[crazyhorse]

Copied from www.TailofTheDragon.com :
BULLETIN AUGUST 12 - SUNDAY: Count for the day - four THP units and three Blount County units. Most of the day there were more LEOs than motorcycles. The Governor's plan has worked. US129 is now the safest highway in the state. Of course now there is no traffic.

Blount County SO makes harzardous turns in blind corners on the Dragon so watch it if you are on US129. SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE

I spent most of the day touring the empty roadway along with a few local motorists affraid to go over 25 mph. Engine kept overheating at this speed. Couldn't get pulled over for too many cameras. THP keeps waving at me like we are old friends.


It seems that the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) has succeeded in "shutting down" The Dragon. Traffic counts are WAY down according to the previous website and www.killboy.com . TN has strict "anti cruising" laws that the THP is enforcing at $139 a pop.
Yes I agree that The Dragon was getting quite crowded in recent years. For the most part though the riders/drivers were quite respectful of the dangers. I usually "daytrip" up there 2-3 times a summer, and have NEVER had a problem with Law Enforcement Officers. (LEOs)
Last weekend I drove up to see if it really was that bad, and in a word, yes, it is. LEOs were everywhere & I got pulled over for what amounts to a legality check. I was let go when they noticed my camera/mount in my Pinto. Smile LEO you're on candid camera. From that point on I got the same smiles/waves that the author of the above got. DANG I never wanted a police scanner so bad!
I've sent copies of the video to both the THP main office & local Knoxville TN news desks. The video shows THP units violating the double yellow, and my "encounter" with a very rude THP sergeant. I'm hoping to get a call from one or the other.
Here's to hoping that they'll find ome other public menace to go after soon. Like the Meth Labs around here.

If The Dragon is still being outright hijacked by LEO's next year, I can come up with some local 2lane blacktop that would rival it for challenge & beauty. There is also plenty of camping & hotel accomodations for any sized group. We'd also have NO trouble with LEOs as I can get us an escort from the local sheriff's dept!