Bitten by The Tail of the Dragon

Last night I've read the story of a biker on a Harley Davidson motorcycle that went down riding the Tail of the Dragon. He spent three weeks in the hospital after completing several surgeries. 

In 2018, I rode 11 hours on my bike from Philly to get to Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort in North Carolina. During preparations for the trip to the motorcycle resort, I remember thinking that I needed to be extra careful riding Tail of the Dragon to avoid getting into an accident. I felt the need to make sure my bike was in one piece, so she could take me home at the end of the week. 

The same day I arrived at the motorcycle resort, a kid from Canada unloaded a motorcycle from his pick-up truck. Less than ten minutes later crashed his bike in one of the 318 curves that are notorious for accidents if riders are not careful. 

An average of 1.5 to 4 riders die annually on the Tail of the Dragon. I tried my darndest not to become part of the Deals Gap statistics.

Two Wheel Tuesdays

Not sure if you noticed, how often I keep going back talking about my trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park area, the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort.

The trip was by far the best vacation I have ever been in two wheels. What an experience. While places like the Sturgis Rally, Daytona Bike Week, and Laconia Motorcycle Week are at the top of some of my motorcycle buddies list, the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap is my favorite and easily one of the best destination drives for any motorcycle or car enthusiast. It is also one of the most scenic and dangerous drives. I am glad I made the trip and spent a week there, when I did.

You're Never Too Old To Have Fun!

Not sure how I missed this image when I edited photos from my camera memory card of last year Deals Gap, Tail of the Dragon trip. Found it last night while looking for another photo. Of all the pictures I took from the Cheoah Dam in North Carolina, this image is now my favorite. To see a bigger version of this picture click HERE. 

I like having some of my favorite pictures to decorate my office; they include some of my motorcycle images.

A group of people came to my office after I finished running the support group today and noticed the motorcycle pictures decorating my office walls.

They were surprised I ride and wear leather racing gear. At the clinic they've only known me always wearing a business suit and ties. They told me that never in a million years they would've imagined me riding a sport bike at my age. I laughed when I heard them say that, I am only 63 years old.

Have you ever been told you are too old to ride a motorcycle?

Since I purchased my 1972 Kawasaki 750 two-stroke triple in the early 70's, always owned sportbikes. From their aesthetics to the combination of speed and raw power there's plenty to love about fast motorcycles. Riding a sportbike is an exhilarating experience. Not to mention the mental health benefits I gain by riding my bike; I always tell people that riding helps me to de-stress.

The day I purchased my current motorcycle I took it to the garage and a neighborhood kid no older than 6 years old approached me to admire it. He asked the usual inquisitive question, "how fast does it go?". After I told him, he gave me a bewildered look and keeping a straight face said "you're too old for your bike".

Kids say the darndest things.