People from all walks of life are drawn to the seducing curves of the Dragon at Deal’s Gap, also known as US Hwy 129. They make their pilgrimage to test their skills, or in some cases, to be bitten by the Dragon or photographed by no less than three independent photographers.

The area surrounding the Dragon was one of the last areas of North Carolina to be settled due to its inhospitable terrain. For thirty-six miles along the TN/NC border the GSM are more than 5k feet in altitude with 16 peaks stretching to more than 6k feet. All of this altitude translates to treacherous travel, especially for the pioneers in their day, but also for us as motor-sport enthusiasts today. Earlier today I traveled exactly 40 miles (by bicycle) to the Dragon and stopped at the tree you see pictured herein.

Yes, I marked my territory (LOL) with a brief bio-break, sandwich, gel-pak, and a turn around to head home. As I departed four Tennessee Highway Patrol officers were parked on the northbound lane shooting radar. They clocked me at 13mph (going uphill). They laughed outloud as they told me my speed. I “politely” asked if they thought they could ride a bike moving their jelly donuts any faster than me? Their faces turned from smiles to … well … I headed home on my bike!