We wake up early to get ready for the day’s ride, we are still an hour from Marion and the start of the Virginia side of the Back of the Dragon. Now mind you, it was not our choice to wake up this early. Our hotel “neighbors” kids were fully awake and running around and slamming their room door.
Happily, we now had dry clothes, the storm the day before soaked everything we were wearing. The standard hotel “continental” breakfast filled our stomachs enough to get us on the motorcycle and down the Road.
Getting to the start of US Route 16, which is the Back of the Dragon was easy enough and quickly we were riding the Dragon. Passing Hungry Mother State Park, we begin to climb into the mountain and start the twisties.
What a great ride! It was a cool morning, blue sunny skies with puff clouds, and the Harley Davidson motorcycle was running well. I was using our Go Pro and I thought my limited Go Pro skills had the camera working properly (turns out it kinda was and kinda not, I REALLY, need to read directions). It will be a while before I can edit and publish the video, not my strong suit.
We made a stop at what is called the “Back of the Dragon Lookout”. With the clear skies we could see 3 distant ridges along with some valley farmlands. A very nice view and you should stop to check it out if you ride the dragon.
The road was a great treat for those that love twists and turns. As we were riding in the early-ish morning there was little traffic. The only hazard was a dead deer that straddled both lanes. Riding through sections of the road titled “Cliff Hanger”, “Zero Gravity”, “Knee Dragger”, and the “Roller coaster” got us to what is called “Million Dollar View and Kudzu Corner.
Kudzu Corner is about two thirds of the way through the Back of the Dragon and that last third is just as exciting as the rest. I can highly recommend that you try out the 32 miles, 438 curves and the 3500 feet of elevation as it is just as fun as the Tail of the Dragon in Tennessee.
At the north end of the route, in Tazwell, VA, there is a Back of the Dragon shop catering to both motorcycle and car enthusiasts who come to make the ride. A very nice setup with shirts/pins/patches and all the other things that we like to collect. The building also has a brewery, coffee shop and food trucks (the food was good). There is also a photo op with a very big dragon!
After the visit to Tazwell, we set off north on US16 to explore the rest of the Back of Dragon. This part of the Dragon was just as much fun to ride as the part we just left. Passing the Virginia, West Virginia boarder we were shortly not only on the Back of the Dragon we were also on the Coal Heritage Trail which is an American Byway.
The Coal Heritage Trail was also on my bucket list, so I was able to knock out both! We passed through the coal towns of War, Welch, Pineville, Sofia, and many others. Sadly, many of these towns have seen better days now that coal is being phased out.
When you reach Beckley, WV Route 16 will be a mix of 2 lane and 4 lanes for about 20 miles, you will need to pay attention to the intersections to make sure you stay on route as much as possible. When you reach the town of Fayetteville you will be back on a 2-lane road, and you will drop down into the New River Gorge.
When you reach Beckley, WV Route 16 will be a mix of 2 lane and 4 lanes for about 20 miles, you will need to pay attention to the intersections to make sure you stay on route as much as possible. When you reach the town of Fayetteville you will be back on a 2-lane road, and you will drop down into the New River Gorge.
Climbing out of the Gorge you will face some of the best twists and turns of West Virgina side of the dragon. Part of this road is also called the Talon, an 8-mile ride from the town of Ansted and Gauley Bridge. This should be a great side trip for anyone riding the Back of the Dragon that will not cost you much time.
Ansted is where we stopped for the night.
Next up – Day 3 Taming the Dragon
