Overall Route Rating
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4.85 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.85
20 Reviews

Back of the Dragon

Motorcycle Route Author

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By ksp2089 (10 McR Points) on Jul 01, 2020

Rider Reviews

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ThomSS
3743 McR Points
July 10, 2020
Awesome ride!!! One of the best there is. The…
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RRHemi
14 McR Points
August 14, 2020
What a great ride! Beautiful scenery and a road…
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Written Directions

If you're starting from the North, you will start in Tazewell, VA and simply head Southwest on US Business 19 for about 2-miles and then turn south (take a left) on to VA Route 16 where the fun begins. Continue heading South for about 30-miles and you will come to the route's end as you arrive in Marion, VA. Beginning in Marion, VA, the Back of the Dragon takes you through 438 curves over 32 miles of breathtaking scenery, ending in the small town of Tazewell, VA. Here you will find the Back of the Dragon Welcome Center, as well as local breweries, restaurants, and a nearby Amish community.

Scenery

This route takes you through a beautiful section of the Appalachian mountains in the Southwestern corner of Virginia offering at times, wide-ranging views of the surrounding mountains. You'll be crossing/viewing three large mountains in the area: Big Walker, Brushy and Clinch and riding among valleys as the Apalachian mountains stake out their dominance running from the Northeast to the Southwest. Breathtaking, long range mountain views will greet you on this route that leads you from the interstate into the mountains of Southwest Virginia.

Drive Enjoyment

438 curves over 32 miles of hilly, winding back roads that offer little traffic, no potholes, and roads that are correctly banked. Despite the fact that it has been a favorite for motorcycle riders and sports car tourist for many years now, the traffic is typically a non-factor due to its remote location.

Tourism Opportunities

This route has everything from a state park to locally owned restaurants and a brewery. Also nearby is Burke's Garden, a scenic Amish community where you can purchase Amish goods and food. Stay at the Old Jail in Tazewell for a unique lodging experience. There are plenty of services (fuel, restaruants, places to shop) at both ends of the route in Tazewell and Marion. Tazewell has made a big investment to cater to the riding/driving comunities and have built a 5,000 square foot Back of the Dragon store has a brewery, food and drinks, memorabilia, and an out door sitting area. The town of Tazewell is ligned with beautiful vintage brick buildings and often will host riding/driving clubs as well as car & bike shows lined up along the street. Also, along the way you can visit Hungry Mother State Park. At the Southern end is Marion where you have plenty of modern fast food places as well as gas stations and places to pick up supplies.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

There is a first rate website describing the route, telling some history about how it was founded, and provides other associated information - https://www.backofthedragon.com/.
 

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Dale1961
September 14, 2020
53 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Excellent ride, not overly crowded, nice smooth road with lots of twisties and nice overlooks
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Soonerdawg
October 7, 2020
61 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Great ride. Rode South to North and North to South. In Tazewell make sure to stop by the Back of the Dragon store. 3 of us rode last week ( Wed/Thur) Sep 30-Oct 1) and there was not much traffic at all. We had perfect weather and the ride was thoroughly enjoyable.
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Dr. B
October 11, 2020
126 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Great corners, and scenery. Not much in the way of tourism but again that is not why I ride. It was almost as much fun as the tail. Take the corners seriously many are blind but can be pushed even in my 2019 Goldwing
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