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Father of the Dragon Speaks

by Doug Snavely
(Tappahannock, VA USA)

Map of the

When I first created the name "Dragon" and "318 Curves in 11 Miles", I reached out to the W.O.W. {Women On Wheels} group based out of Atlanta GA. As reported in my newsletter of the "Deals Gap Riding Society", in early 1992, they dismissed me and the Dragon as promoting speed and reckless behavior. Nothing was further from the truth, and they refused to meet with me for an informal discussion of the Dragon, and how I thought it could enhance the riding experience of the group. I'm happy to see that a group pf women have had the opportunity to enjoy the experience, and pass it on as a positive one. Even it id did take 16 years. Some of the best riders I know are women, and I tip my helmet to you for taking the "Dragon" by the horns, and not letting all the guys take all the credit. It's a good road that just demands respect. Enjoy!

Doug "Cyborg" Snavely - coladoug@yahoo.com

Comments for Father of the Dragon Speaks

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Sep 29, 2016

A Fathers respond NEW
by: Doug "CYBORG"Snavely

Interesting 3 year old comment. Some 11 years after I left the DRAGON. Things HAVE changed. I was there recently and a number of riders where glad they had come,and were not disappointed with the ride. It is truly an experience that deserves a little respect. I did some video at the Dragon with the Discovery channel recently. They thought it was worth documenting. More so then roads in Colorado, or California. I have lived in both of those states,and they have some good roads. But the Dragon is more then a road,...it is a destination

Feb 13, 2013

Umm. Beg to differ.
by: Almost Retired in Colorado

The Dragon. US 129 in North Carolina. So tired of running into blogs claiming it is the best motorcycle road. Here are the top 10 reasons why it is not:
1. It is the Disney World of motorcycle roads: everyone goes there, it is so crowded it is almost impossible to ride it the way one might wish to and not endanger others.
2. it only has (at most) 180 "curves" not the 318 usually stated (watch the video and count them yourself)
3. it has very little elevation change (I am of course from Colorado where 3000 ft. in 11 miles is average for most mountain roads)
4. It has a posted speed limit that is way too low (unlike many roads in Nevada or Montana or Idaho)
5. it is heavily patrolled by state troopers
6. it is a silly name
7. it is too far away from where I live
8. they allow 18 wheelers on it
9. number 9 has been censored by the Deal's Gap Merchant's Association
10. IMHO, the actual best (paved) motorcycle roads in the country are in northern California and you probably have never heard of them because it is unlikely anyone could make any money from them.
11. many of those who ride 129 and select it as "best" have most likely never ridden out west
12. again, IMHO, a way better road in that area is up north of Boone, NC. If you have not been on it you should go find it.....

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