We are still in Helen, Georgia. I took this shot of Sid at Hofer's German Bakery having a bit of breakfast. One day, while wearing his do-rag, a child approached him and asked if he was a pirate.
Sid took my photo at breakfast, too. We are stoked about heading 80 miles from Helen, Georgia, to North Carolina. We plan to ride the challenging curves of the Dragon at Deal’s Gap, also known as US Hwy 129.
The Dragon boasts 318 curves in 11 miles, thus it is considered the best motorcycle road in America. US 129 is an interesting road, even to those that do not ride motorcycles. It closely follows an old Indian trail that wound through Graham County, North Carolina, before climbing the Smoky Range and crossing into Tennessee at Deal's Gap, where it continues along the ridges before emerging at Calderwood, and finally on to Fort Loudon.
Here is an aerial view of the road (shown in yellow). This map shows all the curves of this exciting, but treacherous, road. This website is maintained by the Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort located at one end of the Dragon. Be sure to check out the history of the road and the area around it.
We stopped on the Dragon to rest at the Calderwood Dam overlook. It was a perfect day for a ride...sunny, dry roads, not overcrowded. Imagine our horror when we left this overlook to discover that a bike had gone off the road just minutes ahead of us. It really put a sobering perspective on the day.
Four ambulances and five emergency vehicles passed us before we reached the Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort at the end of the Dragon. I am watching for news of the bike and the fate of its rider(s). I'll update this blog when I know more.
It's my 5th Rock City barn so far on this trip. This one looks like it won't be standing much longer. We passed it on our way back to Helen. It was an exhausting ride. Sid kept us safe with his riding skill and watchful eye.
We walked to a restaurant where we had bratwurst, knockwurst, saurkraut and German potato salad with German beer. I'm weary and heading for bed (yawn).
2 comments:
Thanks for keeping Gail safe on the Dragon, Sid.
Keep driving safe and have a great time.
Cindy
Cindy, Sid was really careful. We decided this was our last trip on the Dragon. Sid was very tired about half way down the mountain. The fatality clinched it for us. That could be us on the next trip. You never know when an oncoming vehicle will lose control and slide over in your lane. A senseless way to die.
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