Get out and enjoy the ride!

TDOT closed 129 at the NC/TN boarder and it looks as though the road will not open until March 26.

Click Here for Update Info

UPDATE -  3-24-10 – Well, it is not looking good for summer riding (at least on the Dragon). TNDOT has just reported an ESTIMATED date of September 1, 2010 for the re-opening. See below for people to contact regarding voicing your concern. There is no question that this effects the summer riding.

UPDATE - 3-27-10 – TDOT has taken down the Sept 1 target date and replaced it with a July 31st date. We will know more after Monday after the contract has been awarded. We can tell you that the contract looks like it will include some “finish early” incentives. This should result in a sooner than July 31st opening – but we will report more *here* when we get all the details.

3-29-10 – The 129 / Dragon is now looking at an open date around July 1 or SOONER. The contract has been awarded for a cool $2 million and there are incentives for them to finish before the July deadline.

***Latest Update 4-08-10 – TDOT has announced in a press release that the 11 mile section known as the Tail of the Dragon will be open from 8 am to 8 pm beginning Monday April 12, 2010. The only access is from North Carolina US 129. THP… announced that there will be zero tolerance for traffic violations.***

LATEST UPDATE 7-9-10 – : ROAD OPEN! NOW GET OUT AND RIDE!

The “full closure” is largely due to the inability of TN emergency vehicles able to access the Dragon however, it is questionable why the long-term fix.

There are plenty of other great rides in the area. Check out Featured Rides on 129Dragon.com

Concerns over the temporary closure of US129 should be addressed to these officials:

NC Governor:
Governor Bev Perdue
Governor’s Office
Office of the Governor
20301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-0301
Phone: (919)733-4240
Fax: (919)733-2120
governor.office@nc.gov

NC US Congressman:
Congressman Heath Shuler
422 Cannon House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC, 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6401
Fax: (202) 226-6422
Boyce.Deitz@mail.house.gov

NC State Representative:
Senator John Snow
NC Senate
16 W. Jones Street, Room 2111
Raleigh, NC 27601-2808
Phone: (919) 733-5875
Email: John.Snow@ncleg.net

TN Governor:
Governor Phil Bredesen
Governor’s Office
Tennessee State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37243-0001
Phone: 615.741.2001
Fax: 615.532.9711
Phil.Bredesen@tn.gov

TN US Congressman:
Congressman John J Duncan JR
2207 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5435
Fax: 202-225-6440
http://www.house.gov/writerep/

TN State Representative:
Senator Doug Overbey
4 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243-0208
Phone: 615-741-0981 or
800-449-TENN, ext. 10981
Fax: 615-253-0224
Sen.Doug.Overbey@capitol.tn.gov

Although the road did open briefly with one lane, it is now closed in both directions. The initial re-open date was targeted for March 20th but that is in question due to some testing. (We will add an update here when we know more).

***UPDATE*** TDOT closed 129 at the NC/TN boarder and it looks as though the road will not open until March 26. The “full closure” is largely due to the inability of TN emergency vehicles able to access the Dragon.

Latest Update – 04-08-10 – TDOT has announced in a press release that the 11 mile section known as the Tail of the Dragon will be open from 8 am to 8 pm beginning Monday April 12, 2010. The only access is from North Carolina US 129. THP announced that there will be zero tolerance for traffic violations.

LATEST UPDATE 7-9-10 – : ROAD OPEN! NOW GET OUT AND RIDE!

YOU CAN ride the dragon from the North Carolina side (outside of Robbinsville) but plan on a long day (extra 100 miles) if you are trying to make it back to TN. (Alternate: Cherohala Skyway and US 441 Great Smokey Mountains)

Here is a video of a guy that ran into the rocks AFTER the slide occurred. News Crews were filming at the time.

Wheels Through Time Museum will be sponsoring a vintage bike ride-in, bike show, swap meet, and field games.

Explore the mountains of North Carolina on two wheels. For more information visit Asheville Bikefest online.

Whitewater enthusiasts converge on the Cheoah River to raft and kayak the Class IV rapids when the waters are unleashed from Santeetlah Dam.

The Cheoah River offers nine miles of heart pounding whitewater adventure running along US Hwy 129. Just a few minutes from the famous Tail of the Dragon and the Dragon at Deals Gap, this area is well known to motor enthusiasts for its 318 turns in 11 miles.

Located in Graham County North Carolina, the Cheoah is a limited release river with 19 days scheduled for 2010 as follows:

Cheoah River High Flow 2010 Release Dates

February 20 & 21 (Saturday & Sunday)

March 20, 21 & 22 (Saturday, Sunday & Monday)

April 10, 11 & 12 (Saturday, Sunday, & Monday)

April 24 & 25 (Saturday & Sunday)

May 8 & 9 (Saturday & Sunday)

May 22 & 23 (Saturday & Sunday)

June 26 & 27 (Saturday & Sunday)

September 18 (Saturday)

October 2 (Saturday)

November 6 (Saturday)

The Dam is managed by Tapoca, a division of Alcoa, with official dates published at:

http://www.alcoa.com/tapoco/en/info_page/santeetlah.asp

Be sure to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway, slay the Dragon, hike Mingo Falls by Cherokee, and tour Wheels Through Time Museum while you are in town.

For more information on the Thunder in the Smokies Rally visit the Handlebar Corral site.

Last year saw their largest gathering so far with 446 registered attendees and 281 registered vehicles. For more information on the 2010 event visit: http://www.zdayz.com/

For more details visit the VW Vortex forum at: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4675619

The main attraction of course is the 318 turns in 11 miles on Highway 129.  Known as the Dragon at Deals Gap and Tail of the Dragon, this famous stretch of road is joined by the Hellbender 28 and the Cherohala Skyway as favorites among drivers on both 2 and 4 wheels.

This 8th annual MOTD celebration will be based at Fontana Village and draws Mini Cooper owners from over 32 states

For more information visit the organizers site at: http://www.minisonthedragon.com/

Of course it’s not just the great food, live music, poker run, and vendors that call to riders. It’s the need to ride some of the most exciting roads in the country.

Slay the Dragon’s 318 curves in 11 miles on US-129. Cruise the incredible Hellbender 28, running for 30 miles along Fontana Lake and the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. Run the mile high Cherohala Skyway for sweeping curves and breathtaking views.

After a great day of riding, head back to Fontana Village to share stories and enjoy the festivities of this premiere motorcycle rally in the Great Smoky Mountains.

For more information visit Dam Bike Rally at the Dragon. If you need a great place to stay close to all the fun, be sure to check out this Deals Gap Home!