Dr Sardonicus Spine of the Dragon

Locally known as the Dragon - this 11 mile stretch of sportbike nirvana is a fast , hazardous road with sharp curves, wild life and industrial traffic , making this section of Hwy47 treacherous.

The road links Mist to Clatskanie - Oregon and is a must ride for sportbike enthuasiasts.

Highway 47 - Spine of the Dragon

Tucked behind the quiet town of Clatskanie lies the twisties eleven mile stretch of road you'll find in the northwest. Fantastic, non-stop corners and little traffic have left many people believing that Highway 47 (also called the "Spine of the Dragon") is the crown jewel of the northwest. This twisty stretch of road connects the small town of Clatskanie to the tiny town of Mist and makes up part of the extensive network of excellent motorcycle roads on the Oregon Peninsula.

I would recommend hitting Highway 47 from Clatskanie and head South, the pavement tends to be smoother on the West side of the road and I think the corners are a little more fun this way as well. Heading up the hill out of Clatskanie you make a quick couple turns before you see a sign alerting you to twisty roads for the next eleven miles, this is a good thing. Immediately after this sign you have a couple corners before you have a 1/4 mile straight stretch, the longest you'll see.
It doesn't take long to pass the last of the driveways and as you drop into forest the corners become fantastic. Visibility is lacking in most of the corners but that's half the fun once you get to know the road better. Traffic is usually light on Highway 47 but if you get behind someone they tend to wave you by. After a couple miles of awesome corners you come to my favorite stretch of the road with a 4 or 5 back to back "S" turns.
As you continue on Highway 47 you move into a more open forest and some clearcut areas. The first clearcut area is a great place to stop and take pictures as you can see a clear view of the valley you're following. Moving past the first clearcut you move into another set of "S" turns although this time there is a cliff on the side of the road just past a row of trees. A few more sets of corners and you down the hill into the town of Mist. There's basically nothing to do in Mist so take a picture to prove you were there and continue on.
Past Mist there are tons of roads to explore. You can continue on Highway 47 and take a left after 6 miles or so onto Apiary Road or go another 4 miles after that and take a left onto Scappoose-Vernonia Highway towards Portland. If the coast is your eventual destination, Highway 202, Highway 6, Foss Road (depending on your bike) and Highway 53 are all possible routes.
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Dr
• Sardonicus
• Highway
• 47
• Spine
• of
• the
• Dragon
• cycling
• sportbike
• yamaha
• r6
• r1
• honda
• cbr
• 600
• rr
• 1000
• fireblade
• dubstep
• twisties
• touge
• mountain
• canyon
• road
• vio
• pov1
• pov1.5
• motorcycle
• knee
• draggin
• ride
• chase
• motogp
• rainstorm
• wsbk
• ama
• sbn
• r6c
• helmet
• camera
• suzuki
• ducati
• kawasaki
• cruising
• ball
• scooter
• davidson
• tuning
• mod
• japanese music

[1millionmore]

I'm not from the area (or indeed country) but I can tell from watching the video, the guy has a pretty good safety margin built in to his riding, takes good lines through the road whilst staying in his lane, is wearing the right gear and you know what, I can't recall too much other traffic around. So gees people get off the hate wagon! Great vid with nice production. I enjoyed it.

[motocycoplumber]

your videos are the sickest you set the standard as well as giving our sport a good name

[chriss9491]

I lived on that mountain growing up and never heard it called the spine of the dragon or dragon...

[brapboys503]

My old romping grounds! Hey, I used to live at Fishhawk Lake, betcha anything noone else knows whee that is, lol.

[MtnMig]

Excellent!! Enjoyed this a lot - fantastic.

Thanks

[zardjali]

best 919 video on you tube!!!!

[Pittimus84]

Funny how people criticize this video saying it's bad riding blah blah blah, but they have no idea what is pushing it and what is street safe, if you know how to truly ride a sport bike for what it is.

[dkramz]

I have lived in the area all my life and I can't say I have ever heard it called the "Dragon." If there is basically nothing to do in Mist why don't you do the locals a favor and find a new place to ride.

[Marvelicious75]

@shreddinred You're just pissed 'cause these guys are out having fun while you're driving to work at the sawmill.

@ riders, you might want to check with the local Mini-mart in Clatskanie, find out what time the mills change shifts so you don't have to deal with these guys - better for everybody that way.

[420witchdoctor]

I used to live there. The foliage is thicker than a rainforest, and technically the region indeed IS a rainforest.

[Weezletits]

Personally, I think this is a pretty nifty video.

Hey fuck face, keep tossing shit at these bikers.. I'm sure that will pay off for you one day.

Small dicks...Really? What are you 12?

Who gives a fuck about the name..call it Pink Lily Lane for all I care, it's a fucking sweet run...PUTS.

Bikers if you ride like a moron, well natural selection....