"The Dragon": America's Most Dangerous Road And A Racer's Paradise
This 18-kilometer highway abounds with steep turns, bends, and junctions, and is very popular with fans of fast driving. I decided to look at it with my own eyes.In the 1950s, the federal government paved the highway and turned it into Highway 129. This road, which connects sleepy villages deep in the Appalachian forests, is of secondary importance, and it was not used much until the 1990s, when information about 318 turns began to circulate in online forums.
On the border between the American southern states of Tennessee and North Carolina, a road that looks more like someone's scribble runs through deserted woodlands.
The Road of 318 Turns
The 18-kilometer stretch of the highway, blown by the winds, has 318 turns, including very steep bends and difficult junctions.
The difficult route attracts motorcyclists and motorists who have a special love for thrills. Many believe that this is one of the best driving roads in the world.
This section of Highway 129 is called "Tail of the Dragon" by connoisseurs.
One Rider’s Obsession
Jared Barnes remembers the first time he rode it on a motorcycle about seven years ago — then he had no idea what he was getting into.
"I barely overcame the track," he says. "Local motorcyclists overtook me like a standing person."
Soon Barnes got hooked — he lived nearby, only 45 minutes away, and began to come to the Dragon three or four times a week to practice.
In 2012, he decided to break the record of driving on the track. And he succeeded — the video captured the moment (at the 8:27 mark) when Barnes improved the previous record by half a minute, flying down the highway at a speed over 210 km/h, that is, four times higher than the posted limit.
An Unofficial Legend
The steep turns of the Dragon have become a legend among motorcyclists.
"Of course, this is an unofficial record — in fact, what I did was illegal," Barnes admits.
But he's not the only daredevil on the Dragon: it's not uncommon to see motorcyclists testing their limits.
From Hidden Road to Iconic Destination
Only 20 years ago, few people knew about this forest road. Now it has turned into a kind of Mecca for bikers and motorists who adore high speeds and dangerous turns.
The maximum speed limit on the Dragon is strict by thrill-seeker standards — only 48 km/h. Traffic police have a lot to do here.
But the popularity of the highway has also led to the growth of the local tourism industry, serving those who come here from all over the United States.
A Path with History
The road follows the path of an old Cherokee Indian hunting trail, which was used in the 17th century by European settlers who drove cattle to the city markets.