US Highway 129, "The Tail of the Dragon"

Highway US 129 is affectionately known as "The Tail of the Dragon" and is home to 318 turns in just 11 miles. The well-kept road is a rider's paradise as it dives left and right repeatedly all the way up to a scenic overlook. This year that final meeting point hosted nearly 400 Yamaha sportbikes-most members of the McCoy Motorsports-hosted R1 and R6 forums.

The gathering, now in its fifth year, is hosted at Fontana Village-a full vacation resort with cabins, boating, horseback riding, fishing and, of course, one of the sickest roads on the Eastern seaboard. The complex is nestled a few miles from the North Carolina and Tennessee borders and tucked away close to a host of incredibly scenic areas, including the Fontana Dam.

Each day is pretty similar because the main attraction is free. Small packs of riders fire off into the Dragon's lair, hoping to tame it and not end up bolting crashed bodywork to the famous "Tree of Shame."

There were all kinds of bikes, and stealing the show from the supermotos and Harleys was a squadron of lunatic scooter riders in full gear pinning their tiny motors to the max.

The event is about more than just wild riding, though. Bonds of family and friendship are strengthened throughout the week as forum members match faces to names. The late nights, bar stories and campfire cook-offs help create a sense of unity among strangers whose only tie is a Yamaha.