Tail of the Dragon

[orbhot]

I searched and saw a few threads about long-past small (few member) trips up to the Dragon's Tail. For those who don't know, this road is part of US 129 with 318 curves in 11 miles, and well known as one of the best roads in the world. Has there been, or are there going to be any large, organized Focus events in that area? As a prior Mini Cooper S and Civic Si, both had quite large annual events up there. Now that I'm a Focus owner (ST), I'd like to attend a mass Focus gathering too.

[Sponsor]

[wrc_fan]

We had a small group last fall, mostly local NC guys. Not sure if the group that tried to go this fall made it up there. I've been up there 4 times myself, only once with any kind of group. I'd be up for going sometime next year.

[BLRich1]

I'd go check in with the regional sections towards the bottom of the forum. I don't believe there is any annual event they do at the Tail but I would encourage you to organize one. Welcome to the forum!

[mac.mogul]

I loved my trip to the dragon in 2010. I had the Mustang then and I think it'd be even more fun in the Focus.

[AZfocus2012]

Here is what I would do, group or not. Secure lodging in the vicinity of the Nantahala Outdoor Center http://www.noc.com/ in Wesser, NC. From there you are in the middle of 2 lane hwy nirvana. You could do "the tail of the dragon", not my favorite, I prefer the Cherohala Skyway. http://www.cherohala.com/ There is also the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Pisgah Inn, a great place to stop for lunch, or to stay the night. http://www.pisgahinn.com/ From there you can find your way back to the NOC via any number of 2 lane highways. Just string together a route through Franklin, NC-Highland, NC-Cashiers, Toxiway etc, etc... It will be a great two or three day drive in the mountains, and you could always throw in a white water rafting trip on the Nantahala.

[Sonic_HedgeHog]

The Sonic Mk3 Crew is planning our 1st Annual meet over Labor Day weekend 2013 and we're going to spend a weekend in that area running the Dragon.

[MotorcityJAX]

Originally Posted by orbhot

I searched and saw a few threads about long-past small (few member) trips up to the Dragon's Tail. For those who don't know, this road is part of US 129 with 318 curves in 11 miles, and well known as one of the best roads in the world. Has there been, or are there going to be any large, organized Focus events in that area? As a prior Mini Cooper S and Civic Si, both had quite large annual events up there. Now that I'm a Focus owner (ST), I'd like to attend a mass Focus gathering too.

Originally Posted by Sonic_HedgeHog

The Sonic Mk3 Crew is planning our 1st Annual meet over Labor Day weekend 2013 and we're going to spend a weekend in that area running the Dragon.

Damn right we are, and hell you are here in Jax And so am I so we could just caravan it up. Us folks here in Duval need to get together one night soon

[FTGT101]

I have yet to run the Focus to the Dragon. I would go if we got a group together.

[AZfocus2012]

I would go here and check out all of the maps of area roads and places to explore. http://www.tailofthedragonmaps.com/ There is a lot of good info there. I would also go here and check out these videos so you will be forewarned of the insanity of 18 wheelers at Deals Gap and any other twisty two lane hwy in the area. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6haNzNzWG-0 I have been run off of the road by an 18 wheeler on Hwy 28 going to Franklin, NC. I was on a motorcycle at the time and there was a smooth dry grass shoulder area for run off, thank god. I was able to keep the bike up and not crash, but the truck was 100% in my lane in a series of tight turns, just like in some of the videos. The truck didn't even slow down, just another innocent passerby run off the road, no big deal!

[Montag]

Last time I ran the dragon I was in my '89 F150. I got stuck behind two dipshit harley riders and never got over 25mph.