My spring Dragon run with Hotshoe is at hand. Last year (almost to the day) the weather was sunny, in the low 70's, with a light breeze. This year we'll settle for tolerable--if we can get it. (I've wanted to make some Dragon passes in the rain. Be careful what you wish for...) And again we'll throw in a day of relaxed tourism on roads we haven't driven. Part of the fun is not over-planning the fun.
If you haven't been to the Dragon, videos give a good feel for it. My favorite, for teaching purposes, remains Killboy's "Jay Multistrada:" http://vimeo.com/34155121. As you watch how he handles his car on his southbound pass, remember that the Dragon looks and feels different northbound. Northbound videos are on Killboy's site too.
The Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort's map (above) is the best for "feel" because it's to scale and includes topography. The other maps, with labeled turns and features are useful for picking out landmarks (guardrail, Parsons Branch, stone wall). These in turn help you to remember the bends near them. After a few runs you begin to learn parts of a full pass. But there is no way to memorize the entire Dragon unless you drive it frequently. That's one of the things that makes it fun.
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