Author Topic: NC - How to Drive The Dragon (Read 50998 times)

Gentleman Jack · « **Reply #25 on:** May 25, 2010, 01:21:32 AM »

Quote from: elff on May 24, 2010, 02:23:42 PM

You might as well not drive as that can occur anywhere.

Elff,

Very true, but seems overly common on that ride. There are many great roads around here that I have come to love since buying my Solstice. The Motorcycles and other cars seem to have greater respect for staying in lane than all the stories of the TOTD. Grant it, I have never been to TOTD, but have read many about it. That what where I was headed with that...

GJ

PS- your Jacket thread is GREAT!

smartin · « **Reply #26 on:** May 27, 2010, 01:59:35 PM »

There's a video of me on the Dragon from the first year.

old pontiac guy · « **Reply #27 on:** October 19, 2010, 02:33:16 PM »

Having driven the Dragon numerous times over the last 20 years in vehicles ranging from my current GXP to an Expedition full of four teenage girls, I must say the road is not good at night and not too good in the day, but it always draws me back. No one ever drives completely without an occasional error, but it does draw you into a sense of overqualification, which is not good. I am not critical of anyone who tries the Dragon and just assume everyone else has never been on it before, because they all seem to drive that way to me.

Ag_Sky · « **Reply #28 on:** April 30, 2011, 09:19:31 AM »

I drove this road Saturday the 27th of March this year.

I drove from Knoxville to Deals Gap and back. I guess because of the weather and it being Saturday morning there was hardly any traffic. It was an overcast day and the road was moist the 1st time through and rained on the return trip. The road has allot of tight turns and elevation changes. It's like a roller coaster ride. My brother in law was my copilot. I had to stop at Deals Gap to let Randy recover from motion sickness.

I wasn't driving fast, just going with the flow of the road and even at those speeds I could appreciate the nimbleness of the Sky's suspension. It's a nice drive with some nice scenery, but I would never drive it anywhere close to my traction limit. Unfortunately on a road like that your always going to have people pushing the limits of their vehicle and driving skill.

Buzzardt · « **Reply #29 on:** April 30, 2011, 02:05:11 PM »

Skill to drive the Dragon. None needed if you don't break the law and speed limits. The speed limits are set for a reason. They are not the Top speed all the time, but the recommended speed under favorable conditions. The skill is, as mentioned by the ones who say" Watch out for the other guy"
If you are driving any public roadway above the posted speed limit you are not showing that you are a skilled driver, you are driving in a unsafe manner and showing that you have the driving mentality far below what you should have.
Want to speed. Go to the Drag Strip's and Race Tracks. You have no right endangering other people on the public roads.

Uranium-238 · « **Reply #30 on:** April 30, 2011, 02:52:28 PM »

Just saying, but around here if you aren't driving above the speed limit you're often a traffic hazard. That goes in spades and doubled on the DC beltway, were you can be doing 25 over and still be slower than many. Not advocating reckless driving, but a flat "speeding is driving in an unsafe manner" statement isn't always correct.

That being said I have zero desire to drive on the Dragon. Such fame brings too many drivers, and that ups the chance that some nut will come flying around a corner in my lane. So many other good roads, some with no traffic at all, were you can push the limit a little without worry.

elff · « **Reply #31 on:** April 30, 2011, 03:33:18 PM »

I agree totally uranium.
Also, I didn't buy a sports car to not drive it as intended.

Speed limit doesn't mean swat either. Numerous motorcycles this year, some driving under the limit and some over have crossed the yellow lines and caused accidents this week at the dragon.

Stupidbikerboy · « **Reply #32 on:** April 30, 2011, 03:49:06 PM »

I have been there numerous times myself and will go every chance I get. I usually go on one of the bikes, but last time I took my sky. I found it much more enjoyable and easier on all the senses in the car, but I like my chances of avoidance and survival better on my bikes (I know that sounds crazy but most experienced riders will understand what I mean lol). If you stick to your skill level, the other guy is all you have to worry about. Unfortunately there are a lot of idiots there and I have had very many close calls come up due to some of them. As Elff said, motorcycles are usually the ones in the wrong in my experience, and many times its a fellow sportbiker driving well above his skill level. Of course, I have seen many cruisers that just dont need to come close to the dragon lol

If you go, take your time the first few times and just enjoy the road. Don't try to drive aggressively until you have a good knowledge and memory of the tail. If you stick to that and keep an eye open for the idiots, you will be fine and have an enjoyable trip! Oh and DONT SIGHT SEE while on the tail! go hiking if you wanna do that lmao

Buzzardt · « **Reply #33 on:** April 30, 2011, 07:01:22 PM »

I don't think this thread is about keeping up with traffic on a expressway or major roadway.

elff · « **Reply #34 on:** April 30, 2011, 10:53:35 PM »

Mine and sbb comments weren't and u-238s comments are completely appropriate for the dragon

G8TR · « **Reply #35 on:** May 01, 2011, 04:45:52 PM »

Having driven the Dragon several times over the years I would agree that people overestimate their own ability. I try to do the same there that I have done wherever I drive, give myself an out. On the Dragon there are not a lot of those so you have to give yourself space. Having been a driving instructor for every vehicle in the Air Force inventory I learned the value of space and good brakes and tires. I would never drive the roads of that area without all 3.

elff · « **Reply #36 on:** May 01, 2011, 08:14:16 PM »

Great points.
FYI the stock pads and fluid are not up to the task of running hellbender and the dragon there and back. (that's basically 4 runs)
I cooked my fluid and pads.
Needed to take a 10 min break at the bottom of the dragon and then one at the store to have brakes on the return trip on hellbender.

Had a nice talk with Dave at DDM about this and he confirmed what I felt.

We already reserved our Room for next year.

Uranium-238 · « **Reply #37 on:** May 01, 2011, 09:02:47 PM »

The stock fluid is crap, almost wonder if it's water contaminated some. Boiled it at my first autocross, swapped in some ATE superblue from DDM and no issues since.

Stock pads are garbage too but I haven't gotten around to replacing them yet. I've gotten them to fade on some back roads without even pushing the car too hard, amazing that GM never thought to upgrade the brakes when put faster motor in these cars...

Buzzardt · « **Reply #38 on:** May 02, 2011, 02:14:06 PM »

Quote from: elff on April 30, 2011, 10:53:35 PM

Mine and sbb comments weren't and u-238s comments are completely appropriate for the dragon

I read you post about the Dragon. when you stated that you exceeded triple digits. Sounds foolish to me and not even anywhere safe for a public road.
Buying a sports car doesn't give you anymore right to drive than anyone else.

Uranium-238 · « **Reply #39 on:** May 02, 2011, 02:34:20 PM »

I think it does. Sports car are more capable than your average econobox or pickup. Better handling, brakes, acceleration all enable you to push the limit more while still being able to give yourself a good safety margin.

Driving is all about knowing YOUR limits. It is possible to have the reflexes and skill to push the limit just as it's possible to struggle driving safely at the speed limit.

The Libertarian in me says you should be able to drive whatever speed you want, then have the book thrown at you if you act irresponsibly and screw up.

elff · « **Reply #40 on:** May 02, 2011, 02:44:41 PM »

Quote from: Buzzardt on May 02, 2011, 02:14:06 PM

I read you post about the Dragon. when you stated that you exceeded triple digits. Sounds foolish to me and not even anywhere safe for a public road.
Buying a sports car doesn't give you anymore right to drive than anyone else.

My driving over the posted speed limit, doesn't take away someone's right to drive.
FYI-
That wasn't on the Dragon, it was on Hell bender.

I respect your opinion, but I disagree and nothing you or I say will make us meet in the middle on this subject.
As such, my side of the discussion will be ended.

Critterman · « **Reply #41 on:** May 02, 2011, 02:45:18 PM »

And then the 75 year old man/woman who is not expection a car to be doing over a hundred pulls out in front of you and is only half the distance away when they start to pull out that you need to stop?

God I am getting old even thinking this way, I guess I must now realize that I am not indestructible.

elff · « **Reply #42 on:** May 02, 2011, 02:50:57 PM »

That can't happen in the above example [No side Streets] and I drive differently in areas where it can.

Critterman · « **Reply #43 on:** May 02, 2011, 04:29:10 PM »

Okay, let's make it a bear, a badger, a deer or a skunk. So now you have the motorcycle coming at you in the other lane, a skunk in your lane daring you to hit him, and embankment on your right and a cliff on your left, which do you choose. By the way you have run out of time to make a decision by the time you have read this.

Playing devil's advocate here.

Uranium-238 · « **Reply #44 on:** May 02, 2011, 04:52:54 PM »

That's where knowing the road and leaving yourself a gettaway option all come into play.

elff · « **Reply #45 on:** May 02, 2011, 04:53:04 PM »

If I was worried about that scenario at all, I would never leave my house.
I live in PA, crappy roads, lots of deer.

Critterman · « **Reply #46 on:** May 02, 2011, 06:29:21 PM »

I felt for sure the biker was toast. Not a side step to the question.

elff · « **Reply #47 on:** May 02, 2011, 07:19:20 PM »

Ugggg had the pleasure of driving around here.

I will take the irresponsible speeders and drivers [including myself] of the surrounding dragon area who are at least all
FOCUSED on their driving
vs...
The over 50% of irresponsible drivers with Cell Phones glued to their ears who are
NOT FOCUSED on their driving
any day.
I was safer last week

and You are not the devil's advocate. I am.

Critterman · « **Reply #48 on:** May 03, 2011, 09:37:38 AM »

LOL the reflection on your bumper looks like a close encounter with another car.

cbr6 · « **Reply #49 on:** August 18, 2011, 07:29:52 PM »

Let me start by saying I LOVE MY GXP!!!! Now how to drive Deal's Gap, get a good sport bike I prefer a Honda or Ducati but hey thats just me, next suit up in full leathers with good knee pucks. Next twist the throttle and put your knee on the ground and wear the sides of the tyres...... repete as needed, I drug my knees in every turn

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Author Topic: NC - How to Drive The Dragon (Read 50998 times)