In an isolated place just outside off Tennessee in North Carolina lies the 11 mile stretch of US129 called Deals Gap, more commonly known as The Tail of the Dragon. This is a place of adventure as well as misfortune. Thousands come from miles, year round to get a glimpse of or even ride the Dragon. Known as the road with the most twists and turns the Dragon has 318 curves in just about 11 miles and is one of the most popular places for motorcycle and street car enthusiasts alike it’s a place to test you ability and the cops patients. Oh yes did i say cops? The 5-0 have been cracking down on the Dragon hardcore this year and don’t plan on stopping, but this should not deter you from making the trip to see the Dragon. But remember to wear your motorcycle helmet and motorcycle jacket. Anyone looking for an exciting highway will enjoy this stretch of US129.

TOTAL DISTANCE:

By Road:

Tabcat Bridge to Deals Gap - 11.1 miles

Tabcat Bridge to Hwy 28 - 11.8 miles

Tabcat Bridge to Fugitive Bridge - 14.0 miles

As the Crow Flies:

Tabcat Bridge to Fugitive Bridge - 6.0 miles

AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC (ADT):

HIGHEST ELEVATION:

LOWEST ELEVATION:

ELEVATION CHANGE:

SPEED LIMITS:

2008 - As of August 11 Three deaths: One sportbike went off road and hit tree near Thunder Road Bend. One cruiser went off road in Ron's Run with rider suffering heart attack. One trike went off road and struck tree.

2007 - Three deaths: One low side at Guadrail Cliff. Trike versus a vehicle near the Wall claimed the lives of an older rider and his passenger. Both accidents in July.

2006 - Two deaths: One rider went off road and hit tree another low sided into an oncoming vehicle.

2005 - Three deaths: All three deaths involved failing to negociate corners - two went off the mountain and one slid into an oncoming vehicle.

2004 - Two deaths: Both deaths apparently caused by speed and then overbraking.

2003 - No deaths: There were several deaths in the surrounding area of the Dragon, but none that we know of on the 11 miles of the Dragon itself.

2002 - Two deaths: On June 16 a 29 year-old Dale Bently a Valkyrie rider from Michigan died on the Dragon. The rider was passing a car near the Horns of the Dragon when he wrecked and suffered fatal head injuries. The second death occurred on Sunday August 4 when Lendry R. Obanna Jr., 24, of Jacksonville, Florida, lost control of his 2000 Yamaha R6.

2001 - Two deaths: The entire Blount County (home of the Dragon) saw a total of four motorycle fatalities in 2001. The total includes the deaths of a 27-year-old Knoxville man who died March 10 in a collision on Old Knoxville Highway in Rockford, the May 5th death on the Dragon, the July 5th death of a 43-year-old Maryville man in an accident on Happy Valley Road, and the October 27th death on the Dragon.

2000 - One death: Blount County had four motorcycle deaths in 2000 including one fatality on the Dragon.

1999 - One death: Only one motorcycle death in 1999

1998 - No deaths: No fatal motorcycle crashes in 1998.

1997 - One death: A single motorcycle fatality is listed in 1997.

1996 - One death: A single motorcycle fatality in 1996.

1995 - Two deaths: In 1995, two men died in separate July 3 motorcycle crashes on the Dragon during the July 4 holiday weekend.

CLICK HERE for map with death location since 2000

You will hear a lot about the fastest times on the Dragon. The original timing involved a run from the Overlook to the Crossroads of Time and then back, an 18.6-mile distance. The round trip time was then divided by two. The Deals Gap Riding Society record for an amateur rider was a 22 minute round trip run, which averaged out to 11 minutes (50.7 mph average). The overall record was 18 minutes, or 9 minutes one-way (62 mph average). In order to compete for a new record one had to make the run along with the current record holder.

These records were set back in the early 1990s when there was little traffic on the Dragon. Today, with the road patrolled by sheriff and highway patrol, you will risk severe penalties if you try to beat the records.

The first feature film made on US 129 was Thunder Road. This 1958 Robert Mitchum film about backwoods moonshining actually had scenes filmed on the Dragon. One location that we can identify is at the power line easement at about mile 4.5 on the Dragon map and you can see the old wooden "safety" posts on the open corner. A couple of the posts still remain.

Darrin Roberts told us that part of the 1971 classic movie Two-Lane Blacktop was filmed on the Dragon. There are scenes of the state line sign, some of the curves, and the original single lane bridge at Tapoco Dam. There are also scenes along 129 on the Little Tennessee River. We were amazed to see the original Deal's Gap diner and Esso gas station in the film too. These scenes are at the end of the movie.

Part of The Fugitive (1993) with Harrison Ford was filmed at Tapoco Dam.

Part of In Dreams (1998) with Annette Bening was filmed at Tapoco Dam and Calderwood Dam.