[XShogunR1X]

Hello everyone,

I want to start this thread to see what kind of interest people might have with trying to some kind of R1 Rally/Get together at the Back of the Dragon in Tazewell VA. I know it's early to start this post. But I want to see how many people might want to try this out and start planning for it. Was thinking early/mid summer of 2023. Post in here if your interested or have some ideas to help out. If we get a lot of interest, I can talk to the owners of the Back of the Dragon store and see what kind of accommodations they might be able to work out for us.

Home - Back of the Dragon This is the website so you can get more info about the place. It really is an awesome road to ride, and a great place to hang out at. I was just there for 3 days and had some of the most fun ever on 2 wheels.

Time frame can be modified to accommodate more people if need be. This is early planning phase of this, but I need know the interest before I start full planning. I myself already plan to go 2-3 times next year.

The road goes between Tazewell and Marion VA. Marion has lots of hotels and is right off the main highway, so it's easy access for trailers. Also a small town, so it has plenty of stores, gas stations, and great food options. The Back of the Dragon store in Tazewell has a food truck on site, and a brewery for hanging out and having a good time resting before hitting the mountain again.

So please let me know if any of you want to get some kind of group meeting setup and we can plan this all out, hopefully make it like the conventions of old with lots of us having fun together.

Picture of me on the Back of the Dragon

 

[NixR1]

For me, the ealier, the better. It gives me more notice and some time to see if I can prepare for this trip. If this is happening in 2022, I'd more likely use my Fz1. I really want to master my newly purchased R1 before I join in on this type of fun.

 

[XShogunR1X]

For me, the ealier, the better. It gives me more notice and some time to see if I can prepare for this trip. If this is happening in 2022, I'd more likely use my Fz1. I really want to master my newly purchased R1 before I join in on this type of fun.

Thats why im starting this up now, so I can see what kind of interest we have in this. And it would be 2023, that way there is lots of time for planning and figuring out all the details. I have a way to get in contact with the owners, I just need a basic head count and time frame before I can get with them and plan it as an event.

 

[NixR1]

Excellent. You can start counting with me. That's a gorgeous R1 you have there. What year is it?

 

[XShogunR1X]

Excellent. You can start counting with me. That's a gorgeous R1 you have there. What year is it?

Sounds good, hopefully more people will see this and show more interest. Would be great to have more people come out and enjoy the road and the area.

That is my 05 R1 track bike. I also had my 2020 R1 with me.

 

[XShogunR1X]

I would like to add for people that like to camp, there is a State Park right on the road on the Marion side. So lots of different options for people to have a place to stay.

 

[NixR1]

Sounds good, hopefully more people will see this and show more interest. Would be great to have more people come out and enjoy the road and the area.

That is my 05 R1 track bike. I also had my 2020 R1 with me.
View attachment 1026301 View attachment 1026300

I'm a broken record saying sweet/sick/awesome bike everytime I see an R1 including both of yours, but it's no less true. I'll want one of the current R1's next.

 

[XShogunR1X]

I'm a broken record saying sweet/sick/awesome bike everytime I see an R1 including both of yours, but it's no less true. I'll want one of the current R1's next.

Thanks, I enjoy having both of them. The track bike gets a little less ride time these days as she is a bit on the old side. But I still take her out and thrash her around when I can.

As for on topic, to everyone. Please feel free to ask questions and or give your opinion or ideas about this.

 

[Gearheaded]

If I had a bike for the street I’d consider it. It’s been a few years since I’ve been to the dragon

 

[XShogunR1X]

If I had a bike for the street I’d consider it. It’s been a few years since I’ve been to the dragon

You can't mount a few lights on a bike just for the street? LOL
That's pretty much all i do for my track bike, one little light on the front, and then an 02/03 tail light mounted to a plate bracket I made for it.

 

[Buttafewcoe]

Coming out of Hickory, NC, I've made a couple day trips to Tazewell. I can ride up and hang out for a bit.

 

[XShogunR1X]

Coming out of Hickory, NC, I've made a couple day trips to Tazewell. I can ride up and hang out for a bit.

Sounds good, even if just for a day or 2.

 

[Buttafewcoe]

 

[Buttafewcoe]

 

[XShogunR1X]

Good times, really wish I didn't have to come back home

 

[dcase4246]

Beautiful area! Curious, what's the traffic like in that area, as it seems to be a tourist destination now? Can you ride these roads at nice quick pace without issues? I've heard traffic is starting to be an issue there now.

 

[XShogunR1X]

Beautiful area! Curious, what's the traffic like in that area, as it seems to be a tourist destination now? Can you ride these roads at nice quick pace without issues? I've heard traffic is starting to be an issue there now.

I wasn't there on the weekend, so I can't speak for that. But Monday-Wednesday there was very little traffic to deal with. And most of the traffic that I came across was normally one car at a time, and 90% of them got out of the way as soon as possible. I was running it fairly quick the whole time. I'm sure there are times when it gets a little crowded. The worst that I dealt with was a group of cruisers, but me and my group just passed them in the valley where you can see pretty good ahead of you. Felt that it was acceptable. Mid summer months are probably a little more busy, as that is peak season for them and that area. but it is a public road, so it will always be hit or miss.

 

[dcase4246]

I wasn't there on the weekend, so I can't speak for that. But Monday-Wednesday there was very little traffic to deal with. And most of the traffic that I came across was normally one car at a time, and 90% of them got out of the way as soon as possible. I was running it fairly quick the whole time. I'm sure there are times when it gets a little crowded. The worst that I dealt with was a group of cruisers, but me and my group just passed them in the valley where you can see pretty good ahead of you. Felt that it was acceptable. Mid summer months are probably a little more busy, as that is peak season for them and that area. but it is a public road, so it will always be hit or miss.

Glad you had a good time and good point going in the middle of the week to beat the weekend crowd would be ideal. Also, I get it being a public road. I have my favorites around here were I live in the Ozarks and for the most part they are lightly traveled and a blast to ride! However, every year they seem to get more and more crowded from out of town tourists wanting to ride the area. A little traffic isn’t too bad, but getting mired up behind 20-30 cars in a car club or bikes cruising takes the joy out of it for me and makes me wish I lived closer to the track.

 

[XShogunR1X]

Glad you had a good time and good point going in the middle of the week to beat the weekend crowd would be ideal. Also, I get it being a public road. I have my favorites around here were I live in the Ozarks and for the most part they are lightly traveled and a blast to ride! However, every year they seem to get more and more crowded from out of town tourists wanting to ride the area. A little traffic isn’t too bad, but getting mired up behind 20-30 cars in a car club or bikes cruising takes the joy out of it for me and makes me wish I lived closer to the track.

Yeah I'm sure it does get more crowded at times. They do promote it a lot, and want to have people coming as much as possible. If people do want to do this, we can plan around the other events to limit the traffic possibilities.

 

[XShogunR1X]

Bump