Looking for "the Dragon" closer to home

[Claff]

You know the tail of the Dragon, US129 down in NC/TN. We took our first visit there last month and if I could I'd live there.

Is there anything that comes close to that around here? Thinking narrow road, 30MPH, no passing, few intersections, curve after curve, etc etc.

I like Chapel Point Rd down around Bel Alton but the fun stretch there is only a mile or so long. I'd like something a bit longer lasting.

FWIW our pics from our Gap trip courtesy of the photogs that stand on the side of the road: Alan & Kate Drive The Tail of the Dragon

 

[ShyGirl]

Here are a few ideas..

I like Chapel Point Road too!

Cross the bridge into Virginia, look for a right turn onto 218 heading toward Fredericksburg.

A few other fun roads with short stretches are: Maypole Road in Leonardtown, part of Steer Horn Neck Road (the road past Greenwell State Park in Hollywood), Sixes Road/Grays Road in Calvert County, riding through Chesapeake Ranch Estates in Lusby (entering from the town center area - Gunsmoke Trail/Thunderbird Drive), and 381 north from Hughesville to a left onto 382 (Covington/Croom Road takes you toward Dog Patch and Poplar Hill Road) or a right on Croom Road from 381 (I always get stuck behind slow cars though).

Be careful! Be safe! Have a blast!

 

[Floyd2004]

Skyline drive in VA is the longest closest thing you are going to find to the dragon. Ive driven it and its a BLAST!

 

[aps45819]

Cross the bridge into Virginia, look for a right turn onto 218 heading toward Fredericksburg.

good road, not much traffic

Skyline drive in VA is the longest closest thing you are going to find to the dragon. Ive driven it and its a BLAST!

The Blue Ridge Parkway and the Skyline Drive are great roads on a weekday but they're full of SUVs and campers doing the speed limit (or less) on the weekends. (neither is anything close to the Dragon) Get a good VA map (I use the VA Atlas & Gazetteer published by DeLorme) and ride the small roads leading up and over the BRP/SD. LOTS of tight switchbacks but short duration from the valley to the summit

 

[desertrat]

good road, not much traffic


The Blue Ridge Parkway and the Skyline Drive are great roads on a weekday but they're full of SUVs and campers doing the speed limit (or less) on the weekends. (neither is anything close to the Dragon) Get a good VA map (I use the VA Atlas & Gazetteer published by DeLorme) and ride the small roads leading up and over the BRP/SD. LOTS of tight switchbacks but short duration from the valley to the summit

33

 

[Claff]

When we went down to Texas last month we hatched a ridiculous plan on hitting all these fun roads: Skyline Drive to Blue Ridge Pkwy to US421 "the Snake" to The Dragon and then on to Dallas. After Skyline Drive we were so beat and a hair behind schedule that we decided to save Blue Ridge and 421 for another trip and head straight to the Gap, no regrets. Skyline Drive is a fun fun drive, only almost got arrested once.

On the way back from Dallas we again hit the Gap, including the Cherohala Skyway, then straight home.

I had to run an errand this afternoon in Upper Marlboro and found Croom Rd on the way home. It's about as good as I've found so far round these parts, and some of the side roads off that looked promising but I had to get back to start dinner prep. Nice to see I've got more exploring to do. I hope to be able to string a bunch of these fun roads together and organize a day-long run for the DC-area Miata club, but I've got lots of homework to do before getting to that point.

Thanks again for the tips.

 

[forceofnature]

33

33 is good Blue Ridge Parkway is good. There are a few small roads in Calvert and Ann Arundel county but not nearly as long or twisty. I have worn out some tires on my bike on 33.

 

[aps45819]

33

33 is good Blue. I have worn out some tires on my bike on 33.

Waited out a thunder/hail storm at the ranger station at 33/Skyline a few years ago. Storm passed and we started down. Ice on the hot road created solid fog banks with very limited visibility


Major adventure

 

[ShyGirl]

If you go to Meetup.com, the Rappahannock Riders go on a lot of nice rides. They know all of the awesome little backroads in Virginia. Fun crowd, great people! And you avoid all of the fuss and muss of an organized riding group.

 

[Floyd2004]

When I went down Skyline it was on a weekend and we only came in contact with one SUV.

 

[Claff]

If you go to Meetup.com, the Rappahannock Riders go on a lot of nice rides. They know all of the awesome little backroads in Virginia. Fun crowd, great people! And you avoid all of the fuss and muss of an organized riding group.

They'd probably frown on my showing up in something with four wheels.

 

[ShyGirl]

They'd probably frown on my showing up in something with four wheels.

I'll betcha they would let you tag along! Or they would have ideas for you.

 

[desertrat]

When I went down Skyline it was on a weekend and we only came in contact with one SUV.

Do much damage?




Wifey was riding ahead of me and a bear cub ran across the road about 20 yards in front of her. Made her whole trip.

 

[GWguy]

I'm thinking 235 or GMR during rush hour will get you the same level of adrenaline. And some soiled shorts.



33 on the east side of the blue ridge coming down the hill is a hoot! I damn near wore out my brakes on that one!

 

[desertrat]

I'm thinking 235 or GMR during rush hour will get you the same level of adrenaline. And some soiled shorts.



33 on the east side of the blue ridge coming down the hill is a hoot! I damn near wore out my white tennis shoes on that one!

:fixed:






I like the hill dropping down into Franklin, I think it is?

 

[GWguy]

:fixed:






I like the hill dropping down into Franklin, I think it is?

Et tu, Brute ?

 

[desertrat]

Et tu, Brute ?

Mine are silver.

 

[Dukesdad]

Ohio's Dragon Tail: Ohio Motorcycle Rides

 

[DreamBlaze]

You know the tail of the Dragon, US129 down in NC/TN. We took our first visit there last month and if I could I'd live there.

Is there anything that comes close to that around here? Thinking narrow road, 30MPH, no passing, few intersections, curve after curve, etc etc.

I like Chapel Point Rd down around Bel Alton but the fun stretch there is only a mile or so long. I'd like something a bit longer lasting.

FWIW our pics from our Gap trip courtesy of the photogs that stand on the side of the road: Alan & Kate Drive The Tail of the Dragon

Check out the area enclosed by 301, 301/50, 422, 424. Davidsonville, Patuxent River Park area. Plenty of twisties, hills, ups and downs. could spend a day back there and not be bored.

 

[headtotoe]

I've riden the "Dragon" twice now on my Harley and countless times on the Boxster. the only road around here that even comes close but not in lenght is Maypole road off friendship school road between 235 and rout 5. I planned on going back to the Dragon on my Z4. Hagerstown has some roads like it.