2010 Tail of the Dragon
 

weather's getting nice, tops are coming down (!)

who's interested in going this year?

last year was my first and it was fun. would be nice to get a few more people. i think the general idea is some time in june...

Tony ~ I am a member of the Nor'easters group in Plant-9.com forum. Check the New Post page, I am sure you can find the topic there. If not there go to: FORUMS and scroll down to REGIONAL DISCUSSION FORUM -> NORTH AMERICA FORUM -sub group _US Northeast. There is a group going on May 18 -20th. Nice group of P-owners that I have meet and they are pretty active. I am sure they would love to have you join them! I cannot make it due to prior comittments. :(

I probably won't be able to go this year (again). I am not happy about this.

No money. That's the problem. Plus, I'm determined to borrow a trailer and rent a pickup and drag the boxster there instead of driving two hard days both ways and wearing myself (and my tires) out prematurely.

Check on the status of the landslide removal first
 

According to the TDOT the "Dragon" might reopen around the 1st of August.

June is good for me, or July, August... I'll be working in NC in a few weeks and the Dragon is only 3 hours away.
I checked the TOD website today and the road is open from 8am to 8pm from the NC side:

ROCK SLIDE UPDATE April 16, 2010: The rock slide on US 129 is located between the Dragon and Happy Valley Road/Foothills Parkway. TDOT has announced in a press release that the 11 mile section known as the Tail of the Dragon will be open from 8 am to 8 pm beginning Monday April 12, 2010. The only access is from North Carolina US 129. THP announced that there will be zero tolerance for traffic violations, so I'd travel the Tail with extreme caution. Please obey the traffic laws and report any undue harassment to us.

Her's a link to a TDOT camera of the rock slide site.

http://earthcam.com/clients/tennessseedot/

....jeez I was thinking of coming down from Toronto!

jaykay,
Come on down. You would get to Robbinsville not via the Tennessee side. We run the Dragon from the NC side then turn around way before the rock slide. We didn't see many police cars last year. They keep plenty busy keeping the motorcyclists in line.

I am really interested in doing it!. What dates are people considering?

Looks like it would be a couple days drive just to get there for me. I need a good motel/hotel to rest up and then launch from everyday. Any suggestions?

Cheers

I'll be wathcing this post, since I have interst in bringing the Turbo down to the TOD and the Twisted Pickle.

The former poster is correct - it is open from 8am to 8pm from the NC side, but is gated off closed at the bottom of the mountain.

I was there last weekend, fifteen minutes before the stupid rain hit. There was a policeman there, and I waived at him when I flew by. Most likely there because there was an ambulance there for a sportbike rider that lost control. If you are coming in from the TN side, come in via the Chihowee (sp?) parkway - it's a nice drive as well, just make sure you have gas before you get to it.

I live in Bristol TN, and just bought a 986 (formally rocked a few 911's, and a 944) and can meet down there nearly any weekend. Last weekend I was only able to get up to .77 lateral G's but I was way under on tire pressure - I didn't know you are supposed to raise it on the Boxster.

OK folks, I will be in the area on vacation again this year... but unless I find a grand to rent a truck or SUV and find a car trailer to borrow, I will be in my 550i instead of the Boxster (again).

Anyone interested in meeting Sunday, October 17th for a drive?

Give me a buzz, Randall - mine is also a 97 986, and a few options on the exterior to being a clone of yours (just had it a few weeks...) I"m sure we can work something out where you can borrow mine for a few runs if you want.

If a date is developed, count me in!

Apathic, thank you for your kind and generous offer but I will take a pass on that one. Holy cow I can only imagine that I could lose control and slide your Porsche off the side of the road and down an embankment and into a tree... just like my buddy did with his car on the Dragon.

No one should do that in a borrowed Porsche.

I'll be watching this post as well. I just finished grad school and its time to start playing again. :D

I believe October would work for me.

:cheers:

Since we had a low turnout last fall what about the end of July or the first part of August? We can get a discount at the Two Wheel Inn so post what weekend is good for you and I'll contact the TWI and arrange for the discount. I've received a few emails from them so they are eager to have us back again.

Bill- Looking forward to seeing your new ride.
Randall and Sammy- I can still make it in October if you two make it down/up.