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Retro-Grade1 — Tail Of The Dragon
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Published: 2010-09-19 20:49:16 +0000 UTC; Views: 629; Favourites: 19; Downloads: 16
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Description
Grendel & I on my Birthday, 2010, riding Highway US 129 in Tennessee, or better known as "The Tail of the Dragon"/ "Deals Gap"."The Tail of the Dragon" is an 11 mile stretch of mountain road that crosses the Tennessee- North Carolina border. It encompasses 318 turns, and is considered one of the best motorcycle roads in the N. America. Absolute and utter bliss!!!
I don't know why, but I love this one and thought I would share it with those who might like it too.
**** This was taken by a professional, and all ownership and copyright belong to them, US 129 Photos. Other than personal, I ask that you please do not use this for anything, .
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Comments: 27
Helllllloooo handsome. You look good in this, Ian.
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I've never ridden on a motorcycle before but my father however, did. For many years in fact 
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That's fantastic, though I'm sorry he's not able to ride anymore dear and that you could not share that with your dad! I can only imagine what Australia must be like... I've crossed all of Canada and a parts of the U.S., but the landscape there is very different and vast in a different way than it is here. That would be amazing indeed! It's a feeling like no other, and I do wish I could be the one to take you on your maiden ride, I know I would love that immensely! 
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It is unfortunate, but that's just life isn't it? At least he was given the chance to go out and do it while he was young!
Oh yes, I'm sure they're very different worlds when travelling, but I don't know enough to compare them.
When I think of travelling Australia the words "barren" and "isolated" come to mind. I wouldn't want to travel by myself out here, as much as I'm inclined to spend time alone. I think the silence would be somewhat overwhelming for even me.
But that's so freaking cool that you've been able to travel a fair bit yourself, see so many different places... I really want to do that when I'm older, I'm so envious of you in that respect.
I wish so too, oh well! Here's to dreaming!
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You're absolutely right, at least your dad got experience and enjoy for himself while he could, and I'm sure he has fond memories even if he can no longer ride. Although, there is nothing technically to stop him from getting a trike as they call them, they're three-wheeled. I have two friends who are paralyzed and have no use of their legs and that's what they ride. It's not a bike, but close enough for someone who can not let go of doing it.
I think of those two words immediately also, which is funny beacuse very large parts of Canada are described the same (only usually much colder). Traveling on a bike is what I love, and as long as I'm this continent that's always what I will choose. Obviously going overseas requires flying or by boat... in an ideal world I would crate and ship my bike over to Europe and travel there too. Aww... don't me too envious love, you will!
I wish the same, and if that opportunity should arise then I promise you I will take you on a riding date.
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Well there you go! That's so great that nothing's stopping your mates from riding, they can still get out and do what they enjoy! 
I suggested that to him after I read your message, thank you for that.
I bet riding in the cold can be pretty awful... well not so much if you're all snug in leather.
Yes you seem to really have a passion for that
Alrighty, I'll hold you to that in future Ian.
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That's amazing that you suggested this to your dad and that he's actually considering it. Let me do a little research on them, 1) what large-ish city are you near or in and what province? I'll do my best to find you some dealers who might stock and sell them/ or ones in the classified ads that are close to you, if any. Either way I'll give you what I can tomorrow. There is a VERY popular machine here that is three-wheeled made by Can-am, called the Spyder. It has a two wheels in the front and one in the rear, a different approach to a trike and I would think they are available there. Do an Aussie search for it to see if there are any dealers, or I can for you.
I grew up in one of the coldest and harshest climates in North America, in Canada on the Prairies, so cold doesn't really bother me. I ride year-round too so I'm dressed properly for it!!! The "snug" leathers are warm to an extent, when it's quite cold I wear thermal layers underneath plus a windproof jacket over my leathers to added warmth.
Motorcycles are very much my identity, and my passion for them is well, you've seen. I just love the idea of being able to take "My Bike" to Europe and being able to ride it instead of renting one. It's actually quite affordable crating it and sending it on a boat, a few hundred $US.
It's a deal love, definitely hold me to it and we'll see what we can do!!
Thinking of you! 
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Well it was a good idea.
I haven't heard of the Spyder... I'll go look that up in a minute. I'm fairly sure a man here that my dad buys his Volkswagen parts from builds trikes, I might call him today. Only problem with getting a trike is they'd cost an arm and a leg.
Whoa you did? Well you must be one tough cookie then! I'm such a wimp when it comes to the cold, sometimes we get cool nights where I am now and I can not stand it. I grew up out in the country in a tiny town and I'll tell you now the heat there was pretty freaking intense. But I loved it, and the awesome tan I had back then. 
Wow you really dress professionally for riding don't you? 
When did you start riding? And that's really cool, I honestly thought it would cost heaps more than that, but that price is not too bad at all!
Haha I will do!!
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Oh sweetheart, anything I can do you I'd love to, and you're welcome! You have more options than you might think for your dad. Beyond the Spyder, which if it's available there, I think you would find a used one him. Given what I have seen here, owners of those machines take good care of them so the risk of getting a lemon is minimal. As for a trike, I know conversions are easier and more popular than ever. here is a website for a company that has dealers world-wide including Australia, [link] and here is a web-page with examples some of the conversions available: [link] Again, this is American but I got the affor-mentioned website off this page. I'll keep looking too...
Yeah, I grew up in one of the few places where the temperature varies from +40C to -40C in 6 months, and the cold one lives in is impossible to describe, suffice to say that one the worst days exposed skin will freeze in under 30 seconds. I know exactly what you mean, I grew very tired of that and part of the reason I left for somewhere more temperate! I don't like either extreme heat or cold, something in the middle, but where you lived sounds beautiful, almos desert like I'm imagining. Aww... and a lovely tan I bet also!!
Oh, don't even get me started about riding gear hon! I wear my leathers and gear every time I get on my bike, period!! Have from the moment I began. And yes it rare to see anyone else in them also, but occasionally I do. It's the exact same here, only worse as the State I live in has no helmet law (don't ask, there is absolutely no logic or sense with that) so I see people riding wearing as little as you described also. It's terrifying the thought of what will happen to them WHEN they fall.
I've been riding over a decade (first some dirt before going to the street). Yeah, I've met people who've done it and got the names of shippers who send bike back and forth across the Atlantic for about that price.
YAY!! 
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This is just one sinuous piece of a thing! Its own life!
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Thank you So So Much Twiggy for taking the time to comment on this image, meant a lot!
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Been there and love the road.
Perfect form, great pic.
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It's like no other, as you know, I can't wait to get back!
Thank you, on both accounts, I really appreciate that. The Men and Women who photograph riders along the tail are phenomenal.
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Of course, it means a lot that you like it!!
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Hahahaha ohhkkay i finally got some pics of me n my boys they were like cuzin put pics of us and i was how bout all of us and they were like yayayayayyayay
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I just saw them, very sweet indeed! You look like you were having a lot of fun, great to see and thank you for sharing them Bree!! They look like great kids.
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i was after that pic they said lets rock and i said hell ya and i put on issues by escape the fate and they went crazy. i was saying HELP ME silently
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They were certainly a big help and you caught a lovely moment bree!! That's fantastic!
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Thank you So Much Sonia, and I'm really happy you do, it means more than you know!!
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whoooosh! That is awesome!
You know, i know that road! ^_^
My dad used to use it to scare the living daylights out of my mom and me...
We used to go up to Tennessee once a year but my dad's business hit some hard times and we haven't been able to make it for quite a while now. >.<
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Thank you so much dear, I really appreciate it!
Really... that's amazing! I can only imagine, a car is not something I would want to negotiate that road in! There were 13 crashes in the 4 days I was there, testament to ferocious nature of it!
That's so cool though, I'm looking for excuses to go back and do it again!
Thank you for sharing that!!
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