wish we could shut it down for a while and run it in both directions. A guy can dream