Self-Indulgent Dragon Photo Essay (And Killboy Caption Cribs)

TDOT's mile markers count up from the State line (south to north).  Names and spellings of corners vary
depending on the mapmaker.  After a few passes, your own "mental map" will begin to fill in with the most
obvious landmarks.  For instance, The (Stone) Wall, the large culvert and the only entering side road at
Parson's Branch, The (only) Guardrail.  On some maps, Mile Marker 6 and Rebels Revenge are The Horns
of the Dragon.  A Confederate veteran is buried in the small cemetery up the hill from the road at Rebels
Revenge.  If the Overlook's crowded, I go down to Calderwood Corner to turn around for the return pass.

Make a couple of slow passes to re-familiarize yourself with the road and get into a rhythm.  Say "Hi" to Killboy or his minions.

If your front wheel is hung across the white line, you don't have time to wave at anybody.  Be alert to traffic and focus, focus.

"About all she's got, Cap'n..."  The better among us may get a street car around a bend faster, but this is near the limit of prudence for a public highway.  When I stopped at the Calderwood Dam Overlook, the spokes of my front wheels were too hot to touch.  It took them a few minutes to cool down to "warm."  That's enough brake heat to transmit to the tires of a daily driver.  Take some time to enjoy the view before making another hard pass.

"Little Honda, lookin' good..."

"...Oh, no you DID-unt!"  This is a no-no.  If you cross the double yellow, you will eventually collect a sportbike mirror--or worse.  On this trip, I encountered a pickup truck towing a two-wheeled trailer that was 2 feet into my lane.  He barely got it back in his lane as I passed.  On another pass, I had to come to a complete stop when it looked like a 20-foot straight truck was not going to get it back into his lane in time.  And of course we all know about the semi trucks (or should).  When you see trouble ahead in the oncoming lane, stop before the corner.  But get going again.  A sportbiker told me that a couple in a car ahead of him, "leafing," stopped dead, in a corner, to take pictures. 

  I'll miss you, Dragon.  See you next spring!