The Dragon is Closed

[TopNotch]

I guess we won't be running the Dragon for a while.

[GTRS Fiero]

I'd hate to come around the turn from the other side at speed and see that.

[Fierofool]

The news release I saw said it's about 3 miles south of The Dragon on US 129.  It came in part from KillBoy.  Hwy. 28 and the Foothills Parkway over to US 321 in Townsend is still open as is the Dragons Den.  My planned RFTH25 route would not have traveled through this area. 


killboy.com
March 27 at 8:33 PM ·
Federal US Hwy 129 is now officially barricaded from ditch to ditch at the Graham county line. There are no personnel around, and no equipment nearby to move the barricades in case of fire or medical emergency.

This is located just around the corner from Tapoco Lodge, below Fugitive dam. Google Map: https://bit.ly/33Q59Bi

Again, this is in NC, 3 miles south of the Dragon, which is in TN. The 11 mile section of the Dragon remains open. Foothills Parkway in TN is also open.

There are no restrictions on Hwy 28 in Graham county as of 7:30pm tonight.

North Carolina has also now issued a Stay-at-home order to go in effect Monday, March 30th at 5pm and last at least one month. Gas/convenience stores such as Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort are considered essential and will remain open.

Please keep up to date on the official Tail of the Dragon, killboy.com, and Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort pages for accurate info.

[HarryT]

Maybe some OLD non Fiero owners complained about all the curves so they are straightening it out.
Harry

[Fierofool]

There was a major landslide that totally blocked the highway.  I like the way they placed barriers up the embankment and over to the edge so that motorcycles can't get around. 

I think it would be a good idea if TN and NC each put some kind of maze at a turnaround point like the big parking lot area north of the Dragon.  Make it zig-zag enough that cars and bikes could get through but trucks would have a place to turn around.