DRAGON CHAPTER 1761 SPONSORED BY MAY-JUNE 2016

From the Editor's Desk...

DRAGON CHAPTER OFFICERS Director:

Johnny Stooksbury 865-690-7585

Assistant Director:

Doug Frantom 734-945-2720

frantom73@gmail.com Secretary:

Sandra Widmeyer 248-231-7457

dragonhog@dragonhog.com Treasurer:

Pat Johnson 610-608-6287

tappatj@gmail.com Membership:

Mickie Sampson 301-873-5197

micksoftail@hotmail.com Activities Officer:

Tim Rooney 865-696-8474

trooney47@gmail.com Head Road Captain:

Bob Timmons 865-456-8613

bobcat21333@gmail.com Editor:

Denise Frinzi 262-490-2633

denise.frinzi@gmail.com Photographer:

Open

Safety Officer

Darryl Clark 865-233-4381

rollingtunder1@Charter.net Ladies of Harley:

Mickie Sampson 301-873-5197

micksoftail@hotmail.com Webmaster:

Joe Ball 865-405-0274

webmaster@dragonhog.com Historian:

Pat Frantom 734-945-2720

frantom73@gmail.com

Denise Frinzi - Dragon Tales Editor

Hey Folks, Our much loved Director, Johnny Stooksbury, celebrated his 84th Birthday in June. Johnny and Lightning celebrated the day with Mickie & Tom Sampson and Pat & Bob Johnson in, where else, New Orleans! What an awesome trip they all had! Be sure to tell Johnny "Happy Birthday", even if it's belated, the next time you see him!

Happy Birthday Johnny!

Make sure to check the last page of this issue for a sneak preview of Dragon Tales Special Edition... coming soon to all y'all!

July 4th - Happy Independence Day!

DRAGON TALES - MAY-JUNE 2016 ISSUE Page 2 of 13

In This Issue...

2016 Chapter Officers ............................................ Front Page From the Editor's Desk .......................................... Front Page What’s Happening? ...................................................... Page 2 Welcome New Members .............................................. Page 3 Ask the Assistant .......................................................... Page 3 Harley Historical Fact .................................................... Page 4 ABCs of Touring Dragon Style ....................................... Page 5 Chapter Mileage Challenge .......................................... Page 5 Ride Route 66 in Illinois ................................................ Page 6 Tail of the Gecko ........................................................... Page 6 Adventures with Harley Hawg ...................................... Page 7 Dragon Ladies of Harley ............................................... Page 8 Female Rider Spotlight - Mickie Sampson .................... Page 9 Female Rider Spotlight - Donna McKale...................... Page 10 Only In Tennessee ...................................................... Page 11 Sneak Preview of Special Edition................................ Page 13

WHAT'S HAPPENING? Upcoming Events and Dates to Remember

Events listed are those that are known at the time of publication. Please note that dates/locations/routes may change so make sure to check the associated web pages for any updates.

Dragon H.O.G. Chapter Events

Check the Dragon Chapter Event Calendar for further details and for more upcoming events! www.DragonHOG.com. Jul 3: Red, White & Blues Festival Jul 9: Cumberland Falls LOH Ride Jul 14-17: Chapter Ride to Harley-Davidson Museum Jul 15: United Way Gas Day Jul 16: NoogaStrong Memorial Ride Jul 23: Chapter Revolution Rides Jul 30: Buffalo Valley Hill AMA Climb Chapter Ride Aug 2: Patio Italian Restaurant Dinner Ride/Drive Aug 13: Cherokee Meigs Co LOH Ride Aug 30: Henry's Casual Cafe Dinner Ride/Drive

Project RideMore Events

Ride with the Project RideMore team to spectacular places in East Tennessee and the surrounding area. Project RideMore

rides every Tuesday (weather permitting). Meet at SMH-D in Maryville at 9:00am and ride to mountain tops, waterfalls and scenic views. Some rides are overnight so make sure to check the calendar to see where Project RideMore will be riding next. These are Dealership sponsored rides. All Dragon members are encouraged to participate. Check the Project RideMore website at http://www.projectridemore.net/ride_calendar for further details.

Smoky Mountain Dealership Events

These are Dealership sponsored events. All Dragon members are encouraged to

participate. Check the SMH-D website at www.smh-d.com

for further details.

Jul 4: Freedom Ride Jul 7: Bike Night Jul 14: Bike Night Jul 21: Bike Night Jul 28: Bike Night Jul 29: Customer Appreciation Night Aug 4: Bike Night Aug 6: SMH-D Birthday Bash Aug 11: Bike Night Aug 18: Bike Night Aug 25: Bike Night Sep 1: Bike Night

The Shed Events Check the SMH-D website at www.smh-d.com for further details on events at The Shed. Jul 2: 7 Bridges Concert Jul 9: Leon Russell Concert Jul 16: The Wildflowers Concert Jul 23: James McMurtry Concert Jul 30: John Anderson Concert Aug 6: Southern Drawl Concert Aug 13: The Unknown Hinson Concert Aug 18: Ted Nugent Concert Aug 20: Whiskey Myers Concert Aug 27: Paul Thorn Concert Sep 3: The Kentucky Headhunters Concert

Other Charity Events Jul 2: Ride for Independence Benefit https://form.jotform.com/jpopek/blount-motorcycle-ride

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WELCOME NEW DRAGON CHAPTER MEMBERS!

The Dragon HOG Chapter extends a warm welcome to our newest members who joined from April 23, 2016 thru June 28, 2016. Please let me know if I missed anyone or if I misspelled your name - it was not intentional!

Rusty Lockett Wilma Langley Douglas Pfanstiel Shaun Taft James Harris Dennis Chambers Sigrid Kopp Royce Hannel

Ask the Assistant... by Doug Frantom

Q: Hey Doug, I know one of our benefits is the National H.O.G. Mileage Program, how do I sign up for this?

A: MAKE YOUR MILES COUNT. The H.O.G. Mileage Program rewards you for doing what you love most ... riding. The more miles you log on your Harley®, the more recognition you receive. A H.O.G. Mileage Program pin and patch will be sent to all H.O.G. members upon enrollment in the program. If you have more than one motorcycle, be sure to enroll each additional bike. After enrollment, additional awards can be earned by satisfying set mileage levels. Program includes only Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. Completed form must include your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and current mileage. • All forms must be endorsed by a Harley-Davidson®

dealer. • IMPORTANT: If you own more than one motorcycle,

each must be enrolled before the miles you ride on it may be included.

• Harley-Davidson® Authorized Rentals mileage may be credited by submitting a copy of the contract mileage.

OFFICIAL GUIDELINES 1. You must enroll EACH motorcycle prior to

accumulating miles/kilometers. Mileage accumulated prior to enrollment is not eligible for consideration.

2. Participation is offered exclusively to active H.O.G. members (full, full life, associate, and associate life members).

3. Program covers only Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. 4. Members may enroll in the H.O.G. Mileage

Recognition by completing an enrollment form. Vehicle identification number and current mileage must be indicated on the form at time of enrollment.

5. An additional H.O.G. Mileage Program form must be submitted when a vehicle is sold/traded indicating the ending mileage reading for the old vehicle along with the vehicle identification number and starting mileage of the new vehicle.

6. Passengers are also welcome to participate in the H.O.G. Mileage Program. The passenger must also be an active H.O.G. member, and enrollment is to be documented on the same form as his or her sponsoring rider.

7. Those listed as a “passenger” on a form, but who are also “riders,” may submit a separate enrollment form if they would like to accumulate miles as a “rider”. However, mileage accumulated on one vehicle cannot be shared with another rider (i.e., the same mileage cannot be reported twice for two rider awards).

8. Harley-Davidson® Authorized Rentals miles may be credited by submitting a copy of the contract, which indicates mileage accumulated.

9. Each Mileage Program form must document odometer readings and appropriate vehicle identification numbers for all vehicles used to accumulate required mileage for that particular mileage level. (Kilometers should be indicated for those motorcycles using a kilometer odometer.)

All enrollment forms must be endorsed by an authorized Harley-Davidson® dealer. Members should send their forms to the address listed on the form. See HOG.com for details on this program and all of your other benefits. Ride Safe and Have Fun!

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Harley Historical Fact by Louis Citrano

Have you ever wondered who the oldest Harley-Davidson dealership in America is? Well, there are two dealers who almost both qualify but, of course, there can only be one.

Kegel Harley-Davidson

Kegel Harley-Davidson in Rockford, Illinois say they were established in 1910. However, there are no documented proofs at Harley-Davidson Motor Company that they are the oldest dealership in America being established in 1910. The earliest documents The Motor Company has is March 1912. Also, in the mid 1920's the dealership was believed to have shut down and was moved and then re-opened. So, Harley-Davidson will not allow them to advertise as the "Oldest Harley-Davidson dealer in America." However, Kegel Harley-Davidson is the oldest dealership still in the same family with Kegel family members still working at the dealership today.

A.D. Farrow Harley -Davidson in Columbus, Ohio say they are the oldest Harley dealer in America. Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Farrow established their dealership in February 1912. Harley-Davidson Motor Company does have all documented proofs stating that A.D. Farrow Harley-Davidson was established in February 1912 in Columbus, Ohio and therefore they are allowed by The Motor Company to advertise (and are) the "Oldest Harley-Davidson dealer in America." Mr. Farrow passed away early-on once the dealership was

established leaving his wife and eventually other family members to run the business. The Farrows eventually sold the business but the A. D. Farrow name still remains on the dealership today.

A.D. Farrow Harley-Davidson

Some people thought that Dudley Perkins Harley-Davidson in San Francisco, California was the oldest dealership in America but they are not, they were established in 1914.

Dudley Perkins Harley-Davidson

Dinner ride to Patio Restaurant, Madisonville, May 31st

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ABCs of Touring - Dragon Style by Bob Timmons

Progress is being made. A few more folks, a few more miles, and a few more points. Remember that we will have an end-of-the-year drawing for those Dragon members that are participating. Ride the bike, that's why you bought it! Ron Cooper 28 Doug Frantom 30 Pat Frantom 30 Bob Timmons 81 Carol Timmons 33 Frank Widmeyer 65 Sandra Widmeyer 70 Please remember to send me an email (bobcat21333@gmail.com) after June 30th with your then current totals. If you would like to review the rules for the Harley ABC contest, please go to "hog.com/abc" on the web. There are national prizes that you will qualify for with point totals of 26 or 52 or 78. Saddle up and let's hit the trail! A special note from Frank Widmeyer: Sandra and I have been hard at work (lol - having lots of fun) racking up points collecting pictures. Sandra currently has 70 points and I'm trailing behind at 65. The ABC's of Touring is a good excuse to ride somewhere you wouldn't normally think to go.

Chapter Mileage Challenge by Roy Fain

Well we finally have a new leader for "year to date miles", and wouldn't you just know, last year's high-miles winner Joe Ball has stepped up to the plate again. You better not look back Joe, cause Jerald or Bob or Ron will be in hot pursuit, not to mention a whole host of others ready to rack up a few miles. Last month's high-miles winner was again Jerald Diggs. I think he has a whole pocket full of gift cards now. I also need to thank Frank Widmeyer for relieving me for a hot dog break, and Pat Frantom for getting my card stamped; "thanks much!" We are starting to get more participation which I am glad to see, but we always have room for more folks, just crawl on that big bad bike and roll on in to the "drive-by mileage check" and help us out. You don't have to go after high miles, just do your thing, so I can get to know you, and your bike. So just ride all the way to the last gate and look for the red easy-up, and I will be there to congratulate you for a job well done. See you at the next Chapter meeting and ride safe.....Roy. Oh and did I say just

"PUSH THE BUTTON............MAKE THE NOISE"

1. Joe Ball---------------------------------14825 2. Jerald Diggs---------------------------14214 3. Bob Timmons------------------------11040 4. Ron Cooper----------------------------8441 5, Dave McKale--------------------------7222 6. Donna McKale------------------------6467 7. Frank Widmeyer---------------------5789 8. Tim Rooney---------------------------5219 9. Marlon Johnson---------------------4640 10. Lee Robbins--------------------------4305 11. Sandra Widmeyer------------------2728 12. Anne Caulfield-----------------------2558 13. Doug & Pat Frantom---------------1944 14. Darryl Clark---------------------------1383 15. Connie Thomas----------------------1242 16. Roy Fain-------------------------------1109 17. Roy Thomas----------------------------945 18. Jay Hooper-----------------------------570

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Ride Route 66 in Illinois

June 2017 by Bill Pagett

Hello everyone. I’m Bill Pagett and have been a member of the Dragon Chapter since 2007 and for 3 years, the chapter’s Head Road Captain. At the April Dragon Chapter meeting, I presented an idea for a ride on historic Route 66

that would take us from the Illinois side of the Mississippi River north to the end in downtown Chicago. At the close of the meeting, several members expressed interest in joining the ride. If you’ve received your latest edition of the HOG publication from the Motor Company, you’ll see that they liked my idea also. My plan is for this ride to be both enjoyable and informative. Enjoyable as it’s not going to be an ‘Iron Butt’ ride and informative because we’ll learn how this route came to be known as the, “Mother Road” and the significant role it played in putting auto travel into our way of life. And, because Route 66 passes through such notable cities as Springfield, Illinois, we’ll make it a point to see the sights associated with Abraham Lincoln, our sixteenth President of the United States. In Joliet, Illinois, one of the alignments of Route 66 passes the front door of the Joliet Correctional Center. Now closed, this prison was built in 1858 and was featured in the movies The Blues Brothers, Let’s Go To Prison, and in the Fox Network’s Prison Break. From St. Louis to Chicago is just under 300 miles. My plan is to cover this distance in 2 days. It should be easy to fit in enough stops for breaks and meals and the sights, historical points of interest, dealer stops, and the ‘tourist traps’ along the route by covering around 150 miles each day. As a few ‘Motor Courts’ may still be open for business, those that want to, can see what early travelers experienced in overnight accommodations by booking a room for the mid-point stay. The plan is for this ride to take place in June of 2017. The two weeks of either June 11th or the 18th offer a window of opportunity as the Tennessee HOG Rally and Memorial Day traffic will have ended and traffic for the

July 4th holiday will not yet have begun. Also, the weather should be pleasant. As I mentioned at the April meeting, at the conclusion of the Route 66 portion of the ride in Chicago, those that want, may consider riding another 80 miles north to visit the home of the Motor Company in Milwaukee. For those that want to get back home, it’s around 575 miles of all interstate travel and I’ve done it both ways – straight through or break it into a 2 day ride. Please note, this is not an exclusive Dragon Chapter ride, nor is it in any way affiliated with HOG or the Dragon Chapter. The sole purpose of this ride is to have a little fun with like-minded adventurers that just happen to be members of the Dragon Chapter and enjoy putting a few miles on our Harleys. I’ll have more details on this ride at future Chapter meetings and in the Dragon Tails Newsletter.

Ride Safe!

Tail of the Gecko by Sid & Yvonne Lewis

With thanks to Harley Hawg (Dragon Tales March newsletter), I found that the Tail of the Dragon has a little cousin in Florida. A Google search gave me some

specific information. Come to find out that the north-to-south end point of the Tail of the Gecko is only 20 miles from where we have lived in Palmetto for a little over 1.5 years.

After a Manatee River Chapter ride out east for breakfast on May 22nd, we returned on SR 62 for a much anticipated comparison ride after having been on The

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Dragon twenty times or more. We turned off SR 62 onto Bunker Hill Rd which is the southernmost point of The Gecko. I paused to reset my trip odometer and asked my wife to count the curves. I hammered the throttle and off we went towards the first 90 degree left. Whoa..... stop sign at the end of this mile stretch at a T in the road. A left onto Taylor Grade Rd takes us NW then N turning into Keene Rd. Several more curves and 90's, then the road narrows to a single lane becoming Grange Hall Loop. After three more 90's, the road turns back east, becomes a little more rough, and runs through a pretty tree canopy area. Then, another 90 left turn and the road runs north to a stop sign. The route continues with a left turn onto SR 674 and a run west for 1.8 miles after which the route turns north onto Owens Rd, then into Sweat Loop Rd after another 90 turn to the right. Add another 90 to the left, and with a straight shot north for another mile The Gecko ends at SR 672.

My trip odometer totaled 19.5 miles which is almost twice the length of The Dragon. There are 13 curves of 90 degrees and a staggering total of about 1 curve/mile (19+ total). (Yvonne counted several more turns, but most are too lame to be considered as curves.) Speaking of lame, the Tail of the Gecko certainly fits that description! Sid & Yvonne Lewis

Adventures with Harley Hawg...

Howdy Folks, I loved readin de article from Sid & Yvonne, dang near lost count jes how many chuckles it gave me, I'm tellin ya. Leastways I now knows somebody's a payin attention to me writin - heehee! Well I's got a few more adventures behind me already this summer. For de first time ever, I gots to go to Washington, D.C. over Memorial Day weekend and rode with Deni in de Rolling Thunder Ride. Gettin there, though, was jes the start of de fun. Bob Timmons led de group from Bush's Beans o'er there in Dandridge. Deni and I, well, we's still tryin to figure out how Bob found all dem roads we was on between home and our first stop up in Lynchburg, VA. We got on one road and Bob tole Deni and me that this here was a "Project RideMore" road - and he sure weren't foolin bout dat. Cause it was some back road not near wide nough fer a car and a half and it were jes so windy I didn't think we'd ever see us no straight road agin. Course it was real pretty bein under de tree canopy an' all. An I think we was on some road that even Richard Hilton ain't never been on - dat's gotta be a first! After stoppin for de night in Lynchburg, VA, we hit de road agin and alls I can say is dat it was another day of what I nows refer to as "Project Bob" roads - heehee. Deni says she loved every minute of it, the Serge I ain't so sure - heehee. Well, we finally made it to Washington, D.C. and we toured Arlington National Cemetery. Kinda made me sad to see all dem graves of men and women who fought and paid the ultimate sacrifice so we could all ride and live free. My favorite part was that I finally gots to see de changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. It was so moving that it brought tears to me eyes and almost everyone else's.

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Next mornin had to be up afore de crack o' dawn cause we had to leave by 5:45am to git to the Pentagon parking lot. We got ourselves lost and Deni says she done learned her lesson - ALWAYS FOLLOW THE LEADER! After drivin in circles, we finally got parked for de ride at about 7:15am. Deni and the Serge decided to tour the Pentagon Memorial. Wow - alls I can tells ya is that it's well worth the visit. There's a lot of thought an' careful plannin that went into designin that Memorial. You can sees what I mean by checkin it out at: www.pentagonmemorial.org. The first motorcycle left the Pentagon parking lot at 12:00pm EDT. Bob left a few minutes afore we did and we finally left at 1:30pm. I gots me a great shot of Bob jes afore he started. There was so many people on the route and I's grinnin from ear to ear wavin to all dem folks.

Once we got done with de ride, we toured us all dem war memorials. Saw the World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial and Vietnam War Memorial. I even gots to see the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Though I's kinda sad cause I didn't get me

no picture of the Vietnam Memorial. There was jes too many people there that I jes couldn't do it no justice. Well folks, I'll save some more of me stories for another time. Til then, all y'all ride safe and have fun!

World War II Memorial

Korean War Memorial

Dragon Ladies of Harley by Denise Frinzi

The Dragon Ladies of Harley have been keeping very busy these last couple of months with more adventures in store for the near future. May was International Female Rider Month and we are proud to say that our very own LOH Director, Mickie Sampson, and Donna McKale, former editor of Dragon Tales, were two of the featured female riders on Smoky Mountain H-D's web site. In case you missed it, I've taken the liberty of re-publishing their fabulous stories below. SMH-D held a month-long riding contest for all female riders during May and we had two LOH winners in the top three! Congrats to Sandra Widmeyer (2nd place) and Connie Thomas (3rd Place)!

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On June 11th, the Dragon LOH held the Rivers End ride. The ride was led by Mickie Sampson and our sweep was Diana Vickers. It was an absolutely beautiful day for a ride. We rode down "The Dragon" and stopped for a short break at Deals Gap. We took the opportunity to take a group photo as we had quite a group riding that day.

We continued onto the "Moonshiner 28" and NC19 over to the Nantahala Forest area. We ate lunch at the Rivers End restaurant; seating was just as fantastic as the food as we were able to sit indoors right next to the river. Our journey that day continued onto the Cherohala Skyway with a final destination at the Cherohala Harley store.

In addition to all our riding, the Dragon LOH continue to serve the local Blount County community by volunteering their time the first Monday of each month at the Blount County Food Pantry from 10:00am to noon. We wrapped up the month of June on the 26th with an LOH-only Skills course that was headed by Darryl Clark and Tom Sampson. The ladies endured three hours in the heat, temperature being in the mid to high 90s. Brushing up on their riding skills were Sandra Widmeyer, Connie Thomas, Anne Caulfield, Pat Johnson, Javonna Hall and Mickie Sampson. Special thanks to Darryl and Tom for all their help and guidance. Way to go, Ladies of Harley!

Our next adventure is riding to Cumberland Falls on Saturday, July 9th. Anne Caulfield is our lead for this brown bag ride. The ride is open to all Chapter members so come on out and join the Dragon LOH for another great time with great friends!

Female Rider Spotlight

Mickie Sampson as published by SMH-D on Facebook, May 10th

Mickie grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania with a brother who owned a motorcycle that she would ride around the property. But it wasn't until the early 70's when she started riding with her husband, Tom, that she got hooked! She started riding on her own in 1976, 40 years ago! But, being a military family, some of the

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duty stations prevented her from being able to really ride. Mickie took a 17 year hiatus but started riding regularly again in 2000. Currently, Mickie rides a 2014 CVO Deluxe and a 2002 Heritage Softail. Her Softail has over 110,000 miles on it!

Mickie has ridden in 14 different countries and most enjoyed the Swiss Alps as well as the French Alps facing the Mediterranean heading into Spain. Locally, Mickie loves to ride Route 68 out of Tellico Plains and Moonshiner 28. She loves to lead through the curves! After Tom spent 30 years in the Navy and Mickie retired as a DoD employee after 24 years, they chose East Tennessee as the perfect place to retire. SMH-D was one of the reasons for this choice. Mickie is an active member of the Dragon HOG Chapter, volunteering at the Shed on Saturday nights and also serving as the Membership Officer. In addition to that, she is the Director for the Ladies of Harley. Mickie is excited to see more and more women riders emerging and applauds Harley for making their bikes more accessible. She says some of the female group rides she has done have been the absolute best. But, her favorite story was the 21 day trip from Germany to France passing the Eiffel Tower through the French Pyrenees onward to Spain (a week on the coast of Spain) and back through Austria, Lichtenstein, and Switzerland. That was the ride in 1971 that changed her life forever. Mickie says riding a Harley makes you feel like part of a special group, a sort of kinship; that you meet the best people when you are on two wheels. Her advice to folks not quite sure if riding is for them- take the Rider’s Academy Course and test it out for yourself!

Mickie hopes to one day ride in Europe again but right now is content feeling the wind in her face and experiencing the freedom that comes with riding! Let's give it up for Mickie Sampson!

Female Rider Spotlight Donna McKale

as published by SMH-D on Facebook, May 24th

Donna is a popular face around Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson. You can find her shining shoes on Saturday nights at The Shed or working with the HOG Chapter, Ladies of Harley, or the Motor Maids.

Donna grew up around bikes and had been a backseat rider with her father and then husband until one day 9 years ago when she finally took the seat up front on her first bike, an 883 Low Sportster she called Sadie. Now she has a 2009 Softtail Heritage (Molly) as well as a 2015 Road Glide Special (Maxine). Locally she loves to ride HWY 70 between Lenoir City and Kingston. But the coolest place she's ever ridden was on the island of Barbados! She hopes to one day ride in Australia. Donna is proof that women riders can do anything, as shown by her trip to Florida when she had only been riding for 7 weeks! Rain, curvy roads, and crazy conditions plagued the 2400 mile trip, but she made it! Now that's a real "break in ride!" Donna spent 20 years in the Navy where she thought she had really lived some adventures. But when she learned to ride, she saw there was no comparison. She says the sense of freedom, independence, and confidence is like no other. She describes her connection with other riders as simply awesome.

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In the future, she hopes to see more acknowledgement, like this, that women do ride! She hopes to see more encouragement to get females on bikes and more refresher courses for experienced female riders like herself. That's our Donna! Ain't she great?!

Only in Tennessee by Denise Frinzi

Did you know that one of the steepest incline railways in the world was right here in Tennessee? Yep and not that very far away from here. The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway has a grade of 72.7% and is located along the side of Lookout Mountain in the historic St. Elmo neighborhood of Chattanooga. Some claim that this makes it officially the steepest railway in the world.

I couldn't actually substantiate that claim as there is always a caveat to these types of things. For example, according to Wikipedia, the Scenic Railway in Katoomba, Australia has a grade of 128% (52 degrees) and is considered to be the steepest cable-driven funicular railway in the world. Be that as it may, it's still pretty awesome to see the steepness of the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway that's practically in our own back yard. The Incline Railway is one mile long which means you have just a few seconds to get a look at the gorgeous view behind you - that is, if you're brave enough to turn around in your seat! It was designed and actually built by the Otis Elevator Company in 1895.

The Incline Railway opened in November of that year and has been depicted in numerous regional and national publications, including being predominantly featured on TV in Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy. Two cars can operate at once because of a small section in the center of the track that allows the two cars to pass each other in transit.

And just think - Ruby Falls, Cavern Castle and Rocky City are all within a 10-minute drive from here. So.... Will you be riding the Incline Railway anytime soon?

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Dragon Chapter HOG Event Photos

Medieval Faire in Harriman

Staging at SMH-D

Mileage Checkpoint prior to Chapter Meeting

Relaxing 'n Eating

LOH and Eric working hard

Our Leader up front

Dragging Flatlander Down the Dragon

Dry Falls

Bridal Falls

Down by the Riverside

LOH Having Fun

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A Sneak Preview Alaska to Key West

Once upon a time, four fellas dreamed of riding their Harleys to Alaska... Stay tuned to a special edition of Dragon Tales where you will read about their adventures and see some spectacular photos of their once-in-a-lifetime Harley adventure... Here is a sneak preview of what you are about to see...

The Four Desperados

Wildlife

Mountains