Abstract:
The stretch of U.S. Highway 129 starting at Cheoah Dam near Robbinsville in Graham County and ending at Tabcat Bridge in Tennessee is called the Tail of the Dragon. In this particular eleven-mile stretch, over 300 curves, steep grades, and tight turns test the driving abilities of motorists, motorcyclists, and bicyclists. The speed limit is 30 mph, although it used to be 55 mph on the North Carolina side of the road. Johnson describes the road and its attraction to cyclists.