Trip to North Carolina to visit the Dragon....1550 miles round trip. Epic to say the least. Guzzi and her torque had dragon for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.....
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North to the Dragon
- Thread starter Adam Davis
- Start date
kiwi dave
GT Reference
I did the Dragon about seven years ago on my 1200 Sport. I don't think I got out of second gear, maximum speed attained up the hill was 65 mph (I think it is a 35 mph speed limit with LEOs everywhere).
I didn't think I did very well, but I was well in front of a couple of BMW K-bikes who I was traveling with. Never bothered to go up or down it again, but I got the T-shirt.
I didn't think I did very well, but I was well in front of a couple of BMW K-bikes who I was traveling with. Never bothered to go up or down it again, but I got the T-shirt.
With the use of the Calamoto App I was able to visit the possibilities and achievements of the runs up and down......It is all one could do to achieve 65 for sure. A time or two meaning once or twice into 1st and 3rd. But # 2 did most all the work. Also, superheated my rear brake (Brembo) and lost it completely on 3rd run. Running Fernando HH pads rear. Bleeded break out completely and switched to 5.1 fluid. It worked however, my rotor turned from shiny chrome color to brass. Only mechanical issue outside of oil filter coming loose I had. 1600 miles total. I really ran the bike hard, as in ran the dog shit out of it.
And after returning home it's still ticking away like a high dollar timepiece.
Vagrant
GT Reference
FWIW there are a lot better roads in that neck of the woods with lower trafic. Also it's a long ride to the hospital from anywhere that remote.
That's what I hear. Just ended up there on a whim. Next time I will spend more time up there exploring. Lots to see and ride. Not so commercialized.
Talked with 3 Guzzi owners in NC but saw no bikes. Would really like to find a place closer to home to show at a rally to see other Guzzy bikes and talk to the owners. Very cool group they are. And now I'm a part of it.
At a minimum, the trip brought me to a whole nother level of respect for the brand....
What a fun place to land on a whim. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Having grew up on the East Coast, I got to ride the Smokey Mtns. A lot. Being young, self-employed with decent amount of disposable income at that age, I traveled extensively almost every weekend on two wheels. The whole mountain range is significant for two-wheel travel (the ridge not so much), for East Coast travel anyway.
My suggestion is to utilize all of the online resources these days for travel before going. Almost every road to and from the ridge is better than the ridge, and the foothills are equally entertaining (outside of small town speed laws).
Point very well made/taken on hospital care. In the late 80's, my very good friend (of my Dad's that I rode with) crashed at this spot HERE-- he was taken to what would barely qualify as a hospital even then, kept him for several days with a misdiagnosed broken back (compression destruction, and I'll leave it at that). He recovered fully after a literal rented van ride home to Baltimore to get worked on at John Hopkins. We as his friends, demanded the trip. They wanted to transport him to another smaller hospital hours away at the time. Anyway, aside from that downer, hope you had a blast, and the next is even better!
There are scattered Guzzi events in the Southeast region. Check in on MGNOC.com for published events.
Thank you for the tips, suggestions, and some history.
I learned long ago racing mountain bikes. The Rockies and Southern Utah was my stomping ground then. The injuries sustained during those years healed fast and didn't slow me down much out on the trails. But now I feel all those injuries all over again some all at once sometimes one at a time.
Part of aging I guess. No different than any one else who pushed limits on things as a younger person. I wouldn't change a thing.....
As it's a bit different of a platform, motorcycling vs cycling. I find the focusing required are just alike. The limitations that are known and learned are key. I have a cool way about me when in elevations like the Smokeys. I just was able to breathe and find a groove. Danger all around but to find that place in the middle. Like I did on this trip. It will be in my memories forever. Truly a special place indeed.
Look out N.C. I'll be back and with a big smile. Anticipating the endless options of roads and different people I'll meet.
Vagrant
GT Reference
PM me when you can come again. I'll give you a tour if I'm around.
Will do. I am planning on making August my travel month next year as well. My work is seasonal July and August are open for me so that's the plan. It would be great to get a group together and get one of those cabins built on a ridge deals.
I have not seen a Guzzi here in Lee County except for the one I bought. Ever. There is no dealership nor certified mechanic here neither. That's all of Collier and Lee counties....I understand the rare and unique factor but damn.
Good thing I'm a pretty good wrench and the Forum is available to access. Without those two factors honestly, It would be a big hit on time and money. Taking my 1200 to Tampa or Miami just isn't gonna work.
Just putting a shout out to all the owners and people who put together the Forum. With research, utilizing this platform, one can always find a way to fix and maintain the italian machines.
Thank you.
I have not seen a Guzzi here in Lee County except for the one I bought. Ever. There is no dealership nor certified mechanic here neither. That's all of Collier and Lee counties....I understand the rare and unique factor but damn.
Good thing I'm a pretty good wrench and the Forum is available to access. Without those two factors honestly, It would be a big hit on time and money. Taking my 1200 to Tampa or Miami just isn't gonna work.
Just putting a shout out to all the owners and people who put together the Forum. With research, utilizing this platform, one can always find a way to fix and maintain the italian machines.
Thank you.
Come on back last weekend in Sept for N.GA. Rally at the infamous TWO camp, much better than Dragon and lots of Guzzi's hang around TWO.
Would love to. Thanks for the invite. However, I blew my wad for the summer on the last trip. That being said I will invest some of my time on research before next summer. I had so much fun up in those hills. I didn't even scratch the surface from what I gather from fellow Guzzians.
For now I'll settle for home and the flatlands. My life is good and hope and pray for continued epic adventures.
I must say though she fits in perfectly here. 5th Ave In Naples. Classy bike in a classy town...
For now I'll settle for home and the flatlands. My life is good and hope and pray for continued epic adventures.
I must say though she fits in perfectly here. 5th Ave In Naples. Classy bike in a classy town...
kiwi dave
GT Reference
My room at the Deals Gap resort was right beside the tree of shame.
Note the sign was originally on the tree, but someone must have been clobbered by falling motorcycle parts and probably sued Deal's Gap resort. Oh how I love litigation (not!).
The day we were present, there were at least three can offs. The last was airlifted to a local hospital, I think all three riders were on Harleys.
I also remember a dud on a Honda Valkerie that showed off how many sparks he could create by leaning so far, up and down the Dragon and around the resort itself. I didn't see him on the Dragon, but I respected his ability to throw that big bike around other riders at the resort without dropping it.
Like the coffee cup mounted to the passenger peg. Keep the coffee warm down there?
Took a 3 day weekend on the 24th to north Georgia with couple riding buddies. Without much of a plan we went to a place called Copperhead Lodge. Did a 130+ loop they had mapped out (missed a couple of turns to make it a 180 mile loop). Maybe not as tight as Deals Gap, but only saw 4 other bikes on he entire ride.
We were hour and half from Deals Gap but as close as we got was the casino in Cherokee. When we go back up, and we will, figure we'll just ride up to the store then wander off again.
First trip to the Gap (in 2004) took 10 of us to get a kids Katana back on the road. Putt putted down to the store and watched him yank the right side plasttc off the bike and hang it in the tree.
Took a 3 day weekend on the 24th to north Georgia with couple riding buddies. Without much of a plan we went to a place called Copperhead Lodge. Did a 130+ loop they had mapped out (missed a couple of turns to make it a 180 mile loop). Maybe not as tight as Deals Gap, but only saw 4 other bikes on he entire ride.
We were hour and half from Deals Gap but as close as we got was the casino in Cherokee. When we go back up, and we will, figure we'll just ride up to the store then wander off again.
First trip to the Gap (in 2004) took 10 of us to get a kids Katana back on the road. Putt putted down to the store and watched him yank the right side plasttc off the bike and hang it in the tree.
Matter of fact it does keep it warm. There's a story bout that cup, a history if you will. It's like it's fitted to the bike in a way. Worn some grooves where it sits.
New roads, cool morning, and hot coffee.....What a day it was friend.
Good stuff about helping that rider out. Truly is a special place.
New roads, cool morning, and hot coffee.....What a day it was friend.
Good stuff about helping that rider out. Truly is a special place.
I miss this place already....Lake Santeetlah N.C.
