Deal's Gap

"Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken" (fedaykin528)
11/09/2013 at 19:26 • Filed to: None

I took the car to Deal's Gap a couple of weeks ago and had a grand old time. Beautiful weather, beautiful scenery, light traffic, no constabulary in sight.

I've heard plenty about the Tail of the Dragon, and was always curious exactly how over hyped it was. It's not. I'm sure there are twister road in lots of places, but Deal's Gap gives the impression of endlessness. The turns are so tight, often slightly banked, and so variable, it never gets monotonous or predictable. It is so tight that you'll be hard pressed to get through much of 3rd gear over the entire length, which results in (in my case) a never ending M30B34 wail reverberating in my ears for the 20 minutes or so it takes to cover the 11 miles. And then you do it again!

Now please excuse me while I replace my control arms...

DISCUSSION (8)

desertdog5051 > Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken
11/09/2013 at 19:42

Have only done the Dragons Tail once. And it turned out to be a heavy traffic day. So not much fun.

My favorite, near me, is Hwy 260/273 through the White Mountains in eastern AZ. Just gorgeous.

bimmerismyname > Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken
11/09/2013 at 20:11

I've driven the Dragon 4 times in the last 3 years. First 3 times i drove it in a BME E60 528xi. Last time i drove it in my built up Mk5 Jetta 2.5. I love it. If i could drive it every day, i would.

His Stigness > Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken
11/09/2013 at 20:17

Is it infested with law enforcement waiting to ruin your day? And are the speed limits really that low like they showed in Top Gear?

Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken > His Stigness
11/09/2013 at 20:25

Yea, the posted speed limit is 35 mph…. but when I was there I didn't see a single Tennessee Highway Patrol car. It was also a Monday morning in late October, so perhaps the time of day and season?

Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken > Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken
11/09/2013 at 20:27

However, if you can carry your speed through the corners, 35 is pleeeenty fast. There are a few straights, and with no cops, well…

In any case 35 mph is really all you need to play in unless you're bringing something a little more exotic than a 27 year old bimmer.

His Stigness > Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken
11/09/2013 at 21:31

Perhaps. I wonder how lenient they are on speeding too. What would you say your average speed was?

Drew > Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken
11/10/2013 at 00:33

It seems to me, at least, that either you get a chance at the Tail uninterrupted or you have a terrible time stuck behind a minivan or in the backseat of a Crown Vic. I had heard all the hype and was on a cross-country rally and I wasn't thrilled when I found out we were headed that direction.

We ended up hitting it on a Tuesday evening after it had rained about 4 hours earlier and ended up making the perfect time. Had only one car that pulled over and enthusiastically waved us past. The speed limit is plenty and I don't think we ever gratuitously exceeded it on our run (it would be irresponsible to take that road anywhere near the limit of adhesion).

If I'm being fair, it is a marvelous road if you can get it uninterrupted. Easily one of the best I've been on and I've been coast to coast on some of the best. If anyone hasn't been, it's worth seeing even stuck behind a minivan. It'd be a hell of a run in a closed environment. I'm glad y'all had a good time, and happy carving.

Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken > His Stigness
11/10/2013 at 14:58

Hard to say, I should have thought to time it, my car even has an average-speed-ometer. Maybe 20-25?