Blog
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First-Time Back of the Dragon Checklist
August 5, 2026Your first-time Back of the Dragon ride should be memorable for the right reasons. A little preparation goes a long way when you’re tackling Virginia Route 16 for the first time. Back of the Dragon is a scenic mountain road known for its sweeping curves, changing elevations, and unforgettable Appalachian views, making thoughtful ride planning […] -
Motorcycle Weekend in Tazewell, VA
August 5, 2026Planning a motorcycle weekend in Tazewell, VA is about more than choosing a scenic road. You want enough time to experience Back of the Dragon, discover Southwest Virginia, enjoy local restaurants, and relax without rushing from one stop to the next. Tazewell is the perfect basecamp for riders looking to turn an unforgettable ride into […] -
Fall Foliage Rides on Back of the Dragon
August 5, 2026Finding the best fall foliage motorcycle rides in Virginia means looking beyond colorful scenery alone. You need a road that combines changing mountain views with curves, elevation, and places worth stopping along the way. Back of the Dragon delivers that full autumn experience on Virginia Route 16 between Tazewell and Marion. A fall foliage ride […] -
Things to Do in Tazewell, VA for Riders and Drivers
July 8, 2026Searching for things to do in Tazewell, VA, usually begins with the sound of an engine on Virginia Route 16. Back of the Dragon brings motorcycle riders and performance-car drivers into town for its mountain curves, elevation changes, and constantly shifting rhythm, but experienced visitors know the trip should not end as soon as the […] -
Best Gifts for Motorcycle Enthusiasts and Car Lovers
July 8, 2026The best gifts for a rider or driver aren’t things off a shelf. It’s a feeling: a difficult curve finally clicking, the view from a mountain overlook, the friends waiting at the next stop, and the road that made the whole trip worth taking. A great enthusiast gift, whether it’s a useful item, a keepsake, […] -
Back of the Dragon Map & GPX Download
July 2, 2026The Road Awaits. Grab the Back of the Dragon map, load the Back of the Dragon GPX route, and get ready for Virginia Route 16 through Southwest Virginia. This run between Tazewell and Marion brings tight switchbacks, steep climbs, long drops, and the kind of curves riders talk about long after the engines cool. A […] -
Best Scenic Stops on Back of the Dragon in Southwest Virginia
July 2, 2026The best scenic stops on Back of the Dragon start before the first curve. In downtown Tazewell, the Back of the Dragon Welcome Center gives riders and drivers that first big photo moment before VA-16 climbs into the mountains. From there, the 32-mile run between Tazewell and Marion cuts across Southwest Virginia ridges, shaded switchbacks, […] -
Tazewell vs Marion Back of the Dragon: Where Should You Start?
July 2, 2026Tazewell vs Marion Back of the Dragon comes down to your route, your group, and how you want the ride to end. Tazewell gives you the official hub. Marion gives you the clean southern entry from I-81. Back of the Dragon is a motorcycle and driving route on VA-16 between Tazewell and Marion, Virginia, known […] -
Sports Car Roads in Tazewell, VA
June 16, 2026The best sports car roads Virginia enthusiasts seek are roads that combine driver engagement, changing scenery, and memorable destinations. The Back of the Dragon sports car drive delivers exactly that. This 32-mile stretch of Virginia Route 16 runs between Tazewell and Marion, Virginia, crossing the elevations and ridgelines of Clinch Mountain through the heart of […]