… and I did a “two-fer”…. Passed through this place again because, why not, was easy, from DC.

....tom

In my process of "retired guy checking things off "the list", the dragon
has always been one, although I read more and more that it doesn't have the
same appeal it used to because of overcrowding, which as a 69 yr old can
associate with regarding all sorts of shit I've done over the years. I did
all of Skyline Dr last year on my ride from Jersey to Barber for the
festival, and that was very enjoyable in October. I imagine that it also
becomes much more crowded in the "premium" months. How did you find your
October experience, Tom?

STeve

On Fri, Oct 24, 2025 at 9:54 AM TomD tbrduc@gmail.com wrote:

I am there now, ending the week but I was driving the vette.

Paul

On Fri, Oct 24, 2025 at 9:54 AM TomD tbrduc@gmail.com wrote:

For years we made the trek down to Barber from Virginia 2 days down 2 days there 2 days back. We would do the dragon on Monday. I quit going when the last time we went through there on a Monday, it was so crowded down at the bottom that there was no where to park and get a decal, then I was blue lighted on 2 turns.

The Back of the Dragon is actually better IMHO and for sure the Cherohala National Scenic Byway should be on your bucket list.

And I can name a few other roads that are just as much fun and not as famous.

V/R - Gene

"I know a Few Roads"
Charter Life Member American Motorcycle Association
Charter Member Victory Motorcycle Club
Member ducati.net
Ex MSF Instructor
Patriot Guard Rider

01' Victory Sportcruiser
04' Victory Kingpin
16' Victory Cross Country Tour
02' Ducati Monster 900
13' Ducati Diavel
24' Harley Davidson Fat Boy 114

From: Steve Abramson desmo900cr@gmail.com
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2025 1:53 PM
To: Ducati Owners Group ducati@list.ducati.net
Subject: [Ducati] Re: Barber and the Dragon

In my process of "retired guy checking things off "the list", the dragon has always been one, although I read more and more that it doesn't have the same appeal it used to because of overcrowding, which as a 69 yr old can associate with regarding all sorts of shit I've done over the years. I did all of Skyline Dr last year on my ride from Jersey to Barber for the festival, and that was very enjoyable in October. I imagine that it also becomes much more crowded in the "premium" months. How did you find your October experience, Tom?

STeve

On Fri, Oct 24, 2025 at 9:54 AM TomD <tbrduc@gmail.commailto:tbrduc@gmail.com> wrote:
… and I did a “two-fer”…. Passed through this place again because, why not, was easy, from DC.

....tom

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You definitely want to ride/drive the dragon on a weekday and preferably in
the morning. You are right Gene, there are better roads and I'll add
Foothills, 28 from Crossroads of time to Franklin, Wayah Rd. off 74. Tom, I
did not pass any bikes but a few cars pulled off for us which is always
appreciated. I saw some vettes ( we were not part of them but a smaller
friend group), porsches, miatas and a bunch of supped up Fiats, which
looked like alotta fun.

Paul

On Mon, Oct 27, 2025 at 10:16 AM Gene Hunt Twolanefun@outlook.com wrote:

A little 500c in sport mode will absolutely challenge any road as tight as the Dragon, maybe even better than the Fiat Spider I replaced the 500C with. When I got mine I had such fun with it over in the Great Falls area, such a shame IMHO those cars are no longer sold in USA. - Gene

"I know a Few Roads"
Charter Life Member American Motorcycle Association
Charter Member Victory Motorcycle Club
Member ducati.net
Ex MSF Instructor
Patriot Guard Rider

01' Victory Sportcruiser
04' Victory Kingpin
16' Victory Cross Country Tour
02' Ducati Monster 900
13' Ducati Diavel
24' Harley Davidson Fat Boy 114

From: Paul March pjm911@gmail.com
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 10:28 AM
To: Ducati Owners Group ducati@list.ducati.net
Subject: [Ducati] Re: Barber and the Dragon

You definitely want to ride/drive the dragon on a weekday and preferably in the morning. You are right Gene, there are better roads and I'll add Foothills, 28 from Crossroads of time to Franklin, Wayah Rd. off 74. Tom, I did not pass any bikes but a few cars pulled off for us which is always appreciated. I saw some vettes ( we were not part of them but a smaller friend group), porsches, miatas and a bunch of supped up Fiats, which looked like alotta fun.

Paul

On Mon, Oct 27, 2025 at 10:16 AM Gene Hunt <Twolanefun@outlook.commailto:Twolanefun@outlook.com> wrote:
For years we made the trek down to Barber from Virginia 2 days down 2 days there 2 days back. We would do the dragon on Monday. I quit going when the last time we went through there on a Monday, it was so crowded down at the bottom that there was no where to park and get a decal, then I was blue lighted on 2 turns.

The Back of the Dragon is actually better IMHO and for sure the Cherohala National Scenic Byway should be on your bucket list.

And I can name a few other roads that are just as much fun and not as famous.

V/R - Gene

"I know a Few Roads"
Charter Life Member American Motorcycle Association
Charter Member Victory Motorcycle Club
Member ducati.nethttp://ducati.net/
Ex MSF Instructor
Patriot Guard Rider

01' Victory Sportcruiser
04' Victory Kingpin
16' Victory Cross Country Tour
02' Ducati Monster 900
13' Ducati Diavel
24' Harley Davidson Fat Boy 114

From: Steve Abramson <desmo900cr@gmail.commailto:desmo900cr@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2025 1:53 PM
To: Ducati Owners Group <ducati@list.ducati.netmailto:ducati@list.ducati.net>
Subject: [Ducati] Re: Barber and the Dragon

In my process of "retired guy checking things off "the list", the dragon has always been one, although I read more and more that it doesn't have the same appeal it used to because of overcrowding, which as a 69 yr old can associate with regarding all sorts of shit I've done over the years. I did all of Skyline Dr last year on my ride from Jersey to Barber for the festival, and that was very enjoyable in October. I imagine that it also becomes much more crowded in the "premium" months. How did you find your October experience, Tom?

STeve

On Fri, Oct 24, 2025 at 9:54 AM TomD <tbrduc@gmail.commailto:tbrduc@gmail.com> wrote:
… and I did a “two-fer”…. Passed through this place again because, why not, was easy, from DC.

....tom

To get the links and updates on all today's Ducati news:
http://www.ductalk.com/
and
https://www.facebook.com/ducnet

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Mailto: %(user_address)s

To get the links and updates on all today's Ducati news:
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and
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You guys are getting me excited for 2026!

On Mon, Oct 27, 2025 at 10:35 AM Gene Hunt Twolanefun@outlook.com wrote: