Author: Wade Thiel

They call it the Tail of the Dragon—eleven miles of relentless, coiled pavement twisting through the Smoky Mountains, with 318 curves so tight they could snap your concentration in half. It’s a place where dreams go to lean, scrape, and occasionally low-side into the trees. The speed limit is 30, the shoulders are nonexistent, and the margin for error is about the width of your front tire.

And I’m here to tell you: leave the big bikes at home. The Dragon belongs to the little guys.

It’s not often that you get a chance as a married man with kids to disappear for three days. Let alone disappear and do nothing but ride your motorcycle around one of the most coveted recreational areas in the country.

I had this unique opportunity last week, and let me tell you, if you get the chance, take it. I rode from Indianapolis, Indiana, down to the historic Tapoco Lodge in Robbinsville, North Carolina—hitting the Tail of the Dragon and other beautiful roads along the way—and I loved every minute of it.

The Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap boasts a reputation as the road to ride or drive for motoring enthusiasts. Recently, I had a chance to visit America’s number one motorcycling and sports car road. And I stayed at the historic Tapoco Lodge in Robbinsville, North Carolina.

This lodge is a mere few minutes from Deals Gap and the start of the Tail of the Dragon, and if I were to visit the area again (I sincerely hope I will get to sometime soon), I would stay here again.