Some images are so iconic in the world of motorsports that you know exactly where they are when you see them. The famous Dunlop Bridge at LeMans comes instantly to mind. For many avid sports car and motorcycle enthusiasts, the Dragon at the Tail of the Dragon store is equally as iconic.
Over the years, the myths and legends surrounding this 11-mile stretch of U.S. 129 have grown until it has become a bucket-list experience for many. Legions of the faithful travel from across the planet every year to experience the 318 banked curves for themselves.
We recently had an opportunity to talk with Ron Johnson, a 20-year veteran of the Dragon and the owner of the Tail of the Dragon store. What follows is an adaptation of our interview with Ron for our new “Vettes of Atlanta” podcast.
This article is the second of three that cover that interview. In the first installment, we found out about the early years and how Ron became intricately involved with this stretch of highway. Here is the first article: Ron Johnson – Keeper of the Dragon.
Enjoy!
The Stars Come Out
ROD WORLEY – EDITOR – Ron, people travel from all over the world to this obscure 11-mile stretch of road in the Great Smokey Mountains. I’m sure you’ve had your fair share of movies and T.V. stars. Any standout?
RON JOHNSON – OWNER OF THE TAIL OF THE DRAGON – You know Rod, we’ve had several. The first one we met was Kyle Petty, the NASCAR race car driver. He did a “Ride Across America” with a bunch of motorcycle riders.
We met Charlie Boorman, who made the movie “Long Way Round” with him and Ian McGregor. In the film, they rode motorcycles around the world.
We met him up in Canada at a motorcycle show, and we invited him down, not thinking he’d ever come. Well, it took about ten years, but he remembered us and showed up one day with a film crew and shot some film for his other show.
Larry, the Cable Guy, came through with his film crew. They were shooting for a T.V. show. I spent a whole day with Larry, driving him across the Dragon in my wife’s 2012 Mustang. He’s quite a character but just a down-to-earth person.
He made time for everybody. We’d pull off on the side of the road, and people were stopping and running over to get pictures with him—just a great guy.
We also had Jesse Combs of the All-Girls Garage visit us. She came by in 2013, spent the day, and was just a real sweetheart. We were truly saddened when she lost her life trying to set the women’s speed record—terrible loss.
We Need A Dragon!
ROD WORLEY – EDITOR – Well, those are some big names, Ron. One thing we have to talk about is the massive piece of metal artwork outside your store. Some things are so iconic that when you see them, you know exactly where you are. Can you give us the backstory of your famous metal Dragon?
RON JOHNSON – OWNER OF THE TAIL OF THE DRAGON – Back in 2013, I convinced my wife Nancy that we needed this big metal Dragon. I thought it would be worth something to say, “When you come and ride the road, make sure you stop at the big metal Dragon!”
We contracted a welder in Murphy, North Carolina. He thought we were crazy wanting a 26, 27-foot long, eleven-foot tall metal Dragon.
We said, “Here’s the rough drawing; make it out of parts. Do whatever you want. Use your imagination.” It took him six months, but he made us a beautiful Dragon. Unfortunately, when he finished the Dragon, it was too large to move out through his overhead doorway.
He had to cut the feet off, move it out, and reattach them outside the garage. It was quite the parade bringing the Dragon to us on his trailer.
It’s about a 50, 60-mile drive, and everybody was gawking and honking. We should have done it a long time ago. The Dragon paid for itself in the first six months,
Getting The Story Straight
ROD WORLEY – EDITOR – You’re right, Ron, that giant metal Dragon is so iconic. I’m sure it paid for itself as a tourist attraction quickly.
For years, there have been legends and rumors surrounding this 11-mile stretch of U.S. 129. What’s your favorite rumor and any truth to these wild stories?
RON JOHNSON – OWNER OF THE TAIL OF THE DRAGON – Well, one of the favorite rumors is that there are people who have been missing for years and are finally found down the side of the road somewhere. I don’t know of any facts to support that rumor. I know that there have been a couple of cases of people being found a day or two after being missing.
If you’re riding all alone and go off that road, it’s pretty desolate. You can go down 150, 200 feet, and be totally out of sight.
The one case I remember is a man and his son were riding with nobody with them. They went off the road, and the Father died from the crash.
It took his son all night to climb back up to the highway and wave somebody down—sad situation. The rumors say that we have a death every week. The truth is we usually have two or three deaths a year.
A Love Of The Road
One of the takeaways we had from talking with Ron Johnson was his genuine love of this twisty portion of the mountain highway. You see it in the volumes of information he has painstakingly gathered and cataloged on his Tail of the Dragon website.
You hear it in his voice as he talks about the colorful history of the various curves.
We doubt Ron knew 20 years ago that thousands around the globe would someday share his passion for this 11-mile stretch of U.S. 129. We’re just glad the keeper of the dragon was willing to share.
Additional Articles We Recommend:
The Tail Of The Dragon – A Voice That Drives My Heel
Ron Johnson – Keeper Of The Dragon,
Ron Johnson – Keeper Of The Dragon Part 2,
Ron Johnson – Keeper Of The Dragon Part 3,
Darryl “Killboy” Cannon – The Eyes Of The Dragon,
Darryl “Killboy” Cannon – The Eyes Of The Dragon Part 2,
Darryl “Killboy” Cannon – The Eyes Of The Dragon Part 3,
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